You’re ready for a change. A change of scenery, a change in your career, a change in lifestyle.
It’s time to become a digital nomad.
But before you can make the exciting arrangements about which beach you’ll create your first spreadsheet from or start daydreaming about the amazing expat community you’ll meet up with, you’re going to need to get your affairs in order. Step one: get a digital nomad visa.
Every country is different when it comes to where remote workers can, well, work. Some offer visas that encourage digital nomads to visit, while others have lots of hoops and expenses that make it a little tougher.
Get started with our list of countries with digital nomad visas.
Editor’s note: The information below was accurate at the time of writing. Requirements can change rapidly, and countries frequently add digital nomad visas or remove their availability without notice. Please consult each country’s official website for the most current information and visa requirements.
How to Choose a Digital Nomad Visa
Whether you know exactly where you want to go or are choosing based on how easy it is to get a visa, ask yourself these questions. The answers will help you prepare for your new life abroad.
- What does a digital nomad visa do? In very basic terms, they allow a foreign resident to work in another country. More specifically, it might allow you to work as a freelancer in another country, or you might have to provide your destination with proof of employment with a U.S. (or other national) company. Most destinations do not allow you to work for businesses within their borders, although some may permit freelancers to have some local clients.
- How long are you permitted to stay? Most digital nomad visas allow you to stay for up to a year. Some countries allow you to renew that visa, others don’t.
- Is re-entry allowed? If you leave your destination country before expiration, some digital nomad visas become invalid. This is good information to have before you take off on a road trip or decide to visit home.
- Can a digital nomad visa turn into permanent residency? Some countries will allow you to apply for residency after a specified amount of time. If that’s important to you, or you’re using this digital nomad opportunity as a test run to see if you could live there full-time, look into the rules. Another type of visa might be more appropriate if you’re looking to make a lifelong change.
- Where will you pay taxes? If you’re an American citizen, the U.S. government will expect you to pay income tax, regardless of where you make that money. Your host country, however, could waive taxes, offer breaks, or expect you to pay just like anybody else.
- Are there companies that can help you get settled and connected? More organizations are making it easier to get right to work in your new location. They might help arrange housing, coordinate visas and other documentation, provide co-working space, or all of the above.
- What kind of work is permitted? Some countries are looking specifically for digital nomads in certain industries. Others allow anyone who passes the background check and provides proof of employment to settle in.
- Is insurance required? You can expect your host country to require proof of health insurance. You might be able to buy it from their national healthcare system, or you might need an independent provider.
- Can you get a digital nomad visa with family? That depends on the country. Some will allow spouses, partners, and minor children to be included in your application and travel with you. Others require each individual to apply for a visa separately. The good news is that most make allowances for dependents, and some even make it easy for digital nomads to enroll their children in local schools.
- How much does a digital nomad visa cost? The fees for a digital nomad visa vary greatly by country. Mauritius doesn’t charge anything, but Barbados charges as much as $2,000 for an individual or $3,000 for a family.
- What is the minimum income? Most countries require proof of financial stability. If you’re traveling with a spouse, partner, or other family, pay attention to the different requirements. Proof of earnings is higher if you’re traveling as a family unit than if you’re traveling individually.
- Is it really a “digital nomad visa”? Some countries say they have digital nomad visas, when really it’s just a long-term stay visa. That might still be a great fit for you. We’re just saying you shouldn’t be discouraged if you don’t see something labeled “digital nomad.”
Best Digital Nomad Visas for Europe
Portugal
Some countries are pretty restrictive when it comes to digital nomads — what kind of work you can do, how long you can stay, and so one — but Portugal is not one of them. This is partly why Portugal is one of the most popular destinations for digital nomads.
Portugal offers a variety of visas. It will take some time to parse through the requirements to figure out which one is best for you and your situation. Once you can make sense of it, though, there’s a good chance you’ll find a program you’re eligible for.
Start your research with the D8 Visa, also known in general terms as the Portugal Digital Nomad Visa. This is for freelancers and fully remote workers on a permanent contract with an employer in their home country and who plan to live and work in Portugal for up to one year.
In addition to employment, you also need proof of:
- Age: You must be at least 18 years old.
- Citizenship: You must be a non-EU citizen.
- Monthly income: You must have at least €3,280 in salary from your freelancing or remote work.
- Accommodation: You must be able to show that you have an address in Portugal for the duration of your stay.
