Digital nomadism has skyrocketed since the pandemic and the rise of remote working. Now, countries across the globe are tweaking their immigration policies to accommodate travelling workers. In this article, we’ve rounded up five of the most popular digital nomad destinations and outlined exactly what you need to do (and pay) to apply for their working visas.
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What is a Digital Nomad?
The term ‘digital nomad’ describes a person who earns a living working online at no fixed location. Rather they choose where they work, often travelling the world simultaneously. Most digital nomads are known as ‘location independent’ and require a reliable internet connection and good online platforms to work in a foreign country.
What is a Digital Nomad Visa?
A digital nomad visa supports this way of life. It’s a specific immigration status giving people the legal right to work remotely away from their country of residence. They are also known as freelancing, remote working, and self-employment visas. Digital nomads aren’t usually allowed to work for a company in the country they are living and working in as digital nomads.
5 Popular Digital Nomad Destinations
Spain
What’s not to love about Spain? Tapas, beautiful beaches, siestas, welcoming people, and no measures on your gin. Spain really has it all. Major cities such as Madrid offer a top nomadic lifestyle hosting several coworking spaces, coffee shops, and excellent internet connections. The new digital nomad visa is sure to receive full attention and build a strong digital nomad community.
What is the Spain digital nomad visa?
Spain’s digital nomad visa was enacted at the beginning of 2023 as part of the ‘Start-up Act’ to encourage entrepreneurship and foreign investment.
The visa is for non-EU and EEA citizens and applies to remote workers who work for companies in other countries and self-employed people. It also provides tax relief for the first four years, with digital nomad visa holders only required to pay 15% tax instead of the standard 24%. Its application is also fast, taking only between 15 and 45 days to complete.
What are the requirements?
- Proof you can work remotely – For employees, this can be a letter from your employer and for self-employed workers, the visa requires proof that you have been working remotely for a year.
- Proof of employment – you must be working for a company outside Spain. Employees must prove they have worked at a company for at least three months, and self-employed people must have at least one client.
- Current income – you’ll need to show proof of income of either €2,334 per month or €28,000 per year.
- Proof of residency – Spain’s digital nomad visa is not open to anyone who has been a country resident in the last five years.
- Health insurance.
How much does it cost?
The is a one-off visa fee of €80.
How long does it last?
The original visa is valid for up to a year, but after that, you can extend your stay with a three-year residence permit and then renew it for a further two years. At this point, you’ll be eligible to apply for permanent residency if you want to.
How to apply?
Applications are made through appointment at your local Spanish Embassy or consulate.
Germany
Home to fantastic cities like Berlin, Munich, and Hamburg, Germany is spoilt for places to work and visit and therefore offers a unique digital nomad lifestyle. You can stay from three months to three years with a German freelance visa. A well-developed public transport system makes enjoying great events like Octoberfest and the Nuremberg Christmas market easy, so make sure you don’t stay in one location and experience new cultures.
What is the digital nomad visa in Germany?
The German digital nomad visa is called the ‘Freiberufler Visa’. The freelancing visa available in Germany is different to other countries because you have to work in certain professions to be eligible to apply for it. The Freinerufler visa is only open for jobs that benefit the German economy, to ‘Freibe Berufe’ or ‘liberal professions. If what you do is listed as a commercial profession, then you’ll be working as a ‘Gewerbe’, which translates as a business person.
Liberal professions are listed as:
- Healthcare: doctors, dentists, vets, physiotherapists, psychologists.
- Legal, tax, and business consultancy: Economists, chartered accountants, lawyers, tax professionals.
- Scientific and technical professions: Scientists, pilots, chartered surveyors, ‘experts’.
- Cultural occupations: Writers, artists, teachers, journalists, childcare workers, photographers.
How much does it cost?
There are several costs associated with Germany’s freelancing visa. These include:
- Embassy fee – €75
- The Ausländerbehörde or immigration office fees – €100
- The extension of temporary residence permit – €100
- The settlement permit – €124
How long does it last?
Typically, the Freiberufler Visa is valid for just three months. However, it can be converted into a residence permit which can be extended for three years. After three years, you’ll then be eligible to apply for a settlement permit.
What are the requirements?
- Proof of concept – You’ll need to submit a range of documents to prove this, including your CV, a letter of recommendation from your previous employer, a portfolio of previous work, and a letter from prospective clients stating their intent to work with you.
- Current income – You need to be earning enough to live comfortably. In Germany, this means proving you have an annual income of €9,000.
- Legal residency – You’ll need to find somewhere to live and register your address at the Bürgeramt (the local registration office). You’ll also have to register at your local tax office.
- A pension plan – This is only applicable if you’re over the age of 45, in which case you need to prove that from the age of 67, you’ll have a monthly pension of about €1,300 for 12 years or assets of at least €194,000.
- Health insurance.
