ULTIMATE GUIDE to Nomad Visas in Europe

The digital revolution has transformed the way we work, and Europe has embraced this change by offering nomad visas in Europe to attract global remote workers.

These specialized visas allow professionals from Mexico, Latin America, and worldwide to legally live and work remotely from some of Europe's most beautiful destinations while maintaining their international employment or business operations.

Nomad Visas in Europe

The following European countries currently offer nomad visas in Europe programs for 2025:

• Portugal.
• Spain.
• Croatia.
• Czech Republic (Czechia).
• Estonia.
• Germany.
• Hungary.
• Greece.
• Italy.
• Malta.
• Romania.
• Cyprus.
• Latvia.

Non-EU European Countries:

• Norway.
• Iceland.
• Montenegro.
• Albania.

Upcoming Programs (Late 2025):

• Slovenia.
• Finland (expanded program).

General Requirements for European Digital Nomad Visas

While each country has specific requirements, most nomad visas in Europe share common eligibility criteria:

Essential Requirements:

• Clean criminal background check from your home country.
• Proof of remote work (employment contract, freelance agreements, or business ownership).
• Minimum income threshold typically €2,000-€3,500 per month (depends on the country of application).
• Health insurance coverage valid in the host country.
• Valid passport with at least 6 months remaining validity.
• Bank statements proving financial stability.
• Proof of accommodation in the destination country.

Professional Requirements:

• Evidence of remote work capability.
• Portfolio or professional qualifications in your field.
• Tax residence documentation from your home country.
• Letter from employer confirming remote work arrangement (for employees).

Country-Specific Details

Portugal - D7 Visa

• Income Requirement: €870/month.
• Duration: 1 year, renewable up to 5 years.
• Processing Time: 30-60 days.
• Application Fee: €110.
• Where to Apply: Portuguese consulates worldwide.
• Benefits: Access to EU healthcare, path to permanent residency.
• After Expiration: Can apply for permanent residency after 5 years.

Spain - Digital Nomad Visa

• Income Requirement: €600 for each month of stay in the country, and 300 euros more per family member.
• Duration: 1 year, renewable up to 5 years.
• Processing Time: 30-60 days.
• Application Fee: €80.
• Where to Apply: Spanish consulates.
• Benefits: Work throughout EU, family inclusion possible.
• After Expiration: Eligible for long-term residency applications.

Croatia - Digital Nomad Visa

• Income Requirement: €3,296/month.
• Duration: 1 year to 18 months (or less), non-renewable.
• Processing Time: 30 days.
• Application Fee: €93.
• Where to Apply: Croatian diplomatic missions.
• Benefits: EU travel freedom, tax benefits for the first year.
• After Expiration: Must leave for 6 months before reapplying.

Estonia - Digital Nomad Visa

• Income Requirement: €3,504/month.
• Duration: 1 year, renewable once.
• Processing Time: 30 days.
• Application Fee: €100 for long stays.
• Where to Apply: Estonian e-Residency or consulates. If you already legally live in Estonia and want to extend your stay, you can apply for this visa at a Police and Border Guard Board office.
• Benefits: Digital-first society, EU access.
• After Expiration: you can apply for a temporary residence permit.

Czech Republic - Zivno License

• Income Requirement: €2,475/month.
• Duration: 1 year, renewable.
• Processing Time: 60-90 days.
• Application Fee: €200.
• Where to Apply: Czech consulates.
• Benefits: Central European location, affordable living.
• After Expiration: Renewable indefinitely, path to permanent residency.

Greece - Digital Nomad Visa

• Income Requirement: €3,500 (after taxes)/month.
• Duration: 1 year, renewable up to 2 years.
• Processing Time: 10 days.
• Application Fee: €75.
• Where to Apply: Greek consulates.
• Benefits: Island lifestyle, EU benefits, tax incentives.
• After Expiration: Can apply for investment or self-employment visas.