- Health insurance
After 183 days, you are eligible for Non-Habitual Resident (NHR) status. Basically, this gets you some tax breaks in Portugal as your global income becomes tax-free. If you are a U.S. citizen, you should still expect to pay income taxes in the U.S.
You can bring family — spouse, children, and other dependent family — with you under certain conditions.
Another option is the Temporary Resident Visa or D7 Passive Income Visa. The main difference between this visa and a Digital Nomad Visa is how you earn your money. The D7 is for people whose source of income is passive, such as a pension, rental property, royalties, or interest.
The Temporary Resident Visa is good for up to one year and is renewable for up to four years. You do still need to prove a minimum monthly income, although it’s only €820.
Learn more from the Portugal Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Spain
Digital nomad visas for Spain are available for anyone planning to live in Spain as a resident while working remotely for a non-Spanish employer, “using exclusively computer telematics and telecommunications media and systems.” You must have worked for that foreign employer for at least three months prior to applying for your digital nomad visa.
You can also be self-employed in Spain — that's a win for freelancers — and work for a company located in Spain as long as that work makes us less than 20% of your total work.
Among the requirements for a digital nomad visa in Spain is proof of income (about €2,330 per month or €28,000 per year), proof of health insurance, and what we’re calling evidence of expertise. This could be a copy of your college degree or certificate, or evidence of at least three years of experience in your field.
Spain’s digital nomad visa is good for up to one year. If you stay in Spain for five years, you are eligible to apply for permanent residency. Spouses, partners, and dependent children are eligible as well.
You will have to pay taxes in Spain during that time, although you do get a break compared to full-time residents.
Learn more from the Spanish Consular Services.
Estonia
Ask most Americans to list European countries, and Estonia probably won’t be the first on that list. What Estonia is first in, though, is digital nomad visas.
This small country, which borders Russia, Latvia, and the Baltic Sea, was the first to offer a true digital nomad visa. Estonia is known for its tech sector and being digitally developed, which makes working abroad from here super simple.
There are two primary options for remote workers in Estonia: e-residency and digital nomad visa. E-residency is for people who create and run an EU-based business online.
More common for U.S. citizens is the digital nomad visa, which allows you to work in Estonia for up to one year. You must be a freelancer with most of your clients abroad, or work for a company that’s registered outside Estonia.
Like most countries, Estonia requires you to have a minimum monthly income (€4,500) to prove that you’re able to support yourself financially.
Family members can come with you, and they will have to apply as your dependent. Expect to be asked for proof of relationship. This can include documents such as marriage or birth certificates.
Learn more about becoming a digital nomad in Estonia.
Germany
Germany doesn’t have a dedicated “digital nomad” visa, but depending on the work you do, you might be eligible for a Selbständiger (Self-Employment) Visa or a Freiberufler (Freelance) Visa.
The Freiberufler is the easier of the two to get and more common for those who fit the digital nomad mold. This visa is extendable for up to three years to people who work in certain industries or fields.
- Creative: examples include artists, writers, painters, interpreters
- Advisory: examples include accountants, auditors, lawyers
- Teaching: could be as a collegiate professor, teacher for younger children, or language teaching
- Technical: examples include architects, scientists, engineers
No matter your field, your work must benefit the local economy. In other words, at least one of your clients or customers must be German, or your business must directly impact your new community.
Germany has a long list of application requirements for a Freiberufler Visa. For starters, you must have proof of medical insurance, financial records that show you can support yourself, and evidence of legal residency. Don’t be surprised when you’re asked to provide your curriculum vitae and proof of a college degree as well as letters of recommendation.
You don’t need a German bank account, but you will pay taxes in Germany as well as (likely) your home country.
Croatia
If you’re a digital nomad looking to land in Croatia, you want a temporary residence permit. This documentation isn’t technically a visa and it isn’t related to work, so there are some rules about what you can do while living here.
The main requirement: you cannot work for a Croatian company. Any employment you have must be with a company in another country, and you’ll have to show proof of a contract with the non-Croatian employer.
Other requirements include proof of savings so you can show that you have enough money to support yourself, and proof of accommodations and health insurance.
You do not pay taxes in Croatia on your working income, although you will be taxed on passive income.
Your temporary residence permit in Croatia is good for up to one year. If you want more time, you must reapply, but you must also wait six months between applications. During that six-month waiting period, you must leave Croatia for at least 90 days.
For this reason, if you’re thinking about setting up permanent residency wherever you do your digital nomadism, Croatia might not be a good fit. This permit makes it almost impossible to meet the time requirements in country necessary to become a permanent resident.
