Wanderlust is in my nature.
That’s why when I heard about DNV (digital nomad visa) during Covid times, I was like, now the world has started making sense!
Nowadays, there are so many countries with digital nomad visas category in the immigration format. Initially, it was Estonia to first introduce the visa. Good job, you.
So here it is, me happily jotting down all the countries with digital nomad visas. I am updating the list and all the information as I read about new changes.
Happy reading/hunting!
Table of Contents
What is a Digital Nomad Visa?
Well, most of us are acquainted with the category, but for new readers, here is a quick explanation. If you already know, scroll to the next segment.
Digital nomad visa is a new category introduced by countries to attract freelancers to their country.
Yes, let’s not tip-toe around eggshells; freelancers are an asset, and any country would love to benefit from them.
What is there not to like about digital nomads?
They earn decent/good; they will live in your country, pay for accommodation/grocery/ utilities, pay the taxes, and after a few months/year – move on.
Get the gest..
Mostly, these visas are for short periods, and the policies and requirements vary from country/region/continent. This is why I made the whole effort to start collecting all the info in one easy-to-scroll – one blog – a massive – but collection of information.
Happy reading!
Who Can Apply for a Digital Nomad Visa?
All countries with digital nomad visas have laid out their requirements. Collectively, I can say that a person whose income enables them to stay in a country with 80% of the source coming from clients of other countries can apply.
I wouldn’t recommend to take 80% seriously. It is just an estimate. Some countries with digital nomad visas require 90% of income to come from another country, while some settle for 70 ish.
So, it’s an aggregate – not a final number.
Countries With Digital Nomad Visas
The list is constantly evolving. I thought to make an alphabetical list, but that will be a mess of massive order. Then I decided why not divide according to region and countries. Makes sense?
Also, I think if I have a format of requirements outlined and then a bit of discussion on culture and language problems, I think it would be beneficial to nomads who want to make subtle leaps.
Without further ado, let’s begin.
Europe
Italy Digital Nomad Visa
- Visa Cost – TBA
- Income Requirement – TBA
- Visa granted – for a year
- Possibility for extension – yes, up to three years
- Eligibility criteria – citizen of non-EU/ EEA or Swiss country
The news of introducing the digital nomad visa in Italy came out in March 2023. While the authorities are reforming and outlining all the regulations, the country offers two visa types that can work the same way for digital nomads.
The Elective Residence Visa is ideal for individuals who work for employers remotely. The only aspect you have to check is if the employer isn’t based in Italy. They need to prove sustenance with an income of around 31,000 euros per annum.
Then, there is another category for Smart Working Visa, which has more or less the same requirements.
Italy is a culture-rich country and is always flocked with tourists. If you are planning to move to Italy as a digital nomad, you should know some cities have high costs of living – Rome and Milan.
On the other hand, Palermo, Naples, and Bari are the best places for setting up. These cities offer a laid-back and easy-to-live vibe. And when craving the metropolitan city vibes, you can travel via train to enjoy your weekends in Rome and Milan.
Language can be a barrier at times, especially in smaller cities. The metropolitan cities accommodate travelers all the time so you will face no problem communicating.
Estonia Digital Nomad Visa
- Visa Cost – 80€
- Income Requirement – 3504€ per month
- Visa granted – up to a year
- Possibility for extension – no
- Eligibility criteria – citizen of non-EU/ EEA or Swiss country
The pioneer country of DNV, Estonia, is leading the trend and facilitating digital nomads from all over the world. There are two categories you can choose from:
- C-visa, a short-stay visa
- D-visa, a long-stay visa
Quality of life is great in the country with opportunities. The country is becoming economically sound and a great place for families to settle down.
However, with an Estonia digital nomad visa, you cannot extend the visa or enter a PR program from DNV. With the normal/average cost of living, you are exempted from paying taxes for the first 183 days of your stay in the country.
Tallinn and Tartu are major cities gradually becoming hubs of tectological companies flocking the cities, and several coworking spaces. You will have absolutely no problem getting around these cities and communicating.
Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa
- Visa Cost – 265 USD
- Income Requirement – 2160€ per month
- Visa granted – for a year
- Possibility for extension – yes, up to four years
- Eligibility criteria – citizen of non-EU/ EEA or Swiss country
Spain had a non-lucrative visa category until there was an official Digital nomad visa Spain category launched in January 2023.
The country is a top destination for individuals who want to live a peaceful, serene, and slow-paced life. It is the perfect destination for retirees and tourists.
Digital nomads also prefer Spain for its affordable housing, laid-back life, and tax benefits.
You can also earn revenues in Spain, but less than 20% of your total income. The rest of your earnings must come from non-Spanish resources.
Siesta culture and bureaucracy can often hamper day-to-day tasks, hence plan ahead when tackling any official work. It is recommended to know some Spanish to get around and communicate.
Portugal Digital Nomad Visa
- Visa Cost – 75 €
- Income Requirement – 3548€ per month
- Visa granted – for a year
- Possibility for extension – yes, up to four years
- Eligibility criteria – citizen of non-EU/ EEA or Swiss country
D7 visa, D8 visa – Portugal got its hands full. The most distinct difference between the two is its core.
D7 is for people who have passive income sources – Pension, dividends, interest, or royalties in 820 euros per month. Meanwhile, D8 is purely for Digital nomads. You must be able to earn 3280 euros per month.
The country has a beautiful lifestyle, culture, and friendly people. Not knowing Portuguese will not pose such a problem.
The country is thriving for its digital nomad culture, fast internet, and bustling, safe culture that makes it easy for nomads to work wherever they feel. The country also has fabulous opportunities for Digital nomads with its easier tax slabs.
Croatia Digital Nomad Visa
- Visa Cost – 60 €
- Income Requirement – 2540 € per month
- Visa granted – for a year
- Possibility for extension – yes
- Eligibility criteria – citizen of non-EU/ EEA or Swiss country
Digital nomads love Croatia among countries with digital nomad visas for their tax exemption. If you abide by the law of working for employers outside Croatia, the country is gold.
Moreover, the Schengen visa enables you to travel to countries permitted in the category of Schengen visa. Croatia has a growing community of digital nomads for its low cost of living in Europe.
Besides the mainstream cities, other cities are thriving with work culture and present great housing and work opportunities for digital nomads.
Greece Digital Nomad Visa
- Visa Cost – 75 €
- Income Requirement – 3500 € per month
- Visa granted – 2 years
- Possibility for extension – yes
- Eligibility criteria – citizen of non-EU/ EEA or Swiss country
Greece is termed as one of the best value-for-money countries among the long list of countries with digital nomad visas in Europe. The country has a low crime rate and median cost of living among other European countries.
Wouldn’t it be a dream to live in Athens, Santorini, Mykonos, and Delphi?
All cities are very receptive to nomad culture and have several coworking spaces. They welcome the nomads into their cities with a friendly demeanour and help them in every way possible to settle down.
The pristine landscape, over six thousand islands, beautiful coastlines, and mountain backdrop make it a dream place for digital nomads.
Germany Digital Nomad Visa
- Visa Cost – 75 €
- Income Requirement – 3500 € per month
- Visa granted – 2 years
- Possibility for extension – yes
- Eligibility criteria – citizen of non-EU/ EEA or Swiss country
The country doesn’t have a specific visa category, but Freiberufler, the freelance visa, and Selbständiger, the self-employment visa, fall into the specific categories.
The visa is facilitated in a way that creates a path for freelancers to become permanent residents. You would need to maintain your status with this visa for three years to get the PR.
While you enter the country with a Freelance entry visa, it is a short visa that expires soon. You need to book an appointment with immigration authorities and change it to a Freelancer Resident Permit.
Some categories are high on the list for freelancers; on the other hand, some categories aren’t great for certain freelancer skills. Since the categories often change, it is best to check their website to get firsthand authentic information.