The Digital Nomad Residence Permit is valid for 2 years and has an application fee of €1,000, as well as an additional €150 administrative fee for every family member.

Germany - Freelancer Visa

• Income Requirement: €1,000-€2,000/month for your expenses (varies by city).
• Duration: up to 3 years with an additional one-year extension.
• Processing Time: 60-120 days.
• Application Fee: €75.
• Where to Apply: German diplomatic missions.
• Benefits: EU's largest economy, extensive social benefits.
• After Expiration: Path to permanent residency after 5 years.

Italy - Digital Nomad Visa

• Income Requirement: €2,065/month or 24,789 euros (or the equivalent in USD) per year.
• Duration: 1 year, renewable.
• Processing Time: 90 days.
• Application Fee: €116.
• Where to Apply: Italian consulates.
• Benefits: Cultural richness, EU access, quality lifestyle.
• After Expiration: you can transition to a self-employment visa.

The visa is only available to highly skilled workers whose careers require or exceed the requirements listed in article 27-quater of the Legislative Decree n. 286 of 25 July 1998, including careers that require post-secondary degrees or at least three years’ professional training or experience.

Malta - Nomad Residence Permit

• Income Requirement: €3,500/month.
• Duration: 1 year, renewable up to 4 years.
• Processing Time: 60 working days.
• Application Fee: €300. On arrival, an additional €27.50 per person is required for the residence card.
• Where to Apply: Residency Malta Agency.
• Benefits: EU passport pathway, English-speaking, and tax advantages.
• After Expiration: Eligible for permanent residency.

Iceland - Remote Worker Visa

• Income Requirement: €6,996/month.
• Duration: 6 months.
• Processing Time: 30 days.
• Application Fee: €85.
• Where to Apply: Icelandic Directorate of Immigration.
• Benefits: Stunning nature, high quality of life.
• After Expiration: Must leave and reapply after 3 months.

Norway - Independent Contractor Visa

• Income Requirement: €2,980/month. Or a minimum gross annual income of €35,719 (bank statement).
• Duration: The Norway digital nomad visa is initially valid for two years, and after that time, there is an option to apply for renewal to extend by further years or even to a lifetime visa.
• Processing Time: 15-30 days.
• Application Fee: €600.
• Where to Apply: Norwegian diplomatic missions.
• Benefits: High salaries, social benefits, and nature access.
• After Expiration: Can apply for permanent residency after 3 years.

You must know: digital nomads are required to pay taxes in Norway if they spend more than 183 days in the country. The tax-to-income ratio is currently 22% for Norwegian residents and remote workers who must register for VAT.

Required Documents for Application

Essential Documentation:

1. Completed application form.
2. Valid passport and copies.
3. Passport photos (specific requirements vary).
4. Criminal background check (apostilled/legalized).
5. Health insurance certificate with coverage of between €30,000 and €50,000 within the host country.
6. Bank statements (last 6 months to 1 year).
7. Employment contract or freelance agreements.
8. Income tax returns (previous year).
9. Proof of accommodation (rental agreement/hotel booking).
10. Medical certificate (sometimes required).

Additional Documents (Country-Specific):

• Educational certificates (some countries).
• Portfolio of work (creative professionals).
• Business registration (entrepreneurs).
• Letter of motivation.
• Travel itinerary.

Processing Times and Where to Apply

Application Locations:

• Consulates/Embassies in your home country.
• Online platforms (Estonia, some others).
• Immigration offices (if already in the country legally).

Typical Processing Timeline:

• Fast Track: 15-30 days (Estonia, Croatia).
• Standard: 30-60 days (most countries).
• Extended: 60-120 days (Germany, some complex cases).

Who Cannot Apply

Restricted Nationalities:

Most European nomad visa programs exclude citizens from:

• Countries under EU sanctions.
• Nations without diplomatic relations.
• High-risk countries (varies by destination).

Many countries do not allow applications from citizens of: North Korea, Venezuela, Yemen, and more.

