10 countries that offer digital nomad-friendly visas

December 12, 2024 5:09 PM

Colorful half-timbered houses in Germany; the sun seems to be setting.

Do you truly want to work from anywhere? It may be time to look into a digital nomad visa.

While remote work has made it possible to do your job from the comfort of your home, it has also made it possible to take your work abroad, whether you go beachside in Mexico or to the Alps of southern Germany. However, if remote workers are looking for a long-term stay, they will need extended work visas — and luckily, that doesn't mean they will need to look for a local employer in the country they're visiting.

Digital nomad visas allow individuals to live and work remotely in a country outside their permanent residence for months, if not years. The visas typically require workers to be employed by a foreign employer or have a business that mainly operates abroad.

"Countries offer digital nomad visas because they're looking to attract location-independent workers who are moving there with a solid income and not displacing anyone already in the workforce," says Keith Spencer, career expert at Flexjobs. "They're coming there employed and have money to invest in the local economy."

Spencer advises workers to first check that their current remote policy allows them to work outside the country, and then pinpoint where they would want to travel. Workers should consider how the time zone difference may impact their work, what preparations they would need to make to be away from home and what eligibility requirements they would need to meet to secure a visa of their choice.

To make it a little easier, Flexjobs put together a list of ten countries with digital nomad-friendly visas.

Argentina

Argentina has a six-month temporary resident visa that you can extend once — you just need to prove your relationship with your current employer.

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Australia

Australia has working holiday visas for anyone between the ages of 18 and 30. The visa allows you to stay for up to 12 months, and you can apply for another working holiday visa if you meet certain criteria.

Costa Rica

Costa Rica offers a renewable digital nomad visa that lasts an entire year. Eligibility includes proof of stable monthly income, meaning you have to earn at least $3,000 a month for an individual and $4,000 a month if you have dependents.

Czech Republic

The Czech freelance visa permits non-EU citizens to live and work in the Czech Republic for six months to a year. To qualify, you must be a freelancer, meaning you have clients and perform services on their behalf. Anyone interested will need a trade license to work in the country and at least $5,644 in their bank account.

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Germany

Germany has a freelance and self-employment visa that allows you to reside in the country for up to three years. Once again, you will have to prove income stability, with the freelance visa requiring that candidates have $12,126 in their bank account. You also need to be in one of the following professions: creative, advisory, medical, teaching or technical.

Greece

Greece's new digital nomad visa allows workers to stay in the country for up to a year. You will need to make a minimum of around $3,680 a month as an individual, $4,414 if you bring a spouse and $5,075 if you bring a spouse and any dependents.

Hungary

The Hungarian Digital Nomad Visa and White Card Residency Permit offers a residency permit to individuals who can prove they are employed by a foreign company or perform freelance work for clients based abroad. You must have a monthly income of at least $3,150.

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India

India does not have a specific digital nomad or freelance visa, but their extended e-visa can allow workers to stay for as long as 180 days.

Malta

If you can prove that you have health insurance, work for a foreign employer and earn at least $44,118 a year, then you may be able to secure Malta's digital residency visa. This visa is valid for 12 months.

Mexico

Mexico's temporary residency card allows digital nomads to work within the country from 180 days to four years. You will need proof of your current employment (like a letter from your employer or employment contract) as well as $2,600 in monthly income.