As people rapidly turn to remote work, governments aim to attract digital nomads and offer digital nomad visas, also known as “remote work visas.” Currently, 66 countries offer digital nomad visa programs, and new countries are joining every day.
A digital nomad visa is a temporary resident visa that allows people to stay in one country while working remotely. If you are already a digital nomad and looking for a new destination, or if you are going to take your first step into digital nomadism, let’s examine the countries that offer digital nomad visas and details together.
What you’ll find out in this article:
- Digital Nomad Visa Countries in Europe
- Digital Nomad Visa Countries Outside of Europe
- Digital Nomad Visa Application Process
- How Much Does a Digital Nomad Visa Cost?
- Applying with Family Members For a Digital Nomad Visa
- Pros and Cons of Digital Nomads
- And more!
Digital Nomad Visa Countries in Europe
Here are some of the European countries with digital nomad visas:
Portugal Digital Nomad Visa
Although dozens of countries offer digital nomad visas, a few stand out on this list. Portugal is among them.
The Portuguese Digital Nomad Visa is a national visa (type D). With this visa, you can continue your work and enjoy the Atlantic Ocean in Portugal for at least one year as a digital nomad.
To get the Portugal Digital Nomad Visa (D8):
- Have citizenship in non-Swiss and non-EU/EEA countries.
- Provide a contract showing that you work completely remotely (you can also be a freelancer).
- Prove that your income is at least €3,040 per month for a long-term residency visa and €3,280 per month for a temporary stay visa.
- Show an accommodation contract of at least 1-year duration.
The application fee is approximately €90 (which varies depending on the Embassy).
Portugal does not have a single visa program for digital nomads. Depending on your preferences, you can consider a temporary stay or long-term residency visa. They are both under the D8 Visa.
Temporary Stay Visa
This temporary visa allows you to stay in Portugal for 12 months. Then, you can extend it four times. However, this visa does not give you a path to permanent residence.
Long-Term Residency Visa
This visa is initially valid for four months. It then starts a process that can lead to Portuguese citizenship.
As a digital nomad, you can apply for a two-year residence permit after entering Portugal with a D8 visa. You can then renew your visa for another three years, giving you a total of 5 years of stay in Portugal.
Moreover, if you meet the requirements, you can apply for permanent residence and Portuguese citizenship at the end of these five years.
Passive Income Visa (D7)
Additionally, although it is not a digital nomad visa program, the D7 visa, which is common among expats or retirees willing to relocate to Portugal, may also be suitable for you.
With D7, you can stay in Portugal for 120 days. However, you can also get a two-year residence permit after entering with this visa.
To do this, you must prove that you have a passive income of at least €8,460. You can consider income such as retirement income, investment income, or rental income as passive income.
Spain Digital Nomad Visa
Spain Digital Nomad (Telework) Visa is suitable for remote workers who work for a company outside Spain or are self-employed.
Moreover, if you are self-employed and your income does not exceed 20% of the total amount, you can also work for a company in Spain.
To get a Spain Digital Nomad Visa:
- Have a bachelor’s or master’s degree, or at least three years of professional experience in your industry.
- Be a citizen of a non-EU/EEA country.
- Have a monthly income of €2,646.
You can check Consular Fees here.
Greece Digital Nomad Visa
In general, the Greece Digital Nomad Visa is considered one of the best digital nomad visas because it is an easy option to obtain a visa.
This visa allows non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens to stay in Greece for 12 periods and continue working remotely. If you continue to meet the requirements after the 12 periods have expired, you can apply for a Nomad Residence Permit to extend your visa for another year.
There are some requirements to qualify for this visa:
- Not working for a company registered in Greece.
- If you are self-employed, submit evidence such as corporate purpose and field of activity.
- Proving that you have a minimum monthly income of €3,500. Your income should be higher if you plan to bring your family members and children. Generally, it is calculated as 20% extra income for your spouse and 15% for your children.
The Greek Nomad Visa application cost is approximately €75.
Other Popular Digital Nomad Visas outside of Europe
The places you can explore by working remotely with the Digital Nomad Visa are not limited to Europe. Here are some digital nomad countries outside Europe that offer digital nomad visas.
