Working remotely from Europe can be attractive, but choosing a digital nomad visa in Europe doesn’t just boil down to picking the country with the lowest remote income requirement or that allows you to stay the longest.
Supported by Article 79(2) and Article 79(5) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), which became active on 1 December 2009, each European country that offers residency to digital nomads has its own immigration rules. This includes conditions that vary based on your employment structure, income, family situation, and long-term plans.
In this guide, Global Citizen Solutions looks at European digital nomad visas from a practical relocation perspective. We explain what to compare, which documents and eligibility requirements to consider, and how factors such as how long the permit lasts, which family members can join you, and the existence of tax obligations can affect your decision.
No single European country is universally the “best” for digital nomads, so the goal is to help you narrow down the options that make the most sense for your circumstances and goal for working remotely in Europe.
Europe Digital Nomad Visa: Key Details
What a European Digital Nomad Visa Is
A European digital nomad visa is a national residence route that allows eligible remote workers to live in a European country while continuing to work remotely, usually for an employer or clients based outside the country. There isn’t one digital nomad visa that applies across Europe. Whether inside or outside the EU, each country sets its own rules and procedures.
The main differences between these routes can include who is eligible, what evidence of employment or self-employment is required, how long the permit lasts, whether family members can join, how the applicant’s tax position is treated, and the rules for renewal.
These rules can also change over time, so applicants should check the current requirements with the relevant national authority. For remote workers comparing European options, which one to go for will depend on their circumstances rather than how they’re ranked.
How This Comparison Was Selected
Digital nomad visa rules vary from one European country to another, so you can’t compare them on a single factor alone. This guide covers practical considerations that can affect a remote worker’s decision.
Instead of naming one country as the best option, this guide looks at which route may be more suitable for you than another. Immigration rules can change, so verify the current requirements first.
Employment and income evidence
Depending on the country, applicants may need to show employment with a company abroad, self-employment contracts with overseas clients, or other evidence of remote income.
Income requirements and the documents used to prove them can also differ between countries. Applicants may be asked for employment contracts, client agreements, payslips, bank statements, or tax returns.
Duration, renewal, and family inclusion
How long you can stay and whether you can extend your residence are also important in the comparison. A permit for a short-term stay may not suit someone planning to stay for several years or obtain permanent residency in Europe.
Who you can bring with you should also be checked separately. Some countries allow a spouse, partner, or dependent children to join the main applicant, but conditions and required documents vary.
European Digital Nomad Visa Countries
Several European countries offer digital nomad visas to qualifying foreign nationals who plan to work remotely in Europe. These include some of the overall best countries for digital nomads, such as Portugal, Croatia, Czechia, Germany, Hungary, Greece, Malta, Romania, Spain, and France.
Spain
Spain ranked first in Global Citizen Solutions’ 2025 Global Digital Nomad Report. Eligible non-EU nationals can apply for Spain’s digital nomad visa to live in Spain while working remotely.
Employees must work for companies outside Spain, while self-employed applicants can have Spanish clients, provided that work for Spanish companies does not exceed 20% of their professional activity. Applicants also need to meet the relevant qualification or professional-experience requirements.
For 2026, the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs set the minimum income amount at €2,850 per month, which works out to 200% of Spain’s gross monthly minimum wage. Additional income is required when including eligible family members, and those who can apply are the applicant’s spouse or de facto partner, minor children, financially dependent unmarried adult children without children, and dependent parents.
Applicants must also show an existing employment or professional relationship with a foreign company or client for at least three months before applying, along with evidence that the arrangement can continue remotely.
A Spain Digital Nomad Visa can be issued for up to one year. Those who qualify can then apply for a residence authorization valid for up to three years, with the possibility of renewing it for two additional-year periods if they continue to meet the requirements.
Portugal
Ranking number 6 as part of the 2025 Global Digital Nomad Report, the Portugal Digital Nomad Visa (D8 Visa Portugal) was introduced as a way for non-EU and non-EEA remote workers to relocate and work remotely in Portugal.
Under Law No. 18/2022 of 25 August 2022, digital nomads can apply for the visa if they meet the monthly income requirement of at least four times the national minimum wage, which is €920 for 2026, for a minimum income of €3,690 (around $3,582) per month. There is also a minimum bank balance requirement of €11,040.
Digital nomads can apply for a temporary resident visa valid for up to one year, or a residency permit renewable for up to five years. To apply for the D8 Visa, applicants must provide proof of income from the past three months, tax residency documents, and either an employment contract or proof of self-employment.
