If your career is portable and you harbor fantasies of warmer climates, delectable cuisine, and new cultural experiences, this guide is for you. There are now more than 50 countries that have a digital nomad visa, so your dream of seeing the world while working on your laptop is even more of a reality. You can live and work online for anywhere from months to years with these “digital nomad visas,” “freelancer visas,” “remote work visas,” and e-residency programs, and some are relatively straightforward to apply for without the need for immigration lawyers or endless paperwork. Here are seven European digital nomad visas beach lovers can apply for.

1. Portugal digital nomad visa

Portugal takes work-life balance seriously. In fact, as of November 2021, it became illegal for bosses to contact employees outside of work hours. Portugal also has a thriving remote worker community and even a digital nomad village in Madeira. If sipping vinho verde under the Iberian sun sounds appealing, Portugal’s D7 visa might be your golden ticket. Designed for non-EU citizens with passive income, it’s especially popular among retirees, remote workers, and financially independent individuals looking to settle down somewhere warm, safe, and beautifully tiled. The key requirement is a steady, passive income—think pensions, rental revenue, or investment returns. The D7 is also known as the “Passive Income Visa” or “Retirement Visa.” You cannot have an active work-from-home position while on this visa.

2. Spain digital nomad visa

Spain’s digital nomad visa launched in 2023 and was welcome news for remote workers who had fallen for Barcelona, Valencia, and the Mediterranean nation’s countless charming coastal towns. This digital nomad visa allows non-EU remote workers to live in Spain for one to three years, all while enjoying a seriously enviable lifestyle of mild winters and long lunches. To qualify, you’ll need to work for a company based outside Spain, and either hold a degree from a recognized university or have three years of experience in your field. The application is handled online, and those who apply within Spain often receive longer initial stays. Note that you will be liable to pay tax in Spain.

3. Croatia digital nomad visa

Croatia’s digital nomad or temporary stay visa is for non-EU remote workers (or those with their own overseas-registered businesses) without a criminal record who would like to stay for up to 18 months. You must have a valid passport, provide proof of means, proof of an address in Croatia (this can be a temporary address like an Airbnb or hotel), and proof of health insurance. You can apply online or in person at any Croatian consulate if you are typically required to have a visa to enter Croatia.  Your file will be sent to the local police office in your chosen destination. 

4. Greece digital nomad visa

Greece offers third-country (non-EU) citizens a one-year digital nomad visa (“Work From Greece“), with the option to extend for two more years provided your remote setup remains the same. You don’t need a Greek bank account, and the application is made by sending an email or letter by registered post to your local Greek consulate. A reply is guaranteed within 10 days, and once approved, the residency permit is issued by the Ministry of Migration and Asylum. To apply, you’ll need a declaration stating you’ll work remotely for a non-Greek employer and proof of employment or self-employment with a company outside Greece. Once approved, your residency permit comes from the Ministry of Migration and Asylum.

5. Malta digital nomad visa

Malta’s Nomad Residence Permit targets non-EU passport holders wanting to experience the joys of telecommuting on the Mediterranean island for 12 months. After a year, you can apply for a renewal, which may be granted at the government’s discretion if you still meet all the eligibility criteria. This includes a clean background check, valid health insurance, a property rental or purchase agreement, and a minimum gross yearly income of €42,000. Malta is English-speaking, and it has one of the fastest-growing economies in Europe. The Wi-Fi is also pretty stellar, so you can work and play without interruption. 

6. Cyprus digital nomad visa

Cyprus has a digital nomad visa for non-EU/EEA nationals working remotely for companies or clients abroad with an initial one-year residency (renewable for up to two more). To qualify, you’ll need proof of remote work (employed or self-employed abroad), a net monthly income of at least €3,500 after tax, a valid passport, and supporting documents. Applications are handled at the Cypriot consulate or embassy where you reside, and processing takes five to seven weeks. If you stay more than 183 days in a tax year and aren’t a tax resident elsewhere, you’ll be taxed in Cyprus. Family members can join, though they can’t work locally.

Cyprus is in the EU but not in Schengen. Pictured: Blue Lagoon.

7. Estonia digital nomad visa

Estonia was one of the first countries to attract remote workers and digital nomads. In 2014, the Baltic state launched an e-Residency scheme (I wrote about it for BBC Worklife) and it attracted thousands of foreign entrepreneurs from hundreds of countries, many of whom had never set foot in Estonia. For those now wanting to live and work in Estonia for up to a year, they can fill out an online form for the digital nomad visa and take it to the nearest Estonian consulate. At €4,500 per month, Estonia’s digital nomad visa has one of the highest income requirements.