In this guide, we will rate The 7 Best Digital Nomad Visas in Europe
As a digital nomad, you want a place that offers the best balance between work and play. And the good thing is that Europe offers multiple opportunities to realize just that.
It is one of the best continents, bursting with charm, beautiful scenery, and culture. These range from idyllic beaches to historical cities.
There are also many working spaces for digital nomads, so you can continue with your laptop lifestyle. The only challenge is that you may not be sure which countries in Europe offer the best opportunities and environments for digital nomads.
One way of assessing it is to look at digital nomad visas in Europe. The good thing is that an increasing number of European countries are introducing these visas.
However, the different countries in the Eurozone have varying conditions that you must meet to secure a digital nomad visa.
So, read on to find more information.
What Is a Digital Nomad Visa?
In the past, professionals who wanted to work remotely while traveling across countries had to rely on tourist visas.
The issue with this arrangement was that it wasn’t strictly legal because some tourist visas restrict tourists from working in foreign countries.
It was hard for digital nomads to apply for work permits because their clients or employees were located outside the host country.
This forced some digital nomads to just renew their tourist visas when they expired. Again, this wasn’t an ideal situation.
To make it even worse, the Schengen zone has strict restrictions on visa runs, making it almost impossible to survive on tourist visas as a remote worker.
To address the above challenges, countries introduced digital nomad visas. These visas allow digital nomads or remote workers to stay and work in a foreign country longer than a tourist visa would allow.
A typical tourist visa in Europe allows non-EU nationals to stay in the EU zone for up to 90 days. A typical digital nomad visa Europe allows applicants to stay in the country for more than 90 days.
The only condition is that you must show proof of sufficient income, be employed or receive income from outside the host country, and provide other relevant documentation.
Generally, each country has some set of requirements. Also, each offers unique opportunities for digital nomads. So, you should be able to assess each digital nomad visa critically.
What to Look for in a Digital Nomad Visa Europe
Here are some of the questions that you have to answer while searching for the best digital nomad visa Europe program:
- Do I meet the stated requirements?
- Will I need health insurance while in the country?
- Are my family members joining me on the trip?
- How long do you intend to stay in the country?
- Are there coworking spaces for remote workers? And are public spaces work-friendly?
- How is the cost of living in that country?
- How will I sort out my taxation while living and working in the country?
- What is the climate like?
- How fast and steady is the internet?
Answering these questions will help you identify the right destination for your digital nomadic adventure. Let’s now look at some of the best digital nomad visas in Europe.
The Best Digital Nomad Visas in Europe
Several European countries offer some sort of remote working visa program targeting non-EU citizens. Here are just the top ones:
1. Estonia
Estonia is sometimes referred to as the ‘Silicon Valley of Europe’, partly due to its adoption of digital technologies in all spheres of life.
Its government is leading the way with its e-government programs and, of course, its famous digital residency program.
Apart from this, Estonia has five times more startups when rated per capita than any European nation. Apart from these attractive qualities of Estonia, the country also offers the best digital nomad visas in Europe.
It was among the first few countries on the continent to introduce such a program. Its digital nomad visa allows holders to stay in the country for one year, and they can bring along their family members.
To qualify for Estonia’s digital nomad visa program, you need to have a minimal income of €3,500 per month. Besides this, you should receive your income or be employed by a company outside Estonia.
You can apply for this visa at any Estonian embassy or consulate. If you are successful with the application, you can travel to Estonia and apply for an e-residency card.
The body that issued this card is the Estonian Policy and Border Guard Board.
Also Read: Estonia Digital Nomad Visa The Complete Guide for 2024
2. Portugal
Portugal also offers the best digital nomad visa Europe. Apart from reasonable minimum income requirements, most digital nomads love this country because of its laid-back lifestyle, warm weather, stunning scenery, and vibrant digital nomad communities.
Actually, there is a lot to do and see while in Portugal, especially if you choose bigger cities like Lisbon and Porto, islands like Madeira and Azore, or even beach towns within the Algarve.
