Type D Long-Stay Visa (Remote Work)
Official nomad visaWhat this visa gets you
Visa
Entry document
Temporary residency
1 year initially, up to 2 years total
Permanent residency
Not via this programme
Citizenship
Not via this programme
- Income requirement
- BGN ~53,850/year (50 x previous-year monthly minimum wage of BGN 1,077 for 2026 applications); commonly mis-cited as ~BGN 60,600 / EUR 31,000 using the 2026 minimum wage of BGN 1,213
- Application fee
- Not stated
- Family allowed
- Yes
How do South African citizens apply for the Bulgaria Type D Long-Stay Visa?
Can South African citizens apply from inside Bulgaria?
Generally no: most applicants apply from outside Bulgaria before they travel.
The "fly in on a tourist stamp and convert" route is a widespread misconception and does not work for this visa. If you already hold legal residence in Bulgaria on another permit, different rules may apply, so confirm with the authorities.
How long does the Bulgaria Type D Long-Stay Visa really take for South African citizens?
21–25 weeks (≈ 5–6 months)
- Police clearance (typical)7w
- Apostille (verified)6w
- Consular appointment (typical)4w
- Processing 4–8w official4w
- Post-arrival registration (verified)4w
Official processing: 4–8 weeks. The rest is doc gathering + waiting in a queue, none of which the consulate counts.
Avoid these
What do people get wrong about the Bulgaria Type D Long-Stay Visa?
- The tourist-stamp convert myth. Flying to Bulgaria on a tourist stamp and converting it into the residence visa from inside the country is not possible for Type D Long-Stay Visa. Almost every application story that goes badly starts with this misconception.
- Underestimating timing by a factor of 2–3. The "60-day processing" line is real, but it's only the consulate's processing window. The door-to-door reality includes police clearance, apostille, consular appointment lead, and post-arrival registration, so most applicants land between 4 and 7 months.
- Skipping or mis-formatting the apostille. Apostille is the single most cited rejection reason. Every supporting document from your home country needs an apostille from the right authority, and they expire. Don't apostille more than 4 months before submission.
Documents
What South African applicants typically submit
Documents needing an apostille (South African authorities):
- SAPS police clearance certificate
- Educational/professional qualification documents (where applicable)
- Civil status documents for family reunification (marriage/birth certificates)
Worth knowing: Bulgaria introduced a digital nomad residence category with applications accepted from 20 December 2025; there is no nationality bar, so South African passport holders are eligible. South Africans are a visa-required nationality, so the long-stay D visa must be obtained at the Bulgarian Embassy in Pretoria before travel; the embassy is the only office in South Africa that accepts visa applications. Applicants must show annual income of at least 50 times the Bulgarian monthly minimum wage (roughly EUR 27,500 to 31,000) from non-EU/EEA/Swiss sources.
Tax
How is Type D Long-Stay Visa income taxed for South African citizens?
Bulgaria levies a flat 10% personal income tax. Individuals become Bulgarian tax residents if they spend 183+ days in the country in a 12-month period (or have their centre of vital interests in Bulgaria), at which point worldwide income is taxable at 10%, subject to double-taxation treaties. No special or reduced tax regime is attached specifically to the digital nomad permit. Permit income must be foreign-sourced.
Money, roughly (indicative)
Regime: 10% flat, about 24% effective tax on €60k/yr.
Flat 10% personal income tax, one of the lowest in the EU. Self-employed social + health contributions add roughly 14% on a capped base; may be nil if a totalisation agreement keeps you in your home system.
Living comfortably to well in Sofia runs about €1,300–€1,800/mo for one person, incl. rent. Roughly 28% less than the same living in Cape Town, which runs about R34,000/mo (≈ €1,800).
Estimate your take-home in the tax calculator →Worth a specialist's time. A short call before you commit usually pays for itself, especially for US citizens (FEIE/FATCA), existing UK ties, or unwinding SA tax residency.
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Get a quote - GenkiEU-regulated, long-term
EU-regulated health insurance for nomads and expats; long-term and resident cover.
See plans - WiseGetting paid abroad
Multi-currency account and low-cost transfers at the mid-market rate.
Open an account - RevolutEveryday spending
Multi-currency card with budgeting and fee-free transfers.
Open an account
FAQ
Bulgaria Type D Long-Stay Visa: common questions
Can South African citizens get the Bulgaria Type D Long-Stay Visa?
Yes. The Type D Long-Stay Visa is open to South African passport holders as non-EU nationals. The main requirement is proof of income of at least €2,294 per month.
Can I apply for the Bulgaria Type D Long-Stay Visa from inside Bulgaria?
Generally no. South African applicants normally apply at the Bulgaria consulate responsible for their region before travelling. Note this is about converting a short tourist stay; if you already hold legal residence in Bulgaria on another permit, different rules may apply, so confirm with the authorities.
How long does the Bulgaria Type D Long-Stay Visa take for South African applicants?
Official processing is 4–8 weeks. Door-to-door, including police clearance, apostille, consular appointment lead time, and post-arrival registration, most South African applicants take about 4–8 weeks (roughly 1–2 months).
Do I need an apostille for the Bulgaria Type D Long-Stay Visa?
Yes. Supporting documents issued in South Africa (such as your police clearance) must be apostilled by the competent South Africa authority before submission. Apostilles can expire, so don't obtain them more than a few months ahead of applying.
How much does the Bulgaria Type D Long-Stay Visa cost?
The consular fee paid in South Africa is approximately 100 EUR. Budget separately for police clearance, apostille (if required), translations, and required health insurance.
Can I bring my family on the Bulgaria Type D Long-Stay Visa?
Yes. Spouses and dependent children can generally be included as dependants, usually with a higher combined income requirement and their own supporting documents.
What's next
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Expatlas provides information for orientation only and is not legal advice. Always verify current requirements with official government sources and consult an immigration lawyer for your specific case.