On the upside, Croatia’s temporary residence does allow for “family reunification,” so your partner, spouse, or minor-aged children may also be eligible for this permit.
Learn more at Expat in Croatia.
What Other Countries in Europe Have Digital Nomad Visas?
Cyprus
- Allows for remote workers employed by companies outside Cyprus to stay for up to one year, with the option to renew for two more years
- Only grants 500 visas annually
- Allows family and dependents to also stay
- Must pay income taxes if you stay in Cyprus for more than 183 days
Czech Republic
- One of the more difficult visas to get thanks to a lengthy multi-step process
- Only available to residents of select countries (including U.S.)
- Allows for dependent family to travel with you
- Does require paying taxes in Czech Republic
Greece
- Allows for stays up to one year (or longer if renewed) if you are employed by a company outside Greece or can provide proof of business activity if you’re self-employed
- Must have a minimum monthly income of €3,500
- Family members are eligible to travel with you for an additional fee
- Must pay taxes in Greece if you stay for more than a year, but digital nomads are eligible for substantial tax breaks
Hungary
- Digital Nomad Visa and White card Residency Permit are designed for remote workers to stay in Hungary for one year, with the ability to extend for one more year
- Must be employed by a foreign company or be a freelancer
- Must have a minimum monthly income of €3,000
- Family members must apply for their own visas separately
- Must pay taxes in Hungary for stays longer than 183 days
Iceland
- High cost of living but considered one of the safest countries in the world
- Long-term visas require proof of earnings of 1,000,000 ISK per month (about $7,200 USD)
- Cannot work for Icelandic employers
- Spouses and dependent children are eligible for a visa if they do not also need a Schengen Visa
- Exempt from Icelandic income tax
Italy
- Visa is divided into two categories — “digital nomads” (freelancers, consultants, independent specialists) and “remote workers” (employees of a country outside Italy working completely remotely)
- Also need a residency permit for Italy
- Open to employees in “qualifying professions”
- Dependent family is eligible for a family visa
- Paying income taxes is required in Italy
Malta
- Open to non-EU residents who freelance, are self-employed, or who work remotely for companies outside of Malta
- Nomad Residence Permits are valid for one year and can be renewed “at the discretion of Residency of Malta”
- May have to pay taxes in Malta depending on your situation
Netherlands
- Self-employed workers can apply for a residence permit
- Work must be “of essential interest to the Dutch economy” or, as a self-employed artist, be “of essential interest to the Dutch culture”
- Freelancers must have at least one Dutch client
- Allows for stays up to two years
- Will likely have to pay income tax in the Netherlands
Norway
- Independent contractor visas allow for stays in Norway for up to two years, working as a self-employed worker or on a contract with a Norwegian client
- Requires a minimum annual salary of €35,719
- Spouses and dependent children can also stay if your contract is for more than six months
- Must pay taxes in Norway
Romania
- Open to non-European residents who are employed by a company outside Romania and can conduct their business completely remotely
- Allows for stays of one year with the option to renew for one additional year
- Must provide proof of income with a minimum of $4,000 USD per month for the six months prior to applying
- Must apply for a resident permit after obtaining your digital nomad visa
- If you pay taxes in your home country, you are exempt from paying income taxes in Romania
What Countries Have a Digital Nomad Visa?
We’ve named a few of the most popular digital nomad visas for working in Europe, but those are by no means the only countries welcoming worldly workers. Dozens of countries worldwide currently offer digital nomad visas, and that list continues to grow each year.