Japan Digital Nomad Visa
Many digital nomads were waiting for the Japan Digital Nomad Visa program. It officially announced its visa program in 2024.
With this visa, you can stay in Japan for six months (no extension). However, you then have to wait six months to renew your visa.
To get a Japan Digital Nomad Visa:
- Provide documentation stating the activities you plan to do during your stay in Japan and the duration of your stay.
- Prove that your annual income is 10 million JPY (58,420 Euros) or more.
- Be citizens of the listed countries/regions.
Your work should also involve activities that use ICT (information and communications technology) to conduct the business of an office of a foreign organization under a foreign employment contract or include activities of providing paid services or selling goods to foreign customers using ICT.
The visa fee is approximately 3,000 yen for a single-entry visa and 6,000 yen for a multiple-entry visa.
Dubai (UAE) Digital Nomad Visa
The Dubai Digital Nomad Visa allows remote workers to stay in Dubai for one year. You can renew your visa by applying again.
You can save money in this regard since no income taxes are collected from residents of Dubai. Additionally, Dubai is like a technology and startup hub that attracts entrepreneurs from all over the world, and this can bring you new opportunities and help you build wide networks.
To obtain the Dubai Digital Nomad Visa:
- Work for the company, freelance, or run a business located outside the UAE for at least one year and prove this with an official document (like an employment certificate).
- Have a monthly income of at least $3,500. (Dubai also offers a Virtual Working Program similar to a remote work visa. You must have a monthly income of $5,000 for this program.)
- Show bank statements for the previous three months.
You can apply online. The application fee is $611, which includes processing costs, a pre-application medical examination, and Emirates ID.
Eligibility Criteria For a Digital Nomad Visa
Here are some general criteria to be eligible for a digital nomad visa:
- Clean criminal record
- A certain income (the minimum amount varies from country to country)
- A job suitable for remote work
- Working in a country other than your destination country
- Comprehensive health insurance
Since these eligibility criteria vary, you’ll need to do research to find the country that offers a digital nomad visa program and is the best fit for you.
Digital Nomad Visa Application Process
The eligibility criteria, documents required, etc., of countries offering remote work visas vary. However, the visa application process generally proceeds as follows:
- Research the visa requirements of the country you want to apply to.
- Check your eligibility. (Monthly income, etc.)
- Prepare your documents. (Usually valid passport, criminal record, work contract, bank statement, etc.)
- Pay the application fee and apply for the visa. You can obtain the application form from the country’s consulate or embassy. (Some countries allow online applications.)
- Wait for confirmation (This time varies.)
You can make your trip to the destination country after receiving approval. Some digital nomad countries also require a residence permit. In this case, you are expected to apply for a residence permit when you go to the country.
Digital Nomad Visa Documents Required
When applying for a digital nomad visa, you generally need the following documents:
- A valid passport
- Application form
- Photograph
- Clean criminal record
- Residence certificate
- Work contract
- University degree or professional certificate
- Proof of monthly income
- Bank statements
- Health insurance
- Health check report
How Much Does a Digital Nomad Visa Cost?
Here are the application fees for some countries offering digital nomad visas:
| Country | Application Fee |
| Spain | €80 |
| Estonia | €80-€100 |
| Costa Rica | $190 |
| Panama | $300 |
| Barbados | $2,000 |
| Mauritius | Free |
| Georgia | Free |
| Latvia | €60 |
| Norway | €600 |
| Bahamas | $25 |
| Grenada | $1,500 |
| Cyprus | €70 |
| Hungary | €100 |
| Germany | €75-€80 |
Applying with Family Members For a Digital Nomad Visa
Most digital nomad visa countries offer the opportunity to apply for your spouse, children, and dependent family members. If the country you will apply to allows this, you need to make some additions to the application process:
- Provide proof such as marriage and birth certificate.
- Please note that the minimum income level requirement varies when you apply with your spouse and child. (There are exception countries such as Malta.)
- Get health insurance for your family members, too.
- In addition to the individual application, pay the required fees for each additional family member application.
