Digital nomads are remote employees who travel around between different locations as they work. Unattached to an office and able to fulfill their role as long as they have an internet connection, there is no need for this type of employee to reside in a permanent location.
In response to the rise of flexible working arrangements and the growing appeal of digital nomad jobs – as well as local economic struggles – lots of countries have begun offering digital nomad visas. Many offer significantly reduced tax rates, especially during the first few months of stay.
Which European country will let you get a local job alongside your remote job? And which island will give you a $200 customs allowance along with tax-free living? If you’d like to find out, read on – we’ve got the lowdown on the best digital nomad visas.
In this guide, we’ll cover:
While digital nomads have been around almost as long as the internet has, before the COVID-19 pandemic, the lifestyle was only possible for people in a few niche roles in a narrow range of industries.
Since the pandemic, millions of workers have gone fully remote, which has made it much more accessible. You no longer need to be a high-flying exec or graphic designer to the stars to travel the world while still getting paid. This step change has encouraged more countries than ever before to offer special nomad visas.
🔎 Want to browse the web privately? 🌎 Or appear as if you're in another country?
Get a huge 86% off Surfshark with this special tech.co offer.
In some developing countries, digital nomad visas are being used as a way to attract high earners from fully developed countries, who will inject lots more money into the local economy than the average permanent resident.
All Countries With Digital Nomad Visas
Overall, there are more than 60 countries worldwide that offer some form of digital nomad Visa. Not all of them include tax breaks or benefits, but here they are:
- Europe: Spain, Portugal, Italy, Croatia, Czechia, Germany, Greece, Estonia, Malta, Norway, France, Iceland, Ireland, Romania, Netherlands, Georgia, Hungary, Montenegro, Latvia, Albania, Cyprus, Armenia and North Macedonia
- Central/South America: Argentina, Belize, Brazil, Costa Rica, Colombia, Mexico, El Salvador, Ecuador, Panama and Peru
- Caribbean: Barbados, Bermuda, Bahamas, Dominican Republic, Aruba, Antigua & Barbuda, the Cayman Islands, Anguilla, Curacao, Saint Lucia, Grenada and Montserrat
- Africa: UAE, Egypt, Cabo Verde, South Africa, Mauritius, Seychelles and Namibia
- Asia/Oceania: UAE, Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines (pending confirmation), Australia and New Zealand
The 9 Best Digital Nomad Visas: Duration, Costs and Taxes
We’ve scoured the internet for the best digital nomad visas, focusing on the countries that have the most amenable tax laws, the lowest income requirements, and the cheapest application fees, as well as any unique perks on offer. Here’s our top 9 for 2024:
Costa Rica
Costa Rica offers one of the most popular digital nomad visas on the planet. Costa Rica’s laws mean that as long as you’re not employed by a Costa Rican company, you won’t have to pay any income tax at all.
So, anyone with a remote job in the US or the EU will be living tax free in Costa Rica. However, it doesn’t stop there – you also be exempt from import tax if you have to ship in equipment for your work, and you’ll be able to avoid remittance taxes too.
Costa Rica’s Arenal Volcano
The visa application only costs $100 to complete, and the only entry requirement really worth knowing about is the minimum income requirement of $3,000 before tax. You also have to prove that you consistently are earning this. Freelancers who cannot provide this information may need to create a limited company to satisfy this condition, as doing so will allow them to pay themselves a consistent income.
Costa Rica is considered a very safe country with generally good internet connectivity and has a slightly lower cost of living when compared with some of the Caribbean islands that offer digital nomad visas, such as Anguilla and Bermuda.
Malta
Malta is a picturesque island nation home to just over half a million people located in the Mediterranean Sea – and it offers a digital nomad visa for remote workers.
The minimum income threshold for your visa application to be considered is €2,700, while the application itself costs around €300 to complete.
Digital nomads who apply for a visa to work in Malta will be exempt from income taxes for the first 12 months of their stay. You will have to pay taxes after that period finishes, but Malta’s tax rate is set at just 10%, so you’ll be paying a lot less than you probably are right now in the US, UK, and most other parts of the EU.
While the local economy isn’t as cheap as some of the other countries on this list, you’ll generally pay a little less than you would while holidaying in a big European city, such as Madrid or Berlin, and English is widely spoken as a second language.
Anguilla
Anguilla is a British Overseas Territory located in the Caribbean that offers a 12-month digital nomad visa and doesn’t charge any local income taxes. You also won’t be subject to any additional taxes, as the government funds itself via customs duties and tourism.
Impressively, there are no income requirements at all for your job. All you have to provide is your passport, birth certificate, and a brief description of the work you’ll be doing while there, whether it’s for your job or university.
Small boats moored on a beach in Anguilla
The entire application process can be completed online and most people hear back within 14 days of submission. It’s widely considered to be one of the most relaxed digital nomad visa applications on the planet.
The only catch is you’ll have to pay a $2000 entry fee, and if you want to bring family members with you, that’ll cost you extra. The standard of living on the island is pretty high too, and so are the living costs – but it’s worth exploring considering you won’t have to pay anything in taxes.
Croatia
Croatia – a small country located in southern Europe – offers a 12-month digital nomad visa that exempts all holders from income taxes while in the country. It’s a similar principle to Costa Rica – if you’re not working for a Croatian company, you won’t be asked to pay.
The income requirement is pretty low compared to Costa Rica, however, and is set at around $2,500. If you don’t earn a steady income above this threshold, you can also apply if you earn can prove you have just over $31,000 in savings.
