The future of work has been revolutionized thanks largely in part to some lingering effects of the pandemic and the widespread adoption of remote work. No longer are all employees restricted to just a few weeks of vacation time — these days, anywhere there’s an internet connection and strong coffee can be transformed into a temporary office for those lucky enough to be able to work remotely.
The governments of some countries around the world have grown privy to this trend and are jumping aboard the Digital Nomad Visa bandwagon to attract foreign talent and foreign cash within their borders. These visas let visitors stay longer than standard tourist permits, which is exactly what many digital nomads are after. Even though nomads can technically work from anywhere, most prefer to settle in one place for several months — something a tourist visa rarely allows. For the host countries, it keeps cash flowing into the community year-round and allows them to market themselves as a global hub where remote workers can settle for a while.
That being said, not all Digital Nomad Visas are created equal, and almost every one has varying regulations and fine print. Here are five countries worth considering if you’re packing up your laptop — and three you might want to skip.
Portugal
Portugal has been a favorite destination for digital nomads for years thanks to its weather, laid-back lifestyle, and relatively affordable living costs. To stay legally, there are two main visa options: the Temporary Stay Visa which lets remote workers live in the country for up to a year, or the Residence Visa for Remote Work (commonly known as the D8) which can be renewed several times and even counts towards long-term residency.
Both require proof of health insurance, a rental contract, and steady income — about $4,000 a month, or four times the Portuguese minimum wage. However, as of 2025, immigration and tax rules in Portugal are shifting, and the application process is often slowed down by long backlogs. The visas are still solid choices for anyone wanting semi-permanent or permanent roots in places like Lisbon, Ericeira, or Porto — just be prepared for moving goalposts and to jump through plenty of hoops.
Spain
Portugal’s Iberian Peninsula neighbor has also gotten in on the Digital Nomad Visa fun in the past few years. Spain’s version of the visa launched in early 2023 and allows remote workers to stay for several years with an eventual option for long-term residency. The minimum income requirement is about $3,200 per month (essentially double Spain’s minimum wage), which makes it more accessible than Portugal’s threshold, but that doesn’t mean the application process is any more simple.
Applicants need to show a long list of documents including a clean background check from their home country, a long-term contract with an employer from abroad, and proof of professional experience. But for those willing to gather the paperwork, the reward is a few years of legal residency, and access to all of the wonderful things that make Spain’s quality of life hard to beat.
Indonesia
Bali is maybe the world’s biggest remote worker hotspot, and the Indonesian visa system is finally starting to catch up with that reality. Instead of just one digital nomad visa offering, there are several routes: the B211A visa which covers stays up to six months, while the Second Home Visa and various other KITAS permits offer different options for those who meet the specific financial requirements.
The rules seem to be in constant flux, but the government has made it clear they plan to continue to attract remote professionals, as it provides a boost to the economy even in low tourist seasons. The paperwork and application process may take a while to figure out, but with Canggu’s laptop-friendly cafés, Ubud’s peaceful scenery and Lombok’s surf breaks just minutes from your villa, Indonesia is one of the most digital nomad-friendly destinations in the world.
Estonia
Well ahead of the curve, Estonia was one of the first countries to take advantage of the pandemic’s remote work boom and launched its Digital Nomad Visa in the summer of 2020. The program allows remote workers to stay in the country for up to a year at a time, as long as you’re freelancing for international clients, running your own business abroad, or working for a foreign employer.
Applicants need to show income of around $3,500 a month, which is on the higher end compared to some other nomad visas. But for those who do qualify, it’s a strong option that provides a base inside the Schengen zone, while also getting to enjoy Tallinn’s mix of medieval architecture and modern tech culture or the beautiful Estonian countryside.
Costa Rica
Long seen as a haven for retirees, Costa Rica has recently opened its doors to a younger wave of long-term visitors through its digital nomad visa. The program lets those earning about $3,000 a month ($4,000 for families) to stay for up to a year, as long as they’ve got the basics like health insurance covered.
With already well-established expat communities, solid internet, and plenty of tropical coworking spaces, it’s easy for newcomers to settle in — and for anyone with a remote job who wants to lean into the laid-back pura vida lifestyle, Costa Rica is one of the most appealing digital nomad visa options out there.
Iceland: Avoid
Iceland’s long-term visa for remote work allows applicants to stay for only up to 180 days if they can prove income of about $8,000 per month — one of the highest thresholds for a digital nomad visa anywhere in the world. Combine that with the country’s already steep cost of living, and while it might work for high earners looking for an extended stay, it’s just not a practical choice for most nomads or for anyone hoping to find a long-term base.
Mexico: Avoid
Mexico’s Temporary Resident Visa often gets marketed as a digital nomad workaround, but it really isn’t built for that purpose. The requirements change depending on which consulate you apply through, and income thresholds can swing up or down without warning. That inconsistency means two people with identical paperwork can have very different outcomes. While plenty of nomads eventually figure it out, the lack of transparency and reliability makes Mexico a stressful choice compared to countries with visas that are actually designed for remote work.
Malta: Avoid
The Nomad Residence Permit for Malta promises a clear-cut year-long stay with the chance for renewal, but the reality is much slower and more complicated than that, as the application process is often bogged down by bureaucracy and long delays. Malta’s tough housing market and constant tourist revolving door only seem to add to the nomad frustrations, as it can be a difficult place to form lasting connections or find a real community. Coworking spaces and cafés geared toward remote work are also limited, and there’s not much of an organized nomad scene. For most nomads, there are simply better options, especially elsewhere in Europe.