If you do your job from a laptop, you already know the joy of being able to work from wherever you want. Digital nomads are people who travel and work, often moving location regularly, usually to maximise the use of tourist visas. 

You’ll already spot digital nomads cluttering up cafes and co-working spaces from Cartagena in Columbia or Valencia in Spain, to Chiang Mai in Thailand or Ubud in Bali. The problem with being a digital nomad has always been that you’ve been in a sort of limbo – not able to put down roots as you’re not eligible for a work visa. This means regular visa runs, or needing to up-sticks and change your living arrangements every month or two.

This is usually fine for a bit. But if you want to put down roots for longer, what is the digital nomad to do?

The rise of the digital nomad visa

These digital nomads are now being recognised by governments as a valuable resource, with a wave of visas for digital nomads being announced during late 2019 into 2020. And with covid-19 wrecking tourism during 2020/2021, some are pinning their hopes on attracting long stay visitors such as remote workers. 

In fact, some of the benefits that digital nomads have over regular tourists are that they often stay longer, contribute much more to the local economy and if they like a place, they can boost employment by starting a local business.

What’s the deal with these digital nomad visas?

Visas for remote workers are often aimed at those with secure contracts, as you’ll need to be able to show proof of consistent income. However, as we’ll see from this list, there are a few locations that offer flexible long term visas even for those not on a top level wage.

To qualify for a digital nomad visa you will usually need:

• Private health insurance
• Proof of income or an employment contract
• Some will require proof of health checks, especially during the 2020/21 Coronavirus outbreak

A few on this list will also require you to pay local taxes, although most don’t. 

Another thing to bear in mind is that most of these visas will require you to own a location independent business. This simply means registering your operations as a legal entity, somewhere in the world rather than living cash in hand. 

One of the main benefits of the digital nomad visas on offer is that they allow you to stay put for longer. And, many of them offer an option to renew indefinitely. For many, for example Brits escaping Brexit, this can be very appealing.

This list will look at the countries currently offering visas for remote workers and digital nomads as of 2020/2021.

Argentina

With a good standard of living, coupled with a low cost of living, Argentina is popping up on the radar for digital nomads. Freelancers or those with independent incomes looking for a new country to call home can live in Argentina using their rentista visa.

You’ll need to be making at least $600 a month, and then you can apply for their rentista visa for one year. This is renewable for up to three years, but after that you can apply for permanent residency and then a passport!

Barbados

Want to set up shop in the Caribbean? Barbados offers the Barbados Welcome Stamp, which is valid for 12 months and renewable. 

To apply, you’ll need to be making at least $50,000 a year, and you’ll need to pay the $2000 fee ($3000 for couples and families). That’s quite a high earning threshold, by any standards, and Barbados also has a very high cost of living. However, of the Caribbean options on this list, it is one the cheapest. 

Barbados is also one of the better connected Caribbean islands with good air links to the rest of the region. 

Bermuda

Another option for those looking for that tropical beach lifestyle, the Work From Bermuda visa is very appealing. There is no minimum income requirement and the fee is just $283, so it might be more appealing than Barbados for many. 

Bermuda is one of the world’s highest cost of living, so bear this in mind. You’ll be unlikely to find rental property under $2,000 per month.

Cayman Islands

The Global Citizen Certificate is the digital nomad visa for the Cayman Islands, although you’ll need to be making premium income. But that’s to be expected in this pretty pricey destination. Minimum income is $100,000, or $150,000 for couples and families. 

Valid for up to two years, you can extend it if required, and you’ll also need to pay $1,469 to apply. And yes, it’s an expensive place to live too, but if you’re making $100k a year you probably won’t care about that.

Colombia

Cities such as Medellin and Cartagena are already teeming with long term remote workers, often from the US. In December 2020, the Colombian government unveiled their m-type visa for digital nomads to set up shop in the country for up to three years. However, it should be noted that the m-type visa is designed for freelancers working for Colombian businesses, so if you don’t have a contract with a local enterprise this is probably not the right visa for you.

Don’t worry though. Colombia’s generous 3 month entry stamp is easily renewed and, as you’ll see from the amount of laptops on show in coffee shops across the country, very popular with digital nomads.