However, there is a catch – you won’t be able to renew your visa immediately, and you’ll have to wait for a further six months after the expiry date to re-apply if you want to stay in the country. In a way, it’s a visa for true digital nomads who stay in one place for short periods, and then move on to their next adventure quickly.
Uruguay
Uruguay is a small country of around 3.5 million people located on the east coast of South America, just south of Brazil. It’s known for its low levels of poverty and well-run healthcare system. Montevideo, the capital, has an extremely high quality of life and is considered one of the continent’s best cities to live in.
Uruguay offers an initial 6-month digital nomad visa for remote workers who want to live in the country, with the fee set at between $10-50.
Montevideo, the capital of Uruguay
It’s easy to get your hands on too – all you have to do is book your trip to Urugy as a regular tourist, then complete an online form with some information about how you plan to support yourself while there.
Once you have your permit, you’ll have to head to the National Civil Identification Office to collect your Uruguayan documents. After the initial six months, visa applicants can apply for a 6-month extension to apply for permanent
One advantage of working in Uruguay compared to some other locations (especially ones in Asia) is that it’s just 2 hours ahead of New York. This makes it a strong option for a lot of US workers who need to have significant overlap with their teams during the day.
Bermuda
Like Anguilla, digital nomads making their homes in Bermuda don’t have to pay any taxes at all. But on top of that, you’ll get a $200 customs allowance every time you enter the country.
The visa application fee is lower than most of its Caribbean neighbors at just $263. However, it only lasts for a year, and when it runs out, you’ll have to apply again.
The entry requirements are pretty basic: you need a valid passport, a clean criminal record, and proof of employment to enrol in an educational institution.
However, much like Anguilla, Bermuda living costs are quite high – so, while you’ll get to keep much more money than you would working in the US or Europe, you’ll be spending a lot more in your spare time, too.
There are a couple of co-working spaces dotted around the island, but there are many more beachside cafes and Bermuda is known for having excellent internet connectivity.
Georgia
Georgia – located east of the Black Sea, just south of Russia – is welcoming more tourists through its borders than ever before. It has become an attractive destination for digital nomads thanks to its liberal visa policies.
Citizens of 98 countries can stay in Georgia for one year without a visa, including those residing in the US and European Union. You’ll need to be earning $2,000 a month or have $24,000 in your bank account, and a valid passport and proof of employment.
Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia
For your first 183 days as a digital nomad in Georgia, you won’t have to pay any tax – and after that, you’ll pay an income tax rate of 20%. You can also apply for “Small Business Status” which means you’ll only pay a 1% tax on your revenues if you earn under ~$184,000
Georgia’s capital and biggest city, Tbilisi, has lots of co-working spaces and a vibrant nightlife scene, but there are also beachfront villages and historic towns to choose from. The cost of living is very low all across Georgia compared to places like the UK and US, so most digital nomads will be able to take their pick.
Portugal
Portugal offers a 12-month long, renewable digital nomad visa that has a minimum income requirement of €3,280 to apply.
The application costs just €75-90 to complete, but you will have to provide a lot of information, including proof of work, accommodation, a clean criminal record, and various other documents. It also can’t be done solely online – you’ll have to head to your local Portuguese consulate at some point in the process.
There used to be a way you could pay almost no taxes in Portugal by applying for the non-habitual resident’s scheme, which made income earned globally tax-free – but this is no longer the case after changes to the law that came into force in 2024.
The tax rate for digital nomads is a flat 20%, which is still a lot less than the standard rates paid by Portuguese nationals, which can reach 48%.
Portugal’s living standards are average-to-cheap relative to the rest of Europe. What’s more, Portugal is widely considered to be one of the safest countries in the world, with much lower crime rates than countries like Spain, France, and the United Kingdom.
Spain
The Spanish digital nomad visa is among the most search-for digital nomad visas in the United States right now, according to search volume data seen by Tech.co.
Spain offers a 1-year digital nomad visa and a 3-year digital nomad residency permit for people who want to settle down in the country longer-term. It costs around €80 to complete the application, although you will have to visit the Spanish embassy or consulate.
Park Guell, Barcelona
Digital nomads are classed as non-residents and those earning under €600,000 are subject to a 24% income tax, which is much lower than residents, who are taxed up to 47%.
Interestingly, the Spanish tourism board says that digital nomads in Spain “can also work for a company located in Spain, as long as the percentage of this particular work doesn´t exceed 20% of the total amount of his/her professional activity.”
However, not everyone will be able to apply – you need a college or university degree and extensive proof of where you’re working and how much you’re earning.
How to Become a Digital Nomad
In 2024, it’s easier to become a digital nomad than at pretty much any other point in history. Of course, the first thing you’ll need is a fully remote job role. Luckily, in 2024, big companies like Google and Microsoft both have hundreds of vacant remote positions.
Lots of positions at startups and small businesses are now fully remote too. If you can prove you’ve got the skills and you can work independently, there’s no reason why they should restrict where you’re doing your job from.
If you’ve already got a remote job, then the next phase will be picking a location and ironing out the details with your manager or CEO. Your company may have policies relating to working in different parts of the world, paying taxes while abroad, and working remotely from places that aren’t your home, such as coffee shops.
Whatever your situation, there’s often a lot of admin that goes into being a digital nomad – but if you have dreams to see the world and aren’t prepared to sacrifice your career trajectory for it, it’ll be more than worth it.