EU Digital Nomad Trip

Since the dawn of time, humanity has shared two common traits – exploration and curiosity. Nomadism has always been a way of life for many individuals, and it is how most of the world's first intercultural societies were shaped. Today, travel has become much easier in our digital and globalized world, and nomadism has taken a new form.

Digital nomads worldwide have taken advantage of certain visa types that provide them with extended residency rights in a specific nation or union. These visas, which are referred to as the Type D Visa and the Digital Nomad Visa, grant residency rights between six months to two years on average to non-EU, non-EEA, and non-Swiss third-country nationals who can work remotely using information and communication technology.

With more and more countries launching their own Digital Nomad Visas after the rise of the pandemic to nourish their economies, the digital lifestyle has become a symbol of freedom from daily commuting and desk jobs.

These days, remote workers can choose to work from the comfort of their own home country, or relocate to a new country and establish residency there with a Nomad Visa. The great thing about the Digital Nomad Visa is that its holders are often exempt from taxation or are offered thrilling incentives.

If you haven't had the time or money to afford a gap year before, you might finally be able to make your Eurotrip come true while keeping your job. In this article, we guide you through a list of European countries that offer Digital Nomad Visas, so you can start planning your Eurotrip accordingly.

Norway

For many, Norway has always been a point of interest, specifically for its captivating Northern lights and long, dark winters. Those interested in exploring this nation can acquire the Norwegian Digital Nomad Visa – otherwise referred to as the Svalbard Digital Nomad Visa.

The Svalbard Digital Nomad Visa grants foreign remote workers residency rights in Svalbard, the world's northernmost inhabited area. Due to the archipelago's remoteness and the Norwegian government's desire to maintain its digital nomad community, the validity of the visa is lifelong.

Foreign remote workers who are non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens can apply for the Svalbard Nomad Visa on the condition that they prove that they earn the minimum income set by the Norwegian government, which is equivalent to around €35,000 annually.

The great thing about living in Svalbard is that English is widely spoken across its islands, and the internet connection is one of the fastest across the world, with a speed of 186.05 Mbps according to Speedtest Global Index. Not only that, but the average cost of rent is very low in Svalbard, and living standards are among the highest globally. The only downside you could say is the high cost of fresh produce. Nevertheless, there are many restaurants and coworking hubs on the archipelago where you can enjoy a delicious meal or a hot drink under the Northern lights.

Estonia

Estonia was the first nation to launch a Digital Nomad Visa, granting foreign remote workers residency rights for up to one year. Individuals who apply for Estonia's Digital Nomad Visa must prove earnings of the minimum monthly income requirement of at least €3,500 gross for at least six months before lodging their application. Those who successfully acquire the visa enjoy plenty of benefits, including paying zero taxes on their worldwide income.

The captivating nation is known to accommodate digital nomads. Most of its inhabitants are highly proficient in English, and there are loads of cafes and coworking spaces that enable remote workers to perform their tasks without much hassle, as the download speed in Estonia is around 101.53 Mbps. Moreover, the cost of living in Estonia is a lot lower than that of the US, almost by 27%, which means you'll be able to save up a fair bit while residing there.

Czech Republic

Next up on the list is the Czech Republic, which grants digital nomads residency rights for up to one year under the Zvino Visa, otherwise known as the Trade License Visa. The permit may be extended for two more years if individuals continue to meet the program's requirements, namely the minimum income requirement of €5,727 monthly, and maintaining their foreign-sourced employment.

While the minimum financial requirement for the Czech Republic's Nomad Visa is among the highest across all EU programs, the nation has one of the lowest costs of living and highest standards of living. If you're considering visiting gorgeous towns with medieval castles, this might be the right place. You'll hardly have trouble communicating with the locals, as most speak English.

On the other hand, you can reside in one of the more lively cities, where you can take advantage of the many coworking spaces and cafes that provide an internet connection with a download speed of 112.6 Mbps.

Croatia

Located right next to the Czech Republic is Croatia, which grants a Nomad Visa with a one-year validity to foreign remote workers who can prove earnings equivalent to around €2,400 monthly. Croatia is known for its captivating crystal clear beaches, rich history, and thriving nightlife, and it has one of the highest standards of living and lowest cost of living across Europe. In fact, the cost of living in Croatia is around 39% lower than that of the US, and the nation is considered one of the safest in the world.

If you're considering relocating here with a Nomad Visa, you'll be happy to know that most of the population is fluent in English. Plenty of coworking spaces and cafes can also accommodate your work style, as they provide internet connections with a 105.72 Mbps download speed.

Hungary

The Hungarian Digital Nomad Visa is often referred to as the White Card. It enables foreign remote workers who are non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens to reside in the nation for one year, with room for possible extension. Applicants must prove earnings of at least €2,000 monthly, and present a contractual agreement with an employer or client based outside of Hungary, wherein they prove their services are provided during the entire validity of their permit.

