where TO emigrate
Get Your Free Verdict
← Bulgaria · all routes
Bulgaria · Business & self-employment

Bulgaria Freelance or Self-Employed Activity Permit

18 facts quoted from the official source

For a third-country national approved by the Employment Agency to carry out freelance activity in Bulgaria.

Income required
—
Means required · no figure published
Can bring
—
Not stated in the official source
Requirements
14
each quoted below
Who qualifies

Who this route is for

Every item below is the government’s own wording, quoted from the official source. Whether you personally qualify depends on your full profile.

14 requirements quoted from the official source.

The conditions that decide it
  • Character and securityAn adult initial applicant must provide the applicable criminal-record certificate.via mfa.bg
  • Detailed Activity Plan RequiredA detailed plan for the intended freelance activity is required.
  • Eligibility summaryThe current self-employed-worker page publishes the freelance permit and residence procedure.
  • Employment Agency Freelance Permit RequiredA freelance-activity permit from the Employment Agency is required.
  • Financial meansThe applicant must show sufficient subsistence resources.via mfa.bg
  • Language requirementThe published route requires Bulgarian at B1 level.
  • Migration Directorate Application RequiredThe residence application is handled by the Ministry of Interior Migration Directorate or its regional unit.
  • Professional Experience Years MinAt least two years of relevant professional experience is required.
  • Qualifications RequiredRelevant education or professional qualifications must be documented.
  • Route Specific Evidence RequiredDocuments proving the particular statutory residence ground must be supplied.
  • Visa Type D Required ConditionallyA Type D visa is required before the initial residence application unless a stated legal exception or qualifying in-country status applies.via mfa.bg
What you’ll show with your application

Paperwork you prepare — it does not rule you out.

  • AccommodationEvidence of accommodation in Bulgaria is required.via mfa.bg
  • Health insuranceMedical insurance valid for the stay is required.via mfa.bg
  • Passport or travel documentA valid passport or accepted travel document is required.via mfa.bg
Also stated by the source
  • Official source basisThe current self-employed-worker page publishes the freelance permit and residence procedure.
  • Report summaryThe current self-employed-worker page publishes the freelance permit and residence procedure.
Family

Who you can bring

— Not stated in the official source. The official page for this route does not address dependent-family rights, so we do not publish a claim either way.
Costs & timelines

What the source prices

Fees
1 proven from the official source.
  • Visa D Standard Fee EurThe standard Article 15(1) Type D visa fee is EUR 100, subject to published exemptions.via mfa.bg · checked 2026-07-26
Validity
1 proven from the official source.
  • Initial Validity Months MaxThe permit is initially valid for up to one year.
How it works

From here to a yes

See if you qualify — freeThe 3-minute check scores your profile against every Bulgaria route at once, this one included. No signup, no card.
Get your full report — €10One personalised report ranks every route you can actually get, with the full requirement set for your profile — so you apply for the right one.
Apply with the official sourceThe application itself always happens with the government — the enacting authority linked below. The report points you straight at it.
FAQ

Straight answers

01Who qualifies for this route to Bulgaria?
The official source states: For a third-country national approved by the Employment Agency to carry out freelance activity in Bulgaria.
02How much money do I need?
The official source states: The applicant must show sufficient subsistence resources. It does not publish a fixed amount — no minimum figure is stated.
03Do I need health insurance?
The official source states: Medical insurance valid for the stay is required.
04Do I need to show accommodation in Bulgaria?
The official source states: Evidence of accommodation in Bulgaria is required.

Every answer is quoted from the official home-affairs.ec.europa.eu page for this route, last read 2026-07-26.

We checked 18 points against the official source; 18 are quoted on this page. The other 0 are either not addressed by the source or not yet backed by a quote — we would rather show you the edge of the record than fill it with a plausible guess.

See the 0 open points

Processing time is not published in the official source for this route. We publish a number only when the official text states that number.

Not stated in the official source — the official source names no exclusion for this route.

The source

Where every quote comes from

Official government source home-affairs.ec.europa.euLast read 2026-07-26 Every quote on this page is from this Bulgaria government page.
Compiled from official sources · pending independent re-check · Last checked 2026-07-26 · Our methodology
 · Compiled by António Mira · How we verify · Not legal advice — rules change; confirm with the official source before deciding.
Same category, same country

Other business & self-employment routes to Bulgaria

3 other business & self-employment routes to Bulgaria.

Commercial Activity Creating Ten Bulgarian JobsRepresentative of a Foreign Commercial CompanyStartup Visa Residence
Same category, elsewhere

Business & self-employment routes in other countries

163 other countries publish at least one business & self-employment route. Nearest first.

Romania8 business & self-employment routes Bosnia and Herzegovina2 business & self-employment routes Serbia2 business & self-employment routes Albania1 business & self-employment route Croatia1 business & self-employment route Kosovo1 business & self-employment route

Does this route fit your numbers?

That depends on your income, savings and family — the parts of the story only you know. The free 3-minute check scores your profile against every Bulgaria route at once, this one included. Then the full Bulgaria report takes you the rest of the way.

Get Your Free Verdict All Bulgaria routes

• Free • 3 minutes • No signup