Is the digital visa the best option for me? I've been freelancing and working remotely for over 20 years, and I'd love to be based in Europe to be closer to my significant clients in the U.S. and Europe. I believe it would open up more business opportunities for me, especially with Asian clients. Because I still want to work remotely and travel, I'm not sure if residency is the best option for me. But I'm also unsure if a digital nomad visa is sustainable in the future, particularly with many European countries tightening their immigration policies. I would appreciate some advice on what immigration alternatives might be available for someone in my situation.
The immigration rules for the Netherlands do not offer the possibility for a digital nomad visa. A visa (up to 90 days) can be granted for (for example) tourism, family visits, or business, but not for working remotely. A residence permit (3 months or longer) can be granted for employment or self-employment, but the specific rules and requirements do not match the situation of a digital nomad.
The D8 - Digital Nomad Visa is a great option for those willing to come to Portugal and travel in Schengen Area. The Portuguese law foresees an option of temporary residency visa (valid up to one year) and the residence visa that gives access too a residence permit for longer staying plans. the requirements are very simple and accessible. Tax advice is recommendable to avoid unexpected obligations in Portuguese territory.
Having Malta as your base, while travelling and working remotely can be achieved through various immigration routes in Malta, such as: Ordinary Residence (OR) The Residence Programme (TRP) Global Residence Program (GRP) Malta Premanent Residence Program (PRP) Nomad Residence The best route would depend on whether you intend to establish residence in Malta or want to reside there temporarily while keeping your main residence elsewhere. For example, the Nomad residency is designed for Non-EU nationals who will reside in Malta only temporarily and do not intend to establish tax residency status here. We have a large, thriving community of digital nomads in Malta, which can provide a supportive network for both personal and professional growth. The Nomad permit can be renewed up to three times, enabling you to live in Malta for up to four years. The below are the eligibility criteria for the digital nomad visa in Malta: * Non-EU Nationality * Earn a minimum of €42,000 per annum. * As a freelancer, your clients should not be based in Malta. Should you wish to base yourself in Malta and establish your tax residency here while still traveling and working remotely, this can be achieved through some of the other residency routes in Malta. Depending on where you will be carrying out the income generating activity (from Malta or abroad), the income from the freelancing work may be exempt from tax in Malta.
The best solution for you will depend a lot more on your future goals than on your current conditions. Both types of residence permits have mandatory minimum periods of stay in Portugal, but both allow for periods of absence longer than the legal minimum, justified by professional commitments. Apart from that, if you plan to keep working remotely while you are living in Portugal, we would suggest you obtain a remote worker visa.
We provide immigration and relocation services in Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands and Germany. In these countries, a digital nomad visa does not really exist. But there are some options available to obtain residency. If you have a residence card in an EU country, this will allow you to travel within Schengen and give you some flexibility. If you want to avoid having to register and requesting a residence card, it might be an option to travel to Schengen as a business visitor. But I would need to know your nationality to confirm whether or not a business visa is required.
Permanent Residency requires a EUR 300,000 investment, and Digital Nomad status is limited to 500 visas/year, making it difficult to obtain. However, there are other options.
This question is very wide, in that each jurisdiction treats this type of activity differently. Some countries have special regimes for "digital nomads," such as Malta, whereas others, like Monaco, do not. Monaco could still be an attractive place to be based, but you would need to obtain a business license and work out how best to structure your affairs to optimize taxation legitimately. There are quite strict requirements for getting the residency and business license in Monaco, which would include having a banking relationship with a Monaco bank where you hold at least €500,000 in custody.
There is no visa that would allow you to live and work in all EU countries. Each country has different regulations, and you will need to check the requirements of the specific country where you intend to move.
Hungary offers only one type of digital nomad visa, the White Card. This white card is granted for one year and can be renewed only once. You need to prove that you have a foreign employer who pays you a salary or that you own a foreign company.
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