self-assessment for digital nomad eligibility

STEP 0 — General Applicability

Q0. Is the applicant a third-country national (non-EU / non-EEA / non-Swiss)?

• NO → Not eligible under this regime
• YES → Proceed to Step 1

STEP 1 — Nature of Work

Q1. Does the applicant provide services exclusively remotely using information technologies?

• NO → Not eligible
• YES → Proceed to Step 2

STEP 2 — Territorial Restriction

Q2. Does the applicant work for or provide services to persons located in Bulgaria?

• YES → Not eligible
• NO → Proceed to Step 3

STEP 3 — Identify the Nomad Category

Q3.1 Employment Relationship

Q3.1. Is the applicant employed under an employment contract with an employer registered outside the EU / EEA / Switzerland?

• YES → Proceed to Category A (Remote Employee)
• NO → Proceed to Q3.2

Q3.2 Ownership / Management Relationship

Q3.2. Is the applicant:

• a legal representative, OR
• a member of a management body, OR
• a company owner / partner / shareholder with >25% ownership

of a company registered outside the EU / EEA / Switzerland?

• YES → Proceed to Category B (Foreign Company Owner / Manager)
• NO → Proceed to Q3.3

Q3.3 Independent Activity

Q3.3. Has the applicant been providing remote services in a personal capacity for at least 1 year prior to application?

• NO → Not eligible
• YES → Proceed to Category C (Independent Digital Nomad)

CATEGORY PATHS

CATEGORY A — Remote Employee

(§1, t.36(1); Art. 32g(1)(2)(a))

Q A1. Is the employment contract valid for at least the intended residence permit duration?

• NO → Not eligible
• YES → Proceed

Required evidence:

• Employment contract (position, salary, term)
• Employer registration document (≤ 6 months old)
• Link to official company register (if applicable)

→ Proceed to Step 4

CATEGORY B — Foreign Company Owner / Manager

(§1, t.36(2); Art. 32g(1)(2)(b))

Q B1. Does the applicant provide services through that foreign company exclusively remotely?

• NO → Not eligible
• YES → Proceed

Required evidence:

• Company registration document (≤ 6 months old)
• Proof of ownership / management role (>25%)
• At least one remote services contract + client reference

→ Proceed to Step 4

CATEGORY C — Independent Digital Nomad (Freelancer)

(§1, t.36(3); Art. 32g(1)(2)(c))

Q C1. Can the applicant prove at least one year of prior remote activity?

• NO → Not eligible
• YES → Proceed

Required evidence:

• At least one service contract
• Client reference
• Full client identification data

→ Proceed to Step 4

STEP 4 — Income Requirement (ALL CATEGORIES)

Q4. Does the applicant prove average annual income in the previous calendar year of at least:

50 × Bulgarian minimum monthly wages

• NO → Not eligible
• YES → Proceed to Step 5

STEP 5 — Formal & Documentary Compliance

Q5. Are all documents:

• properly legalised / apostilled (if required), and
• translated into Bulgarian by certified translators?
• NO → Application inadmissible
• YES → Eligible to apply for long-term residence as a Digital Nomad