Digital Nomad Visas for Africa
Cabo Verde
- Remote Working Program designed for stay up to six months with the option to renew for another six months
- Must be self-employed or work completely remotely for a company outside Cabo Verde
- Must have a minimum monthly income of €1,500 (on average for the six months prior to applying for your visa)
- Family can travel with you
- Will not have to pay income tax in Cabo Verde
Mauritius
- Premium Visa is designed for long-term tourists, retirees, or remote workers employed by a company outside of Mauritius
- Allows for stays of 180 days up to one year
- No charge to obtain a visa
- Will have to pay taxes if you stay in Mauritius for more than 183 days
Namibia
- Allows for stays of up to six months
- Visa cannot be renewed, but you can reapply 12 months after your previous Namibia Digital Nomad Visa expired
- Must be employed by a company located outside Namibia or be self-employed, and cannot use your visa to search for employment in the country
- Must have proof of financial self-sustainability
- Spouses and dependent children can travel with you
- Expect to pay income taxes if you stay in Namibia for more than 180 days
Digital Nomad Visas for Asia
Indonesia
- Remote Worker Visa (E33G) program allows completely remote workers to stay in Indonesia (including Bali) for up to one year, with the option to renew for an additional year
- Your employer must not be located in Indonesia, and you will need to provide proof of annual income of at least $60,000 USD
- Dependent family is not eligible to travel with you
- Must pay income tax if you stay in Indonesia for more than 183 days
Japan
- Specified visas for digital nomads allow for stays of up to six months with a six-month waiting period before you can re-apply for an extension
- Must have a minimum annual income of 10 million yen (about $65,000 USD)
- Must provide proof of having regular work if you’re self-employed or be a completely remote worker
- As a short-term visitor, you are not able to rent long-term housing such as an apartment
- Spouses and children can apply with you; proof of relationship required
- Exempt from paying income tax in Japan
- Residents of countries other than the U.S. may be eligible for a working holiday visa
South Korea
- Allows for stays of up to one year, with the option to renew for an additional year
- Must be a completely remote worker or freelancer
- Must have proof of having worked in the same industry for at least a year prior to application
- Must have an address in Korea and proof of income
- Spouse and children can travel with you
- May be required to pay income taxes in Korea depending on your situation
Taiwan
- Employment Gold Card allows for stays up to three years
- Must work (and in some cases, be “high ranking”) in one of 10 fields, including architecture, arts and culture, digital (software development, IT services, e-commerce, etc.), economy, education, finance, national defense, science and technology, law, or sports
- Gold Card provides a work permit, resident visa, alien resident certificate, and re-entry permit all in one
- Can be self-employed, have an employer outside Taiwan, or work for a company in Taiwan
- Can join the National Health Insurance system
- Dependent relatives can travel with you
- Must pay income tax in Taiwan, but digital nomads do receive a tax break
Thailand
- Destination Thailand Visas (DTV) allows for self-employed individuals or remote workers employed by companies outside of Thailand to stay up to five years through several renewals
- Must be at least 20 years old and provide proof of at least 5000 Thai bat (about $14,000 USD) in savings
- Dependent family can travel with you
- Must pay income tax if you stay in Thailand for more than 180 days
Turkey
- Can apply for a Digital Nomad Visa after obtaining a Digital Nomad Identification Certificate
- Must be between the ages of 21 and 55 and have proof of income ($3,000 USD monthly or $36,000 USD annually)
- Must have proof of having graduated from a university
- Must have proof of employment with a company located outside Turkey or evidence of self-employment
- Family may be able to travel with you depending on your situation
- Will have to pay income tax if you stay in Turkey for more than six months
Digital Nomad Visas for Australia & The Pacific Islands
Australia
- No dedicated digital nomad visa, but remote workers may be able to get a Visitor Visa Subclass 600
- Technically a tourist visa, this allows you to stay for up to a year with no option to extend for more time
- As a tourist, you will not have to pay taxes in Australia
- Working holiday visas are available for people age18 to 35 seeking temporary employment in Australia, but these are more rare
New Zealand
- Requirements for working holiday visas vary by residence country, although in most cases you must be between the ages of 18 and 30
- U.S. residents can stay in New Zealand for up to one year
- You cannot accept a permanent job, although you can work in any kind of (legal) employment
- Family cannot travel with you and spouses must apply for their own visa
- You will pay income tax in New Zealand
Digital Nomad Visas for the Caribbean
Anguilla
- For stays of 91 days to one year
- Must show proof of remote work
- Exempt from paying income tax in Anguilla
Antigua and Barbuda
- Nomad Digital Residence program allows remote workers to stay up to two years
- Must be employed by a company outside the islands and have a minimum annual income of $50,000 USD
- There is no income tax in Antigua and Barbuda
Bahamas
- Bahamas Extended Access Travel Stay (BEATS) allows for stays of up to one year, with the option to renew for up to three years
- Must be conducting completely remote work
- No additional travel permits are needed for residents of the U.S, Canada, European Union, or Britain, but residents of other countries may need other documentation
