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Do you want to stay in Europe for longer than tourist visas allow? These countries are offering Digital Nomad Visas for those who qualify.
With remote work becoming the norm for businesses around the world, more employees and self-employed business owners are realizing that they don’t need to stay in their country of residence in order to do their jobs. It is possible to travel the world while working online!
Stevo and I have been digital nomads since 2018, working online from our laptops while traveling through Asia, Europe, North America, and South America. And while so far we haven’t wanted to stay in any particular place long enough to need a digital nomad visa, it’s something that’s been on our minds lately.
That’s why we’ve done this research into which countries in Europe offer Digital Nomad Visas, and of course, as always, we love to share what we’ve learned with you!
What is a Digital Nomad Visa?
A Digital Nomad Visa allows you to work remotely during your stay in a country as long as you don’t enter the local labor market. If you already have a job that you can do remotely, then you can likely get a Digital Nomad Visa.
Watch: How Digital Nomad Visas Work…and Do You Really Need One?
Why Remote Workers Choose to Get Digital Nomad Visas
The constant moving around with a digital nomad lifestyle can become exhausting, so we understand why the idea of settling in a place for a bit longer by getting a digital nomad visa sounds appealing.
Many European countries already allow Americans to visit for 90 days without needing a visa.
*Note that US citizens and many other nationalities are only able to stay inside the Schengen Zone in Europe for 90 days at a time and may require a visa or ETIAS.
If you want to stay in countries in Europe and the Schengen zone for longer than 90 days, you will need to apply for some type of visa or residency permit.
Do you need Travel Insurance? Watch: Health Insurance for Nomads ~ Comparing Genki Insurance vs. SafetyWing Insurance
Which Countries in Europe Offer Digital Nomad Visas
Many European countries are now offering Digital Nomad Visas or similar programs that allow remote workers who meet the requirements to stay in their countries for extended periods of time.
Below are the countries in Europe that currently offer Digital Nomad Visas:
Albania, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Estonia, Germany, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Malta, Montenegro, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Türkiye.
Information and rules around Digital Nomad Visas are constantly changing. That’s why where possible we have included links to the government websites for each country so that you can always find the most up-to-date information about digital nomad visa program requirements.
Below we’ve outlined the main details about each of the Digital Nomad Visas in Europe that are currently available.
Saranda, Albania
Albania
Albania is a beautiful Mediterranean country along the Adriatic and Ionian Seas with nearly 300 miles of coastline. It is also one of Europe’s most mountainous countries with stunning landscape everywhere you turn. While not as famous as countries to the north, like Croatia, or Greece to the south, Albania holds it’s own as when it comes to geography and climate. The warm and welcoming people, historic sites, delicious food, and fascinating culture make it well worth visiting. In 2021 we spent four months traveling around Albania and loved our time there!
The most popular cities for digital nomads are: Tirana, Vlore, and Saranda.
In 2022, Albania offered their new Unique Permit for non-EU nationals which allows digital nomads whose country of residence is not in the EU to apply for a Type D Long Stay visa. This visa allows nomads to stay in Albania for a year and can be renewed for up to five years.
Cost: Unclear, seems to depend on your passport country.
Length: 1 year and can be renewed for up to 5 years.
Requirements:
-Proof of employment or freelance work.
-Income of $315 per month and proof that you earn at least $9,800 per year. Minimum income requirement is higher with spouse or dependents.
-Albanian bank account.
-Criminal Background Check from your country of nationality.
-Have health insurance with at least €30,000 of coverage in Albania.
-Address information of where you will stay in Albania.
Where to apply: You are not required to visit to a consulate or embassy. Instead, there is an online submission process operated by the Albanian government. You must apply while you are outside of Albania. The visa assessment process takes 15-30 working days.
It’s important to note that those who live in Albania with the digital nomad visa will become tax residents and owe local income tax.
Go to the Republic of Albania’s Official website for the most updated information.
Croatia Digital Nomad Visa
Croatia, officially called the Republic of Croatia, is a small but stunning country along the Adriatic Sea. It borders Serbia, Hungary, Slovenia, Bosnia–Herzegovina, and Montenegro. Croatia is famous for its beautiful beaches and coastline, historical sites, delicious food, national parks, and as a filming location for the HBO series Game of Thrones.
The most popular cities in Croatia for remote workers are Zagreb, Split, Zadar, Rovinj, and Poreč.