Eligible dependents can also join their digital nomad family member working in Portugal under the country’s family reunification law. These include a spouse or de facto partner, minor or dependent children, financially dependent parents, and, under specific circumstances, minor siblings. Applicants must also demonstrate sufficient means to support each family member.
Czechia
Czechia’s (Czech Republic) government Digital Nomad Program is more restricted than most other programs, as it’s designed for certain remote workers in IT and marketing.
The program is available to eligible citizens of countries including the UK, US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. In 2025, the Czechia Ministry of Industry and Trade included Brazil, Israel, Mexico, and Singapore in its list of eligible nationalities. It covers employees of foreign companies who work remotely from Czechia and freelancers who hold or are applying for a Czech trade license.
Applicants must meet the program’s professional and financial requirements, as well as be employed by an eligible company. The rules restrict eligible individuals to hose working in professions relating to IT or marketing work, relevant education or professional experience, as well as who earn sufficient income. Employees must remain employed by a foreign company, while freelancers operate under Czech self-employment rules.
The initial visa is valid for 12 months and can be renewed twice, allowing a total stay of three years. The program also lets eligible immediate family members apply for residence alongside the digital nomad, including a spouse or recognized de facto partner, children under 18, and dependent children under 26. The country ranked 5th out of 64 countries in the 2025 Global Digital Nomad Report.
Estonia
Estonia’s Digital Nomad Visa allows eligible remote workers to stay in the country while continuing to work for an employer or business based outside Estonia. Under the Aliens Act, a “location-independent employee” can be someone employed by a foreign company, someone running a business through a foreign company in which they hold an interest, or someone providing services mainly to customers based abroad.
Applicants must show they have sufficient finances and meet the requirements for digital work under Estonia’s immigration rules.
For 2026, the Republic of Estonia e-Residency platform lists the income requirement at €4,500 per month after taxes, but . Applicants must also prove that their work can be done remotely.
The visa can be issued as either a short-stay or long-stay visa. A long-stay D visa can offer an EU residence permit valid for up to 365 days within 12 months. Family members can also accompany the main applicant; legislation allows a spouse, registered partner, minor child, or adult child who cannot live independently because of a health condition or disability to apply under the same conditions.
The country ranked 32nd out of 64 countries in the 2025 Global Digital Nomad Report, but 6th in the report’s Quality of Life category.
Hungary
Hungary’s White Card is a residence permit issued by the National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing to eligible third-country nationals (non-EU/EEA and non-Swiss) who work remotely from Hungary for an employer or business abroad. Applicants must either have a verified employment relationship abroad or own a share in a foreign company with proven profits, with their work carried out digitally.
Applicants must earn a monthly net income of at least €3,000 in the six months before traveling to Hungary, and must continue to earn it throughout their stay.
They can prove their earnings with bank statements or a certificate of regular income from an employer or tax authority. Applicants must also provide proof of accommodation and appropriate health coverage.
The White Card differs from many other European digital-nomad routes because family members generally cannot obtain residence permits through the White Card holder for family reunification. The Hungarian immigration authority lists one limited exception: A child born to the White Card holder in Hungary during the permit’s validity.
Hungary ranked 16th overall in the 2025 Global Digital Nomad Report, with its ranking increasing to 13th in the Tech and Innovation Index.
Greece
The Greece Digital Nomad Visa targets non-EU remote workers who want to base themselves in the country without taking up local employment. It suits employees working for overseas companies, as well as freelancers and self-employed professionals who work remotely for non-Greek clients or businesses.
According to the Greek Ministry of Migration and Asylum, applicants must show they can continue their remote work while in Greece and that their income meets the minimum amount. The income threshold is €3,500 per month for the main applicant, and it increases when qualifying family members are included.
Evidence of employment or self-employment must also be provided, along with proof of accommodation, health insurance, and other documents required for the visa application.
Law 5275/2026 introduced a mandatory consular application, requiring digital nomads to apply for a Type D Visa at a Greek consulate in their home country before traveling to Greece. The national Type D Visa allows the holder to live in Greece for the permitted period. Those who want to stay longer can apply for the relevant digital nomad residence permit.
Article 68 of the Greek Migration Code allows the main applicant to apply for residency for their spouse or civil partner and unmarried or adopted children under 18. Greece ranked 12th overall in the 2025 Global Digital Nomad Report. In the same report, it ranked 1st for Citizenship and Mobility. Its digital nomad visa provides a clear path to renewal and can possibly lead to Greek citizenship through naturalization.
