Bulgaria (BG)
Bulgaria is the oldest state in Europe (founded 681 AD), a member of the European Union since 2007, and one of the most affordable countries for expats in the EU.
Visa & Immigration
Entry and residence options for Bulgaria.
✈️ Visa-Free Access
EU/EEA citizens and Swiss nationals have full freedom of movement — no visa required, can stay and work indefinitely upon registration. Visa-free entry (up to 90 days in any 180 days) for citizens of: USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, UK, Japan, South Korea, Israel, Brazil, and most other Western countries. Bulgaria accepts the Schengen short-stay visa (C visa) for countries where it applies. Bulgaria became a full Schengen member with land border checks lifted on 1 January 2025 (air and sea borders opened 31 March 2024) — all internal Schengen borders are now open.
Bulgaria is an EU member and uses the Bulgarian Lev (BGN), pegged to EUR at 1.95583. Bulgaria fully joined the Schengen Area on 1 January 2025 — land, air, and sea internal borders were all lifted. Time spent in Bulgaria now counts toward the Schengen 90/180-day rule for non-EU nationals on short stays. The Bulgarian immigration system can be paper-heavy and slow — allow extra time for all applications. English support at government offices is limited; using an immigration lawyer (адвокат) is strongly recommended for non-EU applicants. The Migration Directorate in Sofia is at 48 "Knyaz Boris I" Street (migration.mvr.bg). Biometric residence cards issued since 2011.
Short-Stay Visa (Type C)
Citizens of countries requiring a visa for stays up to 90 days
3–10 working days (standard). Express: 1–3 days with higher fee.
- ✓Valid passport (6+ months validity)
- ✓Completed visa application form
- ✓Biometric photo
- ✓Travel insurance (minimum €30,000 coverage)
- ✓Proof of accommodation (hotel booking or invitation)
- ✓Proof of sufficient funds (min €50/day)
- ✓Return ticket or proof of onward travel
- ✓Visa fee payment
Long-Stay Visa (Type D)
Non-EU citizens intending to stay more than 90 days for work, study, family reunification, or other purposes
10–30 working days
- ✓Valid passport
- ✓Completed Type D visa application
- ✓Purpose-specific documents (employment contract, university admission, etc.)
- ✓Criminal background check (apostilled)
- ✓Medical certificate
- ✓Proof of accommodation
- ✓Proof of sufficient funds
- ✓Health insurance
EU Citizen Registration (3+ months)
EU/EEA/Swiss citizens staying more than 3 months
1–5 working days
- ✓EU passport or national ID
- ✓Proof of address registration (адресна регистрация)
- ✓Proof of purpose: employment contract, or proof of study, or proof of sufficient funds + health insurance for economically inactive
Temporary Residence Permit
Non-EU citizens with valid Type D visa
14 working days
- ✓Type D visa
- ✓Passport
- ✓Application form
- ✓Purpose documents (employment contract / university enrollment)
- ✓Proof of accommodation
- ✓Health insurance
- ✓Criminal record certificate
- ✓Photos
Permanent Residence Permit
Non-EU citizens with 5 years of continuous temporary residence; EU citizens after 5 years continuous legal residence
14 working days
- ✓5 years of legal continuous residence
- ✓Proof of accommodation
- ✓Stable income (above social assistance level)
- ✓Health insurance
- ✓No criminal record
- ✓Integration — basic Bulgarian language knowledge recommended
No dedicated digital nomad visa
Digital NomadBulgaria does not offer a dedicated digital nomad visa as of 2026. EU/EEA citizens can reside freely. Non-EU remote workers should apply for a Long-Stay Type D visa (on grounds of self-sufficiency or as a freelancer) followed by a temporary residence permit.
Type D visa: 10–30 working days; temporary residence permit: 14 working days
- ✓Proof of regular foreign income sufficient for self-support
- ✓Health insurance valid in Bulgaria
- ✓Proof of accommodation in Bulgaria
- ✓Clean criminal record certificate (apostilled)
- ✓Type D visa issued at Bulgarian embassy/consulate in home country
EU Blue Card
Blue CardNon-EU nationals with a recognised higher-education degree (or 5+ years equivalent experience in ICT) and an employment contract of at least 6 months with a Bulgarian employer meeting the minimum salary threshold.
14 working days at the Migration Directorate
- ✓Recognised higher-education degree (or 5+ years ICT experience)
- ✓Employment contract of at least 6 months duration
- ✓Gross annual salary of at least EUR 23,500 (approx. EUR 1,958/month gross, 2026; 1.5× the national average gross annual salary per NSI data, updated annually)
- ✓Health insurance
- ✓Proof of accommodation
- ✓Clean criminal record
Visa & Immigration
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