Norway Digital Nomad Visa
- Visa Cost – 600 €
- Income Requirement – 3000 € per month
- Visa granted – 2 years
- Possibility for extension – yes
- Eligibility criteria – citizen of non-EU/ EEA or Swiss country
The country with the biggest population of readers, Norway is one of the most sought-after countries with digital nomad visas.
Norway mostly stays away from global politics and often takes in many refugees. The country ranked 5th on the Corruption Perception Index of Transparency International in 2015.
There are two categories that often confuse the people. An Independent Contractor Visa is meant for self-employed individuals or those who could be working with a Norwegian employer.
On the other hand, the Svalbard Digital Nomad Visa allows visa holders to stay in the country for a long time, limited to the city.
The city is perched between Norway’s mainland and the North Pole, and it’s very cold – not a preferred choice for many. The country is very expensive to live in and has hefty taxes to pay; hence, many would deliberate twice before moving to the country.
Malta Digital Nomad Visa
- Visa Cost – 300 €
- Income Requirement – 2700 € per month
- Visa granted – 1 year
- Possibility for extension – yes
- Eligibility criteria – citizen of non-EU/ EEA or Swiss country
The country entered the list of countries with digital nomad visas in 2021. The tax exemption rule on earning for non-Malta employers is the main attraction for all the digital nomads.
You can get the extensions twice, in total, you can extend your stay for up to three years in Malta.
The nomads enjoy the diverse culture of Central Africa and Southern Europe with many of its lagoons. Cities like Mdina and Valletta hold their ranking as UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Since the country inhibits up to 22% foreigners, you will fit right in and find people who you can resonate with.
France Digital Nomad Visa
- Visa Cost – 99 €
- Income Requirement – 2700 € per month
- Visa granted – 1 year
- Possibility for extension – yes
- Eligibility criteria – citizen of non-EU/ EEA or Swiss country
The country doesn’t have a visa category for the nomads, but The Long Stay Visa can be used for the same purpose.
After the initial three-month visa expires, the concerned applicant has to apply for a ‘Profession Liberale Visa’ at the local registration hall.
The country is a hub of opportunities, with a great quality of life and the best health care system. Nomads can benefit from the rich culture and laid-back lifestyle, which is synonymous with European culture.
You get one year of visa, which you can later extend three times for up to three years. Later, you can neutralize or get a residence permit; hence, it is one of the most liked countries with digital nomad visas.
Iceland Digital Nomad Visa
- Visa Cost – 87 €
- Income Requirement – 7000 € per month
- Visa granted – 1 year
- Possibility for extension – yes
- Eligibility criteria – citizen of non-EU/ EEA or Swiss country
The country released the digital nomad visa category in October 2020. The visa is known as a Long-term Remote Work Visa. The visa grants the stay for up to six months.
The country has ranked first on the Global Peace Index and is one of the most liked countries with digital nomad visas.
Iceland is magnificently beautiful, with picturesque landscapes, mountains, glaciers, fjords, and starry skies. The winter flocks tourists from all over the world for the Aurora Borealis – imagine living in this beautiful country.
Digital Nomads prefer Reykjavik as their destination for all the ease of work. There is no problem in communicating as almost everyone speaks English, and fast internet is available in cafes and coworking spaces.
For individuals who intend to progress to permanent residency, the visa category doesn’t let you reach that requirement. You need a total of four years of stay in the country, which you cannot achieve with a digital nomad visa.
Romania Digital Nomad Visa
- Visa Cost – 140 €
- Income Requirement – 3700 € per month
- Visa granted – 1 year
- Possibility for extension – yes
- Eligibility criteria – citizen of non-EU/ EEA or Swiss country
It is the preferred choice in countries with digital nomad visas for low-cost living in European countries. With beautiful landscapes, the fastest internet, and a thriving nomad culture – most cities in Romania are heaven for digital nomads.
Romania is known for its cheap rent, food, and other facilities. The weather is moderate/ideal all year round, and people are very warm towards digital nomads.
