The Ultimate List of Best Digital Nomad Visas in Europe

With this post, I want to give you the ultimate list of the best digital nomad visas in Europe.

I have put together a list of the different digital nomad visas in Europe that might interest you. I also included the basic requirements, the length of the visa and if you need to be aware of any tax implications that comes with them.

However, let’s first dive into the fact why a digital nomad visa is important and where it differs from a traditional work visa.

A Primer on Digital Nomad Visa Programs in Europe

Many people travel and stay in a country on a tourist visa. If we talk about Europe, for example, many people can stay for 90 days in Europe during a period of 180 days on a tourist visa. However, if you want to stay longer, you’ll need some long-term visa or residency permit.

Digital nomad visas cater for this. They are specifically designed for people who have a digital job which they can perform location independent.

Therefore, they will not be able to apply for a traditional work visa. The reason is that these are reserved for people who have a contract with a local company. So a digital nomad visa is basically a work visa for people with a remote job.

Therefore, a digital nomad visa explicitly allows you to work remotely from that country. Under tourist visas it’s not always clear if this is allowed.

Of course, when you do apply for a digital nomad visa, you should also check if this has any tax consequences.

Citizens of Schengen Area

Before we’ll go into the actual list of countries in (geographical) Europe, you should be aware that if you are a citizen of a country of the Schengen Area you don’t need a visa to travel around these countries because of the rule of free movement of people.

The countries that are part of the Schengen Area are:

• Austria
• Belgium
• Bulgaria
• Czech Republic
• Denmark
• Estonia
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Hungary
• Iceland
• Italy
• Latvia
• Liechtenstein
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Malta
• Netherlands
• Norway
• Poland
• Portugal
• Romania
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Spain
• Sweden
• Switzerland

Therefore, if you have a passport of one of these countries, you can easily move to another country of the list.

Do note that if you are planning to stay long-term, you might have to fulfill some formalities like registering yourself with local authorities.

Best Digital Nomad Visas in Europe

Those who want to visit Europe with a digital nomad visa have only to make a choice on where to go. There are many digital nomad visas in Europe that are interesting. I’ve picked the best digital nomad visas in Europe considering different factors.

Albania

The first country on the list of best digital nomad visas in Europe is Albania. Albania is located on South-eastern Europe’s Balkan Peninsula at the Adriatic Sea. It borders, among others, Greece and Montenegro. The capital of Albania is the vibrant city of Tirana.

Apart from the beautiful cities like Berat, Gjirokaster, Korce and Shkodër which are located inland you will mainly find gorgeous beaches all over Albania. These beaches are real contenders to the like of the more known ones in Croatia or Greece.

Albania wants to attract more digital nomads. Hence, they launched a digital nomad visa in 2022.

The Albanian digital nomad visa, also called ‘Unique Permit’, is not only directed towards digital nomads. Also pensioners or real estate investors could for example apply for the visa.

• Minimum income: no minimum income level but sufficient to cover your living expenses and those of dependents. For pensioners the minimum level of income is 1.200.000 ALL (around €10.000) per year so an income of around €1.000 per month is probably a good measure to make sure your visa gets approved.
• Other: You’ll have to show that you have accommodation in Albania for the duration of your stay and that you have contract which demonstrate your ability to work digitally.
• Visa length: The Albanian digital nomad visa is initially granted for a period of one year. Afterwards, the visa can be extended for two more years. If you still hadn’t enough of Albania after that, you can extend for five more years and at the end of this period eventually apply for permanent residence.
• Tax implications: The tax implications of the Albanian digital nomad visa are still unclear at the moment. Although we were unofficially informed you would be exempted from income taxes in Albania there is no legal provision for this yet. Given that Albania follows the 183-days test to asses if you are a tax resident, you might end up still being considered a tax resident there if you stay around for more than six months. You can find more information on tax residency in Albania in my dedicated article.

You can find more information the Albanian digital nomad visa in this article or have a look at the website of the Albanian government and launch your application there. In order to apply, click on the tab for ‘Long stay visa’ and look for the ‘visa for digital mobile workers’.

