During the Covid-19 pandemic, remote working has become a popular option for many employees and employers worldwide.
This unprecedented global crisis has shown that remote working is a viable option for lots of companies, and it has highlighted the far-reaching benefits that come with this work environment, such as increased flexibility, improved work-life balance, and reduced commuting time, just to name a few.
As a result, Digital Nomad Visas have become increasingly popular among people looking to experience living in a different country without giving up their jobs or taking a career break.
Digital Nomad Visas have been implemented by various countries worldwide, with even EU nations adopting this Visa category.
However, the specific application procedures and requirements may differ from one country to another.
In this article, we discuss what a Digital Nomad Visa is and what are the income requirements for each EU country.
Table of contents:
1. What is a Digital Nomad Visa for Europe?
A Digital Nomad Visa for Europe is a type of long-stay Visa that allows you to live and work remotely in Europe.
Under this Visa, you are not allowed to work for a company located in your host country.
Instead, you are required to work remotely for a country registered outside of your host country.
Typically, the Digital Nomad Visa is valid for a period between one and two years, depending on the EU country that issued the Visa.
While other types of Visa (such as the Europe National Visa) enable you to work in a foreign country while being registered as a taxpayer, a Digital Nomad Visa usually allows you to be a temporary resident of another country while paying taxes in your home country.
Additionally, most countries allow you to extend your Digital Nomad Visa for up to two years as long as you meet the original eligibility criteria.
However, if the idea of travelling around Europe while working remotely appeals to you, it’s worth noting that Digital Nomad Visas come with the drawback of having high-income prerequisites.
This may be disheartening for those who are new to digital nomadism or have recently launched a business.
Most of the EU countries issuing Digital Nomad Visas require you to have a monthly income of at least €3,000.
If you are lucky enough to have a high income, a Digital Nomad Visa gives you a unique opportunity to live and work in Europe’s most beautiful countries.
But first things first, it is important to understand the difference between a Digital Nomad Visa and a Schengen Visa for Europe.
As we mentioned before, a Digital Nomad Visa gives you the right to live in an EU country and gain temporary residency while working for a foreign company.
Depending on the country, a Digital Nomad Visa can be valid for one to two years.
On the other hand, a Schengen Visa (whether it’s a Tourist Schengen Visa, a Business Schengen Visa, or a Schengen Visa issued for other purposes) is valid for 90 days in any 180-day period.
This means that with a Schengen Visa, you have the freedom to explore Europe for up to 90 days. Nothing stops you from working remotely during your stay, but it is mandatory to leave the Schengen Area before your Visa expiry date.
Another difference between the Digital Nomad Visa and the Schengen Visa lies in your ability to extend your stay in Europe.
While a Digital Nomad Visa can typically be extended, a Schengen Visa extension can only be requested if you have a strong reason to overstay your Visa (such as an illness or serious personal reasons).
Additionally, applying for a Schengen Visa if you’re currently working remotely without geographical boundaries can be quite challenging.
So why is that?
When applying for a Schengen Visa, the Embassy officers want to ensure that you won’t overstay your Visa and stay in Europe illegally.
That’s why it is essential to prove your intent to return home and show your deep rootedness in your country. You can do that by submitting your marriage certificate, your child’s birth certificate or documents proving you have a stable job in your country of residency.
But if you have the ability to work remotely from anywhere in the world, this might raise some red flags as the Visa officers might think that you don’t have a genuine intention to return home.
Don’t get us wrong – we are not saying that remote workers can’t get a Schengen Visa.
However, getting a Schengen Visa can be trickier if you’re a digital nomad or work as a freelancer.
If this is your situation, do not hesitate to contact us or request a free consultation. Our team of Schengen Visa experts would be more than happy to guide you every step of the way so you can prepare a compelling application and increase your chances of success.
Now that you know the difference between a Digital Nomad Visa and a Schengen Visa for Europe, let’s explore the Digital Nomad Visas available for remote workers.
2. Digital Nomad Visas in Europe
The following EU countries are currently offering Digital Nomad Visas: Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Latvia, Malta, Norway, Portugal, and Romania.
Croatia Digital Nomad Visa
Visa validity: One year, with the option to renew
Income requirement: €2,300 per month
The Digital Nomad Visa for Croatia is available to non-EU/EEA citizens who run a foreign-registered company or work as remote employees of companies located outside of Croatia.
Close family members of a digital nomad may join them as well (e.g., spouse, children). This is also valid for childless couples who are not married but have been together for over three years, or less if they have a child together.
More information about the Digital Nomad Visa for Croatia can be found on the official website of Croatia’s Ministry of Interior.
Cyprus Digital Nomad Visa
Visa validity: One year, with the option to renew for further two years
Income requirement: €3,500 per month
The Cyprus Digital Nomad Visa is available to non-EU/EEA citizens who are either employed by a foreign-registered company that allows them to work remotely or are self-employed and provide remote services to clients located outside Cyprus.
The goal of the Cyprus Digital Nomad Visa is to accelerate the growth of the business ecosystem, resulting in the country’s economic advancement.
More information can be found on the website of the Civil Registry and Migration Department of Cyprus.