The reason for the country to be more affordable and easier to live is its low taxes. The country has signed a double tax treaty with other countries; hence, property and other daily taxes are on a lower threshold compared to European countries.
Netherlands Digital Nomad Visa
- Visa Cost – 500 €
- Income Requirement – 1235 € per month
- Visa granted – 2 years
- Possibility for extension – yes
- Eligibility criteria – citizen of non-EU/ EEA or Swiss country
The country doesn’t have a specified category, but with their long-term visa, they are accommodating the nomads in the country. The visa is also known as an MVV visa, and authorities require you to register as an independent worker when living as a digital nomad in the Netherlands.
The country is rich in culture and bustling with tech startups. Internet speed and coworking spaces are no problem for digital nomads in Holland.
The only constraint one may have lived in the Netherlands is the expense. Rent, food, and most utilities are on the expensive side, just as in cities like London, New York, and Los Angeles.
So, if you are from these cities, it might not be as much of a shock. Otherwise, evaluate your income versus expenses.
Georgia Digital Nomad Visa
- Visa Cost – No fee
- Income Requirement – 1845 € per month
- Visa granted – 1 year
- Possibility for extension – yes
- Eligibility criteria – citizen of non-EU/ EEA or Swiss country
Known as the best countries with digital nomad visas, Georgia has been most accommodating and welcoming towards nomads. They introduced a visa category, “Remotely from Georgia.”
They have made the process of applying for a visa the simplest in all countries, and you can apply online. The processing time is only ten working days, and you are exempted from paying taxes for the first 180 days in the country.
If you are looking for ways to progress to the permanent residency route, you can look into the Individual Entrepreneur Scheme, which is also an ease created to accommodate the passage for nomads.
Note: Georgia has a visa category for 95 countries. Hence, check your country if it’s available in the list of eligibility on their official website.
Albania Digital Nomad Visa
- Visa Cost – 104 €
- Income Requirement – 5100 € in your account
- Visa granted – 1 year
- Possibility for extension – yes
- Eligibility criteria – citizen of non-EU/ EEA or Swiss country
Albania is one of the newest countries with digital nomad visas. The Type D visa that accommodates freelancers is granted for a year and can be renewed for another four years.
With that duration, you become eligible to apply for a residence permit.
The procedure may be simple: to apply for a visa and path to permanent residence. However, the taxes make it difficult for any freelancer to stay for long.
You will find Albania a reserve and old school compared to other European countries. The country was shut off from the world during the reign of Enver Halil Hoxha from the sixties to the eighties.
However, the country is recently working towards digitalization and paving the way for digital nomads to feel more welcome in the country.
Czech Digital Nomad Visa
- Visa Cost – 104 €
- Income Requirement – 5100 € in your account
- Visa granted – 2 years
- Possibility for extension – yes
- Eligibility criteria – citizen of non-EU/ EEA or Swiss country
There is no specific digital nomad visa, but a long-term residence permit enables you to work in the country as a freelancer.
As you have acquired the visa, you also need a trade license to be eligible to work. When the visa expires, you can get it to extend your trading license to stay longer in the country – up to two years.
The visa has been granted to eight countries so far: Australia, South Korea, America, England, Taiwan, New Zealand, Japan, and Canada.
The country has a great culture, opportunities for experiences, and several coworking spaces. The country has a gap in the IT industry, and you can use this gap for your benefit.
North & Central American Countries with Digital Nomad Visas
Here is the list of all North and Central American countries which offer the visa. As we are changing the continent, I am going to use the dollar as currency.
Mexico Digital Nomad Visa
- Visa Cost – $150 – $350
- Income Requirement – $2600 per month
- Visa granted – 1 year
- Possibility for extension – yes
- Eligibility criteria – Any citizen of a country who meets all the requirements.
The visa is known as Temporary Residence Visa. TRV has all the requirements that make it a fine chance for digital nomads to travel to the country for the long term.