Croatia (Schengen Area)

Croatia is another country on the list of best digital nomad visas in Europe. Croatia is situated on the verge of Central Europe and Southeast Europe and offers stunning nature and beaches. No wonder it is a popular destination amongst digital nomads.

As from 2023 Croatia is part of the Schengen Area and it started using the Euro as its official currency.

Croatia launched its digital nomad visa as from 1 January 2022.

• Minimum income: The minimum income you should demonstrate is at the time of writing equal to 213.870 HRK (around €28.000). To be on the safe side, let’s say €2.500 per month. This amount is increased with 10% per dependant. You could also show sufficient savings of this amount as an alternative.
• Other: You should demonstrate you have a health insurance, a clean criminal record and can work for an employer abroad or for your own. You’ll also have to include an (initial) Croatian address in the application.
• Visa length: The duration of the Croatian digital nomad visa is one year. It isn’t possible to extend the visa. What is possible, is that after you left Croatia for 6 months to apply for a second period of one year.
• Tax implications: The Croatian legislation includes a specific provisions which states that your income is tax exempt. Furthermore, the exemption only applies if you can show you still pay taxes in your home country / somewhere else.

The Croatian Ministry of Internal Affairs has a specific page on their website on the Croatian digital nomad visa which sets out the requirements and procedure in detail.

Cyprus

Cyprus is an island in the Mediterranean Sea in front of the coast of Turkey. Due to its location, its climate is mild year round.

Cyprus offers a digital nomad visa to citizens who come from outside the Schengen Area who can work remote for clients abroad.

• Minimum income: In order to qualify for the digital nomad visa in Cyprus you will need a minimum net income of €3.500 per month.
• Other: You will need to provide a copy of your criminal record, health insurance and proof of accommodation. Furthermore, you will also need to provide the results of a blood analysis and a chest X-ray. This should confirm you don’t suffer from an infectious disease or tuberculosis.
• Visa length: Cyprus grants a digital nomad visa for one year. The visa can be renewed for two more years.
• Tax implications: Cyrpus considers you a tax resident if you spend more than 183 days in the country during a calendar year. However, in some cases you could even qualify as a tax resident already after only spending 60 days in the country. This could be interesting for digital nomads who want to set up their tax residency in Cyprus.

You can find more information on the procedure and the documents to apply for the Cypriot digital nomad visa on the website of the government of Cyprus.

You should also know that they only grant 500 visas per year. Therefore, you would make most chance if you apply in the beginning of the year.

Czech Republic (Schengen Area)

The Czech Republic is located in Central Europe and mainly its capital, Prague, is a favourite with digital nomads but also for tourists in general. The city was build on the banks of the Vltava River. Prague is famous for Charles Bridge and all the other historical buildings in the city’s centre. So we didn’t have a choice than to include the Czech Republic in the list of best digital nomad visas in Europe.

• Minimum income: There is no minimum income requirement as such. However, you should demonstrate you have sufficient means by providing proof that you have at least 124.500 CZK (around €5.000) in your bank account. 
• Other: The Czech digital nomad visa is actually more a long-term residence permit. This also means you will need to apply for it with the local embassy in the place where you are currently residing. Then you’ll need to apply for a trade licence in Czech based upon certain job categories that are listed. The residency permit will be based upon the trade licence so it’s key you get one. Furthermore, you’ll also have to include proof of accommodation in the Czech Republic for the entire duration of your stay, a clean criminal record and health insurance. 
• Visa length: The length of the visa depends on the length of your trade licence and can be from six months up to one year. If you want to extend your stay, you’ll first have to renew your trade licence.
• Tax implications: As you are holding a trade licence for the Czech Republic and are probably spending a decent amount of time in the country, you’ll normally be deemed a tax resident and therefore be liable to taxes and social contributions. Yet, this doesn’t need to be a bad thing as the Czech Republic offers attractive rates for freelancers.

All the steps for the application process are written down on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic.

Estonia (Schengen Area)

Estonia was the first country to launch a digital nomad visa back in June 2020. Already for this reason alone, Estonia deserves to be on the list of best digital nomad visas in Europe.