In 2021, Croatia began offering a digital nomad residency permit for non-EU nationals (people whose country of residence is not in the EU). While not technically a visa, this temporary residency permit allows remote workers who work for a business outside of Croatia to stay in the country for up to 1 year.
Cost: €80-€130
Length: 1 year. You can apply for a new permit after being out of Croatia for 6 months.
Requirements:
-Proof of employment
-Income of €2,232/month or €26,790 per year. You can add on a partner/family member for a 10% increase per person.
-Criminal Background Check from your country of nationality.
-Have health insurance that covers you in Croatia.
Where to apply: You can apply within Croatia at a police station or at an embassy or consulate outside the country. Processing time is usually 30-60 days.
Go to the Republic of Croatia’s Official website for the most updated information.
Czech Republic Digital Nomad Visa
The Czech Republic, also known as Czechia, and historically known as Bohemia, is a landlocked country in central Europe surrounded by Germany, Austria, Slovakia, and Poland. The Czech Republic has so much to offer! It is a country rich with history and has beautiful scenery, many amazing UNESCO world heritage sites to visit. Fun fact: the Czech Republic has the most castles in all of Europe (over 2,000!).
The most popular cities in the Czech Republic for remote workers are Prague, Brno, and Mikulov.
The Czech Republic offers the Zivno visa (Zivnostenské Opravneni), which allows remote workers from non-EU countries to stay in the Czech Republic for up to 1 year. The major perks of the Zivno visa are that it allows you to travel freely around all 26 Schengen countries throughout the time your visa is valid and you can work with Czech clients.
Application fee: CZK 1,000 ($42 USD)
Length: 1 year, with an option to extend for another 2 years.
Requirements:
-Proof of CZK 124,500 ($5,152 USD) in your bank account
-Criminal Background Check from your country of nationality translated into Czech.
-Immigration interview at an embassy or consulate of the Czech Republic.
-Have health insurance that covers you in the Czech Republic.
Where to apply: You must start the application process at an embassy or consulate of the Czech Republic. For some nationalities, this must be done from your home country. The application can take from 90-120 days to be approved.
Go to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic website for the most updated information.
Estonia Digital Nomad Visa
Estonia, officially the Republic of Estonia, is a country in northern Europe. It is bordered by the Gulf of Finland, the Baltic Sea, Sweden, Latvia, and Russia. The country is rich in natural beauty and is a great place for nature lovers. Over 50% of Estonia is covered by forests, has over 2,000 islands, and is said to have some of the cleanest air in the world!
The most popular cities for digital nomads in Estonia are Tallinn and Tartu.
As of August 1, 2020, location-independent workers can apply to come to Estonia to live for up to 1 year through an e-Residency Digital Nomad Visa. There are no eligibility restrictions based on your nationality or the sector you work in.
Application fee: 80€ for a Type C (short stay) visa and 100€ Type D (long stay) visa
Length: Type C (short stay) gives you 90 days in Estonia. Type D (long stay) gives you 1 year.
Requirements:
-Proof of a work contract with a foreign employer/company or freelance clients.
-Proof that you have met the minimum monthly salary requirements of €3,504 in the last six months.
-If a Digital Nomad Visa-holder stays in Estonia for more than 183 days in a consecutive 12-month period, they will be considered an Estonian tax resident and will need to declare and pay taxes there.
Where to apply: You need to apply for the Estonia Digital Nomad Visa at an Estonian Embassy or Consulate. If you are already in Estonia, you can apply at the local Police and Border Guard office. You can fill in the application form online. Applications are reviewed and processed within 15-30 days.
Go to the Republic of Estonia e-Residency website for the most updated information.
Iceland
Iceland is on just about every nature-loving person’s bucket list. The scenery is absolutely stunning, and in some parts of the country, the unique topography will make you feel like you’re on a different planet. Interestingly, Iceland was one of the last places on earth to be settled by humans when over 1,100 years ago Vikings from Norway discovered Iceland by accident.
The most popular city in Iceland for remote workers is Reykjavik, where over 2/3 of the entire population of Iceland lives.
In November 2020, Iceland announced its digital nomad residency permit for non-EU nationals. It’s one of the priciest Digital Nomad visas in Europe, is shorter than many others, and does come with quite a few requirements to obtain.
