Everything to know about Bulgaria's new digital nomad visa: How to qualify, where to apply and more

"To apply for the digital nomad visa, applicants must be non-EU/EEA citizens who work remotely and earn an income outside of Bulgaria. You must also fall within one of the three eligibility criteria below: Freelancers or independent contractors providing services to non-Bulgarian clients for at least one year before applying. Remote employees of companies registered outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland. Company owners or those holding more than 25% of a business registered abroad."

"Applicants need to show proof of an annual income of at least 50 times the Bulgarian monthly minimum wage, 620 euros or $723 USD, or at least 31,000 euros or $36,168 USD a year. Bulgaria Alxpin | E+ | Getty Images To take advantage of Bulgaria's digital nomad visa, applicants must get a type D long-stay visa at a Bulgarian embassy or consulate in their home country. The type D long-stay visa allows foreigners to enter Bulgaria and apply for residency."

"Once you've arrived in Bulgaria, you must apply for a residence permit under the Digital Nomad Visa program within 14 days. To obtain a residence permit, applicants must provide evidence of their stay in Bulgaria, a clean criminal record certificate from their country of residence, translations of any foreign documents into Bulgarian, and meet the official minimum income threshold of $36,168 USD per year."

Bulgaria launched a digital nomad visa and recently adopted the euro while joining the Schengen Zone. The visa targets non-EU/EEA remote workers who earn income outside Bulgaria and fits three categories: freelancers serving non-Bulgarian clients for at least a year, remote employees of companies outside the EU/EEA/Switzerland, and business owners holding more than 25% of an overseas company. Applicants must demonstrate an annual income equal to 50 times the Bulgarian monthly minimum wage (listed as 620 euros or $723), or at least 31,000 euros ($36,168). Applicants obtain a type D long-stay visa, then apply for a residence permit within 14 days with evidence of stay, a clean criminal record certificate, translations of documents, and Schengen-valid health insurance. The visa is valid one year and can be renewed for another year if requirements continue to be met.

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