Schengen country officially opens its doors: New visa program launched

Bulgaria, which adopted the euro in 2025 and became a full member of the Schengen Area, aims to attract remote workers worldwide with its low cost of living and newly introduced Digital Nomad Visa.

Applicants seeking to benefit from Bulgaria’s new visa program must be citizens of countries outside the EU, EEA, or Switzerland (such as Turkey) and must earn their income from sources outside Bulgaria.

The main eligibility criteria are as follows:

🔺️ Applicants must either be remote employees of a non-EU company, hold at least a 25% stake in a business registered abroad, or be self-employed freelancers who have been providing services to international clients for at least one year.

🔺️ Candidates are required to prove an annual income of at least €31,000, equivalent to 50 times Bulgaria’s minimum wage. Additionally, they must provide valid health insurance covering the entire Schengen Area, as well as a rental contract or proof of accommodation valid in Bulgaria.

The process consists of a two-stage procedure. Applicants must first obtain a Type D long-term visa from a Bulgarian consulate in their home country. After entering Bulgaria, digital nomads are required to apply for a residence permit within 14 days. While the total processing time can take up to three months, the residence permit is initially granted for one year and can be extended provided the required conditions continue to be met.

Source: Euronews