Apart from its digital nomad visa, Estonia also offers an e-residency program for foreign entrepreneurs. However, this is something totally different than the digital nomad visa and shouldn’t be confused with it. In my dedicated article you’ll also read that I am not the biggest fan of the Estonian e-Business.

Estonia is one of the Baltic countries and lays next to the Baltic Sea.

• Minimum income: In order to be eligible for the Estonian digital nomad visa, you will have to proof that you had a minimum income of €3.500 per month for the last six months prior to your application.
• Other: Apart from the income, you need to show you actually have your own (digital) business or a work contract that allows you to work remote. As usual, you’ll also have to demonstrate you hold valid health insurance, have accommodation for the duration of your stay and have no criminal record. In addition, Estonia also asks to provide a copy of your university degree or other education.
• Visa length: The duration of the digital nomad visa is one year and you can extent it with another six months.
• Tax implications: There is no tax holiday for people living in Estonia under the digital nomad visa. This means the normal tax rules apply. Accordingly, if you spend more than 183-days in Estonia, you will be deemed a tax resident and liable to taxes there.

Estonia is on the forefront of digitalisation. Also for the Estonian digital nomad visa, they created a specific website to provide you with guidance.

Finland (Schengen Area)

Finland is one of the Nordic countries and if you visit the Lapland Province at the right time, you’ll be able to see the Northern Lights there.

Finland even ranked first in the 2020 UN Happiness Report so as happiness is all around Finland, they also made it to the list of best digital nomad visas in Europe.

The Finnish digital nomad visa is actually a visa for self-employed people so it isn’t available for people working as a remote employee.

• Minimum income: The minimum income top apply for the digital nomad visa is €1.220 per month.
• Other: You should prove of health insurance, as well as a local address in Finland where you’ll be staying.
• Visa length: The Finnish digital nomad visa is valid for six months.
• Tax implications: You will be a tax resident in Finland if you have your habitual abode there or when you spend more than six months in the country. Given that the visa is only valid for maximum six months, you will not become a tax resident in Finland.

You can apply for the Finnish self-employed digital nomad visa via this website.

Georgia

The country of Georgia is situated on the intersection of Eastern Europe and Western Asia. You should not mistake it for the state in the US.

The capital, Tbilisi, starts becoming very popular with digital nomads. However, if you’re into nature or beaches, you’ll definitely also find something for your taste in Georgia. Also, the cost of living in Georgia is at the lower end.

Fun fact: multiple digital nomads have confirmed that in the past they got a free bottle of Georgian wine upon there first arrival in the country. If that isn’t a nice welcome!

Reasons enough for Georgia to make it on our list with the best digital nomad visas in Europe.

Please note that Georgia used to offer a digital nomad visa during COVID-19. This visa was ended and you might find some outdated information in this respect on the internet. Here, we are referring to a scheme where you can stay in Georgia for one year without a visa.

• Minimum income: There is no income requirement
• Other: You should have a passport of one of the qualifying countries for visa free access to Georgia.
• Visa length: The length of the Georgian digital nomad visa is one year. Nonetheless, if you qualify for one of the business (tax) programs, you could even obtain permanent residence in Georgia. In this way, Georgia tries to attract entrepreneurs and foreign investment.
• Tax implications: If you are staying more than 183-days in Georgia, you will qualify as a Georgian tax resident and thus you will be paying Georgian income tax. The basic income tax rate in Georgia is 20%. Nevertheless, Georgia has some specific regimes by which you can decrease your tax burden massively to as low as 1%. You can read all the details of the Georgian tax system in my dedicated post.

Germany (Schengen Area)

Germany is a country located in Central Europe and is one of the economic powers of Europe. If you are into hiking an nature or skiing, you’ll definitely find something for your liking in Germany. Apart from that, it might also be worth to visit some of the vibrant cities like Berlin or Munich.

