As of September 23, 2026, several European countries operate dedicated pathways that let eligible remote workers live legally while working for employers or clients based abroad. Below are up-to-date, government-sourced snapshots for six popular options, plus where to apply.

Digital Nomad Visa Destinations (Europe)

• Estonia
  Stay length: Long-stay (D) visa, typically up to 365 days.
  Eligibility (high level): Remote work for a foreign employer or your own foreign-registered business; Estonia publishes a digital-nomad income threshold equivalent to €132/day (about €3,960/month). e‑Residency is not a visa and does not grant travel or residency rights.
  Where to apply: An Estonian embassy/consulate abroad; in certain cases, at a Police and Border Guard Board office in Estonia if you already have a legal basis to stay.
  Official guidance: Estonian MFA (D visa & teleworking) and embassy pages; e‑Residency program page clarifying DNV vs e‑Residency.
• Croatia
  Stay length: Temporary stay of digital nomads for up to 18 months; if issued for a shorter period, it may be extended once for a total stay of up to 18 months.
  Eligibility (high level): Third‑country nationals working remotely for a company registered abroad (or their own company abroad) and not providing services to Croatian employers; must show means of subsistence set by regulation (at least 2.5× Croatia’s average monthly net salary).
  Where to apply: If you need an entry visa, apply at a Croatian diplomatic mission/consulate; otherwise, applications may be filed with the competent police administration/police station in Croatia.
  Official guidance: Ministry of the Interior (MUP) – Digital Nomads.
• Portugal (D8 – Remote Work)
  Stay length: A residence visa issued for 120 days (two entries) to enter Portugal and attend an AIMA appointment for a residence permit thereafter.
  Eligibility (high level): Remote employment or independent professional activity for entities outside Portugal; official rule requires proof that your average monthly income for the previous three months equals at least four times the Portuguese minimum monthly wage; consular checklists may vary. Also provide proof of accommodation.
  Where to apply: The Portuguese consulate serving your legal residence; after arrival, you obtain a residence permit from AIMA in Portugal.
  Official guidance: AIMA (residence/working remotely) and the MFA’s National Visas portal (D8 documentation/instructions).
• Spain (Telework/Digital Nomad)
  Status: Spain’s Telework (Digital Nomad) visa has been in force since 2023 under the Startup Law framework.
  Stay length & eligibility (high level): Long‑stay national visa for non‑EU/EEA nationals working remotely for non‑Spanish entities (employees or self‑employed) who meet the documentary and financial criteria set by the competent Spanish mission.
  Where to apply: The Spanish consulate or its designated visa center for your jurisdiction (for example, Washington, DC applicants file via BLS, by appointment).
  Official guidance: Government of Spain – Consular pages for the Telework visa (see your local mission for exact checklist and submission channel).
• Greece (Digital Nomad Visa – Type D)
  Stay length: National D visa for up to 12 months, with the possibility to apply for a residence permit after arrival if you continue to meet conditions under the current Migration Code.
  Eligibility (high level): Remote workers (employee or self‑employed) providing services to employers/clients outside Greece; standard long‑stay visa documentation applies along with a declaration you will not provide work to Greek‑based employers/clients.
  Where to apply: The Greek embassy/consulate covering your place of legal residence; after entry, residence permit applications are filed with the competent Greek authorities in country.
  Official guidance: National visa framework on the Hellenic MFA site; legal basis in Law 4825/2021 and codified in the Migration Code (Law 5038/2023).
• Germany (Freelance/Self‑Employment)
  Stay length: Residence permits for self‑employment/freelance work are granted under the Residence Act; validity and renewal depend on the case and local authority assessment.
  Eligibility (high level): Viable plan to be self‑employed/freelance (including liberal professions), adequate means, and any required local approvals; legal basis is §21 of Germany’s Residence Act (AufenthG).
  Where to apply: Apply for a national visa at your local German mission; after arrival, finalize the residence permit with the local Foreigners’ Authority (Ausländerbehörde).
  Official guidance: Federal Foreign Office (self‑employment/freelance) and the text of §21 AufenthG.

Application tips

• Confirm current requirements on the official page for the specific embassy/consulate that will process your application; document lists, fees, income thresholds, and submission channels can vary by jurisdiction.
• Budget time for legalizations/apostilles and certified translations where required.
• Carry comprehensive travel/health insurance that meets the destination’s minimums for the visa type.

References

• Estonia – MFA Washington: Long‑stay (D) visa, Teleworking (Digital Nomad) category and income threshold: https://washington.mfa.ee/long-stay-d-visa/ and MFA visa overview: https://www.vm.ee/en/consular-visa-and-travel-information/visa-information/application-long-stay-d-visa
• Estonia – Aliens Act (teleworking provisions): https://www.riigiteataja.ee/en/compare_wordings?grupiId=100271&vasakAktId=517012024003
• Estonia – e‑Residency vs Digital Nomad Visa (clarification): https://www.e-resident.gov.ee/nomadvisa/
• Croatia – Ministry of the Interior (MUP): Digital Nomads temporary stay and requirements: https://mup.gov.hr/aliens-281621/digital-nomads/286833
• Portugal – AIMA (residence/remote work information): https://aima.gov.pt/pt/trabalhar/autorizacao-de-residencia-para-o-exercicio-de-atividade-profissional-prestada-de-forma-remota-com-visto-de-residencia-para-o-exe
• Portugal – MFA National Visas portal (D8 documentation/instructions): https://vistos.mne.gov.pt/pt/vistos-nacionais/documentacao-instrutoria/residencia#visto-de-resid%C3%AAncia-para-o-exerc%C3%ADcio-de-atividade-profissional-prestada-de-forma-remota-para-fora-do-territ%C3%B3rio-nacional-n%C3%B3mada-digital
• Portugal – Diário da República: regulation detailing the D8 documentation, including proof of average monthly income over the previous 3 months equal to at least four Portuguese minimum wages: https://diariodarepublica.pt/dr/legislacao-consolidada/decreto-regulamentar/2007-116373592-116390283
• Spain – Government of Spain, Consulate General in Washington: Telework (Digital Nomad) visa and submission channel info: https://www.exteriores.gob.es/Consulados/washington/en/ServiciosConsulares/Paginas/Consular/Telework-visa.aspx
• Greece – Hellenic MFA (national D visas, general framework): https://www.mfa.gr/usa/en/services/visas/
• Greece – Legal basis: Law 4825/2021 (FEK 157 A’/04.09.2021) and Migration Code Law 5038/2023 (FEK A’ 81/01.04.2023): Parliament/legal portals – https://www.hellenicparliament.gr/Nomothetiko-Ergo/Anazitisi-Nomothetikou-Ergou?law_id=a76e3739-8965-4477-b110-ad8f00cfe1e8 and Ministry of Migration & Asylum – https://migration.gov.gr/en/nomothesia-1-2/kodikas-metanasteysis/
• Germany – Federal Foreign Office (self‑employment/freelance guidance): https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/en/visa-service/buergerservice/faq/12-own-business-606752
• Germany – Residence Act §21 (self‑employment): https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthg_2004/__21.html