Note on this guide: Visa requirements, income thresholds, and fees change frequently. All figures below reflect verified 2025/2026 data. Always confirm current requirements with the official government source or an immigration attorney before applying.
Working and earning a living is part of life, which we typically don't mind — until it gets in the way of our dreams to vacation and explore all the wonders the world has to offer.
But now you can work and jetset around the globe thanks to the rise of remote work visas, also called digital nomad visas. What started as a handful of programs during the COVID-19 pandemic has grown into a global movement. Over 50 countries now offer a digital nomad visa or comparable program, according to the most recent counts from immigration research firms. At Girlboss, we have long believed that where you work is increasingly negotiable, and these visas are the legal infrastructure that makes that true.
"It's creating a different type of tourism," says Leonor Echeverria, a Costa Rica-based partner at international immigration law firm Fragomen with expertise in digital nomad visas. "In Costa Rica, for example, a lot of tourists had already been working remotely — but before the visa, they had to leave every three months and reenter the country. These digital nomad visas offer people a lot more security with their legal status as they travel."
While most applications can technically be completed on your own, Echeverria recommends seeking guidance from an expert who can help you navigate the various nuances, such as the type of health and travel insurance you will need. And don't forget to have a conversation with your boss before applying: in most cases, your employer will need to help sign off on your application.
Read on for a current look at some of the most popular digital nomad visa programs.
Spain
Spain's digital nomad visa launched in 2023 and has become one of the most popular programs in Europe, ranking first in the 2025 Global Digital Nomad Report. To qualify, you must earn at least 200% of Spain's minimum monthly wage, approximately €2,334 per month in 2025, from a foreign employer or as a self-employed worker. You cannot work for a Spanish company. A major draw is Spain's Beckham Law, which offers a flat 24% income tax rate for the first five years instead of Spain's standard rate of up to 47%. You must live in Spain to benefit from this, and tax residency is triggered after 183 days in the country.
Estonia
Estonia was one of the first countries to launch a digital nomad visa, back in 2020. Its program allows remote workers to stay and work in Estonia as long as they are employed by a company registered abroad or are a freelancer earning primarily from non-Estonian clients. The income threshold has increased significantly: as of 2025/2026, applicants must prove a minimum gross monthly income of €4,500 over the previous six months. The visa cannot be renewed, but you can reapply. Processing takes approximately 15 to 30 days.
Iceland
Iceland's remote work visa is available to non-European Economic Area (EEA) and non-European Free Trade Association (EFTA) residents. You must work for a foreign company or be self-employed, have valid health insurance, and prove that remote work is the purpose of your stay. Iceland's high cost of living is reflected in its steep income requirement. You cannot have been issued a different long-term Icelandic visa within the last year. If applying with a partner or spouse, the minimum income rises to approximately €8,400 per month.
Bahamas
The Bahamas Extended Access Travel Stay (BEATS) allows remote workers, freelancers, and students to spend up to 12 months on any of the country's 16 islands, renewable twice for a total of up to three years. Unlike most programs, there is no specified minimum income, but you must demonstrate sufficient funds to support yourself during your stay.
You will need valid health insurance, proof of remote employment or self-employment, and a return ticket. Partners applying together must submit separate applications. Families are welcome, with an extra $500 per dependent. No Bahamian income tax applies to foreign-earned income.
Portugal
Portugal's D8 digital nomad visa remains one of the most popular programs in Europe, with a clear five-year path to permanent residency. As of 2026, the minimum income threshold has increased to €3,680 per month (four times Portugal's new minimum wage of €920). You must be a resident of a non-EU/EEA country earning from a foreign employer or as a self-employed worker.
Important 2026 update: Portugal's famous NHR (Non-Habitual Resident) tax regime ended for new applicants in January 2024. It has been replaced by the more restrictive IFICI regime, which offers a 20% flat rate only for high-value professionals. Most digital nomads will now pay Portugal's standard progressive tax rates ranging from 13.25% to 48%. Understand the tax picture before choosing Portugal.
Ecuador
Citizens from 183 countries, including the US and Canada, are eligible for Ecuador's digital nomad visa, the "Rentista." You must have valid health insurance, provide documentation showing you work remotely for a foreign company, and prove a minimum of three Unified Basic Salaries per month for three months prior to application. Ecuador's relatively low income threshold makes it one of the more accessible programs for freelancers and early-career remote workers. Alternatively, you can demonstrate financial self-sufficiency with an annual income of 36 Unified Basic Salaries.
Mauritius
Mauritius's Premium Travel Visa is open not just to remote workers but to any tourists or retirees interested in an extended stay on this East African island. Both US and Canadian citizens are eligible. You must work for a foreign company, have travel insurance, hold a return ticket, and earn a minimum of $1,500 per month, plus $500 for any dependents under 24. If you bring foreign income into a Mauritian bank account, you will owe taxes after six months in the country.
Namibia
Namibia's digital nomad visa has two core requirements: valid health and travel insurance, and proof of at least $2,000 per month in income. If a partner or spouse is joining you, add $1,000 per month. Each child accompanying the application requires an additional $500 per month. The process is relatively streamlined compared to European options.
Croatia
Croatia's Digital Nomad Residence Permit is available to non-EU/non-EEA residents and was extended to 18 months as of August 2025, up from one year previously. A standout feature: Croatia does not tax foreign-source income during your stay, making it one of the best tax-efficient options in Europe.
Note that Croatia joined the Eurozone in January 2023, so all fees and figures are now in euros rather than Croatian kuna. You must prove you earn at least approximately €2,530 per month and have valid health insurance. The permit also allows travel across the Schengen Area while valid.
Costa Rica
Costa Rica's digital nomad visa requires valid health insurance and proof of stable income of at least $3,000 per month from a foreign company. That minimum rises to $5,000 per month if you are joining with family. Costa Rica does not tax foreign-sourced income, and its natural beauty, strong infrastructure, and stable government make it a perennial favorite among nomads from the Americas.
Malaysia
Malaysia's DE Rantau Nomad Pass is specifically intended for remote workers and freelancers in digital fields such as cybersecurity, online marketing, and tech. You must work for non-Malaysian companies, though freelancers can have some local clients. A minimum annual income of $24,000 is required. The program requires a minimum stay of three months to qualify. Malaysia's relatively low cost of living makes the income threshold more accessible than it appears.
Greece
Greece's digital nomad visa is open to non-EU/non-EEA citizens who earn at least €3,500 per month from a foreign company or clients. Valid health insurance is required. If you stay longer than six months, you will begin paying local taxes, though Greece offers a 50% income tax reduction for those who formally transfer tax residency and commit to staying for at least two years. This is separate from the visa itself and requires meeting additional legal conditions.
For more on building a career that is genuinely location-flexible, this guide to reinventing your career covers the financial and practical steps you need to take before making a major change, including going remote full-time.
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