Digital Nomad Visa Guide: 12 Amazing Countries That Offer Remote Work Visas

Becoming a digital nomad is a dream for so many travelers—and so is getting remote work visas to make it happen. Luckily, moving to a new country is becoming easier than ever because so many countries are now offering a digital nomad visa for remote workers and independent business owners.

Who doesn’t want to trade in a typical 9-5 office job for a tropical island, mountain view, or an adorable café? For travel lovers, it’s especially ideal to work remotely so you can have a flexible work schedule while also being able to travel to new places around the globe. This guide will help you.

If you are ready to pack up shop and relocate to a new country on a digital nomad visa, and you already reviewed this guide on what to expect as a digital nomad, here is your guide with the top countries you should consider.

Croatia

Croatia released its digital nomad visa in 2020, and it offers some pretty nice tax perks. You can apply for Croatia’s digital nomad visa online or at a local embassy in Croatia. Be sure to have all of these requirements in either English or Croatian.

Croatia Visa Requirements:

• Copy of your valid Passport
• Government-issued background check
• Marriage certificate if you’re married (must be legalized, translated and notarized)
• Proof of sufficient funds
• Proof of purpose / show your digital nomad work
• Proof of valid travel health insurance that will keep you covered throughout your stay in Croatia
• Croatian address
• Completed visa application

Average Cost of Living in Croatia:

The cost of living in Croatia is lower compared to other European countries. You should estimate around $1000-1200 per month for expenses. This number may range depending on the city; for example, living in a well-known city like Dubrovnik will cost you much more than Zadar.

Czech Republic

When applying for the digital nomad visa in the Czech Republic, be sure to submit your paperwork in Czech, not English. You might need to hire a professional translator to make sure everything is correct.

Also, you need to apply through a Czech embassy abroad because you can’t apply for it while in the Czech Republic. After sending in your documents, you will have to pass an immigration interview at your local embassy.

 Czech Republic Visa Requirements:

• Valid passport (must have 2 blank pages available)
• Completed visa application form
• 2 Passport photos
• Proof of accommodation for 1 year
• Proof of purpose
• Proof of travel insurance
• Proof of funds (minimum $5,700)
• Criminal records from originating country (showing at least 6 months)
• Pay visa application fee

Average Cost of Living in Czech Republic:

A rough monthly estimate of expenses for a digital nomad is around $2,000. While you can get by on about $10 a day for food and public transport, rent in pricier cities like Prague will demand most of your budget.

Germany

Germany is one of the easiest places in Europe to get a visa. It’s also one of the most ideal locations for traveling across Europe. Their digital nomad visa is known as “Freiberufler” or freelance visa.

Germany’s visas require a lot of paperwork and waiting, but luckily you can apply for this visa while you’re already living in Germany.

Germany Visa Requirements:

• Valid passport
• Professional CV/Resume
• One passport photo
• Completed application form
• Proof of German health insurance (must be German)
• Proof of apartment registration (Anmeldung)
• Proof of funds (showing that you earn minimum €10,300 yearly)
• Portfolio of your work
• Proof of demand-letters of intent to hire or at 3 active freelance client contracts
• Motivational letter
• Finance Plan
• Revenue forecast/profit and loss statement (showing at forecast with min. €18K profit)
• Apartment Rental agreement
• University diploma /proof of certifications
• 2 recommendation letters
• Application fee

Average Cost of Living in Germany:

Living in the bigger cities, like Munich, Berlin, or Hamburg, you should estimate at least $2,000 per month. Smaller cities are less expensive and could cost you around $1,000-1,500 per month.

Portugal

Portugal is a famous digital nomad destination because of its lower cost of living and fantastic climate. It’s also easy to get a visa here because you only have to prove that you’re making at least €635 per month.

The visa you will need to apply for as a digital nomad is called the D7 visa, and you will need to apply at an embassy in your home country.

Portugal Visa Requirements:

• Valid passport
• Completed application form
• Proof of health insurance (fully covered in Portugal)
• Criminal record from originating country
• Application for Criminal Record consultation (by Portugal Immigration and Borders Service)
• Proof of sufficient funds (amount must equal to at least the Portuguese minimum wage)
• Bank statement from the previous 6 months
• Proof of long-term accommodation
• Two passport photos

Average Cost of Living in Portugal:

The cost of living in Portugal is 47% lower than costs in the US. A single digital nomad could estimate around $1,500 in expenses, including rent.

Spain

Spain is another favorite destination for expats because of its weather and laid-back atmosphere. The visa you will need to apply for is called the autónomo, which is basically a freelance visa. You will apply for the visa in your home country at a local Spanish consulate, and your paperwork must be submitted in Spanish.

Spain Visa Requirements:

• Valid Passport
• Application Form
• Proof of education/certifications
• Proof of income
• Supporting work documents (i.e., client contracts, intents to hire, business plan and finance plan)
• Criminal record of the previous 5 years
• Medical certificate signed by your doctor
• EX-07 Form
• Application fee
• One passport photo

Average Cost of Living in Spain:

Living in Spain is also 43% cheaper than many cities in the USA. Depending on the city, you should estimate spending around $1,500-$2,000 per month for rent and other expenses.

Bermuda

Bermuda is another tropical paradise that recently added a digital nomad visa, or Work From Bermuda. This beautiful island is the place for you if you prefer luxury living and don’t mind paying more for living costs. Their digital nomad visa will allow you to stay in Bermuda for up to a year.

