Bulgaria for Digital Nomads is a favorite spot, as it offers a lot including accessibility, accommodation, and affordability; but did you know that you can also retreat there as you wait to re-up your Schengen visa.
July 24, 2023
By: Bobby Casey, Managing Director GWP
The Schengen Visa is the most common visa people get to travel Europe. This is separate from the EU although there is considerable overlap. The Schengen Zone has to do with free travel, while the EU is a political and economic federation.
The Schengen Zone currently has 27 member nations which operate similarly to the states within the US in that if you are a citizen of any of these member states, you can travel freely between other member states with unlimited access and no time restrictions.
In the same way an American can go from Texas to Michigan without restriction or limitation, so too, can a citizen of Greece go to Germany without restriction or limitation.
Similarly, when you visit the United States, you don’t get a visa for each state in the union. You get one visa to access the entire country.
If you are not a national of a Schengen country, then you get a visa which allows you to remain in the zone for 90 days within a 180-day period. After which point you cannot return to a Schengen country for a minimum of 90 days.
Extended Stay Options
Where this crucially differs from the US and its states is, if you plan on staying for longer than 90 days, you can work directly with a specific member country to make those extended stay arrangements. So, for example, if you want to spend more than 90 days in Spain, you can work with Spain to get the visa needed for that.
You wouldn’t work with an individual state in the US to extend your visa. You would still work with the US government.
Schengen Countries
The 27 Schengen countries are Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
As I said, there is considerable overlap between the EU and the Schengen area but not 100%:
- Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, and Lichtenstein are not members of the EU, but are associate members of the Schengen Area. They are part of the EFTA (European Free Trade Association) and implement the Schengen acquis through specific agreements related to the Schengen agreement.
- Monaco, San Marino, and Vatican City have opened their borders but are not members of the visa-free zone.
- The Azores, Madeira, and the Canary Islands are special members of the EU and part of the Schengen Zone, even though they are located outside the European continent.
- There are four more EU members that have not joined the Schengen zone: Ireland – which still maintains opt-outs, and Romania, Bulgaria, and Cyprus – which are seeking to join soon.
Why Bulgaria Matters for Digital Nomads
As more countries open up to digital nomads, the Schengen visa becomes that much more relevant.
But I wanted to focus specifically on that fourth bullet which mentioned Bulgaria seeking to join the Schengen zone. They haven’t yet, but could as soon as 2024. Why is that important?
Bulgaria is an attraction to many in Europe during the winter months for the affordable winter skiing and snowboarding. For those who don’t want to pay a king’s ransom for Gstaad in or Jungfrau, Bulgaria, even in peak season, is a gorgeous and economical alternative.
Bulgaria’s Affordability
Why is Bulgaria so affordable? Because, while it is part of the EU, it is not part of the Eurozone, which means it still uses its own national currency the Bulgarian lev. You can live quite comfortably on around $1000-$1,500 US per month.
Bansko: The Ideal Spot for Digital Nomads
Bansko, Bulgaria, a town of about 9,000 people and more co-working spaces per capita than anywhere else in the world. It gets pretty busy in the winter months because of the accessibility to winter activities.
Bansko is making a name for itself not just for the “snowmads” that come in the winter, but all year round! Aside from the outdoor activities year-round in town, you are within a two the three hour drive to the capitol city of Sofia or the cultural experience of Plovdiv.
You can even get to northern Greece in about three hours.
While they don’t have a Digital Nomad Visa, it’s not part of the Schengen zone, so you can hang out there for 90 days and max out that visa, while you wait to get back into the Schengen zone.
Nomad Fest in Bansko
Aside from the readiness for nomads to descend upon it, Bansko is also home to Nomad Fest! It’s a week-long event that takes place in the summer from end of June through early July.
The conference schedule features morning talks, workshops, and presentations, followed by afternoons dedicated to a variety of engaging outdoor activities, unconference sessions, and meetups. Your ticket includes access to numerous activities such as yoga, hiking, and speed-dating, while premium options like rafting, horseback riding, quad biking, wine tours, and mountain biking are available for an additional charge.
In the evenings, attendees can network, savor delicious cuisine, and enjoy live music. There will be ample free time to explore Bansko with new friends or catch up on work. As the event emphasizes the nomad lifestyle and remote work, participants can anticipate stimulating experiences tailored to their individual journey.
Bulgaria’s Central Location and Diversity
Wherever your travels take you for whatever reason, Bulgaria has a little something for everyone. Inland you have more precipitation and gorgeous mountains. But along the coastal regions you have drier climates. The bordering countries of Turkey, Greece, Macedonia, Serbia, and Romania all have exquisite cultural and experiential offerings. Bulgaria for Digital Nomads is a great central place to base yourself to access the rest of the EU countries.
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