- Married spouses must submit separate applications if both people plan to work from the Bahamas; only one applicant needs to apply on behalf of dependent children
- Exempt from paying income tax in the Bahamas
Barbados
- Barbados Welcome Stamp allows remote workers to stay up to one year, with the option to reapply
- Family can travel with you, but you must apply as a Family Group
- Will not pay income tax in Barbados, but if you start a business, you are subject to a corporate tax
Bermuda
- Work From Bermuda Certificate allows for remote workers, self-employed workers, and students
- Certificates are good for one year and can be renewed on a case-by-case basis
- Family can travel with you, but you must apply and pay separate fees for each member
- Will not pay taxes in Bermuda
Curaçao
- @Home in Curaçao is intended for remote workers (people who split their time working in different locations), digital nomads (people with no fixed location), investors, and snowbirds with the intention of becoming investors
- Must be a freelancer or work for a company outside of Curaçao
- Visa is good for six months with the option to renew for one more six-month period
- Family can travel with you, but everyone must apply under the main applicant and children aged 12 and older must sign their own forms
- Exempt from Curaçao income tax
Dominica
- Work in Nature program allows for stays up to 18 months for digital nomads and remote workers
- Allows you to apply for an annual driver’s license (not an option available in all countries)
- Family can travel with you
- Income tax in Dominica is waived as part of the program, and duty free concessions are available for importing personal belongings
Montserrat
- Remote Work Stamp allows for stays of up to one year
- Must be a freelancer with clients in another country or work for a company located outside Montserrat
- Must provide proof of an annual income of $70,000 USD
- Family can also stay and should apply with the main applicant for an additional fee
- Exempt from income tax in Montserrat as a digital nomad
Digital Nomad Visas for Latin America
Belize
- Work Where You Vacation program waives work permits for participants and student permits for children of participants
- Allows for stays of six months
- Must provide proof of employment outside of Belize with an annual income of at least $75,000
- Will not have to pay income tax in Belize on income generated abroad
Brazil
- Allows for stays of one year, with the option to renew for one additional year
- Must be a completely remote worker and able to provide proof of employment with a non-Brazil company
- Must provide proof of minimum monthly income of $1,500 USD
- Dependent family can be included in your application for an additional fee and proof of relationship
- Even as a non-resident, you will have to pay income taxes based on your Brazil-source earnings
Costa Rica
- Allows remote workers and digital nomads to extend their 90-day tourist visa to one year
- Renewable for up to one additional year
- Must have a minimum monthly income of $3,000 USD from a non-Costa Rican employer
- Dependents can travel with you
- Will not have to pay income tax in Costa Rica and can waive customs taxes for electronics used for your remote work
Colombia
- Allows remote workers to stay for six months, with the option to renew for up to two years
- Must provide proof of a minimum monthly income of $900 USD
- You may not need to pay income tax in Colombia, depending on your situation
Panama
- Good for stays up to nine months
- Must be self-employed or work for a company outside of Panama
- Must have a minimum annual income of $36,000 USD
- Will not have to pay income taxes in Panama as a digital nomad or remote worker
Uruguay
- Available to completely remote workers or freelancers with clients outside of Uruguay
- Allows for stays of six months to one year
- Unlike most other digital nomad visas, does not have a minimum income requirement
- Family members must submit their own applications
- Do not have to pay income tax as a digital nomad or freelancer in Uruguay
Digital Nomad Visas for the Middle East
United Arab Emirates
- The UAE offers a virtual work residence visa, while Dubai has its own virtual working program
- Both allow to you stay for up to one year if you can prove you have remote work with a company outside the UAE and have a minimum monthly income of $3,500 USD
- Family can travel with you on the Dubai virtual working program visa
- There are no income taxes for digital nomads (or anyone) in the UAE
Digital Nomad Visas for North America
Canada
- Allows for stays of up to six months for completely remote workers with an employer outside Canada
- Does not require a work permit
- If you find a job with a Canadian employer, you must apply for a temporary work permit that allows you to stay for up to three years
- Is considered a pathway to permanent residency
- Can work in any industry, but Canadian government gives preference to employees in STEM fields
- Must provide proof of financial stability
- Family can travel with you
- Exempt from income tax in Canada for stays of less than six months
Mexico
- Technically a temporary resident visa
- Allows for stays up to a year and can be renewed up to three times
- Several categories or reasons for application, including “economic solvency,” which is the most common for digital nomads and requires a minimum monthly income of about $3,330 USD, as well as scientific research, invitation from an organization, real estate, investor, and more
- Can include your spouse and dependent children on your application if they plan to travel with you
- May have to pay taxes in Mexico depending on how much you earn
Become a Digital Nomad
Becoming a digital nomad is no small task, but the reward is that you have some of the best experiences of your life. Get more tips on how to take this exciting step:
