20 Countries With Digital Nomad Visas You Should Know About

For many digital nomads from America, keeping up with different countries’ visa requirements can be a struggle. A simple tourist visa is often insufficient for the needs of the digital nomad life in a foreign country. Other options may not be much better.

Fortunately, many countries now provide visa programs designed specifically for digital nomads. 

Our team at Greenback Expat Tax Services includes many tax professionals who are digital nomads, giving us unique insights into the nomadic lifestyle. With firsthand experience and a deep understanding of expat tax issues, we are equipped to provide you with accurate and relevant advice.

In this guide, we will look at the top countries with digital nomad visas.

What Is a Digital Nomad Visa?

Digital nomad visas are travel visas that allow digital nomads to live in a certain country. Typically, this type of visa allows you to remain in the country longer than a standard tourist visa, which only allows a short stay. They also allow you to work remotely in that country as long as you do not enter that country’s local labor market. This limits the possibility of taking jobs from local workers.

These visas are sometimes reserved for freelancers, remote workers, and entrepreneurs.

To apply for a digital nomad visa, you typically have to pay an application fee and provide proof of income. Once you are approved, you will be allowed to remain in the country until the visa expires. The most common length of stay is 12 months.

So, which countries offer digital nomad visas for Americans living abroad? Here are our top picks, each with the most important info you’ll need for the application process. 

Top 20 Countries with Digital Nomad Visas

Some of these options are sure to strike your fancy. They’re all great places to live and work. Here are the basics you need to know to help you decide on the perfect work destination:

1. Estonia

Estonia has become a well-known destination for digital nomads. This is partially due to the Estonian Digital Nomad Visa, which makes it easy for foreigners to work remotely in this northern European nation.

Estonia’s Digital Nomad Visa at a Glance:

• The application fee is 80–100 euros (about $85-$105 USD).
• You must earn at least 3,504 euros per month (about $3,700 USD).
• This visa allows you to stay in the country for one year.

2. Croatia

Croatia’s beautiful scenery and laid-back atmosphere have made it a popular home for digital nomads. Croatia’s Digital Nomad Temporary Residence Visa doesn’t hurt, either.

Croatia’s Digital Nomad Temporary Residence Visa at a Glance:

• The application fee is 420 Croatian kunas (about $58 USD).
• You must earn at least 16,907 Croatian kunas per month (about $2,658 USD).
• This visa allows you to stay in the country for one year.

3. Iceland

Iceland is yet another country to try to attract digital nomads with its Long-Term Visa program. And with this island nation’s breathtaking landscapes and vibrant culture, plenty of digital nomads will be happy to answer the call.

Iceland’s Long-Term Visa at a Glance:

• The application fee is about $94 USD.
• You must earn at least 1,000,000 Icelander kroner per month (about $7,550 USD).
• This visa allows you to stay in the country for 180 days.
• To apply, you must not have been issued an Icelandic Long-Term Visa within the previous 12 months.

4. Germany

Germany’s digital nomad visa (or residence permit for self-employment — also known as the “Freiberufler” visa) can be a bit trickier to get than most. Here’s what you need to know to get a digital nomad visa in this Central European country:

Germany’s Residence Permit for Self-Employment at a Glance:

• The application fee is 75 euros (about $80 USD).
• The minimum income requirement is roughly $9,600 per year.
• You must prove that you earn your income through self-employment.
• You must submit examples of your work. 
• You must submit an application in person at a German embassy or consulate.
• This freelance visa is only an entry permit that’s good for three months. Once in Germany, you’ll have to get a residence permit that can be extended to three years.

5. Norway

Norway’s Independent Contractor Visa lets digital nomads make their home in the beautiful European north. While Norway is one of the most expensive countries to live in, many digital nomads consider it worth the cost.

Norway’s Independent Contractor Visa at a Glance:

• The application fee is about $633 USD.
• You must make at least 35,719 euros per year (about $37,723 USD).
• This visa allows you to stay in the country for two years, but it can be extended indefinitely.
• Once you’ve legally lived there for three years, you can apply for permanent residency in Norway. 

6. Costa Rica

Costa Rica has long been a favored destination for expats and digital nomads. It boasts stunning natural beauty and a low cost of living. Costa Rica’s digital nomad visa is known as a Rentista.

Costa Rica’s Rentista Visa at a Glance:

• There is a $100 USD application fee.
• Individual applicants’ income must be at least $3,000 USD per month (which equates to $36,000 per year).
• Applicants bringing family members or dependents must earn at least $4,000 USD per month (which equates to $48,000 per year).
• The initial visa allows you to stay in Costa Rica for one year. After the first year, you have the option to renew the visa for an additional year.

