The Digital Nomad Visa: A Ticket to a New Life
Do you want to explore the world without having to sacrifice work? If so, a digital nomad visa might be for you, created especially for those who want to work while travelling. Become a mobile globetrotter and find out which countries offer these visas in our guide for Digital Nomads.
What is a digital nomad visa?
The digital age allows us to be online almost anywhere – a must for digital nomadism. Whether it’s freelance or remote work, a digital nomad has a job where they only need a laptop and the internet. As long as they have both things, they can work anywhere in the world. These jobs are often in industries such as marketing, IT, design and media, or consulting.
What distinguishes digital nomads from people who work from home? The answer is in the name. Like nomadic people, digital nomads are not bound to one place, unlike those who prefer to work from home. Instead, digital nomads travel from one country to the next while continuing their professional careers from another location. This freedom to explore the world is an incentive for many to become digital nomads themselves.
Important things every digital nomad must know
A stable internet connection is critical when deciding which destination to travel to next. Many cities already have many coworking spaces, which are rentable, fully equipped workplaces. Many digital nomads often come together here as it’s a great opportunity to network and meet other like-minded people.
For many digital nomads, the cost of living is also a key point in the selection criteria for the country they choose to visit. The cost-of-living criteria factors in rent, food costs and the amount of money left over to enjoy cultural experiences.
Source: https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/rankings_by_country.jsp, viewed on: 24.02.23
How a digital nomad visa can change your life
The pandemic brought a couple of major changes to the world. One was the spike in jobs that allowed remote work. The second was decreased tourism across many countries. Therefore, in order to boost tourism again and help the national budget, some countries have introduced a digital nomad visa. The idea behind it: the spending power of long-stay digital nomads is higher than short-stay tourists.
A digital nomad visa can give you the freedom to ignite your passions and travel the world. It allows you to stay for a certain period in the country the visa is from while working for your current job.
Countries that offer a digital nomad visa
Important: You can only work remotely for a company that is not based in the host country. For example, if you are travelling to Spain, you cannot work for a Spanish company with a digital nomad visa.
The Ideal Destinations for Digital Nomads
Have you caught the travel bug and want to pack your bags right away? We’ll tell you which countries are appealing for digital nomads based on a selection of criteria that includes: Cost of living, number of coworking spaces, internet speed and ease of obtaining an uncomplicated visa.
Quick Internet Connection and Best Remote Working Options
These places have many coworking spaces and the average internet connection is sufficient for digital nomads to work. In addition, these countries offer digital nomads uncomplicated ways to visit their families.
- Colombia
- Croatia
- Dubai
- Portugal
- Spain
Ensuring you can comfortably work remotely is an important factor for digital nomads. Coworking spaces offer a quiet workspace, electricity and Wi-Fi access, many coworking spaces also offer drinks and snacks – all for a predetermined price. Other countries that have high amounts of coworking spaces available include Canada, Germany, Mexico, Spain and the USA.
Unsurprisingly, the first coworking spaces started in the USA in 2005. Since then, the number has grown to a solid 4,500 – a paradise for remote workers. Likewise, Spain offers nearly 800 coworking spaces, Mexico has 700 coworking spaces and Germany has 946 official coworking spaces. These countries spoil digital nomads for choice!
Source: https://www.coworker.com/ Viewed on: 24.02.23
Popular Destination Choices for UK Digital Nomads
However important the previous factors were, sometimes you can’t help just being drawn to certain countries. Where are most digital nomads from the UK based? Research shows that the most popular choices for UK citizens who use a digital nomad visa are Bali, Croatia, Estonia, Greece, Portugal and Spain.
Source: https://app.ahrefs.com/ Viewed on: 24.02.23
Excluding Bali, it is possible to apply for a digital nomad visa in these countries, which is valid for 12 months. The digital nomad visa in Bali is only valid for two months and is also more expensive than the others, despite the shorter amount of time. Comparatively, Spain is the cheapest, followed closely by Greece.
Omio on Workation
As employees of Omio, a travel company, we naturally don’t miss the opportunity to get a taste of the digital nomad experience by combining work with vacation. In her article on workation, our colleague Nora explains the best way to enjoy this experience. Read more about Stephie’s trip to Madeira and what to expect in our Madeira guide. So set sail and let’s go!
Emily McDonnell
Corporate Communication Manager
1 year, Aljezur, Portugal
Sitting on a terrace overlooking the crashing waves of the Atlantic, sipping orange juice made from oranges picked from your own, temporary garden as you answer emails hits differently! Working from anywhere helps me refuel my creativity and think differently about strategic problems I’m facing in my role.
Alan Shorrick
Head of ERP & Workplace IT
Haifa, Israel:
I rented an apartment in the hills above Haifa, Israel whilst the Covid restrictions were being lifted. The joy of people being able to meet again was palpable, along with a hint of uncertainty. I had the privilege of watching a city re-establish itself as a community, one that welcomed me as a long term visitor, living life alongside the locals.
Stephanie Schlanert
Senior Online Marketing Manager
3 months, Madeira, Portugal
Even the way to the supermarket past the maracuja trees and the constant view of the sea at Madeira were a great change from the grey Berlin winter. It’s nice to close the laptop and go for a hike, take a plunge into the sea or go on smaller excursions and slowly get to know the island.
Nicholas Hirst
Senior Vendor Manager
5 weeks, Rhodes, Greece
There are many reasons why I love to work remotely: My yearn to embrace different cultures, try new foods, and to see different landscapes. But ultimately what I get out of it is throwing myself into the local community. Remote working allows you to not just travel somewhere, but to live and get a brief snapshot of a different world.