Italy
Italy’s digital nomad visa is aimed at non-EU nationals who already have an established career and can work remotely from Italy. The visa covers both self-employed professionals and employees, but Article 27(1-sexies) states that applicants need to qualify as highly skilled workers. This makes the visa more selective than some European options that are open to a wider range of remote workers.
Applicants are required to show professional qualifications or experience in their field, along with sufficient income, health insurance of at least €30,000, and accommodation in Italy. They also need at least six months of experience in the type of work they plan to continue while living there.
Employees must provide evidence of their employment relationship, while self-employed applicants need to demonstrate their professional activity. The baseline decree under the Consolidated Immigration Act and Decree-Law No. 4/2022 has no fixed income requirement for the Italian Digital Nomad Visa. The minimum annual income requirement depends on the consulate, which ranges from about €25,000 to €28,000 based on updated income requirements, which cannot come from passive income.
The visa can be issued for up to one year. Anyone wishing to stay in Italy longer must obtain the relevant Italy residence permit and continue meeting the route’s conditions.
For remote workers choosing between European destinations, Italy may make more sense for someone with an established professional background who wants to combine remote work with a longer stay in the country. Eligible family members include a spouse and children under 18, whom the permit holder would need to sponsor while in Italy. Italy ranked 25th overall in the 2025 Global Digital Nomad Report, rising to 4th in the Citizenship and Mobility Index.
Slovenia
Slovenia made the digital nomad visa news in Europe when it introduced its own temporary residence program for remote workers under Article 51.a, added to the Aliens Act through an amendment to ZTuj-2I in November 2025. Non-EU/EEA nationals who work remotely for a business based outside Slovenia or are self-employed abroad can apply.
Digital technology must be used to carry out the work remotely, and no work can be done within Slovenia’s local labor market. The financial requirement is linked to Slovenia’s average salary rather than a fixed euro amount.
Applicants need monthly funds equal to at least twice Slovenia’s average monthly net salary, based on the latest figure published in the Official Gazette, which means a current minimum monthly income requirement of €3,390.68. They must also have appropriate health insurance.
The permit can be granted for up to one year and cannot be extended. A digital nomad can apply for the same permit again six months after the previous permit expires. Someone who wants to stay in Slovenia on a longer-term basis can apply for another type of residence permit if they meet the requirements for that route.
One of Slovenia’s more notable features is its family inclusion. Digital nomads can apply for immediate family reunification, without having to wait for a particular period of residence or for a minimum period to remain on their own permit. Eligible family members include a spouse or partner and dependent children. Because the program is new, it was not included in the 2025 Global Digital Nomad Report.
Croatia
According to the Croatian Ministry of Interior, the Croatia Digital Nomad Visa lets foreign workers relocate to the country for 12 to 18 months, depending on whether they meet the requirements.
Digital nomads who want to stay longer must submit a new application six months after their previously granted permit expires. In other words, they must leave the country before re-entering and residing there again.
To qualify for Croatia’s digital nomad visa, foreign remote workers must prove they earn at least €3,622.50 per month or have savings of at least €43,470. Those planning to reside in Croatia for up to 18 months must have at least €65,205 available in their bank account. The primary applicant can include their spouse or recognized de facto partner and children under 18.
Croatia ranked 28th overall in the 2025 Global Digital Nomad Report, but 9th in the report’s Quality of Life Index.
Romania
Under Romanian immigration law (Law no. 22/2022), remote workers are allowed to live in the country without moving their employment or business activity there. This digital nomad option is aimed at people who work for or run overseas businesses and can carry out their work entirely online.
The income test is one of the more important points to check. Like several other European countries, Romania bases the income requirement on three times the country’s average gross monthly salary. Based on the National Institute of Statistics for March 2026, the minimum income requirement works out to €5,556 per month.
Applicants must show earnings of at least three times that figure, both in the six months before applying and while holding the visa. Applicants must also provide proof of accommodation, health insurance with at least €30,000 coverage, and a clean criminal record.
Similar to Greece, the process requires applying for a long-stay visa (Type D) first. This can be done through a Romanian diplomatic mission, as well as the official eVisa portal, followed by registering for a temporary permit with the General Inspectorate for Immigration (IGI) after arrival.
Family members are not simply added to the digital nomad application. If a remote worker plans to move with a partner or children, Romania’s separate family-reunification rules apply, along with their own financial and accommodation requirements.
For those comparing European options, Romania is worth considering if keeping an overseas job or business while living in the country is the main priority. The country ranked 12th alongside Greece in the 2025 Global Digital Nomad Report, with a top ten ranking for Tech and Innovation.
Cyprus
Cyprus has a dedicated Digital Nomad Visa for non-EU and non-EEA nationals who can work remotely. The route is available to employees of companies registered abroad as well as self-employed people.
