Digital NomadVisa
Digital nomad visa
A visa for remote workers and freelancers: it allows you to legally live in the country while working for foreign clients. Available in Portugal, Spain, the UAE, and dozens of other countries.
- What it is
- A visa for remote workers and freelancers working for foreign clients
- Where it applies
- Portugal, Spain, the UAE, Greece and dozens of other countries
- Condition
- A stable income from abroad above the threshold
- Duration
- Usually 1-2 years, renewable
- Can you prepare
- Yes: evidence your income and the remote nature of the work
In plain words
A digital nomad visa is a residence permit for those who work remotely for foreign clients or their own company abroad. It lets you live in a country legally without taking a job with a local employer: the income comes from outside, and you simply live where you like.
Dozens of countries have introduced such visas in recent years — Portugal, Spain, Greece, the UAE and others. The common requirement is to evidence a stable income above a set threshold and the remote nature of the work. In return you receive the right to live in the country, often with your family, and to use the local infrastructure.
A digital nomad visa is a convenient and inexpensive way to live in another country, and sometimes a first step to permanent residence and citizenship if you live there long enough. But the tax consequences should be worked out in advance: a long stay may make you a tax resident of the new country.
Who it suits
What matters with a nomad visa
- Stable and from abroad
- Above the threshold
- Evidenced with documents
- Principal applicant
- Often the spouse and children
- Remote employment
- To live in the country legally
- Local infrastructure
- Renewal
- Not a local employer
- Possible tax residence
- Path to permanent residence
How to obtain a nomad visa
- 01Choosing the country
- 02Evidence of income and work
- 03Filing the application
- 04Review
- 05Residence card
What you need to know
- The visa is for remote work for foreign clients
- The main condition is evidenced income above the threshold
- Dozens of countries have such visas
- A long stay may make you a tax resident
- Sometimes it is a first step to PR and citizenship
Common mistakes
- Not evidencing the stability and level of income
- Not accounting for the tax consequences of a long stay
- Confusing a nomad visa with the right to work for local employers
- Missing the health insurance and accommodation requirements
- Not checking the path to PR if the goal is to stay
What this means for a BRIDGES client
We choose a country to suit your income and goal, help gather documents on your earnings and remote work and work out the tax consequences in advance, so that a digital nomad visa becomes a convenient solution rather than a problem.
Frequently asked questions
01 /What income is needed for a nomad visa?
Each country has its own threshold — usually a stable monthly income from abroad above a certain amount. The exact bar and documents are confirmed for the specific programme.
02 /Can you work for a local company?
As a rule, no: the point of the visa is remote work for foreign clients or your own business. Local employment requires a different type of residence permit.
03 /Will I become a tax resident?
With a long stay — probably yes. That is why the tax consequences are worked out in advance, especially if you plan to live in the country for most of the year.
04 /Can the family come too?
In many programmes, yes — the spouse and children. The conditions and income requirements for a family are confirmed for the specific visa.
05 /Does the visa lead to PR?
Sometimes, yes: after living in the country for the required number of years you can apply for permanent residence and then citizenship. But that requires actual residence.
06 /Which countries have such a visa?
Dozens — among them Portugal, Spain, Greece, the UAE and others. The conditions and income thresholds differ, so the country is chosen for your situation.
See also
Read next
This material has undergone editorial review by BRIDGES.
Want to live abroad legally?
We will choose a country to suit your income, help with the documents and work out the tax consequences in advance.