The visa granted is for a year and can be extended for up to four years. As long as you meet the requirements, you can keep extending the visa.
With a beautiful landscape and low cost of living, Mexica is the preferred choice for countries with digital nomad visas.
Costa Rica Digital Nomad Visa
- Visa Cost – 190$
- Income Requirement – $3000 per month
- Visa granted – 1 year
- Possibility for extension – yes
- Eligibility criteria – Any citizen of a country who meets all the requirements.
Everyone loves Ticos. The no-levy policy works well for a freelancer who wants to enjoy their stay while not being overburdened with formalities.
Since all the income comes from foreign (non-Costa Rica) companies, taxes are exempted.
San José is the capital city and also the destination for digital nomads. The work culture and travel opportunities have Costa Rica on the bucket list of every digital nomad.
Fact: Did you know Costa Rica is the richest in biodiversity, with more than 500,000 species in Corcovado National Park?
While you may have heard stories of crimes in Costa Rica, you cannot simply rebuke them all. The crime and mugging are common in remote areas.
It is advised to take caution at night when moving around alone. However, popular towns are safe places if you intend to move around alone.
Panama Digital Nomad Visa
- Visa Cost – $300
- Income Requirement – $3000 per month
- Visa granted – 9 months
- Possibility for extension – yes
- Eligibility criteria – Any citizen of a country who meets all the requirements.
The word that comes to your mind as you hear Panama is – tax-free!
Well, that is true for the case of digital nomads, too. In the nine months you are in Panama, you do not have to pay on the earnings you had from outside the country.
After living for nine months, you can apply for an extension of another nine months. Also, apply for tax residency, which exempts you from paying taxes in your home country.
Belize Digital Nomad Visa
- Visa Cost – $250
- Income Requirement – $6250 per month
- Visa granted – 6 months
- Possibility for extension – yes
- Eligibility criteria – Any citizen of a country who meets all the requirements.
Sharing borders with Mexico and Guatemala – Belize is heaven for tourists and digital nomads.
They have extended their welcome to nomads by giving them work permits and student permits for the children of nomads.
The country may appear it have Spanish roots, but English is the primary language spoken in the city. Many coworking spaces and making ease in all things digital is a top priority for the Belize government.
El Salvador Digital Nomad Visa
- Visa Cost – $2900
- Income Requirement – $1460 per month
- Visa granted – 2 years
- Possibility for extension – yes
- Eligibility criteria – Any citizen of a country who meets all the requirements.
You may have a double take on the visa fee. Well, I did not make a typing error, it merely is this high. The visa fee includes the fee paid to lawyers, translators, the government, and all the paperwork.
El Salvador is a 40% cheaper place to live in all of the United States. If you are a beach person, you will love El Salvador.
Besides beaches, there are tracks & trails, hiking spots like Santa Ana Volcano, and UNESCO’s heritage site of Mayan Ruins.
It is a perfect holiday spot, so you can expect several things to do on weekends and your time off.
After you pay the more than-usual visa fee, you get a year’s stay in the country. For renewal, you pay around $450 and get another two years stay in El Salvador.
I make it sound like a holiday spot, but it is a great place to be for digital nomads.
Middle East & Asia Digital Nomad Visas
As I tackle the countries of the Middle East and Asia, I will use the dollar as currency for ease. There is no prejudice here, just for the sake of keeping things simple.
I don’t want you to keep running to a currency converter, as there is no massive difference between the euro and dollar rates. Here is the list of countries with digital nomad visas in the region of Middle East and Asia.
Indonesia Digital Nomad Visa
- Visa Cost – $130 – $395
- Income Requirement – $2000 per month
- Visa granted – 6 months
- Possibility for extension – yes
- Eligibility criteria – check their website
Indonesia is working towards creating a better program to accommodate digital nomads with better opportunities.
Indonesia is one of the countries with digital nomad visas that exempt you from paying taxes. The first leg is for six months; oh, sorry, the visa name is B211a Visa, aka Digital Nomad Visa.
