Bulgaria Freelancer and Self-Employment Residence in 2026
Bulgaria has a regulated route for third-country nationals carrying out freelance activity. The Employment Agency issues the freelance-work permit, and that authorization connects to residence under the Foreigners Act.
The permit is issued for up to one year and may be extended while the original conditions continue.
Core evidence
The implementing framework requires a detailed activity plan and evidence supporting the proposed work. Current Ministry of Labour rules require a description of the activity, a detailed plan, evidence of at least two years of professional experience, Bulgarian-language ability at B1 level, and evidence of financial resources for the proposed freelance activity.
Different from digital nomad residence
The digital-nomad route is designed for qualifying foreign-facing remote activity. Its independent-service definition excludes carrying out freelance activity in Bulgaria.
A professional who wants a Bulgarian client base should therefore analyze this local freelance route instead.
Different from employment
A professional hired by a Bulgarian employer should generally use the Single Residence and Work Permit.
EU/EEA/Swiss citizens use free-movement rules rather than this third-country labour-market permit.
For settlement planning, see permanent residence.
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Official and supporting sources
- Ministry of Labour — Labour Migration and Labour Mobility Actlegislation · accessed 2026-09-18
- Ministry of Labour — implementing rules — freelance activitylegislation · accessed 2026-09-18