If you obtain your White Card and end up relocating to Hungary, you'll have access to one of the fastest internet connections worldwide, with a 247.75 Mbps download speed. Not only that, but there are plenty of activities for you to partake in nationwide. Between all the restaurants, museums, clubs, castles, and the 1,300 thermal water springs, you'll never have a dull moment there.

The only hurdle you might have to cross living in Hungary is the slight language barrier. Although a high percentage of the population knows enough English to get by, if you learn to speak a few simple terms in Hungarian, locals will no doubt welcome you even more.

Romania

If you continue to take the path down south, you'll find yourself in Romania, a nation famous for its castles, salt mines, monasteries, and beautiful old towns. The main requirements of Romania's Digital Nomad Visa are that individuals must demonstrate proof of being employed outside Romania for a period of no less than three years before their application. Applicants must also show evidence of earning at least three times the average salary in the country, which is around €3,300 gross per month.

Those who are successful in their application get to enjoy a spectacular life in Romania for a very low cost of living. Compared to the US, the cost of living in Romania is around 47% lower, which in turn increases living standards there. The nation is also known to have high-speed internet with a download speed of 260.24 Mbps and plenty of internet cafes and coworking spaces that accommodate the needs of remote workers. The only con is that English is not widely spoken across the population.

Greece

Greece's Digital Nomad Visa grants non-EU/EEA/Swiss foreign remote workers residency rights for up to 12 months, with a possibility of being extended for another year after that. You must demonstrate proof of earning at least €3,500 net after tax per month to be eligible.

Once you relocate to Greece, you'll learn that most of the population speaks English, and their living standards are incredibly high. Life in Greece can be very thrilling for anyone. The nation is lush with gorgeous landscapes and captivating architecture, and is home to democracy, philosophy, and some of the finer cuisines. Additionally, Greece's cost of living is very low compared to the US and other European countries, and there are plenty of activities and opportunities to engage in across the peninsula.

Malta

Malta’s Digital Nomad Visa is commonly referred to as the Nomad Residence Permit. It grants temporary residency rights for up to one year. However, digital nomads can renew their permits on the condition that they continue to meet the visa's requirements. To qualify, you must demonstrate gross earnings of at least €2,700 on a monthly basis. Once you succeed in your application, you'll enjoy life in Malta and across the EU.

Digital nomads who establish residency in Malta can benefit from an incredibly low cost of living and high living standards. The archipelago is a thriving business hub with a reliable internet speed of 180.17 Mbps. It also boasts English as an official language, and offers plenty of opportunities for young entrepreneurs.

Italy

If you move up north and to the west, you'll find yourself next in Italy, the land of gondolas, pasta, and wine. Although the Italian government is set on launching its own Digital Nomad Visa in the coming year, individuals seeking to relocate to Italy and start working remotely there can apply for an alternative visa in the meantime.

The Italian Self-employed Visa is similar to the Digital Nomad Visa, in that, it grants extended residency rights to non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals who can prove earning a certain set income, specifically at least €8,500 gross annually. The permit's validity is only for one year; however, it can be extended.

Life in Italy can be wholesome. You've got beaches, incredible cuisine, and a vibrant culture. Most people in Italy speak English fluently, and the nation accommodates digital nomads by offering spacious coworking spaces and cafes with a fast internet connection that reaches a download speed of 138.06 Mbps.

Portugal

Last but not least on our list of EU countries that offer Digital Nomad Visas is Portugal. The nation recently launched its permit, enabling non-EU and non-EEA remote workers to relocate there and start working remotely in Portugal, on the condition that they earn four times the national minimum wage, which is around €2,836.

Digital nomads living in Portugal praise the nation for accommodating their lifestyle. First, the internet download speed there is around 200.01 Mbps. Second, the country has several coworking spaces and cafes that are perfectly suitable for carrying out your tasks without much distraction. Additionally, there is a high English-speaking community in Portugal, and an already established digital nomad community, which means you'll be able to get comfortably integrated settling in.

Add to that the liberal culture in Portugal, an incredible and diverse cuisine, a low cost of living, high living standards, and natural diversity, and you've got little to no reason to relocate there.

Conclusion

Many countries across Europe are now offering Digital Nomad Visas, which have been granting non-EU, non-EEA, and non-Swiss third-country nationals extended residency rights in the respective nation where they applied. The main eligibility criteria are that individuals must have a contractual work agreement with a client or entity based outside the country, be able to perform their services remotely using a stable internet connection, and meet the minimum income requirement.

By holding one of the European Digital Nomad Visas, you'll have legal rights to enter and reside in other European countries, including the Schengen Zone, in cases where a Schengen member state accepted your application. This accessibility, coupled with the laidback nature of remote work, grants you the freedom to explore new cultures, cuisines, and ways of life, and there's no better feeling than that.

If you'd like to start planning your Eurotrip, you can rely on our short list to help you form a route across the countries you want to visit. By comparing each visa, you'll also be able to apply for the program most suited to you.