7. The Bahamas

The Bahamas’ tropical climate and year-round sun make it an ideal spot for anyone to call home. And with its Bahamas Extended Access Travel Stay (BEATS) program, it’s a great choice for digital nomads, too. The low application fee and lack of income requirement also mean this could be the easiest digital nomad visa on our list!

BEATS at a Glance:

• The application fee is $25 USD.
• There is no minimum annual income requirement.
• If approved, you must pay an additional $1,000 USD for a work permit.
• This visa allows you to stay in the country for one year.

8. Barbados

The beautiful Caribbean island of Barbados was one of the first countries to adopt a digital nomad visa program: the Barbados Welcome Stamp.

Barbados Welcome Stamp at a Glance:

• The application fee is $2,000 USD.
• You must prove that you will earn at least $50,000 during your stay.
• This visa allows you to stay in the country for one year.
• You can renew the visa once it expires.

9. Bermuda

Bermuda’s Work from Bermuda Certificate is designed to help digital nomads enjoy the warmth and beauty of this island nation.

Bermuda’s Work from Bermuda Certificate at a Glance:

• The application fee is $263 USD.
• There is no minimum income requirement, but you must prove that you will be able to support yourself and any dependents during your stay.
• You must prove that you are self-employed or work for a company based outside of Bermuda.
• This visa allows you to stay in the country for one year.

10. Greece

Greece’s Digital Nomad Visa program gives Americans working abroad the ability to enjoy the serene beauty of the Mediterranean.

Greece’s Digital Nomad Visa at a Glance:

• The application fee is about $79 USD.
• You must earn at least $3,696 USD or so per month .
• This visa allows you to stay in the country for one year.
• You can renew the visa up to two times for a total of three years.
• Once you’ve legally lived there for five years, you can apply for permanent residency in Greece. 

11. Czech Republic

Czech Republic’s digital nomad visa is known as ’Živnostenské oprávnění’ or simply ’Živno.’ This visa allows digital professionals to travel to all 26 Schengen countries with minimal hassle.

Czech Republic’s Živno Visa at a Glance:

• The application fee is around $115 USD.
• The visa is valid for up to 12 months.
• You must hold a university degree in STEM or have at least three years of work experience in IT or a STEM industry.
• The minimum monthly income requirement is about $2,700 USD.

12. Portugal

Portugal has two digital nomad visas: the temporary stay visa (good for 12 months) and the long-term residency visa (good for four months). Plus, many residents speak English as a second language, so you can take your time learning Portuguese.

Portugal Visa at a Glance:

• The application for the temporary stay visa costs around $80 USD per person, and the long-term residency visa costs around $97 per person.
• You must earn at least $3,263.34 USD (for the long-term visa) or $3,520.97 (for the temporary stay visa) per month. 
• You need to have health insurance that covers medical expenses in the country.
• This visa allows you to stay in the country for one year.
• The temporary stay visa can be extended up to four times for a total of five years, but it can’t be extended into permanent residency.
• When the long-term residency visa expires, you can apply for a residence permit, which is good for two years. Then, it can be extended for an additional three years. Once you’ve legally lived there for five years, you can apply for permanent residency in Portugal. 

13. Brazil

The Brazilian Digital Nomad Visa program is relatively new—it was introduced in 2022.

Brazilian Digital Nomad Visa at a Glance:

• The application fee is $100 USD.
• You must earn at least $1,500 USD per month.
• You must apply in person at a Brazilian embassy.
• This visa allows you to stay in the country for one year.
• You can renew the visa once for another year.

14. Mexico

For American digital nomads who’d like to stay closer to home, Mexico’s Temporary Resident Visa is a great choice.

Mexico’s Temporary Resident Visa at a Glance:

• The application fee is $48 USD.
• To qualify, you must have maintained a minimum bank balance of at least $43,000 over the last 12 months and earned a minimum of $2,595 each month over the last six months.
• You must also own a Mexican property valued at least $346,000.
• This visa lets you stay for six months to four years.
• Once you’ve legally lived there for four years, you can apply for permanent residency in Mexico. 

15. Anguilla

Anguilla is a British territory in the West Indies. This island’s Beyond Extraordinary Anguilla program serves as an excellent digital nomad visa—and generally takes only 14 days to be approved.

