If you’ve been dreaming of working from somewhere new (maybe a beach town in Portugal, a café in Mexico, or a mountainside village in Georgia), there’s good news: digital nomad visas are popping up around the world like never before. These special long-stay visas are designed for remote workers, freelancers, entrepreneurs, and anyone earning income from outside the country they want to live in.
Unlike traditional tourist visas, nomad visas often allow you to stay for six months, a year, or even two or more, all while working legally and paying taxes only where you choose (with the right planning). Some countries offer added perks like access to local healthcare or favourable tax treatment. The landscape keeps evolving, but right now, here’s a solid snapshot of the countries offering digital nomad visas — and what remote workers should know about each.
Before we dive into the list, here are a few key things most nomad visas have in common:
Nomad visa rules change, so always check the official government site or consulate before applying.
Also read: The cheapest digital nomad visas in the world
Europe leads in structured nomad visas with clear government schemes and often lower income requirements than you might expect. Countries like Portugal, Estonia, and Greece are favourites because they combine quality of life with nomad support. Spain’s new law is also exciting if you want access to Schengen freedom.
This region has some of the most straightforward programmes for English-speaking nomads. Mexico and Costa Rica don’t always call them “digital nomad visas”, but their temporary resident visas work beautifully for remote workers.
Also read: Top countries for Latin America digital nomad visas
Emerging options here are great if you want somewhere off the usual nomad path. Mauritius stands out for its tropical lifestyle, while visas in Egypt and Turkey are expanding options for remote workers.
Some programmes are officially launched, others are in progress or offered via more general long-stay visas. Malaysia’s DE Rantau is fully operational now, and Thailand’s SMART Visa is remote-friendly. Southeast Asia remains nomad-popular even where formal visa programmes are still evolving.
Georgia’s program was one of the earliest and still one of the most nomad-friendly, especially with low cost of living and easy entry. Other countries are experimenting with similar offers.
Most countries allow online applications, but some require consular interviews or local verification.
Do I need a special visa to work remotely from another country?
Not always. Some remote workers use tourist visas (when allowed) but this can be risky. Nomad visas are designed for remote work and offer legal peace of mind.
Can I bring my family on a nomad visa?
Many countries allow dependent visas for spouses and children — check eligibility per country.
Does a nomad visa lead to permanent residency?
In most cases, nomad visas are temporary. Some countries allow renewals, and a few offer pathways to longer-term residency, but this varies.
Once you’ve chosen where you want to live, the next big question is how you’ll manage your money across borders.
With Grey, you can open a free multi-currency account that lets you receive and hold USD, EUR, and GBP in one place. It’s built for remote workers and digital nomads who earn internationally and move often.
You can keep your income in foreign currency, convert when it suits you, and withdraw to your local bank account when needed. Grey also gives you a virtual USD card, making it easy to pay for subscriptions, coworking spaces, flights, and everyday online expenses wherever you’re based.
Whether you’re applying for your first digital nomad visa or settling into your next long-term base, Grey helps your money move as freely as you do.
Open a free Grey account and set up your finances for a borderless remote life.
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