What is a digital nomad visa?
A visa for digital nomads permits legal work in a foreign country for a longer duration than a tourist visa, with less difficulty than a work visa.
Traveling freelancers and digital nomads have the flexibility to choose their preferred location as a base camp for a period of 6 months to 2 years with a digital nomad visa, and the process of renewal is uncomplicated.
Why get it?
Visa restrictions and immigration are known to be two major challenges faced by digital nomads, as per their own accounts.
Digital nomads and traveling freelancers had limited visa options prior to the introduction of digital nomad visas, and were often restricted to using travel visas. This posed a problem, as travel visas typically prohibit work within the country and impose a maximum stay duration of 90 days. As a result, digital nomads and freelancers had to resort to disguising their work as tourist activities, in order to avoid detection.
After their travel visa elapses, they must visit the immigration office, endure long waits, and incur costs to extend their travel visa. Certain nations do not permit an extension, leaving digital nomads with the option of a technique known as a “visa run,” whereby they exit to neighboring countries for a brief period and return to obtain a new travel visa stamp (which some countries do not even allow).
Engaging in these activities for an extended period of time as a digital nomad can lead to exhaustion, affecting your physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
If you’re eligible, it’s advisable to pursue a digital nomad visa as it gets rid of restrictions related to travel visas, long waiting periods in the immigration office, and visa runs. Additionally, it facilitates the opportunity to work in a new environment that revitalizes your productivity and creativity.
How to get it?
Although processes and requirements may vary between countries, the following outlines a general approach to obtaining a digital nomad visa.
- Find out whether you are eligible by going to the country’s immigration website or embassy office in your or a nearby country.
- Prepare all the necessary documents such as bank statements, passport, and proof of being a digital nomad or freelancer.
- Submit all documents either by applying online or at the embassy office.
- Wait for approval and processing while planning the long-anticipated travel.
- Collect your digital nomad visa, book your flight tickets, and begin your long-term nomadic lifestyle!
To determine the criteria and qualifications for every involved nation, follow the links provided towards the conclusion of this piece.
Who is eligible for a digital nomad visa?
The eligibility requirements may vary across countries, but commonly, you will need the following items to submit your application for a digital nomad visa:
- You are location-independent.
- You can work digitally and remotely.
- You have a stable flow of income and earn more than the minimum requirement.
- You are from one of the eligible countries (e.g, Europe allows people from certain countries to apply).
- You have proof of employment or ownership of a company.
- You have travel or health insurance.
How long does the process take?
The duration of the digital nomad visa application process can range from 3 to 4 months, with the timeline being largely influenced by the specific country of application.
Several European countries have begun to provide freelance visas and digital nomad visas to foreigners with the purpose of enhancing the flexibility, efficiency, and benefits of the work process. The digital nomad visas allow individuals who are not EU citizens to reside in a European Union nation while conducting work for firms and patrons in other EU countries as well as other countries across the globe.
SchengenVisaInfo.com states that currently, the listed European countries provide such opportunities, each with varying requirements for obtaining visas and travel permits.
What are the typical restrictions I need to be aware of?
The digital nomad visa is an official visa that is acknowledged in countries that are participating, and holders of the visa should not encounter any difficulties while strolling on the streets.
If you’re not seeking problems, having a visa won’t be helpful in saving you.
Top European Countries That Offer Freelance Visas
Spain
Individuals wishing to work as freelancers in Spain are required to obtain the autonomo status. To acquire this status, one must demonstrate that they are either self-employed, a freelancer, or operate a small business.
Furthermore, Spanish authorities have declared their intention to introduce an exclusive visa for digital nomads in order to lure skilled individuals from across the globe and enhance investment.
An individual who arrives in Spain with the intention of remotely working and living there is able to request a residence permit.
France
Another European country that offers great opportunities for freelancers interested in working remotely.
The profession liberale visa allows freelancers to work in France without requiring an employer to sponsor their self-employment visa. Those from abroad looking to establish a new business in France will belong to one of the profession liberale business categories.
A long-term visa, categorized as an entrepreneur/profession libérale, will be granted to them and will serve as their residency permit. It will be valid for one year, but the holder must apply for visa validation within 15 days of their arrival.
To be eligible for such a visa, an individual has to demonstrate their ability to generate a minimum monthly income of €1,540.
They must fulfill all necessary procedures to obtain permission for practicing their respective professions in France.
Portugal
A freelance, self-employment visa in Portugal is widely sought-after by individuals who desire a visa that allows them to reside in Europe for an extended period as well as earn a livelihood.
There are two options available for individuals who are interested in applying for this visa.
- A residence visa for persons interested in working independently (working locally for Portuguese clients as a contract employee)
- A residence visa for entrepreneur work (digital nomad visa gathering clients from other countries worldwide.
The World Bank’s 2019 statistics reveal that in Portugal, 16.9% of the population are self-employed or freelance workers, indicating higher numbers compared to the EU’s average of 15.2%.
