Europe countries that offer digital nomad visas in 2023
Ready to pack your bags and leave your office desk for good?
Imagine starting off your workday from a beach somewhere in Greece, enjoying hot weather with a mojito on your side. Or finishing with your 9 to 5 next to a fjord in Norway and enjoying stunning scenery every day.
Before 2020 pandemic this seemed a distant dream, but now is the reality for everyone. This new trend of digital nomadism or half-tourism has helped boost tourism and economy in a lot of countries, sometimes even completely re-shaping the way some countries welcome their visitors. In Thailand, for example, work-leisure spaces have become increasingly popular, designed to fully cater to the needs of digital nomads.
In year 2023 we’ve come to a point where 50+ countries worldwide offer digital nomad visas for people willing to work remote.
Unfortunately, once you decide to set on the journey of applying for a digital nomad visa, not everything is beaches, cocktails and amazing views. Sometimes it takes months to deal with the bureaucracy and visa issues.
Remote Santa will help you start your research - we’ve gathered a list of most attractive countries in Europe to move to and work remote in 2023. Some of them are offering remote visa programmes for a couple of years now, but some will soon start accepting applications(and have limited number of slots!).
Portugal - for Lisboa and sunny coastline
Portugal recently launched their digital nomad visas as well - Temporary Stay visa for remote workers or D2 visa for entrepreneurs.
Requirements:
- income requirements: at least 2,800 EUR per month
- proof of independent travel and medical insurance
- criminal background check
Greece - for food and ancient history
Digital nomad visa for Greece is valid for up to 1 year with a possibility to extend.
Requirements:
- you must work remotely for companies located outside of Greece
- income requirements: at least 3,500 EUR per month
- if you’re self-employed, you need to provide additional documents: confirmation of your business activity, corporate purpose and business address (outside of Greece)
Submit your application here.
Estonia - for forests and saunas
Did you know that Estonia is emerging as a world hub for digital entrepreneurship? Also, it was one of the first countries to offer remote visas, back in 2020. They offer two types of visas now, one lasting for 3 months, another for 1 full year.
Requirements:
- you have to work remotely for a company outside of Estonia
- you have to prove that you’ve been earning at least 4,500 EUR gross per month in the past 6 months
Fill in the application form and book an appointment in the nearest embassy or consulate.
Cyprus - for oldest wine label and nightlife
Cyprus remote work visa launched in 2021 and allows only 500 visas per year. The visa lasts for 1 year and can be exceeded for 2 years in total.
Requirements:
- you have to work for an employer outside of Cyprus
- income at least 3,500 EUR per month
- you can bring your family in, but they are not allowed to work in Cyprus
Norway - for fjords and polar bears
Norway, famous for its fjord-indented coastline, lakes and woods, opened the doors for remote workers with their independent contractor visa. It allows non-EU/EEA workers to live in Norway for up to 2 years. It’s an expensive country to live in, so you’ll need more money than for other countries.
Requirements:
- income requirements: at least 35,719 EUR per year
- contract with a Norwegian client agreeing to pay you minimum salary
Gather the documentation and bring it to the nearest Norwegian embassy or consulate.
Iceland - for fire and ice
Ready for Iceland’s stunning landscape, extreme climate and volcanoes? Maybe it’s not your typical tropical dream come true, but it’s quickly becoming the startup hub of Europe and the hotspot for innovative companies and creative minds.
You can apply for 6-month-visa if you meet following requirements:
- if you have remote job or business outside of Iceland
- income requirements: 6,993 EUR per month
- criminal record certificate
- health and travel insurance
Submit your application here.
Malta - for pristine sea water and beaches
You can work remote from this Mediterranean island for up to 1 year with a possibility to extend.
Requirements:
- if you have remote job or business outside of Malta
- income requirement: at least 2,700 EUR per month
- annual health or travel insurance
- criminal record certificate
You can submit your application here.
Croatia - for islands and sailing
We waited a long time for Croatia to officially launch their digital nomad visas, and they’re finally here! It’s in fact a ‘residence permit’ and doesn’t apply to remote workers from EU/EEA region.
Requirements:
- IT or digital communications related work or business outside of Croatia
- income requirement: at least 2,232 EUR per month, additionally if you apply for 12 months you have to have bank fund of at least 26,790 EUR
- criminal record certificate
- proof of accommodation
Apply via this application form.
Hungary - for hot springs and Goulash
Hungary offers remote workers their new White Card which is valid for one year, but can be extended to a maximum of two years.
Requirements:
- you must be employed outside of Hungary
- Income: at least 2,111 EUR per month
- Health insurance
- Proof of accommodation
Submit your application here.
Stick around, there is more to come!
Spain - for La Fiesta and La Siesta
Spain has adopted the draft Startup Law in 2022 and is expected to release their digital nomad visa soon. Nos vemos pronto!
Requirements:
- you must have been working remotely for at least one year
- income requirements: at least 2,215 USD per month
- you can live in Spain for up to a year, with the possibility to extend
- you must have not been a Spanish resident for the past 5 years
Fill out the application form.
Italy - for espresso and art
Italy’s digital nomad visa is still in the making and not all of the details are known, but if your dream is to work in a country full of history, vibrant culture and delicious food, keep it on your radar! The visa was approved in 2022, but it has yet to be officially launched. Speriamo presto!
Requirements:
- Health insurance
- Proof of accomodation
- Criminal record certificate
- Income requirements: soon to be known
Montenegro - for beach resorts and mountains
Montenegro authorities have announced that they plan to launch digital nomad visas soon.
Please note that requirements and links in this text were valid at the time of writing. Always check the official embassy websites for most up-to-date information.