In order to make the work process more flexible, efficient and beneficial, several European countries have started offering freelance visas and digital nomad visas to foreigners. These allow third-country nationals to live in an EU country while working for companies and clients in other EU countries and further afield.
Currently, the European countries listed below offer such possibilities, although the conditions for obtaining such visas and travel permits differ among them. SchengenVisaInfo.com reports.
Spain
People interested in working as a freelancer in Spain must follow what is called autonomo. To be registered as an autonomo, a person must prove that they are self-employed and self-employed or that they run a small business.
In addition, the authorities of Spain announced plans to launch a special visa dedicated to digital nomads with the aim of attracting talented people from around the world and increasing investments.
Once a person comes to Spain to live and work remotely, they can complete a residence permit application.
» Here you can read the article about Digital nomad visa for Spain.
France
Another European country that offers great opportunities for freelancers interested in working remotely.
Thanks to the liberal profession visa, a freelancer will be authorized to work in France without being obliged to find an employer to sponsor the independent visa. Internationals who plan to create a new business in France belong to one of the liberal profession categories.
They will be issued with a long-stay visa, equivalent to a residence permit, under the heading “entrepreneur/liberal profession”. It will be valid for one year, provided that the holder requests validation of the visa on the fifteenth day of arrival.
To obtain such a visa, a person must prove that they can earn at least €1,540 per month.
They are also required to complete all the formalities required to be able to carry out their professional activities in France.
» Here you can read the article about Digital Nomad Visa France.
Portugal
Portugal is also very popular for its self-employment visa for anyone interested in a visa allowing long-term stay and permission to earn a living in Europe.
Candidates interested in such a visa have two options:
- A residency visa for individuals interested in working independently (working locally for Portuguese clients as a contract employee)
- A residence visa for entrepreneurial work (digital nomad visa bringing together clients from other countries around the world).
According to 2019 data provided by the World Bank, 16.9 percent of Portuguese people are self-employed or self-employed, showing that these figures are higher than the EU average (15.2 percent).
» Here you can read the article about Portugal digital nomad visa.
Germany
The German self-employed visa, known as the Freiberuflerallows its holder to work remotely in Germany, provided that he or she meets specific conditions to hold the self-employment visa.
Additionally, people must prove they have sufficient income, which means they must have at least €5,000 in a German bank account.
The residence permit of people wishing to work as a self-employed person can be extended for more than three years. To benefit from such an extension, people must prove that they have already been successful in their independent activity. Additionally, a person must also prove that they generate enough profit to cover their living expenses.
After working for three years with an independent residence permit, a person can obtain a settlement permit.
» Here you can read an article about German digital nomad visa.
Croatia
Previously, the authorities of Croatia also revealed plans to launch the Digital Nomad visa for everyone interested in working remotely, regardless of location and time in the Balkan country.
Such an announcement was confirmed by the country’s Prime Minister in a message on Twitter, in which he emphasized that Croatia would adapt the law on foreigners to legalize the stay of digital nomads.
“Temporary stay is granted for a maximum period of one year (maybe even less) and cannot be extended.“, we read in the press release published by the Croatian Ministry of the Interior.
The same source reveals that the new request for regulation of the stay of digital nomads can be submitted six months after the expiration of the previous document concerning the same objective.
Among other requirements, third-country nationals who regulate their stay as digital nomads must receive at least 2.5 average monthly net wages paid for the previous year, according to data from the country’s Bureau of Statistics.
Currently, the required monthly amount is at least 16,907.50 HRK, which means that if a person plans to stay in Croatia for 12 months, they must prove that they have at least 202,890 .00 HRK.
» Here you can read an article about Digital nomad visa for Croatia.
Malta
Malta also launched its nomadic residence permits in June 2021, which allow travelers to work while living in the country.
All people wishing to live in Malta while working remotely must prove that they earn at least €2,700 per month.
Malta nomadic residence permits allow people from third countries to require a visa to travel to Malta. Such permit will be issued for one year and may be renewed upon request at the discretion of Residency Malta, as reported by Residency Malta. However, applicants must meet specific requirements.
All persons wishing to stay in Malta for less than one year will be issued with a national visa during their stay.
» Here you can read an article about Malta digital nomad visa.
Estonia
Estonian authorities have approved amendments to the Aliens Act to allow the launch of a digital nomad visa, making the Baltic country one of the first territories in the world to create such travel permits.
Estonia’s digital nomad visa allows interested individuals to work regardless of location and allows entrepreneurs to reside in this country for more than 365 days per year while working for employers or clients outside the country.
The Ministry of the Interior had previously emphasized that such a visa could be granted for both short- and long-term stay intentions.
However, individuals must meet the following requirements when considering applying for such a travel permit:
- Prove that they can work location independent and complete their tasks remotely using telecommunications technology.
- Prove that they have an active employment contract with a company registered outside Estonia.
- Prove that income has reached the minimum threshold in the six months preceding the application. Currently, the monthly income is €3,504.
» Here you can read an article about Estonia digital nomad visa.
Romania
Romania also announced that it would launch the Digital Nomad Visa program. for all internationals interested in remote working.
In this regard, at the end of September, the Romanian Senate approved the bill that would facilitate the implementation of such a project in this country. Then, the bill was sent to the Chamber of Deputies for debate.
According to the co-founder and co-founder and head of business development of Impact Hub Bucharest, Vlad Craiovean, Romania’s decision to introduce the Digital Nomad visa system would bring more benefits to holders of such travel permits by compared to other European countries or even the United States, where the cost of living is almost 50 percent higher.
In addition, in Romania, for one person, expenses are on average less than 500 euros per month, Craioveaun pointed out, as reported by the Recursive newspaper.
» Here you can read an article about Romania digital nomad visa.
Greece
In order to attract more foreigners to their country, Greek authorities have adopted a new law that allows digital nomad visa holders to pay half of their income tax.
Additionally, since the beginning of this year, self-employed workers have been allowed to enter this country as temporary residents.
“After a series of remote work visas unveiled by countries around the world over the past six months, Greece and Croatia are the latest countries to roll out the red carpet for remote workers around the world with programs designed to lure digital expats to their shores in a bid to replace tourism dollars lost to the pandemic,”, we read in a report published by the Citizenship by Investment Guide.
The Hellenic Republic is also trying to bring a large number of digital nomads to work in this country.
Holders of extra-Community travel documents, including self-employed people, must complete a long-term visa application for a period of more than 12 months. Applicants must provide proof that they have a stable income while staying in Greece, of at least 3,500 euros per month.
» Here you can read an article about Digital nomad visa for Greece.
Czech Republic
The low cost of renting a home office in Czechia, as well as the availability of housing, makes this country one of the best places for everyone interested in remote work.
Self-employed people can benefit from the Czech Republic work permit by applying for a long-term visa called “Zinvo visa”, taking into account the business license. In order to qualify for such a visa, applicants must provide a copy of the business license or documents proving that the applicant will work from the territory of the Czech Republic.
» Here you can read an article about the Czech Republic digital nomad visa.