The Cyprus Migration Department requires applicants to show a stable net monthly income of at least €3,500, after taxes and contributions. The scheme under the Aliens and Immigration Law (Cap. 105) is designed for people whose work remains outside the Cypriot market.
Employees must show they work remotely for an overseas company, while self-employed applicants must provide contracts for projects or services with clients abroad.
Applicants can apply for the residence permit with the Civil Registry and Migration Department in Nicosia after arrival, and the first temporary residence permit is valid for one year. It can be renewed for a further period of up to two years. Cyprus also allows eligible family members to live with the main applicant for the same period, although they are not permitted to work or carry out economic activity in Cyprus under the digital nomad scheme.
For families, the financial requirement increases by 20% for a spouse or civil-union partner and by 15% for each child. This makes the income calculation especially relevant for applicants moving with family. Cyprus ranked 46th overall in the 2025 Global Digital Nomad Report, but ranked much better for Quality of Life, at 17th.
Latvia
Latvia offers a long-term visa for remote work to third-country nationals who are employed by, or self-employed in, a company registered in an OECD member country. Like other digital nomad visas listed, it is intended for people who can carry out their work remotely and continue their digital activity while staying in Latvia.
Applicants must meet a minimum income requirement linked to Latvia’s average gross monthly salary for the previous year: 2.5 times that salary, which sets a current income requirement of €4,538 per month.
Applicants also need to provide evidence of employment or self-employed status, with employees needing at least six-months prior employment, as well as a health insurance policy with at least €42,600 coverage. The visa is generally valid for one year, and permit holders can apply for an additional year of residency if they meet the requirements. However, it is not for those looking to live in the country long-term or apply for pursue EU citizenship.
Latvia can be worth considering for remote workers whose employment or business is already established in an eligible OECD country and who want a temporary base in the Baltics. However, Latvia immigration law does not allow eligible digital nomads to include limited family members. In the 2025 Global Digital Nomad Report, Latvia came 21st overall out of 64 countries and ranked 4th for Citizenship and Mobility.
Malta
Malta’s Nomad Residence Permit is designed for people who can work from anywhere, but whose employment or business interests remain outside Malta. It is open to non-EU/EEA and non-Swiss nationals who work for a foreign employer, run a business registered abroad, or provide freelance or consulting services to foreign clients.
The current minimum income enforced by the Residency Agency Malta is €3,500 gross per month or €42,000 gross per year. Applicants also need to show a guaranteed source of income for at least five months from the date of application, along with suitable accommodation and health insurance.
The initial permit is valid for one year and can be renewed up to three times, allowing a maximum stay of four years. To renew, applicants must show they have spent at least five cumulative months in Malta in the previous 12 months. A stay beyond four years would require applying for and meeting the requirements of an alternative option, such as the Malta Permanent Residence Programme.
Malta also allows a spouse, minor children, and certain unmarried dependent adult children to apply with the main applicant. Adult children who cannot live independently because of a medical condition or disability can also qualify. Malta ranked 10th overall in the 2025 Global Digital Nomad Report.
Tax and Social Security Check
A digital nomad visa doesn’t automatically remove tax obligations. Immigration approval and tax residence are separate concerns, so check both before deciding where to live while working remotely.
How long you stay is one of the first things to consider. Spending enough time in a country can make you tax resident there under its domestic rules, while tax treaties can determine how your income is taxed by two different countries. Your means of earning income also matters. An employee working remotely for a foreign company may face different obligations from a freelancer invoicing overseas clients.
Social security needs a separate check. Within the EU and certain other participating European countries, coordination rules determine which country’s system applies, and workers generally cannot simply choose which system to pay into.
In many cases, the country where the work is physically carried out matters, although specific rules apply to temporary postings and cross-border telework.
There is also a Framework Agreement on cross-border telework that allows eligible employees to remain covered by the social security system of their employer’s country when they work remotely from another participating country for less than 50% of their working time, subject to the relevant conditions and an application for an exception.
Not every European country participates, so check this rather than assume it. Before applying for a digital nomad visa, check:
- Tax residence: When would you become tax resident in the destination country?
- Income tax: Would your foreign salary, freelance income, or business profits be taxable there?
- Social security: Which country’s system covers you, and where would you pay contributions?
- Employer obligations: Could your employer have payroll, registration, or other obligations because you are working from another country?
- Tax treaties: Does your home country have a tax treaty with the destination, and how does it treat your particular income?
- Length of stay: Could extending your visa or residence permit change your tax or social-security position?