Germany
The self-employment visa in Germany, commonly known as Freiberufler, allows individuals to work remotely in Germany, as long as they meet certain criteria to obtain the visa.
Furthermore, individuals are obligated to demonstrate that they possess adequate funds, which entails holding a minimum of €5,000 in a bank account based in Germany.
Individuals interested in working as freelancers may have their residence permit extended beyond three years, provided they demonstrate prior success in their freelance business and sufficient earnings to support their living expenses.
A settlement permit may be obtained by individuals who have worked for three days with a freelance residence permit.
Croatia
The Croatian authorities previously announced their intention to introduce the Digital Nomad Visa, which would allow individuals to work remotely from anywhere in the Balkans. This visa is open to anyone who desires to work independently and without regard to location or schedule.
The Prime Minister of the country confirmed the announcement through a post on Twitter, stating that Croatia will amend the Aliens Act to legalize the presence of digital nomads.
According to a statement released by the Croatian Ministry of the Interior, a temporary residence permit can be obtained for a maximum of one year, and it is not possible to prolong it.
According to the same source, the new application for managing the stay of digital nomads may be filed six months following the expiration of the earlier document for the same intent.
Digital nomads who are third-country nationals must fulfill several criteria, including having earned a minimum of 2.5 average monthly net salaries from the previous year, according to Bureau of Statistics data from their host country.
Currently, a minimum of HRK 16,907.50 per month is necessary. Thus, if individuals intend to reside in Croatia for a duration of one year, they have to demonstrate proof of at least HRK 202,890.00 in their possession.
Malta
In June 2021, Malta introduced Nomad Residence Permits that allow individuals to work and reside in the country simultaneously.
Individuals who wish to reside in Malta and work remotely are required to demonstrate a minimum monthly income of €2,700.
Individuals from non-EU countries can obtain a Nomad Residence Permit in Malta by obtaining a visa. This permit has a one-year validity period and can be renewed upon request with Residency Malta’s approval, as stated by Residency Malta. Nevertheless, certain criteria must be fulfilled by the applicants.
Individuals who intend to stay in Malta for less than a year will receive a National Visa throughout the duration of their visit.
Estonia
Estonia’s authorities have given the green light to changes in the Alien Act, which will enable the issuance of a digital nomad visa. As a result, this Baltic nation has become one of the earliest regions in the world to introduce such travel authorizations.
The Digital Nomad Visa of Estonia enables individuals who prefer to work remotely and entrepreneurs to live in the country for over 365 days every year and work for clients or employers located outside of Estonia.
The Ministry of Interior emphasized earlier that this type of visa could be issued for both short-term and long-term purposes of stay.
Individuals seeking to apply for a travel permit must satisfy the subsequent criteria:
- Prove that they can work independently from location and perform their duties remotely using telecommunications technology.
- Prove that they have an active work contract with a company registered outside Estonia.
- Prove that the income met the minimum threshold in the six months preceding the application. Currently, the monthly income is €3,504.
Romania
The Romanian government has declared that it intends to introduce the Digital Nomad Visa program, available to all foreign individuals who desire to work from a distance.
At the end of September, Romania’s Senate granted approval to a draft law aimed at enabling the implementation of this scheme in the country. Subsequently, the draft law was transmitted to the Deputy Chamber for discussion.
Vlad Craiovean, co-founder and Business Development Manager at Impact Hub Bucharest, believes that Romania’s implementation of the Digital Nomad Visa program will provide more advantages for those possessing such travel permits than other European nations or even the United States, where living expenses are approximately 50% more expensive.
Additionally, the Recursive reported that the Craioveaun noted that in Romania, the average monthly expenses for a single person are below €500.
Greece
To attract more foreign nationals to their nation, Greek officials have enacted a fresh regulation that allows digital nomad visa holders to reduce their income tax by 50%.
Furthermore, temporary residency in this country has been made available for self-employed individuals starting from the beginning of this year.
A report published by the Citizenship by Investment Guide states that Greece and Croatia have recently introduced programmes aimed at attracting digital expats to their countries as a means of compensating for the decline in tourism revenue caused by the pandemic. These programmes are part of a trend among countries worldwide that have introduced remote working visas within the past six months.
The Hellenic Republic is making efforts to attract a significant population of remote workers to carry out their work in the country.
Individuals who possess non-European Union travel documents, freelancers included, are obligated to complete a long-term visa application if staying in Greece for over 12 months. To be eligible, applicants must provide proof of a consistent monthly income of at least 3,500 euros during their stay in Greece.
Czech Republic
Czechia is one of the top destinations for those seeking remote work due to its affordable home office rental rates and abundant housing options.
By taking into consideration the trade license, freelancers can avail themselves of the Czech Republic’s work permit through application for a “Zinvo visa,” which is a long-term visa. To be eligible for this visa, applicants are required to furnish a copy of the trade license or other documents indicating that they will operate from within the Czech Republic’s borders.
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