Czech Republic Digital Nomad Visa
Visa validity: 6 months to one year
Income requirement: Must have at least CZK 124,500 (around €5,000) in your bank account
Remote workers from outside the EU can apply for a Czech Republic Digital Nomad Visa (colloquially known as the “Zivno Visa” or “Trade License Visa”).
While some applications can be reviewed in a very short period of time (e.g., 2 weeks), most applicants should expect to get an answer on their application in 90-120 days.
More information about the Czech Republic Digital Nomad Visa can be found here.
Estonia Digital Nomad Visa
Visa validity: One year, with the option to renew
Income requirement: €3,500 per month
Before applying for a Digital Nomad Visa for Estonia, it’s important to know that if you stay in Estonia for more than 183 days consecutively, you will gain tax residency. This means you should declare and pay taxes in Estonia.
Your spouse and children may apply for a Digital Nomad Visa as well. Estonia recognises same-sex unions, allowing partners in such relationships to apply for a Visa to join their Digital Nomad Visa-holding partner.
More information about the Digital Nomad Visa for Estonia can be found here.
Greece Digital Nomad Visa
Visa validity: One year, with the option to extend with a Digital Nomad Residence Permit
Income requirement: €3,500 per month
When applying for a Digital Nomad Visa for Greece, you are required to have a salary of at least €3,500 per month after taxes.
This amount increases by 20% if your spouse or partner wants to join you. If you have children, this amount increases by 15% for each child who accompanies you.
Your Digital Nomad Visa for Greece can be extended with a Digital Nomad Residence Permit which is renewable every two years.
You can find more details about the Digital Nomad Visa for Greece here.
Hungary Digital Nomad Visa
Visa validity: One year, with the option to renew for another year
Income requirement: €2,000 per month
Also known as the “White Card”, the Digital Nomad Visa for Hungary is available to non-EU/EEA citizens who work remotely or run a company in a foreign country.
Unlike other EU countries, Hungary does not make close family members eligible for Hungarian residency.
For more information about the Hungary Digital Nomad Visa, please visit this website.
Iceland Digital Nomad Visa
Visa validity: 180 days
Income requirement: €7,075 per month
The Digital Nomad Visa for Iceland is available to non-EEA/EFTA individuals who do not need a Visa to enter the Schengen Area.
Iceland has the highest income requirements for Digital Nomad Visa applicants.
More information about the Digital Nomad Visa for Iceland can be found on Digital Iceland, which is part of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs.
Latvia Digital Nomad Visa
Visa validity: One year, with the option to renew for another year
Income requirement: €2,875 per month
To be eligible for the Digital Nomad Visa for Latvia, you must be employed by a company registered in an OECD country or must be self-employed with your business registered in an OECD country.
OECD stands for Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. The organisation includes 38 member countries and was founded in 1961.
You can find more information about the Digital Nomad Visa for Latvia (including the OECD countries eligible for the Visa) here.
Malta Digital Nomad Visa
Visa validity: One year
Income requirement: €2,700 per month
Malta’s Nomad Residence Permit is open to non-EU nationals who are employed by a foreign company, run a business registered in a country located outside of Malta, or offer freelance services to clients who are established in a foreign country.
Nationals from the following countries are not currently eligible for Malta’s Nomad Residence Permit: Afghanistan, North Korea, Iran, Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Yemen, Venezuela, Russia, and Belarus.
For more information about the Malta Digital Nomad Visa, please visit this website.
Norway Digital Nomad Visa
Visa validity: Up to two years
Income requirement: €3,000 per month
Norway’s Digital Nomad Visa is open to applicants who are self-employed and have at least one Norwegian client.
Do note that digital nomads who are granted this Visa will need to pay taxes to the local authorities while residing in Norway and also obtain a VAT number.
For the moment, this Visa scheme is destined only for those who want to relocate to Svalbard Island.
For further details, please visit the following link: https://www.benjamindada.com/norway-digital-nomad-visa/
Portugal Digital Nomad Visa
Visa validity: One year, with the option to renew
Income requirement: €2,800 per month
Portugal allows you to apply for two different types of Digital Nomad Visas.
Firstly, you can apply for a Temporary Stay Visa that allows you to work and live in Portugal for one year, with the possibility of renewal.
Secondly, you can apply for a Digital Nomad Residence Visa if you are planning for an extended stay in Portugal and aiming to obtain residency or even citizenship.
For further information, please visit https://www.portugal.com/travel/portugal-digital-nomad-visa-2023/.
Romania Digital Nomad Visa
Visa validity: One year
Income requirement: €3,950 (at least three times the average gross monthly salary in Romania)
Romania’s Digital Nomad Visa is designed for individuals who are not citizens of the EU.
Eligible applicants must provide evidence of health insurance, a spotless criminal record, and a monthly income from a foreign company that’s at least three times the average gross monthly salary in Romania.
More information can be found on the official website of the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Bottom Line
For many people, Europe is a dream destination.
If you’re lucky enough to be able to travel the world while working remotely, a Digital Nomad Visa for Europe comes with the benefit of legalising your work status and staying in an EU country for an extended period of time.
All without any worries about Visa violations or work permit issues.
So, if you’re looking for the ultimate travel and work experience, a Digital Nomad Visa can be your ticket to a world of adventure and opportunity.
