Across Europe, countries are capitalising on remote work by offering digital nomad visas.
Since the pandemic, many of us have enjoyed the freedom to work from anywhere.
Recognising the potential to boost their flagging tourism industries, countries from Croatia to Spain are making it easier to gain temporary residency while working for a foreign company.
Not only does this help fill the low-season gaps in tourism-reliant destinations, it offers non-EU citizens the peace of mind and the chance to legally work remotely.
Digital nomad visas help host countries combat other problems, too, from brain drain to ageing populations.
If you’re looking to move to Europe, work remotely, and gain the right to travel in the Schengen Area, a digital nomad visa could be just the ticket.
Here’s a comparison of the remote work visas currently – or soon to be – available in Europe, including length of stay, application fees and income requirements.
Some have been specifically designed for remote workers while others are previously existing visas that have been adapted to people who want to work while travelling.
What digital nomad visas are available in Europe?
Albania: For stunning nature and low cost of living
Visa length: One year, with possibility to renew for up to five years
Application fee: Based on reciprocity
Income requirement: Estimated€9,800/year
Digital nomads can apply for an Albanian residence permit that allows them to stay and work there for up to one year. Introduced at the start of 2022, the so-called ‘Unique Permit’ can be renewed up to five times in a row.
Remote workers must show proof of an employment contract for a company outside of the country that allows them to work remotely, as well as relevant qualifications. They must also have a local bank account, housing contract, health insurance and clean criminal record, as well as proof of funds to support themselves.
Croatia: For sunshine undamped by tax woes
Visa length: One year, with possibility to renew
Application fee: Around €60
Income requirement: Around €2,300/month
Croatia launched its one-year residence permit for digital nomads in 2021. The scheme is open to non-EU/EEA citizens working in ‘communication technology’ – either through their own company registered abroad or as a remote employee for a company outside Croatia.
Provided they don’t require a tourist visa to enter Croatia, remote workers can apply for a one-year residence permit after arrival. Close family members can also apply for temporary residence.
Remote workers are currently not subject to income tax in Croatia.
Cyprus: For Mediterranean beaches and ancient history
Visa length: One year, with possibility to renew for two years
Application fee: €70
Income requirement: €3,500/month
Open to non-EU nationals, Cyprus‘s remote work visa launched in 2021 with a cap of 100 nomads. In 2022, the government increased this ceiling to 500 visas.
To be eligible, you must work for an employer registered outside Cyprus.
Digital nomads are permitted to bring their families with them, though these people are not permitted to work in Cyprus.
Czech Republic: For affordable living and fairytale castles
Visa length: Up to one year
Application fee: €200
Income requirement: Must have €5,000 in your bank account
Remote workers can apply for a long-term business or freelance licence in the Czech Republic. Colloquially known as the ‘zivno’ visa (short for Zivnostenske opravneni or trade authorisation), it is intended for non-EU citizens who freelance or run their own business.
It requires ties with a company in the Czech Republic, so can be used by those intending to gain local freelance work such as teaching.
Estonia: For digital-forward infrastructure on a budget
Visa length: One year, with possibility to extend by six months
Application fee: €100
Income requirement: €3,500/month
Estonia launched its digital nomad visa in summer 2020. It lets people working remotely for companies abroad – or freelancers with clients mostly abroad – stay in Estonia for up to one year at a time. You can apply for an additional six-month visa after your initial one expires.
Applicants must have earned at least €3,500 net per month in the six months preceding their application.
If you remain in Estonia for more than half a year, you will gain tax residency and be subject to local taxes.
The country also offers ‘e-residency’, which grants remote entrepreneurs digital access to Estonia’s e-services without providing residency. This can be used to run a company online, access banking, and declare taxes in Estonia without actually living there.
Finland: For untouched nature in the world’s happiest country
Visa length: Six months
Application fee: €400
Income requirement: €1,220/month
Finland’s self-employment visa is open to non-EU entrepreneurs who are self-employed or run an independent business. Applicants must meet the minimum income requirement and prove they have means.
Greece: For island-hopping and year-round sun
Visa length: One year, with possibility to extend with a residence permit
Application fee: €75
Income requirement: €3,500/month
Last year, Greece launched a scheme to allow non-EU citizens to live and work remotely in the country. To be approved, you’ll need to show you have sufficient resources of a monthly income of at least €3,500.
Digital nomads are not permitted to work or freelance for Greek companies under the scheme.
Hungary: For thermal baths and low-cost living
Visa length: One year, with possibility to extend
Application fee: €110
Income requirement: €2,000/month
Hungary’s ‘White Card’ visa is open to non-EU digital nomads employed remotely outside the country. You must stay in the country for at least 90 days in a 180-day period, and will be exempt from paying tax in Hungary for the first six months.