Cost: 12,100 Icelandic Krona ($89 USD) for each person
Length: 90-180 days. Any days spent in the Schengen zone prior to entering Iceland will count against this time.
Requirements:
-You are from a country outside the EU.
-You do not intend to reside in Iceland long-term.
-Your monthly income is equivalent to 1,000,000 Icelandic Krona ($7,312 USD) or 1,300,000 ($9,505) if you’re also applying for your spouse/partner.
-Have a health insurance policy that will cover you in Iceland.
-If you are an employee you need to show proof of confirmation from your employer that you are allowed to perform your work remotely in Iceland. If you are self-employed you must confirm that you are verifiably self-employed in your country of permanent residence.
-A criminal background check from your country of residence may be requested.
Where to apply: Applications can only be submitted in paper form, either in the drop box in the lobby of the Directorate of Immigration in Iceland or by sending the application by regular mail to the same address.
Go to the Directorate of Immigration’s official website for the most updated information.
Georgia
The ‘Remotely from Georgia Program’ was instated during the Covid-19 pandemic allowing remote workers to live and work legally in Georgia for 365 days. However, it no longer seems necessary or possible to apply for this program. Citizens from these 98 countries are able to enter Georgia visa-free for up to 1-year.
The most popular city in Georgia for remote workers is Tbilisi.
Cost: Free
Length: 1 year.
Requirements: It is no longer possible or necessary to show these requirements to stay in Georgia. Proof of remote work showing you are a freelancer, business owner, or employee outside of Georgia.
Proof of income of $2,000 USD/month or $24,000 USD in savings.
Buy health insurance that covers you in Georgia. You can sign up for local healthcare.
It is possible to apply with a spouse or family member however, there are additional requirements.
Possibility to become a tax resident in Georgia.
Where to apply: You can check if you are required to get a visa for entering Georgia here.
You can apply for the Georgia Digital Nomad Visa online. Once you have completed all of the steps, it only takes 10 business days after submission for your application to be reviewed.
Germany
It is said that Germany has one of the best standards of living in the world offering the best quality of life. This is due to the country’s well-developed infrastructure, clean environment, low crime rates, and range of cultural activities, entertainment, and nature. All of these things make Germany a great place to achieve a healthy work-life balance.
The most popular cities in Germany for remote workers are Berlin, Cologne, Hamburg, Dresden, Munich, Aachen, and Nuremberg.
Germany offers a visa for freelancers known as a D visa, job-seeker visa, or called ‘Freiberufler’, which means ‘freelancer’ in German or ‘Gewerbetreibender‘ which means self-employed.
It is quite a complicated process however, if you want to remain in Germany long-term then it will be worthwhile for you. Nomad Berlin shares very detailed information about how you can apply for a freelance or self-employment visa which will allow you to stay in Germany for up to three years.
Greece
Greece is one of the most popular destinations for digital nomads. The country has fantastic weather, breathtaking landscapes, an affordable cost of living, and a variety of places to visit including historical sites, islands, nature, and some of the most iconic destinations in Europe.
The most popular cities in Greece for remote workers are Athens, Thessaloniki, Crete, Nafplion, and Volos.
Cost: €75 application fee plus a €150 administration fee
Length: 1 year. After the first year, you can apply for a remote worker residence permit for an additional three years.
Requirements:
-Proof of income of €3,500/month + an additional €700 for your spouse + €525 per child or dependent
-Criminal background check from your home country
-Buy a health insurance policy that will cover you in Greece.
-If you spend more than six out of twelve months in Greece then you’ll need to become a tax resident and pay taxes based on the country’s progressive income taxation system. However, there is a 50% tax break offered to digital nomads.
Where to apply: You can apply for a Digital Nomad visa for Greece in any Greek consulate. Applicants will be notified whether they have been accepted within ten days.
Go to the Greek Ministry of Migration and Asylum official website for the most updated information.
Hungary
Hungary offers a great combination of high quality of life with a lower cost of living than many EU countries. The country is full of natural beauty, history, delicious local food, and rich culture. Surprisingly, Hungary also makes some pretty great wines! Hungary’s digital nomad visa is also known as the ‘White Card’ and allows you to live in the country for 1 year.
The most popular cities in Hungary for remote workers are Budapest, Pécs, Debrecen, Szeged, and Sopron.
Cost: Application fee of €110
Length: 1 year. You can renew for one more year.
