site.btaBansko Nomad Fest Draws Over 1,000 International Participants

More than 1,000 entrepreneurs, freelancers, IT professionals and other professionals working remotely from over 50 countries gathered in Bansko for the seventh edition of Bansko Nomad Fest, the municipality said on Monday. 

Bansko Nomad Fest is among the leading international events dedicated to digital nomadism, remote work and entrepreneurship. The 10-day programme combines lectures, workshops, networking events and community activities.

The festival comes after Bulgaria amended its immigration legislation in 2025 to allow digital nomads to apply for long-term residence permits under certain conditions.

According to the event's website, attendance has increased every year since the inaugural edition in 2020. Participation grew from about 100 people in 2020 to more than 300 in 2021, over 500 in 2022, around 700 in both 2023 and 2024, more than 800 in 2025 and over 1,000 this year.

In meetings with festival participants and foreign media representatives, Bansko Mayor Stoycho Banenski said the benefits of the event extend well beyond the festival itself. According to him, it supports year-round tourism, stimulates the local economy, increases demand for accommodation providers, restaurants and retailers, and encourages the development of new services. An increasing number of participants return to Bansko outside the festival period, while many choose the town as a second home or a destination for extended stays.

Banenski said many digital nomads share their experiences through social media, professional networks and personal contacts, helping raise Bansko's international profile.

Over the past decade, Bansko has developed coworking spaces, digital infrastructure and a community of remote professionals, becoming one of Bulgaria's best-known destinations for digital nomads.