With its gorgeous Black Sea beaches and ancient Balkan Mountain villages, savvy travelers know that Bulgaria is one of Europe’s most underrated travel destinations. Compared to its southern neighbors Greece and Turkey, the Balkan nation is less frequented by tourists—and is also much less expensive, consistently ranking among the most affordable countries to visit in Europe.
If the nightlife of Sunny Beach or the history of Europe’s oldest continuously inhabited city has you considering extending your visit, Bulgaria now offers a two-year visa for digital nomads. According to the Bulgarian News Agency, the program was first launched in December 2025 as a bid to boost the local economy by attracting high-spending skilled workers. And since Bulgaria is part of the EU, the visa also allows recipients to travel freely across the 28 other Schengen area countries.
According to immigration firm Fragomen, the long-stay visa lasts for one year, with the option to extend another 12 months. To qualify, remote workers must fall into one of three categories: work for a company outside the EU, Switzerland, or the European Economic Area (EEA); own at least 25% of an international company; or have provided services for a non-Bulgarian company for at least a year prior to applying.
The program’s biggest draw is its affordability. EuroNews reports that applicants must show proof that their annual salary is at least 50 times the country’s monthly minimum wage of 620 euros (about $709), or €31,000 (about $35,460) a year. By comparison, Spain’s digital nomad visa requires an annual salary of $39,036; Czechia requires $40,320; Portugal requires $42,132; and Malta’s threshold is $45,233.
It’s a relatively low barrier to entry for Schengen area rights. However, applicants should be prepared for an extended approval process: Digital nomads must first obtain a long-stay Visa D while in their home country, a process that can take up to two months. With that visa, you can then enter Bulgaria to submit the necessary qualifying digital nomad visa documents (such as proof of income and a place to live), which could take another month. Only when approved, can you apply for the official identification card, which may be another month-long procedure.
Bulgaria is one of the latest European countries to launch digital nomad visas, as remote work allows for more American expats to move abroad or plan long-term travel. From Portugal and Spain to Thailand and Indonesia, there are plenty of new visa options to choose from, with additional programs in Asia rolling out this year. Most recently, Sri Lanka launched a renewable one-year digital nomad visa in February 2026, and Taiwan extended its own program from six months to two years shortly after.