You are not permitted to work for a Hungarian company under this scheme.
Iceland: For outdoor explorers on high incomes
Visa length: Six months
Application fee: €86
Income requirement: €7,075/month
Iceland’s remote work long-term visa is aimed at high-income individuals earning over €7,000 per month, either as employees of a foreign company or as freelancers. The visa lasts for six months and applicants will not be considered tax residents during this time.
You are not permitted to work for Icelandic employers under this visa.
Italy: For laid-back living and spectacular scenery
Visa length: One year, with possibility to renew
Application fee: TBC
Income requirement: TBC
A new visa for digital nomads was signed into Italian law in March 2022. However, details are yet to be finalised.
It is thought to be aimed at highly-skilled workers. Applicants will likely need to fulfil a range of requirements, including having health insurance and a clean criminal record. They must also be tax compliant in Italy before applying.
Latvia: For miles of forests and beautiful architecture
Visa length: One year, possibility to renew for a second year
Application free: TBC
Income requirement: At least 2,857.50€/month
The Latvian government announced plans for a digital nomad visa in 2022. Legislation is currently undergoing modifications before it can become official.
Authorities have said, however, that after five years as a legal resident of Latvia, digital nomads can apply for citizenship.
Applicants must also be a citizen or resident of an Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) country such as the US, Canada or the UK.
Malta: For mild winters and days on the water
Visa length: One year
Application fee: €300
Income requirement: €2,700/month
Malta’s Nomad Residence Permit is for remote workers and freelancers who work for companies outside the country. The one-year permit is open to non-EU nationals.
Originally, nomads were told they would be granted a tax exemption so long as they continued paying taxes back home. However, there have been legal complications with this promise that are currently being resolved.
Want to make Malta your more permanent home? A new Startup Residence Scheme announced in 2023 grants a three-year residence permit to third-country nationals who make an investment of at least €25,000 in the country. If the business is successful, this can be extended for a further five years and could eventually lead to long-term residency.
Montenegro: For intrepid hiking and low cost of living
Visa length: Two years, with possibility to renew for another two
Application free: TBC
Income requirement: TBC
Montenegro announced its digital nomad visa for non EU citizens in 2021 and has said it will introduce early stages of the scheme this year. However, applications aren’t going to be available until around 2025.
Participants can use the scheme to live in the country for up to four years. Digital nomads are eligible for tax breaks although details are still to be confirmed.
Norway: For mountain-climbing and local business
Visa length: Up to two years
Application fee: €600
Income requirement: €3,000/month
Eligible non-EU digital nomads can apply for a residence permit and independent contractor visa to live and work remotely in Norway. Applicants must have at least one Norwegian client and are required to pay local taxes under the scheme.
Portugal: For rugged coastlines and wine-tasting weekends
Visa length: One year
Application fee: TBC
Income requirement: €2,800/month
On 30 October 2022, Portugal will launch its digital nomad visa, officially called the ‘residence visa for the exercise of professional activity provided remotely outside the national territory’.
It is open to non-EU citizens who are employed or self-employed by a company outside of Portugal.
The new scheme is an alternative to the existing ‘D7’ visa, which is aimed at retirees and ‘passive income’ earners.
Romania: For long hikes and pocket-friendly stays
Visa length: One year
Income requirement: €3,950/month (three times Romania’s average gross salary)
Romania’s digital nomad visa is aimed at non-EU citizens. Applicants must have health insurance, a clean criminal record and proof of income over €3,300 per month from a company outside of Romania.
Romanian president Klaus Iohannis recently signed a new bill to clarify tax requirements for digital nomads.
Those staying for long periods will be exempt from paying income tax, social security, and social health insurance contributions.
To benefit from the scheme, foreign workers cannot exceed a stay of 183 days in the country over a period of 12 consecutive months.
Digital nomads with tax residence in another country are not required to pay tax in Romania under the scheme.
Spain: For beach escapes and tax breaks
Visa length: One year, with possibility to renew for up to five years
Application fee: Varies by country, usually around €80
Income requirement: Currently €2,334/month
Spain’s long-awaited digital nomad visa came into force in February 2023. The scheme grants non-EU citizens the chance to live and work there for up to five years.
It is open to people who work remotely for non-Spanish companies, including both self-employed freelancers with multiple clients and workers employed by a single company.
They must be able to prove that they are qualified or experienced in their field.
Close relatives, like children and spouses, are allowed to join the visa holder in the country with proof of sufficient funds.
Tax breaks will be granted to remote workers, provided they earn below €600,000 a year. They will pay 15 per cent tax during the first four years of their stay instead of the usual 24 per cent.
Source: Euro News