You can apply for an extension twice, six months each, but remember, tax exemption was for only 180 days. Also, Indonesia introduced an on-arrival visa, so check their official website to see if your country makes it to the list.
The Indonesia DNV is also known as the Bali digital nomad visa. Bali is naturally the preferred choice for digital nomads for better internet, coworking spaces, and places to visit.
Language can pose a problem, but locals are very warm and welcoming. You will find locals and guides who will help you interpret. Sticking to Bali would be best for digital nomads because of better internet and language barriers.
Thailand Digital Nomad Visa
- Visa Cost – $600
- Income Requirement – $2000 per month
- Visa granted – 60 days
- Possibility for extension – yes
- Eligibility criteria – check their website
One may think Bangkok, the capital city, would be the hub for digital nomads, but that’s untrue. Chiang Mai has more nomads in the city than any city in Thailand. It wouldn’t be wrong to say Chiang Mai is the Digital Nomad Capital of the world.
Chiang Mai also has a digital nomad village where nomads of the world live in one space. The initial visa is for two months, but you can extend it for another 30 days.
If you plan to live longer in the country, you can explore other visa options like Smart T (Talent), Smart I (Investor), Smart E (Executive), Smart S (Startup), and Smart O (Other).
Besides these categories, another category was introduced, a long-term visa, which enables you to stay in the country for five to ten years.
In major cities like Thailand, Chiang Mai, and Phuket, English is widely spoken; hence, you will not face any problems in communicating.
Dubai Digital Nomad Visa
- Visa Cost – $81 – $287
- Income Requirement – $5000 per month
- Visa granted – 60 days
- Possibility for extension – yes
- Eligibility criteria – complete the requirements; anyone can apply
Dubai, famously known for its tax-free zone, has been accommodating digital nomads in various capacities. Now, they have rolled out the Remote Working Visa Scheme.
The city has a thriving lifestyle for foreigners, and you would see an equal number of locals versus foreigners in the city.
The constant arrival of foreigners has made this into a happening city. Concerts, events, and exhibits are a constant thing. The Cultural Center (SMCCU), Expo City, and the science museum known as the Museum of the Future always have something happening in these spaces.
As a digital nomad, you are in the hub of possibilities, where there is no end to imagination. Dubai is emerging as one of the prime countries with digital nomad visas as a top choice for nomads, and start-ups.
There is only one downside to all the amazingness!
The weather gets unbearably hot, so you would need to plan the travel and commute to avoid the peak heat times – rest, all spaces are airconditioned, even the public transportation. Generally, people avoid going out during peak heat hours.
The language barrier is almost next to none; the signage everywhere is in English, and most locals understand English.
Malaysia Digital Nomad Visa
- Visa Cost – $225
- Income Requirement – $2000 per month
- Visa granted – 3 to 12 months
- Possibility for extension – yes
- Eligibility criteria – complete the requirements; anyone can apply
The official name for the visa is DE Rantau Nomad Pass. It enables foreign workers who specialize in the fields of digital marketing, creative content creation, software development, UX/UI, blockchain, cybersecurity, AI, data knowledge or machine learning.
The transportation system is comprehensive for travellers. Kuala Lumpur is best for foreigners, with multiple opportunities in tech and several coworking spaces.
Cafes, malls, and coffee houses are also great places for digital nomads to sit down and work for hours.
Language can be a barrier, but nothing like it would hamper your day-to-day objectives. The tax exemption is definitely the game changer if your income comes from a foreign employer.
If you lived in Europe or America, the cost of living would be more than 50% less. The laid-back lifestyle, travel opportunities, combined with tax exemption makes Malaysia stand out amongst countries with digital nomad visas.
Countries That Do Not Offer Digital Nomad Visa
- Ireland – offers a 3-month visit visa, which requires detailed documentation of proof of special circumstances, as the reason for extension.
Countries Working to Release Digital Nomad Visa in 2024
- Montenegro
- Canada
- North Macedonia
- Latvia
- Serbia
- Japan