Since the pandemic started in 2020, remote work has taken off, and many people have yet to return to the office.
In some cases, they will never return, which gives them plenty of options. Each day, more and more countries are recognizing this and are beginning to offer digital nomad visas with requirements that are relatively easy to fulfill.
If you want to see the world while earning money, here are some great options.
Portugal
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Length: One year
Income required: €2,800 ($2,843.86) per month
Bottom line: Portugal is one of the most desirable spots in the world for digital nomads to call home. And there's good news — the country just announced its visa for freelance remote workers in recent weeks.
Nomads have been getting around it previously with Portugal's D7 visa, which is generally for retirees and involves a certain amount of passive income. This one, however, is for bona fide nomads, who can stay one year or apply for residency and stay longer.
Spain
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Length: One year
Income required: N/A
Bottom line: Spain's parliament approved its digital nomad visa program in recent days, so we don't have a lot of information on it just yet. We do know that, once the visa expires, workers will be able to extend their stay for two more years. After that, they can stay up to five years by applying for residence authorization as a remote worker.
To further entice them, for their first four years in Spain, they will be taxed at just 15 percent, not the usual 25 percent.
Croatia
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Length: Six months to a year
Income required: €2,300 ($2,305.99) per month
Bottom line: Don't sleep on Croatia — it's less traveled than neighboring Italy and is just as beautiful. This visa is renewable and allows applicants the option of living in Croatia long-term.
The country's digital nomad visa is actually more of a temporary residence permit. Once it expires, you'll have to leave the country for 90 days before you can apply for another stay — but that gives you time to visit the rest of the EU while you're waiting.
Greece
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Length: One year
Income required: €3,500 ($3,509.12) per month
Bottom line: With more than 6,000 islands, ancient architecture, and miles and miles of blue coastline, Greece is hard to beat when it comes to digital nomad destinations.
Its cost of living is cheap in comparison to many other countries, and the visa is renewable at the end of your first year.
Italy
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Length: N/A (probably one year)
Income required: N/A
Bottom line: Italy's digital nomad visa will launch at the end of 2022 or early 2023, so we don't yet know how long it's for or how much income is required.
For now, the country does have a self-employment visa that can help non-EU nationals work remotely while establishing residency. It lasts for up to two years, and applicants must make €8,500 ($8,522.14) per year to qualify.
Norway
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Length: Two years
Income required: €35,719 ($35,812.05) per year
Bottom line: While it's not officially a "digital nomad" visa, Norway offers an independent contractor visa for freelancers who are self-employed. To qualify, applicants must have one or more Norwegian clients.
This visa costs about €600 or about $608. While it is pricey, you do have up to two years in the country.
Iceland
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Length: 180 days
Income required: ISK 1,000,000 ($6,812.45) per month
Bottom line: Iceland's digital nomad visa, known as the Long-Term Visa for Remote Work, is the shortest on this list and has one of the most expensive income requirements. The country is also one of the more expensive in the world.
Applicants can work for themselves or for a foreign company — but they cannot work for Icelandic businesses during this time. While it may not appeal to most digital workers, if you have the income, Iceland is more than worth exploring, even for a short time, due to its unspoiled natural beauty and low population.
Mexico
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Length: Six months to a year
Income required: $2,595 per month
Bottom line: Mexico already has sizable expat communities around the country who are attracted to its low cost of living, great weather and proximity to the U.S.
Digital nomads have the option to renew their visas for up to four years. After that, they can even apply for a permanent residence visa, which allows them to live in Mexico permanently.
Malaysia
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Length: One year
Income required: $24,000 per year
Bottom line: Malaysia began offering its De Rantau Nomad Pass in October 2022 for nomads to stay in the county for one year. This can be extended for another 12 months.
Visa eligibility requirements also include:
- An active contract from local or foreign-based companies for digital independent contractors;
- An active employment contract from local or foreign-based companies for remote workers; or
- A job in IT, including digital marketing, content development and creative content.
Estonia
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Length: One year
Income required: 1,800 K (€70 or $70.38) per month
Bottom line: The Estonian digital nomad and freelancer visa program is free to applicants. It lasts for a year and can be extended.
While $70 a month may seem like a very inexpensive income requirement, you do need €5,587 ($6,527.79) in an Estonian bank account to be considered.
Barbados
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Length: One year
Income required: $50,000 per year
Bottom line: Barbados offers its Welcome Stamp to digital nomads. While it's not exactly cheap, it is cheaper than other Caribbean countries, and it's close to the U.S.
We won't kid you — the application process is pricey. It's $2,000 per applicant (with a family bundle of $3,000), but your visa can be renewed after one year.
Costa Rica
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Length: One year
Income required: $3,000 per month
Bottom line: There are plenty of expats living in Costa Rica; however, its digital nomad requirements are a bit more stringent than others on this list.
There are two visas you can choose from, depending on what you do. The Rentista visa allows workers to stay in the country for up to two years, but the time can be extended. This particular visa is for those who have their own business or are entrepreneurs. The program costs $250, and applicants must make at least $2,500 every month over the last two years or deposit $60,000 in a Costa Rican bank. Under this program, applicants cannot work for another company.
Costa Rica's digital nomad visa, however, allows you to work for another company, as long as you have a $3,000 per month income. This goes up to $4,000 for a couple or family.
Ecuador
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Length: Two years
Income required: $1,275 per month
Bottom line: In summer 2002, Ecuador launched its digital nomad visa, which is good for two years and can be renewed every two years. Applicants must have private health insurance while in the country and have a clean criminal record.
Interested parties will fill out and submit their application online through the country's Virtual Consulate website. They'll be interviewed online or in person, depending on their location. When approved, they'll pay a fee of about $450 and receive an electronic visa.
Namibia
Group of Giraffes Walking on the gravel road in Namibia JurgaR / Getty Images/iStockphoto
Length: Six months
Income required: $2,000 per month
Bottom line: Namibia is the first African country on the mainland to offer a digital nomad visa. Its $2,000 monthly income threshold will be greater if you have dependents.
The visa costs $62. The necessary travel documents and proof of income and health insurance are also required for you to enjoy the African savanna teeming with wildlife while you work.
The Bahamas
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Length: One year
Income required: No particular requirement other than a letter from a current employer or proof of self-employment income
Bottom line: If you want to remain somewhat close to the U.S. and don't mind the expense of living in the Bahamas, its 16 islands may be a good option.
The country has recently launched its Bahamas Extended Access Travel Stay (BEATS) program, which allows freelancers to stay three years in the country. The cost to apply is $1,000, and there's a $25 application processing fee.