The German digital nomad visa or freelance visa will allow you to live in Germany while working remotely. Actually, the visa is split up in two categories. First you apply for a freelancer entry visa which allows you to enter Germany. The entry visa is typically valid for just three months. Next, you apply for the freelancer resident permit.

If you’re a citizen of a country with visa free access to Germany, you can skip the first step. If you’re a citizen of a country of the Schengen Area, you can skip the process altogether as you’ll be able to relocate to Germany in any case.

• Minimum income: You’ll need to make at least €9.000 per year in income which is a rather low amount compared to general living expenses in Germany.
• Other: You’ll need to provide proof of accommodation in Germany. Besides, you’ll need letters of two clients confirming they intend to hire you. This is a rather burdensome requirement for which you will have to be bothering your clients.
• Visa length: The freelancer residence permit is valid for up to three years.
• Tax implications: Germany considers you a tax resident if you have a dwelling (owned or rented) available to you there or when you spend more than 183-days there consecutively or in one calendar year.

We know Germans for their efficiency and you can also see this on the clear website where more information can be found about the German digital nomad visa.

Greece (Schengen Area)

You’ll probably know Greece as the country with countless beautiful islands and the impressive beaches that come with it. Alongside it’s a country with a long history of which remains can be found all over the country.

• Minimum income: The income requirement for the digital nomad visa is €3.500 per month, after taxes.
• Other: For the digital nomad visa you need to prove valid health insurance, clean criminal record and proof of accommodation. In addition, you will also need a return flight ticket and need to disclosure the activities/job you plan to perform remotely.
• Visa length: You will get the digital nomad visa for one year. Afterwards, you can extent up to a maximum of three years in total.
• Tax implications: For the digital nomad visa, the tax consequences differ depending on the fact if you qualify as a Greek tax resident or not. Greece looks at the days you spend in the country but also where your vital interests lie. If you’re just spending a short time here, you should probably not qualify as a tax resident. If you’re planning to spend more than six months in the country, Greece will probably deem you a tax resident. Normal tax rates will apply with the exemption that you get a tax cut of 50% for Greek source or freelance income. You can read all the details in my dedicated article on tax residency in Greece for digital nomads.

Greece set up a website with all information on the country and the application process for the Greek digital nomad visa.

Hungary (Schengen Area)

Hungary is most known for its capital Budapest. The cities comes with a long history which you can still experience in many of the historical buildings around the city. The most famous is probably the Hungarian Parliament Building.

The Hungarian digital nomad visa, also called White Card, is intended towards individual nomads. It doesn’t provide the possibility to add any family members to the application.

• Minimum income: The income requirement to obtain the Hungarian digital nomad visa is €3.000 per month. You will need to prove this level of income for the past six months prior to your application.
• Other: You’ll need to have health insurance, proof of accommodation and also a return ticket. If you are an employee you will need to provide a copy of your contract and the scope of your work. Freelancers and business owners need to provide documents about the scope of their operations.
• Visa length: The visa is initially valid for one year. If you obtain the visa, you are obliged to stay at least 90 days in Hungary within a 180-day period.
• Tax implications: You will not qualify as a tax resident and will not pay income taxes if you spend less than six months in Hungary. Once you surpass this limit, you will qualify as a Hungarian tax resident.

You can go to the website of the Hungarian government to apply for your Hungarian White Card.

Iceland (Schengen Area)

Iceland is home to some of the most scenic landscapes. In the “land of fire and ice” you’ll get the whole range of waterfalls, glaciers and volcanos.

So if you are up to exploring this magical country, you might want to apply for their digital nomad visa. We’ll already tell you, though, that it doesn’t come cheap.

• Minimum income: If you plan to apply for the Iceland digital nomad visa you better make sure you got your income sorted. The minimum income you should prove amounts to 1.000.000 ISK (around €6.700) per month for a single applicant or 1.500.000 (around €10.000) for a couple. So it’s clear this visa isn’t for everyone.
• Other: Along with the high income requirement, you will need a valid health insurance, a clean criminal record and submit prove that your main purpose of your stay is to work remotely.
• Visa length: The length of the Iceland digital nomad visa is only six months.
• Tax implications: As you can only stay in Iceland for maximum six months on the digital nomad visa you will not become a tax resident there.

Also Iceland has a nice, clear website in place where you can find more information about remote working in Iceland.

Italy (Schengen Area)

If you want to experience the authentic Italian kitchen, dive into the history of the Roman Empire or just want to relax when enjoying picturesque landscapes, Italy will definitely not disappoint you.

To attract digital nomads from around the world, Italy approved a law regarding its digital nomad visa or self-employed visa in March 2022. Unfortunately, at the point of writing, we are still awaiting the practical implementation of the visa.

• Minimum income: In order to apply for the Italian digital nomad visa you need earn a minimum of €28.000 per year.
• Other: You’ll have to show a clean criminal record and health insurance when applying for the visa. Furthermore, you should have pre-booked accommodation for your whole stay. And, you need to proof you have been a digital nomad for at least six months already.
• Visa length: The initial duration of the Italian digital nomad visa is one year. You can renew the visa if all conditions are still met. After five years, you could even opt to apply for permanent residence.  
• Tax implications: People moving to Italy on the digital nomad visa will qualify as tax resident in Italy. Accordingly, you will have to pay income taxes and social contributions in Italy. Although this isn’t ideal, digital nomads could make use of some favourable regimes like the “Regime Forfetario” or the “Impatriates Regime”. In any case, you’ll better consult with a tax advisor before planning your trip to Italy.

Currently, there is no dedicated website we can share with you for the Italian digital nomad visa as we are still waiting for the actual implementation.

Malta (Schengen Area)

Malta is an island in the Mediterranean Sea between Sicily and North-Africa. Because of its location, it has a year-round mild climate with some higher temperatures (30°C) in summer and 300 days of sunshine. As it is an island, there is also no shortage in beaches.

Just as some countries in our list, Malta has a wealthy history and you can still experience the remains of this around the country.

Also good to know is that one of the official language is English so you’ll definitely be able to communicate with the local population.

• Minimum income: The minimum income requirement to apply for the visa is €2.700 per month.
• Other: You will have to show proof of health insurance and accommodation. In addition, the Maltese authorities will perform a background check on you.
• Visa length: The validity of the Maltese digital nomad visa is one year.
• Tax implications: Malta will consider you a tax resident if you have your permanent home on the island. However, a grace period of twelve months is granted during which no income taxes are due. After those twelve months, a fixed income tax rate of 10% can apply instead of the progressive tax rates because of the updated tax rules for digital nomads in Malta.

Malta launched an official website for the Malta nomad visa program.

Norway (Schengen Area)

Norway is – as its name suggests – a Nordic country in Northern Europe and you’ve probably already seen some pictures of its majestic fjords.

Norway isn’t a cheap country to live though. However, we are of the opinion it deserves a place on our list of best digital nomad visa in Europe as it offers a two year visa for independent contractors.

The Norwegian digital nomad visa is only issued to self-employed contractors. So if you are a remote employee, you will not qualify for this visa.

• Minimum income: The minimum income requirement in order to be eligible for the visa is around 24.000 NOK (or approximately €2.400) per month.
• Other: You’ll need to provide an address for your stay in Norway. Furthermore, there is the requirement that you should have at least one Norwegian client for a remuneration which is equal to at the least the Norwegian minimum wage for a skilled worker.
• Visa length: The length of the independent contractor visa is can go up to two years and is renewable. After three years, you can apply for permanent residence.
• Tax implications: If you live in Norway based on the independent contractor visa, you will qualify as a Norwegian tax resident and thus will have to pay taxes in Norway. Consequently, it is recommended that you look into what this exactly means for you before applying for your visa.

You can find the checklist for your application for the Norwegian digital nomad visa here.

Portugal (Schengen Area)

Good weather, delicious food an nice beaches and nature, just some of the reasons why Portugal is a favorite under digital nomads.

Apart from mainland Portugal, you could also visit the islands of the Azores or Madeira with the Portuguese digital nomad visa.

Applications for the Portuguese digital nomad visa are open since 30 October 2022. Although still rather new, we do think it deserves a place on the list with best digital nomad visas in Europe.