These questions matter most if you plan to stay beyond the visa’s initial validity. A digital nomad visa lets you live and work remotely in a country, but it does not, by itself, remove tax or social-security obligations.
European Digital Nomad Visa Comparison
| Country | Route | Income Requirement | Validity | 2025 Global Digital Nomad Report Ranking | Key Point |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spain | Digital Nomad Visa / residence authorisation | 200% of gross monthly wage | Up to 1 year; residence authorisation up to 3 years | Yes | Employees must work for foreign companies; freelancers can have up to 20% Spanish activity. One Stop Government |
| Portugal | D8 Digital Nomad Visa / residence permit | 4× gross minimum wage + €11,040 bank balance | Up to 1 year; renewable for up to 5 years | Yes | Available to remote employees and independent professionals working for people or companies outside Portugal. Governo de Portugal |
| Czechia | Digital Nomad Program | Formula-based financial requirement | 12 months; renewable for up to 3 years | Yes | More selective: aimed at qualifying IT and marketing professionals from eligible nationalities. Ministry of Industry and Trade |
| Estonia | Digital Nomad Visa | €4,500 monthly | Up to 365 days; renewable after expiry with a limit of 548 days within any 730-day period | Yes | One of the clearest dedicated remote-work visa frameworks; applicants must meet the location-independent work requirements. Eesti Välisministeerium |
| Hungary | White Card | €3,000 net monthly | 1 year initially, with the option to renew for an additional year | No | Designed for remote work for an overseas employer or business; local employment is not permitted. National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing |
| Greece | Digital Nomad Visa | €3,500 monthly | Visa up to 1 year; residence permit available for longer stays | Yes | Suitable for employees, freelancers and self-employed remote workers serving overseas employers/clients. Greek Ministry of Migration and Asylum |
| Italy | Digital Nomad / Remote Worker Visa | €25,000 to €28,000 annually ( depending on location) | Up to 1 year; renewable annually | Yes | More selective because applicants need to qualify as highly skilled remote workers. |
| Slovenia | Digital Nomad Temporary Residence Permit | 2× average monthly net salary | Up to 1 year; not extendable | Yes | Introduced in November 2025; immediate family reunification is possible. Portal GOV.SI |
| Croatia | Digital Nomad Temporary Stay | €3,622.50 per month or savins of at least €43,470 (€65,205 for 18 months residency) | Up to 18 months; renewable after 6 months of expiration | Yes | One of the longer dedicated digital nomad stays; permit cannot normally be extended beyond the applicable period. mup.gov.hr |
| Cyprus | Digital Nomad Visa | €3,500 net monthly | 1 year + renewal up to 2 years | Yes | Work must remain outside Cyprus; accompanying family members cannot work under the scheme. Migration Department in Nicosia |
| Romania | Digital Nomad Visa | 3× average gross monthly salary | Long-stay visa (12 months) followed by residence | Through separate family rules | Income threshold is linked to Romania’s average gross salary rather than a fixed euro figure. General Inspectorate for Immigration |
| Latvia | Long-Stay Visa for Remote Work | Formula-based | 1 year; renewable for one additional year, followed by renewal after 6 months of expiration | Limited | Available to employees of, or self-employed people registered in, an OECD country. PMLP |
| Malta | Nomad Residence Permit | €3,500 gross per month or €42,000 gross per year | 1 year, renewable up to 4 years | Yes | Applicants must continue working for foreign employers, businesses or clients rather than the Maltese market. Residency Malta Agency |
How to Shortlist Countries by Applicant Fit
The right digital nomad visa depends on your circumstances, not simply the country with the lowest income threshold or longest permit.
- Start with your work arrangement.
- Check whether the route accepts employees, freelancers, or business owners, and whether your employer or clients must be based abroad.
- Compare the income requirement, including whether it is based on gross or net income and what evidence you need to provide.
- If you are moving with family, check dependant rules and work rights before applying.
- For a longer stay, check the initial permit length, renewal options, and possible routes to longer-term residence.
- Consider tax residence, social security, healthcare, and living costs alongside the visa requirements.
These can all affect the practicality of a move as much as the visa itself. The best shortlist therefore matches your work situation, income, family plans, and intended length of stay.
How Can Global Citizen Solutions Help You?
Global Citizen Solutions is an advisory investment migration consultancy firm focused on finding the right residency or citizenship by investment program for individuals wishing to secure their future and become global citizens. With offices in Portugal, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, and Brazil, our multilingual team guides individuals and families from start to finish, providing expert advice considering freedom, mobility, taxation, and security.
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