A study by ‘Places to Travel’ found that searches relate to visa for digital nomads have grown by as much as 1,135% in 2024, breaking all records from previous years.
The agency used Google trendsa tool that measures how often people search for a term or phrase in Google’s search engine over a certain period of time, in order to analyze the numbers.
Back in 2020, Estonia became the first country in the world to introduce a completely new concept called a ‘digital nomad visa program’.
Since, more than 50 countries have joined this trend, offering digital nomads the opportunity to legally live and work in their territory for a number of years.
Last month, Italy, Turkey and South Africa launched their own visas for digital nomads, becoming the latest to join the list.
Later, folks at Places to Travel discovered that searches included the phrase “Italy digital nomad visa” up 3.025% worldwide!
The popularity of visas for digital nomads “has taken the world by storm – as the survey results show – with employees eager to take advantage of the unique work opportunities presented to them as they continue to build their hard-earned careers,” says Jason Wilson, CEO of Places to Travel.
Best visa for digital nomads in 2024
The following are the 3 best visas for digital nomads for 2024, according to the Visa index for digital nomads from VisaGuide.World.
The index is a ranking system that awards points to countries after analyzing their suitability to accommodate digital nomads and remote workers.
3. Romania
With the ‘fastest internet in the world’, Romania has achieved an index score of 3.74. This country has important cultural offerings and world-class services for digital nomads.
The most sought after cities are Bucharest, Cluj and Timisoara due to their technological development and affordable cost of living.
Key Requirements and Highlights:
- You can submit your application at the nearest Romanian embassy or online at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- You must earn at least USD 3,630 (EUR 3,300).
- You must pay 0% tax.
- The duration of the visa is 1 year and can be extended for an additional year.
- You will need to pay approximately USD 165 (EUR 150) for the application process and wait 10 to 14 days for it to be processed.
2. Argentina
Argentina came second with a score of 3.78. Buenos Aires is a traditional city for digital nomads because of its fast internet and great cultural offerings.
The country’s current economic situation makes it perfect for digital nomads to enjoy high-quality living at a very low cost.
Key Requirements and Highlights:
- You must submit your application from your home country. Documents include a valid passport, a 4×4 photo, a description of your commercial or work activities, a letter explaining your experience in the field and documentation proving that experience, your educational background, one ‘reference linked to your profession’ and proof of payments.
- The visa has a duration of 180 days and can be extended for another 180 days.
- There is no need to pay taxes.
- You must earn at least € 2,500.
- The process will cost you $200 and the time it takes depends on your consulate or embassy.
1. Spain
With a score of 4.50, Spain positioned itself as the best country for digital nomads due to its affordable cost of living, high-speed internet, low crime rates and blessed weather.
Key Requirements and Highlights:
- Application procedure: Send your application to the nearest Spanish consulate to receive a 1-year visa, then change it to a 3-year residence card when you are in Spain. Another way is to submit your application while you are in Spain as a tourist to get a 3-year residence permit.
- You do not have to pay tax for the first 6 months of your stay, then you have to pay 15% of your income for 4 years and finally 24%.
- The application costs approximately 100 euros and takes 15 to 45 days to process.
- The length of the visa is technically 1 year and can be extended for 5 years until you can apply for permanent residency.
- You must earn at least USD 2,354 (EUR 2,140).
