Bulgaria self employed route
1 current source-backed self employed pathway. Verify the responsible authority before applying.
This page contains 1 current route for this destination, with the available eligibility, requirements and duration details.
Source-backed legal route · Checked 2026-08-28
Current route records
| Route | Conditions | Effective or checked | Official source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self Employed route | Bulgaria’s freelance/self-employment route is open to a third-country national working as a freelance professional. Initial eligibility requires a detailed work plan for the permit term; the Employment Agency permit supports a long-term visa or residence permit and is issued for one year. | 2026-07-13 | Official source |
Can you work on this route?
Route-specific work rights and conditions stay separate from shortage-list status and individual eligibility.
| Route | Published work answer | Official source |
|---|---|---|
| Self Employed route | The exact destination-specific EU Immigration Portal page states route conditions including: -employed worker in Bulgaria Self-employed worker in Bulgaria Are you a non-EU citizen wishing to work as a self-employed worker in Bulgaria? You can find information below on the conditions to fulfil and procedures to follow, as well as the rights you can enjoy during your stay. 1 April 2025 Page contents Page contents Conditions To be self-employed in Bulgaria, you must obtain: a freelance/self-employed work permit; a visa "type D"; and a residence permit. Procedures Where and how to apply Self-employment Permit You must first obtain a self-employment permit. It is granted by the central administration of the Employment Agency on the basis of a detailed plan of the activity for the term of the permit assessing the economic and social impact of the activity. Visa "type D" Once a self-employment permit has been granted, you should apply for a visa "type D" at the Bulgarian embassy or consulate in your home country . The visa gives you the right to enter Bulgaria. Residence permit Once you have arrived in Bulgaria with your valid visa (in case you need a visa to enter the country), you must also obtain a residen | Official source |
| Self Employed route | The exact destination-specific EU Immigration Portal page states: About us Job opportunities Contact us Discover more HOME … Policies Migration and asylum EU Immigration Portal Self-employed worker in Bulgaria Self-employed worker in Bulgaria Are you a non-EU citizen wishing to work as a self-employed worker in Bulgaria? You can find information below on the conditions to fulfil and procedures to follow, as well as the rights you can enjoy during your stay. 1 April 2025 Page contents Page contents Conditions To be self-employed in Bulgaria, you must obtain: a freelance/self-employed work permit; a visa "type D"; and a residence permit. Procedures Where and how to apply Self-employment Permit You must first obtain a self-employment permit. It is granted by the central administration of the Employment Agency on the basis of a detailed plan of the activity for the term of the permit assessing the economic and social impact of the activity. Visa "type D" Once a self-employment permit has been granted, you should apply for a visa "type D" at the Bulgarian embassy or consulate in your home country . The visa gives you the right to enter Bulgaria. Residence permit Once you have a | Official source |
Official sources
ImmigrationDB does not provide immigration services, legal advice or application handling, and it does not assess anyone's eligibility. This section publishes links to the responsible official authority and short quotations from that authority's own published text, so the rule can be read at its source and checked there before acting.