Other Exclusions:

• Individuals with criminal records.
• Those unable to prove financial stability.
• Applicants without valid health insurance.
• People with previous immigration violations.

Benefits and Obligations

Rights and Benefits:

• Legal residence in the host country.
• Freedom of movement within the Schengen area (EU countries).
• Access to healthcare (with proper insurance).
• Banking services and local utilities.
• Tax advantages (in some countries).
• Family inclusion (spouse and children, additional requirements apply).

Obligations:

• Maintain a minimum income throughout the stay.
• Keep valid health insurance.
• File tax returns (where required).
• Register with local authorities.
• Comply with visa conditions.
• Cannot work for local companies (remote work only).

After Visa Expiration: Your Options

Option 1: Renewal

• Most visas are renewable for additional periods.
• Must meet the same requirements as the initial application.
• Some countries limit total renewal periods.

Option 2: Transition to Other Permits

• Investment visas (for those with capital).
• Self-employment permits (for entrepreneurs).
• Student visas (for continued education).
• Family reunification (if applicable).

Option 3: Path to Permanent Residency

Countries offering pathways after digital nomad visas:

• Portugal: After 5 years.
• Spain: After 5 years of legal residence.
• Germany: After 5 years.
• Malta: After 5 years.

Option 4: Temporary Departure

• Some countries require "cooling-off" periods.
• Croatia: 6-month gap before reapplication.
• Iceland: 3-month gap required.

Costs Breakdown

Application Fees Range:

• Budget-friendly, less than €100: €75-€93 (Spain, Croatia, Greece, Germany, Iceland).
• Mid-range: €100-€200 (Potugal, Estonia, Czech Republic, Italy).
• Premium: €300-€600 (Malta, Norway).

Additional Costs:

• Document translation: €200-€500.
• Apostille/legalization: €50-€200 per document.
• Health insurance: €50-€150/month.
• Legal consultation: €200-€1,000.

Tax Implications

Important Considerations:

• Digital nomad visas don't automatically change tax residency.
• 183-day rule applies in most countries.
• Double taxation treaties may provide relief.
• Professional tax advice strongly recommended.
• Some countries offer tax incentives for nomads.

Tips for Successful Applications

Best Practices:

1. Apply early - start the process 3-4 months before intended travel.
2. Organize documents systematically with translations.
3. Exceed minimum requirements to strengthen the application.
4. Use professional services for document preparation.
5. Maintain updated bank statements showing consistent income.
6. Research local requirements thoroughly for the chosen destination.

FAQS

Which EU country is easiest to get a nomad visa?

Estonia and Croatia are generally considered the easiest EU countries to obtain nomad visas, with streamlined online application processes, shorter processing times (30 days), and relatively straightforward requirements. Estonia offers a fully digital application process, while Croatia has one of the quickest processing times in Europe. For others, Portugal is the best option.

Which country is best for a digital nomad in Europe?

Portugal, Spain consistently top the list for their quality of life, reliable internet, and relatively straightforward visa processes. Portugal offers the best combination of affordable living costs, excellent infrastructure, favorable tax policies, and a clear path to permanent residency. Spain follows closely with its diverse landscapes, strong digital infrastructure, and vibrant nomad communities.

Which country has the best nomad visa?

Portugal's D7 visa is widely considered the best nomad visa in Europe due to its reasonable income requirements (€3,040/month), renewable up to 5 years, and direct pathway to permanent residency and citizenship. The country offers excellent healthcare, infrastructure, safety, and a growing international community of remote workers.

Can I be a digital nomad in Europe?

Yes, you absolutely can be a digital nomad in Europe! These include some of the best countries to work in Europe, such as Portugal, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Germany, Hungary, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Malta, Romania, Spain, and Norway. More than 50 countries offer Digital Nomad Visas. Most income requirements start at $2,000, with visas issued for 1—3 years. European countries have embraced remote workers with dedicated visa programs, excellent infrastructure, and supportive communities.

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