Hello people of the world,
Let’s face it, traditional office life is so 2019. Thanks to the glorious wonders of email and video chat, many of us are no longer chained to our desks. The world is your oyster, my friend, and it’s time to consider moving somewhere sunnier, cheaper, or just plain cooler.
With travel bouncing back to pre-pandemic levels, countries are competing to lure remote workers with tantalizing digital nomad visas. These visas let you live and work in paradise for up to a year or sometimes even longer. So, if you’re ready to shake things up, here’s your guide to the best places to become a digital nomad right now.
Spain
Spain’s new digital nomad visa is part of the Startup Act. It lets you live and work remotely in Spain for up to a year, with a shot at temporary residency after that. You need to pull in at least €2,200 a month and make sure 80% of your income comes from outside Spain. Sounds doable.
Greece
How about working from a Greek island or with the Parthenon in view? Greece’s digital nomad visa allows non-EU citizens to live and work there for 12 months. You’ll need a monthly income of at least €3,500, health insurance, proof of accommodation, and a clean criminal record. Fill out the application, head to a Greek embassy, and you’re good to go.
Indonesia
Dreaming of Bali’s beaches? Indonesia’s new digital nomad visa lets you stay for up to five years. No tax headaches if you’re not working for an Indonesian company. The tourism ministry is selling Ubud as a haven of ‘serenity and spirituality’ – sounds way better than your typical morning commute.
Portugal
Portugal offers a new alternative to its D7 visa for remote workers. Live and work there for up to 12 months if you can show a monthly income four times the Portuguese minimum wage, which means €2,820 a month. Not a bad deal for living in one of Europe’s most beautiful countries.
Costa Rica
Costa Rica’s digital nomad visa is a sweet deal for up to two years. You won’t pay income tax, but you need to prove you’re earning more than $3,000 a month, or $5,000 if you’re bringing the family. Picture yourself working from a tropical paradise – not too shabby.
UAE
Dubai’s long-term visa scheme is perfect for remote workers and their families. Stay for up to a year while working for overseas companies. The visa costs $611 plus medical insurance, and you need to earn at least $5,000 a month.
Croatia
In the heart of Europe, Croatia is great for remote working on European time zones. Non-EU or EEA citizens need to earn a minimum of €2,300 a month, have proof of employment, and health insurance. Meet these criteria, and you can enjoy up to 12 months in Croatia.
Brazil
Brazil’s digital nomad scheme, introduced in 2022, is open to anyone earning more than €1,400 a month with valid health insurance. You can live and work there for up to 12 months. Imagine spending your days in a village built just for remote workers.
Iceland
Iceland’s ‘Work in Iceland’ program lets non-EEA residents live there for six months. The catch? You need to make at least 1 million ISK per month (around $7,300) and sort out health insurance. But hey, living among volcanoes and glaciers is pretty epic.
Barbados
Barbados offers a ’12-month Barbados Welcome Stamp’ for anyone earning $50,000 or more annually. Picture working with a beach view – it doesn’t get much better than that.
Thailand
Hold on to your hats, because Thailand has just thrown its hat into the ring with a game-changing update. On May 28, 2024, Thailand revamped its immigration policies to make life easier for digital nomads. Instead of the old 30-day visa with extensions and annoying visa runs, they’ve introduced the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV).
This beauty lets you stay in Thailand for up to 180 days a year. You can work remotely or run your business with income from foreign sources, all without paying taxes to Thailand. The DTV costs just 10,000 baht (about $300 or 3,000 kroner) and lasts for five years, with each renewal also costing 10,000 baht. It’s a fantastic, affordable alternative to the pricey Thai Elite Visa, which costs around $25,000.
To qualify, you need to be at least 20 years old and show you’ve got 500,000 baht (about $14,000 or 150,000 kroner) in the bank to support yourself. This visa makes Thailand a dream destination for long-term stays without breaking the bank.
So, if you’re tired of the same old grind, why not take your work on the road? These destinations are ready to welcome you with open arms and maybe a cocktail or two. Go live your best digital nomad life!
Thomas Dean
The Passport Bro Chronicles