How to apply
Applications must be made at the German embassy. You’ll submit all your documents and then wait for approval – although it’s worth mentioning this can take up to four months!
Dubai
Dubai is an ideal location for a digital nomad adventure. This city offers a host of perks, including outstanding levels of safety, travel options, and business opportunities – Dubai is known for its entrepreneurial spirit! Not to mention the experiences. Dubai is well suited to digital nomadism because it hosts some of the biggest activities in the world. You can be on a yacht in the morning, take in the futuristic architecture in the afternoon, and sample Dubai’s fantastic restaurant scene come evening. One thing is for sure, you won’t run out of things to do here, and it’s a hot spot for other digital nomads too.
What’s the Dubai digital nomad visa?
Dubai introduced its ‘Work Remotely in Dubai’ visa in 2021.
How much does it cost?
The total cost of a ‘Work Remotely from Dubai Visa’ is $611. This includes the application fee, a medical insurance premium and your Emirates ID.
How long does it last?
Your ‘Work Remotely from Dubai’ visa will last a year and is renewable.
What are the requirements?
- Proof of accommodation – You can do this with either a hotel booking or a rental agreement.
- Proof of employment – You’ll need to provide your employment contract and last month’s payslip, proving you earn at least $5,000 per month. You’ll also need to provide your last three months’ salary.
- Proof of business ownership – If you have your own business, rather than being employed, you’ll need to show proof of your business ownership and bank statements for the last three months proving your income of $5,000 per month.
- Medical insurance
How to apply
You can apply for the Work Remotely from Dubai visa online via the dedicated website.
Georgia
Georgia, the country – not the state – offers a fantastic opportunity to digital nomads. It has had a one-year visa-free entry system for years, allowing individuals from 95+ countries to stay and work remotely in Georgia. You don’t have to pay tax for 183 days, and when you become eligible, an individual entrepreneur scheme could see you paying as little as 1% on your first $155,000 of income.
The country is burgeoning with rich culture and incredible landscapes, and it’s a lesser-known wine region. Georgia even claims to be the birthplace of wine.
Expect green valleys and old churches nestled in stunning mountain scenery in rural Georgia, contrasting with some buzzing cities full of clubs, world-class restaurants, and hipster wine bars. Its digital nomad-friendly policies mean it’s becoming popular with the expat community. You might not find millions of co-working spaces here, but many digital nomads say this is the place to be.
What’s the Georgia digital nomad visa?
Georgia’s digital nomad visa isn’t a visa but a one-year visa-free entry. It’s open to individuals from 95 different countries and even allows you to bring your family.
How much does it cost?
It’s free!
How long does it last?
Georgia’s visa-free entry is available for a year, but if you register your business through the Individual Entrepreneur Scheme, you could be eligible for permanent residency.
What are the requirements?
- Proof of business or employment – For employees, this can be a letter from your employer and for self-employed workers, the visa requires proof that you have been working remotely already for a year.
- Proof of funds – you must be working for a company outside Spain. Employees must prove they have worked at a company for at least three months, and self-employed people must have at least one client.
- Medical insurance.
How to apply
There’s no application process.
Mexico
Mexico is one of the top-rated countries to work in as a digital nomad. Here you can use a temporary resident visa to stay for an entire year and then extend the visa up to three times with a maximum stay of four years.
Expect the best in Mexico. You will find the first-world conveniences you’re used to, including good transport links, a reliable telephone service, fast internet, and a lower cost of living than North America. But what makes Mexico so special is its vibrant culture and rich history. Varied geography here means you can base yourself in a little mining town, a fishing village, a booming city, or a beach town – the opportunities are endless.
What’s the Mexico digital nomad visa?
Mexico’s digital nomad visa is actually a temporary residence visa.
How much does it cost?
There is an initial interview fee of $40 to get your paper visa at the embassy or consulate. You’ll then need to get a digital visa which can cost between $150 and $300.
How long does it last?
Six months – 4 years.
What are the requirements?
- Proof of funds – You must show a bank balance of at least $43,000 for the last twelve months.
- Proof of income – you must be able to show an income of $2,595 a month for the last six months. This increases by $861 per month for each dependent.
- You also need to own a Mexican property worth $346,000
How to apply
First, schedule an appointment with your local Mexican embassy or consulate. The appointments can sometimes take some time to book, but once you’ve had your visa interview, you could be granted your temporary residence visa the same day.
Other Digital Nomad-Friendly Countries
- Dominica
- Anguilla
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Ecuador
- Aruba
- Estonia
- North Macedonia
- Bermuda
- Norway
- Bahamas
- Panama
- Barbados
- Greece
- Romania
- Belize
- Hungary
- Saint Lucia
- Cayman Islands
- Iceland
- Seychelles
- Cabo Verde
- Indonesia
- Curaçao
- Croatia
- Latvia
- Czechia
- Malta
- Taiwan
- Cyprus
- Mauritius.
