🇪🇺 13 European Digital Nomad Visas

Many of the European countries have now introduced some form of Digital Nomad Visas, that make it easier for remote workers to stay in a country and work legally on long-term projects.

In this article we will look at 13 European digital nomad visas either in the pipeline or currently available to help you in your search for your next digital nomad home.

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#1 Greece 🇬🇷

Greece’s digital nomad visa scheme, launched in 2021, allows non-EU citizens to live and work in the country for up to one year with the possibility of extension to a maximum of 3 years.

To extend, you must apply for a Greek residency permit before your digital nomad visa expires. To be eligible for the Greek digital nomad visa, applicants must show a monthly income of at least €3,500.

Moreover, a condition of the visa is that you’re not allowed to freelance or work for a Greek company – even if it is remote work.

#2 Spain 🇪🇸

Spain recently introduced its digital nomad visa in January 2023 as part of the Startup Act. This initiative aims to encourage entrepreneurship and foreign investment.

Spain's digital nomad visa is valid for one year after entry. After that, you have the option to apply for a three-year residence permit, which can even be renewed for two more years. Finally, you can apply for permanent residence upon spending five years in Spain.

People who work remotely will receive tax breaks. For the first four years of their stay, they would only have to pay 15% rather than 24%. To qualify for this plan, the minimum income requirement is €2,000 per month.

#3 Estonia 🇪🇪

Estonia’s digital nomad visa, launched in the summer of 2020, allows people working remotely for companies or freelancers with overseas clients to stay in Estonia for up to a year. After your initial one-year visa expires, you can apply for an additional six-month visa.

To be eligible, applicants must have made at least €3,500 net each month in the half-year period leading up to their application. After 183 days of living and working in Estonia, you will be considered a tax resident subject to local taxes.

Estonia also offers an e-residency program, which provides entrepreneurs digital access to Estonia’s e-services, despite not living there. With this service, one can run a company online, access banking services, and declare taxes in Estonia without being physically present.

#4 Croatia 🇭🇷

In 2021, Croatia instated a one-year residence permit for digital nomads who are non-EU/EEA citizens and work in the field of ‘communication technology,’ whether through their own company registered outside of Croatia or as a remote employee for a business not based in Croatia.

So long as they don’t need a tourist visa to enter Croatia, workers can apply for this permit after arrival. Additionally, with Croatia’s digital nomad visa, close family members of these workers can also apply for temporary residencies. As of right now, remote workers are exempt from income tax while they reside in Croatia.

# 5 Hungary 🇭🇺

Non-EU digital nomads can apply for Hungary’s ‘White Card’ visa, which allows them to stay in the country for 90 days out of every 180 days, and Tax exemption is granted for the first six months. Please note that you are not allowed to work for a Hungarian company while on this type of visa.

#6 Malta 🇲🇹

The Nomad Residence Permit in Malta is for those working remotely or freelancers hired by companies based outside the country. The permit lasts for one year and is available to non-EU nationals.

Exemptions from paying local taxes were initially promised as long as they were paid in the home country. However, this rule has met legal complications and is currently being resolved.

#7 Romania 🇷🇴

Romania has created a digital nomad visa for those outside the European Union. You must have insurance, no criminal record and show you make more than €3,700 each month from a company that isn’t based in Romania. If you already pay taxes elsewhere, don’t worry about it while you’re on this scheme in Romania.

#8 Czech Republic 🇨🇿

If you are a digital nomad from outside of the EU, you may be eligible for the Czech Republic’s business visa (zivno visa or zivnostenske oppravneni, meaning ‘trade license’). Unlike tourist visas, processing times for this type of visa take up to 120 days.

Along with an eligible trade licence and enough funds in your bank account, other requirements include health insurance and proof of accommodation for at least one year.

#9 Portugal 🇵🇹

Portugal has recently passed a new law introducing a digital nomad visa, initially scheduled to launch on October the 30th, 2022. However, as of now, it is still unavailable.

The purpose of this visa is to offer an alternative to the existing 'D7' visa, which was originally designed for retirees and individuals with passive income but has been utilized by digital nomads seeking to work from Portugal over the years.

Although the digital nomad visa is not yet accessible, it is still possible to travel to Portugal using the D7 Visa. This visa permits you to settle in the country and reside there for a period of two years, with the option to extend for an additional three years. Once you have lived in Portugal for five years, you may be eligible to apply for permanent residency, provided that you meet the necessary criteria for Portuguese language proficiency.

We will keep you updated on any developments regarding Portugal's new digital nomad visa.

#10 Norway 🇳🇴

If you’re a digital nomad outside of the European Union who meets the requirements, you can apply for a visa to live and work in Norway, also known as Norway’s Independent Contractor visa. To be eligible, you must have one Norwegian customer and agree to pay local taxes under the scheme.

#11 Iceland 🇮🇸

Iceland’s remote work long-term visa is designed for foreign nationals who earn more than €6,526 per month as either an employee of a foreign company or a freelancer. The visa allows the holder to stay in Iceland for six months, and applicants will not be considered tax residents during this time.

However, you cannot work for Icelandic employers under this visa. Digital nomads can take their families to Iceland without needing Icelandic IDs.

The Icelandic digital nomad visa applicants must show they have a job, enough money to support themselves, and sufficient health insurance coverage.

#12 Georgia 🇬🇪

In 2020, the government launched the "Remotely from Georgia" program, also known as the Georgia Digital Nomad Visa. Its purpose is to assist remote workers in settling into the country. This program, along with the digital nomad visa, aims to simplify the process of relocating to Georgia and allows individuals to live there for up to 1 year while working remotely, freelancing, or running their own businesses.

#13 Armenia 🇦🇲

The Armenia Digital Nomad Visa, also known as the "On Foreigners" residence permit, is a great choice for digital nomads who want to live and work remotely in Armenia.

With the digital nomad visa, you get a one-year temporary residence permit that can be renewed annually. This permit gives you access to the same benefits as Armenian citizens, like national healthcare and education.

You might find this interesting:

How to Become a Digital Nomad in 10 steps

Are you feeling stuck in your career? Are you looking for a way to escape the 9-5 grind and travel the world? If so, then you may be interested in becoming a digital nomad. This is a term used for people who work online and can travel wherever they want.

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🔥 Conclusion

As more and more people become digital nomads, the need for visas that cater to this type of traveller is increasing. Thankfully, Europe has been ahead of the curve in this area, with several countries offering digital nomad visas.

A dedicated digital nomad visa allows foreign entrepreneurs to stay in a country for a certain period while working on their laptops, generally for foreign companies and clients. The benefits of these visas are clear for both parties.

If you’re thinking about becoming a digital nomad, we hope this list makes it more straightforward in terms of which European countries have digital nomad visas. Drop us a message on Instagram if you have any questions - @remotevagabond