How to Get a Digital Nomad Visa

A digital nomad visa lets you live in a country while you keep working remotely for clients or an employer somewhere else. It is one of the fastest-growing legal routes to living abroad.

Who qualifies

• You work remotely for companies or clients outside the host country.
• You can prove a steady income above the country's threshold.
• You have private health insurance and a clean criminal record.

The usual sequence

1. 1

   Confirm you meet the income threshold

   Each country sets its own, usually tied to its minimum wage.
2. 2

   Gather your proof

   Contracts, recent bank statements, and proof your work is based abroad.
3. 3

   Buy qualifying health insurance

   Private cover valid in the host country.
4. 4

   Apply at the consulate or in-country

   Submit documents, pay the fee, and give biometrics.
5. 5

   Collect your permit and register locally

   Then set up your residency once you arrive.

How the income thresholds compare

Figures are illustrative for 2026 and move with each country's minimum wage, so treat them as a guide and confirm before applying.

Tips before you apply

• Show more than the minimum where you can. Thresholds rise yearly and some consulates expect a buffer.
• Check whether the time counts toward permanent residency if that is your goal.
• Some programs, like Cyprus, cap the number of permits, so apply early in the year.

Not sure where to go? Compare the options in our guide to digital nomad visa countries.