• Minimum income: The minimum income requirement is equal to four times the Portuguese minimum wage. As the minimum wage in Portugal currently amounts to €820 your minimum disposable income should amount to €3.280 per month (2024). You should provide proof of this income for the last three months before your application. The aforementioned amount is indexed so will increase in the future.
• Other: Apart from the minimum income requirement, you must also provide a clean criminal record, proof of accommodation and valid health insurance. In addition to this, you will need to provide confirmation of your tax residence by the local authorities of your country of tax residence.
• Visa length: You will get a visa for one or two years which you can renew. After five years, you could apply for a permanent residence permit.
• Tax implications: If you want more information about how digital nomads are taxed in Portugal you should check out our dedicated article. Also, if you are specifically interested in becoming a non-habitual resident in Portugal, you can go directly to this article.

You can find information on all the visas for Portugal on the website of Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Romania (Schengen from March 2024)

What most people don’t know is that Romania is the country in Europe with the fastest broadband internet speed. Already this reason alone is sufficient to put is on the list of best digital nomad visas in Europe.

Romania is currently still somewhat of a hidden gem but this might change once people get know about the country. The Romanian digital nomad visa will definitely help with attracting digital nomads to their country.

• Minimum income: The minimum income requirement is equal to three times the average Romanian salary. As the average salary currently amounts to €1.600 this means you’ll need to demonstrate an income of €4.800 per month (2024). You’ll need to provide proof of your income for the three months preceding your application. As the average salary is currently increasing, so will the minimum income level.
• Other: Along with the proof of  your income, you’ll need to provide a copy of your employment contract or proof of self-employment. You should also provide proof of a clean criminal record and accommodation in Romania for the duration of your stay.
• Visa length: The length of the Romanian digital nomad visa is one year and you can renew for one additional year.
• Tax implications: As long as you can prove tax residency in another country, you don’t have to pay income taxes in Romania. Yet, maybe you do want to become a tax resident in Romania as it offers attractive tax rates.

You can apply online for your Romanian digital nomad visa.

Spain (Schengen Area)

The final country on our list is Spain. The country probably doesn’t need a lot of introduction as it is well known for its mild climate. Nevertheless, only few people know you could also go skiing in Spain.

Amongst Europeans Spain is already a well-known holiday destinations and during the pandemic a lot of people started working remotely from Spain. In order to also attract digital nomads from outside of the Schengen Area, Spain launched its digital nomad visa at the end of December 2022. The digital nomad visa is part of a broader package of new rules in order to stimulate entrepreneurship in the country and attract foreign talent.

• Minimum income: There is no minimum income level as such. However, you should prove you hold at least €26.000 in your bank account in order to support yourself.
• Other: You’ll need to prove you have already been working remotely for at least three months and have an employment contract with a company outside or Spain or that you are freelancing for mainly (80%) non-Spanish clients. In addition, you should show that you graduated from a prestigious university of business school or have already at least three years of working experience. Some other basic requirements (e.g. health insurance and clean criminal record) also apply.
• Visa length: The length of the visa is three years and you can extent for two more years. Once you are living in Spain for five years, you could apply for permanent Spanish residency. Additionally, the Spanish digital nomad visa also enables you to freely travel around Europe. A big bonus for people who are normally restricted to a specific amount of days per year.
• Tax implications: If you plan to live under the digital nomad visa in Spain, you will pay Spanish income taxes. However, the law does provide for some tax breaks. You can be considered a non-resident taxpayer. Because of this, you will only pay taxes on your professional income at a rate of 24%. You can benefit from the qualification as non-resident taxpayer for five years and on the condition you haven’t been an ordinary tax resident in Spain for the past five years.

Spain also has a dedicated website for the Spanish digital nomad visa.

Let’s Work Together

As a tax professional for digital nomads I have extensive experience with helping nomads out.

Furthermore, I work together with local professionals who can also make sure your digital nomad visa applications gets sorted while we assess the tax consequences of your plans.

Reach out if you need my help!