Costa Rica

Already a popular haunt with digital nomads, Costa Rica is the first of our budget remote working destinations. The rentista visa allows you to stay in the country for up to two years, and can be extended. 

You’ll need to be making at least $2,500 per month, or have $60,000 that you can pop in a local bank. If you fit that bill and you want to be a digital nomad in Costa Rica, it’s just $250 to apply. 

Croatia

The hype around Croatia’s digital nomad visa scheme is growing louder, and it seems like many are flocking to make the most of it. If you’re not an EU national, you’ll need to apply for the long stay digital nomad visa and be able to prove you’re making at least €2,200 per month.

If you’ve been to Croatia, you’ll know this is a fantastically beautiful country and definitely the sort of place you’d want to hang out for a year or more.

Czech Republic

Already fancy yourself as a Bohemian digital nomad? Well, the Czech Republic is calling you. It’s already popular with the remote working crowd, thanks to an excellent lifestyle and low budget. 

Actually, the zivno visa is a little complicated, as you’ll need to have a job listed on their skills list. But, it’s kinda vague and includes things like ‘advertising, marketing, media representation’, which could be quite broadly applied. 

If you want to work in the EU as a digital nomad, Czech Republic is a great base. There is no monthly minimum income, but you’ll need to have at least €5,587 in your bank account (per applicant) and you’ll also need to pay around €80 per month in local taxes. 

Application for the zivno visa costs just €100, and grants you a stay for up to a year (renewable).

Estonia

Actually, Estonia has already made waves with it’s e-resident program. Now it’s digital nomad visa program is hoping to tempt remote workers from across the world for up to a year. Like most other digital nomad visas, this will likely be extendable.

You’ll need to prove you’ve made at least €3,504 per month for the past 6 months. On top of this, you’ll also need to pay either €80 (6 month visa) or €100 (12 month visa). 

Georgia

Bridging the gap between Europe and Central Asia, Georgia has been a rising star on the travel scene for a few years now. And now the Georgian government is hoping to tempt digital nomads to work from this fascinating country. 

Some reports say that the Georgia digital nomad visa is free, others suggest around $180. Whatever the cost, you’ll need to be making at least $2,000 per month. 

Germany

An interesting option for those looking for a long term EU visa, the Freiberufler visa is available if you fit the ‘liberal’ model of work. This isn’t quite as straightforward as you think, as there are requirements such as working in information, legal and scientific roles. Take a look and see if you fit the bill.

However there is also an artists visa, which is only valid in Berlin. Whichever digital nomad visa you go for, you will need to pay monthly taxes to the German tax authorities. And you’ll also need to pay the fee of between €50-100, depending on the visa. 

Greece

With their much publicised problems with being, ahem, a bit broke, tempting big spending digital nomads is a great way for Greece to make some much needed money. And to be fair who wouldn’t want to work from a Santorini terrace for a year or so?

The Greek digital nomad visa is still in the works, in typical Greek fashion. But, it will be worth the wait!

Italy

Beautiful Italy has been trying to attract long stay residents with it’s €1 house initiative for years now. So it figures that they’d aim to attract the digital nomad crowd too.

Slightly awkwardly, there isn’t yet an actual digital nomad visa, but an autonomo/self employment visa for freelancers. BUT… Several towns including San Fiore and Rieti have called out for digital nomads to come and stay and get their rent paid (or half of it at least).

The rumour is that Italy will soon be making it much easier for digital nomads to come and stay long term, so watch this space!

Malta

As of June 2021, Malta have announced they will be running a visa aimed at attracting digital nomads to this tiny Mediterranean island nation. With the application fee of €300 getting you a one year stay, you can also extend the visa after. You’ll need a contract or some kind of proof, and you’ll need to be making at least €2,700 each month to eligible. Read more about the Malta digital nomad visa here.

Malta is still a pretty cheap place to live, and it’s small size means you can do lots of exploring on your days off. There are also good connections to the rest of mainland Europe, both by air and sea.

