So, you’ve made the decision – that’s it. Your done with your hometown, you’re packing your bags, and you’re off – but where are you going to go?
There’s a whole wide world out there with 193 UN member states and the world is now your oyster, so how do you decide where to tick off first?
Digital Nomad Visas in Europe: How Do I Choose
For most people this decision is based on a multitude of factors: what kind of life are you looking for, what is the desired cost of living, how far do you want to go, what kind of climate do you want? Are you a surf soul or a mountain mover? A city chiller or a village voyager?
One more thing to consider, is the visa situation. With the shift towards remote work spurred on by covid, and the rise of the digital nomad, many countries have implemented a digital nomad visa. There is no shortage of digital nomad visas in europe.
Over 50 to be precise. It is worth nothing that a lot of digital nomads do travel and work on tourist visas when they are frequently on the move, but should you plan to stay in a country for an extended period of time then we’ve got you covered with the complete list of countries offering visas for remote workers. We’ve compiled them all in a list for you - and here is edition one, covering the European continent.
So, grab a coffee and read on...
Georgia
Georgia doesn’t actually have a digital nomad visa, but it does however allow nationals of 95 countries to stay for a whole entire year without a visa - one of the worlds more generous visa policies!
Remote work is perfectly fine during this period, but if you stay longer than six months you do become a tax resident with income tax at 20%. Georgia also has an entrepreneur scheme, where tax is only 1% on turnover of up to $155,000, and this can also potentially lead to permanent residency in the country.
The easy visa policy combined with the low cost of living and Georgias hip vibe are making it a fast-rising favourite for digital nomads.
Portugal
Portugal offers a D7 visa for one year, and it can be renewed up to five years – after five years you can apply for permanent residency. The also offer a digital nomad visa with less paperwork but no option to permanent residency.
The D7 visa cost is €83, and the residency permit costs €71, with a required income of €600 per month. Portugal is a hugely vibrant place to live and combined with a low cost of living, it's a hit with digital nomads.
Estonia
Estonia offers a one-year digital nomad freelancer visa for €80 - €100, depending on the length of the stay.
The required income you need to prove is €3,504. Did you know that this small Baltic country was the first country in the world to offer a digital nomad visa?!
Germany
Germany offers a residency permit for freelancers for up to three years, but of course an application to Germany comes with a lot of bureaucracy and paperwork, and the permit can take up to four months for approval – so be sure to apply early if you are considering Germany!
The visa costs €100, and Germany has a range of bustling cities contrasted with small villages, holding something for everyone.
Norway
Norway is renowned for its stunning fjords, vibrant cities, and rich Viking history. The country offers an independent contract visa for two years – but the catch is that the visa costs a huge €600!
You have to prove an income of €35,719 per year. Combining this with Norway’s very high cost of living, this is NOT a country for those looking to budget.
Spain
To qualify for Spain’s digital nomad visa, applicants need to demonstrate that they are employed by a non-Spanish company or operate their own business remotely, with a minimum monthly income of around €2,130.
Spain is celebrated for its vibrant culture, historic architecture, and delectable cuisine, and is a super popular country with the remote working crowd.
Malta
Malta is famed for its stunning Mediterranean landscapes, rich history, and crystal-clear waters, and the island id offering a Nomad Residency Permit for non-EU remote workers.
The length is one year and renewable, and the cost is €300. You must prove an income of €2700 per month.
Greece
Greece offers a digital nomad visa for non-EU citizens for one year, renewable up to three years.
The monthly required income is €3,500, and the cost is €75. Greece is renowned for its ancient ruins, picturesque islands, and vibrant culture, and it has something to offer for everyone from quiet and quaint living, to all night party islands.
Albania
Albania is one of our favourite up and coming destinations! From crystal blue waters to jaw dropping peaks, the country has all the landscapes and a super low cost of living.
The unique permit, Albania’s version of the digital nomad visa, is valid for one year and can be renewed up to five years. After five years, permanent residency can be applied for.
The digital nomad visa makes you liable for income tax, but with a low required income of $315 per month, and an Albanian bank account must be opened.
Armenia
Armenia is celebrated for its ancient monasteries, breathtaking mountain landscapes, and rich cultural heritage, and is another country with a relatively low cost of living.
Armenia offers a residency permit for foreigners who register as a sole entrepreneur, which can be renewed up to five years. After five years you can apply for permanent residency. The visa costs $270.
Italy
Italy - the home of pasta and pizza, had a digital nomad visa for one year.
It requires an income of over €30,000, and it is only open for ‘highly skilled’ applicants, along with a bunch of requirements that must be met.
Iceland
Iceland offers a six-month visa for digital nomads, but the catch is you must apply when you are outside of the Schengen area. If you apply whilst already in the Schengen, then it is only valid for 90 days. The cost is €50, and you need to prove that you have an income of €6,460.
Iceland is famed for its stunning geothermal landscapes, majestic waterfalls, and vibrant Northern Lights, and one more thing to remember when considering Iceland is the high cost of living here – it is most definitely not a budget destination.
Croatia
Croatia is known for its stunning Adriatic coastline, historic medieval towns, and picturesque islands. This stunning Balkan country offers a temporary residency permit to digital nomads, which you can apply for from an embassy or after you already arrive in the country.
You need to have an income of €2,232 per month or €26,790 per year, and the permit is for one year. It costs between €80 to €130.
Czech Republic
Czechia offers a freelancer visa for people who have a trade licence for certain trades. The duration is one year but it is extendable, and the cost is free, however the limited list of professions means this visa isn’t for everyone.
€70 per month tax is paid, but the €5,587 that you have to prove you have in the bank is low in comparison to many other countries. The Czech Republic is renowned for its charming medieval towns, stunning castles, and vibrant cultural scene.
Romania
Romania is known for its enchanting Carpathian Mountains, medieval castles, and the legendary region of Transylvania. The country offers a rich cultural tapestry, with vibrant cities like Bucharest and historic towns like Sibiu and Brasov.
The countries digital nomad visa is 12 months and can be renewed. The income required is €3,000 per month, and it costs between €100 and €150, depending on the nationality of the applicant.
Hungary
Hungary is celebrated for its vibrant capital, Budapest, which is split by the scenic Danube River and boasts impressive architecture such as the Parliament building and Buda Castle.
The country is also known for its thermal baths, rich cultural heritage, and delicious cuisine like goulash and chimney cake. Hungary offers its white card residency visa with an income requirement of €2000 per month, and it is targeted for singles under 40.
The cost is €110, and it can be extended up to two years.
Cyprus
Non-EU citizens can work in Cyprus for one year, extendable up to three years. You’ll need to demonstrate that you are employed by a company or run a business outside of Cyprus, with a minimum monthly income of approximately €3,500.
The island is renowned for its sun-drenched beaches, rich historical sites, and charming Mediterranean villages.
Latvia
Latvia is celebrated for its picturesque Baltic coastline, charming medieval architecture, and vibrant capital city, Riga.
The Baltic country offers a digital nomad visa for one year which can be renewed for another, but to be eligible you must be working for an employer registered in an OECD country. The cost is €60, and you need to be earning 2.5 x the Latvia annual wage.
That was our extensive list of digital nomad visas in Europe. Looking for more tips on digital nomad life? Then sign up for our newsletter and don't miss any visa updates, travel tips and remote working possibilities!
Get ready for part 2 of visas for digital nomads!
Comments