Beyond Extraordinary Anguilla at a Glance:

• There is no application fee per se.
• It costs $2,000 for an individual to apply and $3,000 for a family of up to four people.
• You must have proof of employment (typically a bank statement).
• This visa allows you to stay in the country for one year. You’ll have to apply again to stay longer.

16. Spain

Spain’s digital nomad visa offers an exciting opportunity for non-EU/EEA citizens to live and work in this vibrant country while enjoying its rich culture and excellent weather.

Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa at a Glance:

• The visa is valid for up to 12 months and can be renewed for up to five years.
• Applicants must have an undergraduate or postgraduate degree or at least three years of work experience in their field.
• The minimum income requirement is about $2,592 USD per month for a single adult, with higher thresholds if accompanied by family members.
• The application fee is around $86.40 USD, with additional costs for NIE (Foreigner Identification Number—about $21.60 USD) and residence permit cards (about $21.60 USD).
• Family members, including a spouse or unmarried partner, dependent children, and dependent relatives in the ascending line, can also obtain the visa.
• Once you’ve legally lived there for five years, you can apply for permanent residency in Spain. 

17. Hungary

Hungary’s digital nomad visa is known as a White Card. This visa is restricted to single digital nomads only but also boasts one of the lowest minimum income requirements in Europe.

Hungary’s White Card at a Glance:

• The application fee is about $116 USD.
• You must be single—married couples and families cannot apply.
• You must earn around $2,112 USD per month.
• This visa allows you to stay in the country for one year, but you can renew the visa once for another year.

18. Dubai

Dubai’s digital nomad visa offers remote workers the opportunity to live and work in one of the most modern and dynamic cities in the world.

Dubai’s Virtual Working Program at a Glance:

• The visa is valid for up to one year and can be renewed annually.
• Applicants must be non-UAE nationals who are employees or business owners.
• The minimum income requirement is $5,000 USD per month.
• The application fee is $287 USD.
• The required documents include a completed visa application form, a passport with a validity of at least six months, and proof of employment.
• Applicants need to provide a valid health insurance policy covering them in the UAE.
• The program allows digital nomads to access Dubai’s business infrastructure and lifestyle benefits.

19. Mauritius

Mauritius offers a premium visa for digital nomads looking to work remotely during a long stay in a tropical paradise. Located in East Africa, it boasts stunning beaches and a vibrant culture. You’re sure to find an excellent quality of life in this beautiful African country.

Mauritius’s Premium Visa at a Glance:

• The visa is valid for up to one year and can be renewed.
• Applicants must be non-citizens with the main place of business and source of income outside Mauritius.
• There is no minimum income requirement, but applicants must show proof of sufficient funds.
• The application is free of charge.
• Required documents include a completed visa application form, a valid passport, and proof of health insurance.
• Applicants need to provide a letter of intent outlining their purpose for staying.

20. Malta

Malta’s Nomad Residence Permit is designed for remote workers who want to enjoy the Mediterranean lifestyle.

Malta’s Nomad Residence Permit at a Glance:

• The permit is valid for up to 1 year and can be renewed.
• Applicants must be non-EU nationals working for a company registered abroad or freelancers with clients outside Malta.
• The minimum income requirement is $2,898.67 USD per month.
• The application fee is $322.07 USD.
• Required documents include a completed visa application form, a valid passport, proof of employment or freelance contracts, and health insurance.
• Applicants must provide proof of accommodation in Malta.
• Malta offers a vibrant expat community, a high standard of living, and access to the Schengen Area.

Honorable Mentions Worth Looking Into

Those were just our Top 20 picks—there are many more countries to choose from if you’re interested in living and working somewhere other than your home country. Here are some others to check out, in no particular order:

• Italy
• Antigua and Barbuda
• Belize
• Ecuador
• Malaysia
• Panama
• Seychelles
• Thailand
• Argentina
• Latvia
• Taiwan
• Georgia
• Cyprus
• Romania
• Cape Verde
• Dominica

Need Help with Your Digital Nomad Taxes? We Can Help!

We hope this guide has helped you understand your options for countries that offer digital nomad remote work visas. If you still have questions, we have answers. In fact, we can even help you prepare and file your digital nomad income taxes.

At Greenback Expat Tax Services, we help Americans living abroad file their expat taxes accurately and on time. Just contact us, and we’ll be happy to help you in any way we can. We can even prepare and file your expat taxes for years to come.

Looking for tax consultations before moving abroad? Book a consultation with a Greenback expat tax specialist.