Mexico

One of the great things about being a tourist in Mexico is that they already give you a very generous 6 months entry stamp. But, if you want to stay longer (and hey, why not?) you can pick up their temporary resident visa. 

As a digital nomad, you just need to prove that you make around $1,620 a month, or have $27,000 in the bank. It’s only $36 for the visa, but a residence card is around $265.

Norway

Often held up as an example of a model modern state, Norway has lots to offer potential digital nomads. Their digital nomad visa might not be for everyone though. To be eligible to work remotely in Norway, you’ll need to be self employed, have a contract with a Norwegian company and you’ll need to be making at least €35,719 per year before tax. 

If you fit that bill, you’ll get a 2 year visa (renewable) for just €600. Remember though that Norway is an expensive country to live in, but if you’re making over €35k, you should be fine. 

Philippines

Packed full of gorgeous tropical islands, friendly locals and thrilling cultural experienced, the Philippines are very digital nomad friendly. Although they don’t offer a specific visa for digital nomads, visitors recive 30 days free on entry and can then extend their stay up to six months for free. This can then be extended on an ad-hoc basis.

Portugal

It’s well known that Portugal has been aiming to attract digital workers and entrepreneurs for a few years now, and their visas reflect that. In fact, this might be one of the easiest digital nomad and remote working visas currently on offer within the European Union countries. 

The Portuguese entrepreneur visa is available for one year and is renewable, so after five years you will be eligible for residency. Great news for Brits hoping to escape Brexit. 

The bar to entry is also very low, with a requirement that you’re earning at least €600 a month. The visa itself is just €83 and you’ll also need to pay a €72 residence fee. Want to be remote worker in Portugal? Sign up here. 

Spain

For digital nomads, Spain is a very tempting option. However, officially, they don’t really offer a digital nomad visa. What they do offer, though, is their non-lucrative visa which is technically for those who are financially independent. 

Theoretically this is for those with financial investments or a pension, with a least €26,000 in the bank or an income of €2,151 a month. Note that this isn’t supposed to be for remote workers, so some creative application might be required. Using an agency is a good idea too. 

The Spanish non-lucrative visa is valid for one year and can be renewed. Note that permanent residency for Spain is after five years. 

Thailand

Already a hotspot for digital nomads, Thailand offers a low cost of living with an enviable lifestyle. However the need for a visa run often hampers a long term living situation for remote workers in the Kingdom. 

The Thai government has released the SMART visa, which is actually quite complicated. Although the SMART visa targets remote workers in Thailand, it’s actually meant to attract top talent such as entrepreneurs and high end professionals. So just being a blogger won’t really cut it. 

You’ll need to work with specific industries and be making at least 100,000 Baht per month, for one tier of the visa. Thats over $3,000, so it might be better for most digital nomads in Thailand to continue with the visa runs. 

UAE/Dubai

Glitzy Dubai has recently released it’s own visa aimed at attracting remote workers to the Emirate. It’s actually a One Year Working Program visa, which allows those applying to access the amenities of Dubai with ease, including schooling and utilities.

You will need to be making an income of $5,000 a month, with proof of three months income. The fee for the Dubai remote working visa is just $263, and you won’t need to pay any monthly taxes either.

Some other options (coming soon)

The options above are going to be joined by a whole host of countries soon, with more and more countries looking to attract talent who want to stay in their countries. Some, such as those below, have already announced their intentions. And some of them have a visa program in place that could technically be used by enterprising freelancers.

Jamaica

Most of the Caribbean options on this list of digital nomad visas are, lets face it, aiming for the high roller crowd. If you fancy that Caribbean dream without the high price tag, Jamaica does actually offer an option, although officially it’s not a digital nomad visa. 

Most arrivals to Jamaica receive a 30 day free visa, but it’s long been known that you can contact your local Jamaican consulate and get up to six months. And, yes, this is extendable. More info here.

Albania

Looks like the Adriatic is warming up for digital nomads. Albania is also looking at ways to tempt the increasingly lucrative remote worker dollar in 2021. Again, watch this space. 

Will you be heading for new shores once the Coronavirus pandemic is over? Can you work remotely, and would you even want to be a digital nomad in these countries? Share your thoughts with us below.