More Countries Offer Visas To Digital Nomads
Digital nomad visas are becoming commonplace worldwide. Various countries have introduced them, and more countries are proposing them. This week, Hungary and Romania started their digital nomad visas to attract remote workers to live within the country.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, more people have dreamt about working from their laptops around the world:
- 74% of employees expect remote work to be commonplace in the future
- 97% of employees prefer some type of remote work
- 61% of employees prefer working fully remotely
Hungary’s Digital Nomad Visa
The Hungarian government has introduced a new visa for digital nomads. The visa enables international citizens to live within Hungary whilst working for a company outside the nation.
According to the Hungarian government, the new digital nomad visa has a maximum period of one year; however, you can extend the visa each year.
To get the digital nomad visa, you’ll need:
- A valid work contract outside Hungary
- To own a share of a company with profits in a nation other than Hungary
- However, you must not pursue a gainful activity or hold a share in any Hungarian company
The Hungarian Parliament approved the digital nomad visa in November.
Romania’s Digital Nomad Visa
Romania has implemented the digital nomad visa this week. It will permit internationals to live in Romania while working for companies outside the country. The nation expects the new visa to attract thousands of digital nomads from everywhere on the globe.
Everyone looking to benefit from Romania’s digital nomad visa must apply for a long-term visa at the country’s consulates located within their home nation. The visa will be valid for 6 months, yet digital nomads can renew the visa every 6 months.
To get the digital nomad visa, you’ll need:
- To prove you’re part-time or full-time employed outside of Romania for at least three years
- Present a valid proof of income for the last six months, which is three times the Romanian average gross salary of 6,095 LEI – nearly €3,700 or $4,170 per month.
- You’ll also have to submit I.D documents, employment contacts, and company information documents to the Romanian government. You’ll also need to explain the nature of your stay in Romania.
The Member of the Chamber of Deputies, Diana Buzoianu, said: “This legal initiative was developed following months of work in collaboration with the Ministry of Research, Innovation, and Digitalization, as well as experts working with the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. I initiated the project as I trusted it to be a law through which financial resources can be drawn to Romania, as many other member states have already done,”
Other European Nations With Digital Nomad Visas
Currently, the following countries have/or are planning to have digital nomad visas in Europe:
- France
- Germany
- Spain
- Portugal
- Croatia
- Malta
- Estonia
- Iceland
- Greece
- The Czech Republic
Countries around the world with digital nomad visas:
- Barbados
- Bermuda
- Bahamas
- Anguilla
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Dubai (UAE)
- Georgia
- Cayman Islands
- Montserrat
- Curaçao
- Mauritius
Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa
Spain is the latest country to hit the news for its digital nomad visa. The nation plans to announce the new digital nomad visa in the coming months.
The Ministry of Economy said: “The digital nomad visa will attract and retain international and national talents by helping remote workers and digital nomads set up in Spain.”
It will enable foreign nationals working in Spain remotely (for non-Spanish companies) to live in the nation without requiring a full work visa. It’s especially good news for U.K. citizens trying to work long-term in Europe after Brexit.
The draft law must now go through the Spanish parliament. However, legal sources suggest the draft law needs a majority to pass.
The visa will enable digital nomads to work remotely in Spain for up to 12 months, with two further extensions allowed.
The visa will not lead to the right of residency, however.