Digital nomads wishing to relocate to Portugal have two options. The D8 visa program allows remote workers to apply for a Digital Nomad Temporary Stay Visa or a Digital Nomad Residence Visa.
The former allows you to work and live in Portugal for up to one year, but you can extend it for an additional six months.
The second visa lets you stay in Portugal for two years. After that, you can apply for a residence permit, which allows you to stay in the country for an additional three years.
3. Greece
Another European country with the best digital nomad visa is Greece. The southern European gem is a fantastic place for remote workers because of its scenery, history, and favorable conditions for nomads.
The country introduced its digital nomad visa program in late 2021. Just like most digital nomad visa programs, it allows holders to work and live in any part of Greece for one year but can be extended.
You will only become a tax resident if you stay in the country for more than 183 days, but the country will only tax half of your income for up to seven years.
The main requirement to secure Greece’s digital nomad visa is that you need to earn at least €3,500/month, have a residential address in Greece, be employed by a company outside Greece, or generate money from clients outside the country.
Of course, you must not be an EU or Swiss citizen. If you meet these qualifying requirements, you can apply for the visa at any Greek embassy or consulate.
Also Read: Greece’s Digital Nomad Visa: Everything You Need to Know
4. Romania
Romania has one of the most attractive digital nomad visa programs. The country launched the visa scheme in 2021 with the main goal of attracting non-EU professionals who wish to work and live in the country.
With this fantastic digital nomad visa Europe program, you can live in any part of Romania for one year, with the option to extend by another year.
The good thing about Romania’s digital nomad visa is that you won’t be taxed, assuming that your home country already receives your taxes.
With this program, you will also enjoy one of the fastest internet connections, a vibrant IT sector, and breathtaking adventure activities.
Another impressive thing about the program is its fast processing. Applicants who meet the minimum requirements, including being employed by an overseas company and earning a minimum income of €3,950/month, can get feedback within 10–14 days.
5. Spain
This list of the best digital nomad visas in Europe wouldn’t have been complete without talking about Spain’s digital nomad visa program.
Though recently launched, the program offers a flexible avenue for remote workers to explore Spain. With its UNESCO-listed cities, Mediterranean beaches, and incredible cuisine, many digital nomads will rarely resist what Spain has to offer.
Spain’s digital nomad program allows holders to live and work in Spain for one year, with the option to renew for up to five years.
Another benefit of this visa program is that you get tax incentives if you earn less than €600k per year. The minimum income requirement is just €2,334 per month.
Also Read: Digital Nomad Visa Spain: Everything You Need To Know
6. Italy
Like its other European counterparts, Italy has a fantastic digital nomad visa program. The Italian self-employment visa program allows holders to live and work in the country for up to two years, with the possibility to extend.
It is one of the best paths to getting legal residency in the country, which could lead to more permanent residency options.
Italy’s self-employment visa offers some of the best incentives to remote workers, including digital nomads.
Residence remote workers are entitled to a reduced tax of up to 70%. To apply for this visa, you need to book an appointment with the Italian embassy and provide all the documentation, including proof of sufficient income.
7. Germany
Germany offers a fantastic digital nomad visa Europe program targeting non-EU citizens who wish to live and work in the country.
Specifically, the program targets self-employed professionals working in the fields of art, education, music, journalism, or theater.
To apply for Germany’s visa for freelance artists, you need to book an appointment with the German embassy or consulate in advance.
The only downside of this program is that it may take many months to process because of bureaucracy, involving lots of paperwork.
Final Word
As more countries and companies continue to embrace remote working options, digital nomads will have more opportunities to explore different parts of the globe.
Already, several European countries have launched different forms of digital nomad visas. So, if you are planning to visit the continent, the above options offer better opportunities and are more friendly to digital nomads.
Also Read: Digital Nomad Visas: Everything You Need to Know in 2023
