Which Countries Offer Freelance Visas

Which Countries Offer Freelance Visas

Are you a freelancer or business owner hoping to move abroad and wondering which countries offer freelance visas? You’re in luck because there are now multiple countries around the globe that offer freelance visas.

What is a freelance visa?

A freelance visa is essentially a worker's permit. In other words, it's a special visa that allows you to reside in the country, work remotely, and travel as much as you want!

Is a freelance visa the same thing as a digital nomad visa?

Yes! A freelance visa and a digital nomad visa have essentially the same meaning with different names. No matter the name, it's a type of employment visa that can last months to years, as long as you fulfill the residence permit/visa requirements.

Which Countries Offer Freelance Visas?

Getting a freelance visa is easier than ever before, as many countries around the globe now offer these types of visas for remote workers. Some country's visas are easier than others, and each country has its own unique application requirements. There are multiple countries within Europe, South America, and more that are worth checking out.

Portugal

Portugal is known for being one of the easiest countries to get a freelance visa. It’s also an amazing place to meet other internationals, especially in Lisbon or Porto. Portugal is the perfect new home for you if you love sunny, beautiful weather and life by the beach.

Here are the application requirements that you should expect for your freelance visa application in Portugal.

Requirements for the Freelance Visa in Portugal

• Valid passport
• Visa processing fee
• Passport photo
• Proof of health insurance
• Bank statements/Proof of sufficient funds to cover the duration of your stay
• A police clearance certificate to show you’re not a criminal
• Proof of income (invoices, freelance contracts, pay slips)
• Monthly income minimum: €3,040 per month

Keep in mind that if you get the freelance/digital nomad visa in Portugal, you will have to plan for taxes. When moving to Portugal, you will automatically become a tax resident and will have to declare taxes in their system. The tax rate varies depending on your income level, but on average you could expect to pay around 20%.

Czech Republic

Next on our list is the Czech Republic. They offer a freelance visa as well, and much like Portugal, the application process is fairly simple.

The Czech Republic is a fantastic place to relocate, as it’s in a central location (great for traveling around Europe), it’s full of internationals, plus it’s affordable. You can also get by with just English if you live in Prague.

Requirements for the Freelance Visa in Czech Republic

• Valid passport
• Document confirming accommodation for the duration of your stay
• Passport photo
• Document showing the purpose of your stay (in this case, you would need to register your business)
• Proof of sufficient funds (must have at least €6,170 in bank account)
• Proof of income (minimum €2,100 per month)
• Proof of travel insurance
• Application fee of €98

Note that your documents must be written in Czech, not just English! They also might also ask you to get your official documents officially apostilled. You can find more information on their website.

Greece

Arguably the most dreamy country that offers freelance visas is beautiful Greece! Greece is a stunning country to relocate and work remotely.

Not only is the cost of living in Greece low, but the stunning nature and delicious food make it an amazing spot to relax, island hop, and work on your freelancing business. They do require a slightly higher monthly income though (€3,500 net), so if you’re still a newbie freelancer with a lower income, Greece might not be a fit for you just yet.

Overall, the requirements for Greece’s digital nomad visa/freelance visa are pretty simple. You will have to prove that you only have clients outside of Greece, as you can not freelance for any local companies.

Requirements for the Freelance Visa in Greece

• Must only have clients from outside of Greece
• Must show proof of business activity/clients
• Must be able to work solely online/with your laptop and Wi-Fi (no other types of hands-on services, such as hairstyling)
• Must have a minimum income of €3,500 net
• Proof of fully covered health insurance
• Declaration letter (basically your statement of purpose for moving to Greece)
• Bank statements
• Application fee of €75

For more info about the Greecedigital nomad visa application, visit or contact your local embassy.

Estonia

Estonia also offers a type of freelance visa that is eligible for self-employed workers. According to their website, the application seems rather straightforward and easily doable for anyone who wants to move and freelance in Estonia.

Estonia is one of the lesser-known countries in Europe, but that doesn’t mean you should overlook it! It’s a gorgeous country, it’s affordable, and it would make an exciting location to start your move abroad freelance journey.

Requirements for the Freelance Visa in Estonia

Here are the requirements you need to know to get a freelance visa in Estonia:

• Valid passport
• Proof of funds
• Business plan (showcasing your work/services)
• Proof of necessary qualifications (degrees, certificates)
• Proof of private health insurance
• Proof of accommodation for the duration of your stay (must register within the first month of your arrival)
• Depending on your business, you might have to provide proof of investment worth €16,000 (not necessary for start-ups)

View more information about the self-employed worker visa on their website here.

Germany

Another one of the countries that offer freelance visas is Germany! Germany (especially Berlin) is a perfect place for freelancers and self-employed foreigners, as you can get by with just English (different story for smaller cities though), there are a lot of other internationals, it’s decently affordable, and there are a ton of opportunities here.

Fair warning, though, getting a German freelance visa (aka Freiberufler) is no walk in the park. Not only do they require that you have at least 2 German clients, but the visa process is also incredibly slow and a bit competitive, as it’s highly sought after nowadays.

For a little context- I’ve lived in Germany for over 5 years, got my master’s in Germany, I speak German, and they STILL almost rejected my freelance visa because I only had 1 German client at the time. In the end, I was able to get a second client and get my freelance visa approved, but wow was that stressful.

Nonetheless, I’d still recommend applying for a freelance visa in Germany, as life in Berlin is well worth it!

Requirements for the Freelance Visa in Germany

• Valid passport
• Passport photo
• Visa application fee (around €98)
• Proof of funds (bank statements)
• Business plan (showcasing profit/loss estimates)
• Proof of qualifications (degrees, certificates)
• 3-5 letters of intent (at least 2 MUST be German companies)
• Proof of income (invoices, client contracts, payslips)
• Proof of health insurance (I recommend Barmer for public or Feather for private)

Croatia

And last but not least, is Croatia! Croatia offers an easy-to-get freelance visa, it’s stunning, and the cost of living here is extremely affordable!

If you want to live somewhere sunny and gorgeous like Greece but have a lower budget, I’d recommend checking out Croatia.

Requirements for the Freelance Visa in Croatia

• Valid passport
• Passport photo
• Must showcase work outside of Croatia (no Croatian companies)
• Clear criminal record
• Proof of health insurance
• Proof of minimum income of €2,539 per month
• Visa application fee (around €60)

It’s also worth noting that as a freelancer or digital nomad in Croatia, you are not required to local income tax! (You still have to pay tax in your local country though). I’d consider this a huge plus and money saver, especially when you compare the high taxes like you’ll have in some countries like Germany.

Get ready to move abroad with your new freelance visa

So, to sum it all up, freelance visas abroad are like a golden ticket for remote workers and freelancers to live and work legally in other countries. Getting a freelance visa or digital nomad visa is perfect if you're craving flexibility, and want to travel and experience new cultures.

I hope this blog post helped and stay tuned for upcoming blog posts about life abroad, moving abroad, and freelancing!