Requirements:
-Proof of employment
-Income requirement of only €2,000 per month per person. Couples or families are not allowed to be added on.
-Proof of health insurance that covers you in Hungary.
Where to apply: You must apply for the Hungary White Card digital nomad visa from outside the country at a Hungarian embassy or consulate and undergo an interview. Applicants will be notified within about 30 days about whether their visa application was approved.
Go to the Hugary Residency official website for the most updated information.
Malta
The Mediterranean island of Malta is known for having one of the world’s best climates. It has a picturesque coastline with beautiful beaches, bays, and harbors. There is so much to do, from spending time at historical sites and nature parks to eating at excellent restaurants with high-quality seafood, shopping, hiking, biking, and just enjoying life in the beautiful environment. The Malta Digital Nomad visa is also known as the Malta Nomad Residency Permit.
The most popular cities in Malta for remote workers are Valletta, Rabat, Sliema, Mosta, and Bugibba.
Cost: Application fee of €300 + €300 for each additional family member
Length: 1 year and can be renewed.
Requirements:
-Proof of employment or freelance contracts
-Income of €2,700/month
-Criminal Background Check from your country of nationality.
-Buy health insurance that covers you in Malta.
Where to apply: You can apply for the Malta Nomad Residency Permit online.
Go to the Malta Nomad Residency website for the most updated information.
Norway
Norway is a beautiful Scandinavian country bordering Sweden with mountains, glaciers, and coastal fjords. It is possible to do winter sports in Norway for six months out of the year. Other popular activities are fishing and hiking. Norway is a very expensive country to live in relative to other countries in the EU, however that higher price also comes with a high standard of living. While Norway doesn’t have a dedicated digital nomad visa, they do offer an independent contractor visa which allows you two stay in the country for two years.
The most popular city in Norway for remote workers are Oslo, Bergen, Trondheim, and Alesund.
Cost: Application fee of €600
Length: 2 years.
Requirements:
-Proof of income of €35,718 per year. You can bring family members.
-You will have to pay local taxes in Norway.
Where to apply: You can apply for the Norway independent contractor visa in person at a police station in Norway or at a Norwegian embassy or consulate in your home country.
Go to the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration website for the most updated information.
Portugal
Portugal’s digital nomad visa is known as the Portuguese passive income visa or D7 visa.
The most popular cities in Portugal for remote workers are Porto, Lisbon, Peniche, Braga, Coimbra, and Sagres.
Cost: Application fee of €180
Length: 1 year. You can renew the visa for up to 5 years. After 5 years you can apply for permanent residency.
Requirements:
-Proof of passive income earned outside of Portugal of at least €600/month or €9,870/year. You can add on a partner/family members for a 50% increase per person.
-You must stay in Portugal for 16 months without leaving in the first two years.
-Proof of health insurance that covers you in Portugal.
Where to apply: You can apply for the Portugal D7 visa at a Portuguese embassy or consulate in your home country. The D7 visa can take around three to six months to process
The D7 visa was designed for remote workers from non-EU countries and allows you to stay for up to two years in Portugal as long as you meet all of the requirements.
Our friends Carrie and Brian did an in-depth video all about Portugal’s visa options that’s really useful, so check that out here if you want more info.
Go to the Official Website of Portuguese Immigration for the most updated information.
Romania
The most popular cities in Romania for remote workers are Cluj Napoca, Timisoara, Brasov, Bucharest, Constanta, and Sibiu.
Details:
Cost: €80-€130
Length: 1 year. You can renew for an additional year.
Requirements:
-Proof of employment
-Income of €3,300/month.
-Criminal Background Check from your country of nationality.
-Buy health insurance that covers you in Romania.
Where to apply: You can apply at a Romanian embassy or consulate in your home country. Processing time is usually 30-60 days.
Go to the Romania Ministry of Foreign Affairs official website for the most updated information.
A digital nomad visa for European countries is a good option if there is somewhere that you would like to stay for longer.
However, as we mentioned, passport holders from the US and many other countries are able to stay up to 90 days in most of the countries mentioned.
Depending on your desired travel pace, you may not even need to worry about getting a digital nomad visa in order to live the digital nomad lifestyle.
European Digital Nomad Visas coming soon:
Italy, Spain, Montenegro, and Cyprus have digital nomad visas in the works.
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