If your retirement is way away but you want to move overseas, the digital nomad visa could be of interest.
One good thing that came out of the Covid-19 pandemic is how workplaces across the world were able to adapt to remote working scenarios. For many workplaces, this is still the case and lots of employees prefer the freedom that comes with working from home.
If your workplace allows remote working, have you ever considered working from overseas?
Enter: the digital nomad visa
Could you work from this Grecian home?
The “digital nomad visa” is a national visa scheme issued by a country that allows foreigners who meet certain requirements to work remotely in the chosen country.
The visa allows the applicant to reside in a foreign country (permitted it accepts the scheme) to work remotely if their employer isn’t registered in the respective country to which they’re applying. The period of residency granted varies but can last up to two years and can be subject to an extension.
Countries accepting the “digital nomad visa” include:
- Portugal
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Estonia
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Latvia
- Malta
- Norway (just Svalbard)
- Romania
- The Netherlands
What are the eligibility requirements for the digital nomad visa?
- Applicants must be foreign citizens with a clean criminal record
- Applicants must have a contractual agreement permitting remote work from a company registered outside the country they’re applying to reside in
- Applicants must be capable of providing their services remotely using technology and Wi-Fi
- Applicants must meet the minimum monthly income requirements for the country they’re applying to
- Applicants must have health insurance to cover them throughout the duration of their residency
The specific requirements for each country, which can be found on the country’s government website or on schengenvisainfo.com
What are the benefits of the “digital nomad visa”?
You could work from Portugal
- Travel benefits – moving to another country can be daunting, but it is considerably less so when you already have a job, and one you already know how to do. You’ll be able to work and discover new places in your free time.
- New experiences – odds are the country you move to will have different customs, cultures and possibly a foreign mother tongue. You will have the opportunity to meet people and immerse yourself in a new culture that you wouldn’t have the opportunity to do without the visa scheme.
- No double taxes – Under the digital nomad visa scheme you are not required to pay taxes in the country you are residing in, you will however, continue to pay taxes in your home country or wherever you are registered as a worker.
- Discover new cuisines – food is one of the world’s wonders, is it not? Each country has its own speciality dish and living there, you’ll be able to taste all new delicacies and broaden your palate.
How much does a digital nomad visa cost?
There’s no set fee for the digital nomad visa. The application fee varies from country to country. They range from €60 to €600. For up-to-date costs, please visit schengenvisainfo.com
Written by PropertyGuides for Rightmove