Bermuda Visa Requirements:

You must work remotely for companies located outside of Bermuda, or you own a location-independent business

• Fill out the online application
• Proof of your employment
• Proof of travel insurance
• Proof of income
• Application fee

Cost of Living in Bermuda:

The cost of living in Bermuda is probably the highest on this list and on average is 108% higher than the USA’s cost of living.

In mid-range areas, you could expect rent to be at least $1300 plus monthly expenses; while nicer areas will cost a minimum $2,000. All in all, you should expect to spend about $3,000 per month at a minimum.

Costa Rica

Costa Rica is perfect for digital nomads who want to test out life abroad or live in a tropical hideaway. In 2021, a new law was passed in Costa Rica making it attractive and more accessible for digital nomads to live and work abroad here for up to two years.

Costa Rica Visa Requirements:

• Valid Passport
• Proof of health insurance that will cover you throughout your stay
• Proof of sufficient funds (approximately $3,000 per month)
• Application fee

Cost of Living in Costa Rica:

Costa Rica is an amazing place to get a bang for your buck, with its cost of living significantly lower than in the USA. Rent costs are also 30% lower than in the USA. With rent and other living expenses, you could live comfortably in Costa Rica with around $1,500 a month.

Estonia

Estonia is a tech-savvy country known for its recent advances in innovation, so it’s a great place to live as a digital nomad.

As of August 1, 2020, if you work remotely, do not work for Estonian companies, and make at least $4,200 per month, you can easily apply for the Estonia digital nomad visa. Applying is simple, as you don’t have to find a local consulate.

Estonia Digital Nomad Visa Requirements:

• Proof of income (minimum €3,504 per month)
• Proof of active employment (non-Estonian client contracts)
• Fill out the online application form
• Pay the application fee

Cost of Living in Estonia:

Rent in Estonia is, on average, 62% lower than USA rent costs. You could estimate that rent and other daily expenses to be around $1,500 per month.

Georgia

After experiencing a significant drop in tourism after the pandemic, Georgia (the country) recently introduced their Remotely from Georgia digital nomad visa to bring in foreigners and boost their economy.

Georgia is beautiful and cheap, so it’d be a great place to try out life in a new country. The visa process is very straightforward, and it only takes ten days on average to receive your visa.

Georgia Visa Requirements:

• Proof of financial ability
• Proof of income (minimum $2,000 per month)
• Valid travel insurance
• Fill out the online application

 Cost of Living in Georgia:

The cost of living in Georgia is extremely inexpensive compared to other countries and is on average 62% cheaper than life in the USA. Including rent, you could estimate as little as $1,000 per month for all expenses, comfortably.

Mexico

Mexico is another location becoming more popular for digital nomads and has long been popular with American and Canadian expats.

With its fantastic weather and low cost of living, Mexico could be your next nomad home. To apply for the Mexican digital nomad visa, you must apply in your home country before moving.

Mexico Visa Requirements:

• Valid passport (and copies of the front and back pages)
• Application form
• Application fee
• Proof of monthly salary (at least $1,625)
• Proof of funds (must show at least $27,200 in a bank account)

Cost of Living in Mexico:

Food in Mexico is incredibly cheap, and will be your least expensive cost. Cost of rent in Mexico depends on your location and desired luxury level. You can expect to pay around $1,300 to rent a lush place with modern amenities, a balcony and 2-3 bedrooms, depending on the city.

Barbados

During the pandemic year many countries added remote work visa opportunities to allow tourists to stay for longer. The beautiful island of Barbados was one of those destinations: introducing the 12 Month Barbados Welcome Stamp.

The great thing besides working on an island with stunning beaches and amazing Bajan food is the fact that the rules are pretty straightforward and it’s easy to apply for the Barbados remote worker visa!

Barbados Visa Requirements:

• Passport sized photograph
• Bio data page of passport
• Proof of relationship of dependents (if applicable)
• Certify that you make $50,000 or more (it’s a check box on the application)
• Pay the non-refundable fee: Individual Fee of US $2,000/Family Bundle Fee US $3,000

Cost of living in Barbados:

Like many other islands and Caribbean destinations, your US dollar will not stretch as far in Barbados compared to say, Central America—but for remote workers making over $50,000 a year, it might still be a viable option! Cost of living here, including rent, is about $3,000 per month.

Dubai

Dubai recently launched its Virtual Working Program that allows digital nomads to obtain a remote worker visa so they can work by the desert and glorious beaches for up to a year. Costs of living are higher in Dubai, but it’s the perfect place for beach lovers and outdoor adventurers.

Dubai Visa Requirements:

• Valid Passport
• Proof of sufficient funds (minimum salary of $5,000 per month)
• Proof of UAE health insurance
• Pay stubs from previous 3 months
• Application fee

Cost of Living in Dubai:

Costs in Dubai aren’t the cheapest. Including rent and daily living expenses, you should plan to budget at the very least $2,500 per month.

Which Country Should You Get Your Digital Nomad Visa?

There are so many remote work visas for digital nomads who want to experience living somewhere else in the world. And now that remote work is becoming more accepted, I think we’ll see even more countries offering digital nomad visas in the near future, making it much easier to experience living abroad.

Now it is a matter of choosing the type of place you want to experience—here are some travel ideas to get started!

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