Austria Self-Employed Residence Permit (Gewerbeschein Route) vs Bulgaria Digital Nomad Visa
Austria freelancer route: $130 fee, 24 months. Bulgaria digital nomad route: $114 fee, 12 months.
- Bulgaria Digital Nomad: $114 to apply, $16 less than Austria Self-Employed Residence.
- Austria Self-Employed Residence: about 3 weeks, 25.2 weeks sooner than Bulgaria Digital Nomad.
Built for: Freelancers.
- Fee
- $130
- Duration
- 24 months
- Processing
- 3-3 weeks
- Income
- $5,709/mo
- Fee
- $114
- Duration
- 12 months
Next steps
Austria Self-Employed Residence
Bulgaria Digital Nomad
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Side by side
Austria Self-Employed Residence Permit (Gewerbeschein Route)
Bulgaria Digital Nomad Visa
Visa type
Status
Initial duration, months
Renewable
Built for
Nationality restrictions
Processing time, minimum (weeks)
Processing time, maximum (weeks)
Where to apply
Interview required
Medical exam required
Minimum income, per month
Minimum investment, one time
Investment types
Application fee, one time
Income sources accepted
Employment types accepted
Social Security counts as income
Pension income recognized
Local work permitted
Maximum income from local work, %
Health insurance required
Local bank account required
Apostille required
US FBI background check required
Certificate of coverage required
Required documents
Leads to permanent residency
Years to permanent residency
Years to citizenship, PR plus naturalization
Tax regime
US tax treaty
| Field | Austria Self-Employed Residence Permit (Gewerbeschein Route) | Bulgaria Digital Nomad Visa |
|---|---|---|
| Visa type | Freelancer | Digital nomad |
| Status | Active | Active |
| Initial duration, months | 24 (Longest initial stay) | 12 |
| Renewable | Yes | Yes |
| Built for | Freelancers, FIRE | Digital nomads, Remote employees, Freelancers |
| Nationality restrictions | Non-EU nationals only | Non-EU nationals only |
| Field | Austria Self-Employed Residence Permit (Gewerbeschein Route) | Bulgaria Digital Nomad Visa |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum income, per month | Not specified | $5,709 |
| Minimum investment, one time | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| Investment types | Business creation, Capital transfer | Not applicable |
| Application fee, one time | $130 | $114 (Lowest known fee) |
| Field | Austria Self-Employed Residence Permit (Gewerbeschein Route) | Bulgaria Digital Nomad Visa |
|---|---|---|
| Income sources accepted | Business income | Not specified |
| Employment types accepted | Self-employed | W-2 employee, 1099 contractor, Business owner, Self-employed |
| Social Security counts as income | No | Not specified |
| Pension income recognized | No | Not specified |
| Local work permitted | No | No |
| Maximum income from local work, % | Not specified | 0% |
| Field | Austria Self-Employed Residence Permit (Gewerbeschein Route) | Bulgaria Digital Nomad Visa |
|---|---|---|
| Processing time, minimum (weeks) | 3 weeks (Fastest known processing) | 4.3 weeks |
| Processing time, maximum (weeks) | 3 weeks (Fastest known processing) | 52 weeks |
| Where to apply | Not specified | Apply first for Type D long-term visa at Bulgarian embassy/consulate in your home country or legal residence. After...See where to apply on the visa page |
| Interview required | No (No interview required) | Yes |
| Medical exam required | No | No |
| Field | Austria Self-Employed Residence Permit (Gewerbeschein Route) | Bulgaria Digital Nomad Visa |
|---|---|---|
| Leads to permanent residency | Yes (Path to permanent residency) | No |
| Years to permanent residency | 2 years | Not specified |
| Years to citizenship, PR plus naturalization | Not specified | Not applicable |
| Field | Austria Self-Employed Residence Permit (Gewerbeschein Route) | Bulgaria Digital Nomad Visa |
|---|---|---|
| Tax regime | Not specified | Worldwide |
| US tax treaty | Not specified | Not specified |
| Field | Austria Self-Employed Residence Permit (Gewerbeschein Route) | Bulgaria Digital Nomad Visa |
|---|---|---|
| Health insurance required | Yes | Yes |
| Local bank account required | No | No |
| Apostille required | No (No apostille needed) | Yes |
| US FBI background check required | No | No |
| Certificate of coverage required | No | No |
| Required documents | Not specified | 8 items listedSee full list on the visa page |