Digital Nomad Visa Denial
Some reasons for digital nomad visa denial:
- Filling out the application form incorrectly/incompletely
- Submitting incomplete documents
- Your job is not suitable for remote work
- Not meeting the monthly income requirement
- Not having a clean criminal record
- Not meeting the work history requirement
Pros and Cons of Digital Nomads
Let’s look at the pros and cons of the digital nomad visa:
Pros
- By working remotely, you can explore different aspects of a new culture for an average of one year without disrupting your work.
- Currently, 66 countries offer digital nomad visas. This means you can work remotely from almost anywhere you want as long as you meet the requirements.
- Digital nomad visas are usually valid for one year, and many countries allow you to extend it.
- Many countries are trying to attract digital nomads, which creates the opportunity to meet them from around the world.
- Countries offering digital nomad visa programs aim to provide an attractive environment for remote workers. Therefore, you will most likely meet your most important needs, such as stable internet quality and high-speed internet availability in Anguilla.
- Countries that offer digital nomad visas generally have more affordable living costs than many other countries. In this way, you can have a long holiday at an affordable price.
- Many countries also offer tax exemptions.
Cons
- Not every job is suitable for working remotely. Therefore, even if you meet the other criteria, you may not be able to get a remote work visa because your job is not suitable.
- Although many countries allow your family members to apply, it is not valid for every country.
- Of course, there are some differences between living in a country for six months or even a few years and traveling as a tourist for two weeks. You have to establish some order for yourself there, and this can create stress.
- You stay out of your comfort zone. Yes, this can be instructive, but it can also be challenging when this period takes longer.
- Working while traveling is a pro of this visa. However, it is also a con because, after a while, it can become difficult to maintain a work-life balance.
What Other Countries Offer Digital Nomad Visas?
Here is the full list of countries offering digital nomad visas. Let’s learn what countries have digital nomad visas:
| Category | Country/Region |
| Europe | Portugal |
| Italy | |
| Croatia | |
| Germany | |
| Greece | |
| … (and more) | |
| Mexico | |
| Panama | |
| … (and more) | |
| Southeast Asia | Bali (Indonesia) |
| Thailand | |
| … (and more) | |
| East Asia | Japan |
| Middle East | Dubai (UAE) |
| Abu Dhabi (UAE) | |
| Asia | South Korea |
| Malaysia | |
| Vietnam | |
| … (and more) | |
| South America | Colombia |
| Brazil | |
| Argentina | |
| … (and more) | |
| Caribbean | Barbados |
| Bermuda | |
| Bahamas | |
| … (and more) | |
| Africa | South Africa |
| Mauritius | |
| Seychelles | |
| … (and more) | |
| Oceania | Australia |
| New Zealand |
Conclusion
The rise of remote working has influenced our perceptions of work and travel. These countries, which provide various opportunities, are looking for digital nomads worldwide. From Portugal to Dubai, each city welcomes remote workers and offers distinct experiences.
In this article, we have explored some of the best digital nomad visas. If you are planning to become a digital nomad but cannot decide on your destination, the visa variations in various countries may help you decide. You can begin a new chapter in your life by looking for the most appropriate country for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a digital nomad visa vs a tourist visa?
Usually, the limited duration for tourist visas is a few weeks or months. However, the good news is that you can apply for digital nomad visas that are generally valid for one year. In addition, you can extend this period in most countries.
How long does it take to get a digital nomad visa?
It can take one month but some countries may evaluate your digital nomads’ application in ten days. For instance, in Romania and Bermuda, you may get faster results for your digital nomad visa application.
Why are digital nomad visas created?
It is a time that traveling increasincly becomes common. So many governments see this as an opportunity to boost their economies and remote workers can benefit from teh opportunities they provide. Therefore, we discover more and more digital nomad visas each day allowing temporary residency permit to remote workers for a long time.
What is the income tax situation with digital nomad visas?
Some of the countries offer opportunities such as tax exemption (full or partial).
Why do digital nomads prefer making the move?
Digital nomads are increasingly seeking destinations that offer a comfortable lifestyle. Many countries are recognizing this trend and introducing easier-to-obtain temporary resident visas specifically designed for digital nomads. If you’re considering adopting this exciting digital nomad lifestyle, keep your eye on the latest trends in cost of living and visa options. As a foreign employer, you can find a balance between work and life in another country.
