Portugal is launching its 'digital nomad visa' on October 30. Here are 9 other programs open to remote workers who make less than $3,000 a month.

Portuguese passport (Translation "European Union Portugal passport") and one hundred dollar banknotes wooden background
Gabriel Ramos/Getty Images
  • Over a dozen countries have recently launched "digital nomad visa" programs for remote workers. 
  • Applicants who meet the monthly income requirements can live and work abroad. 
  • Here are 10 programs for remote workers who make under $3,000 a month. 
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1. New Zealand: Minimum funds of NZ$350 a month (around $200) or NZ$4200 a year

Marlborough Sounds in New Zealand.
Rob Suisted

While New Zealand doesn't yet offer a long-term digital nomad visa, remote workers of certain nationalities can apply to a "working holiday visa" for one to two year stays. However, if you remain in the country for over 183 days you will be considered a New Zealand tax resident. 

In order to apply, you must make a minimum of NZ$350 (around $200) a month or have NZ$4200 (around $2,350) in available funds for a 12 month period, according to the country's tourism agency

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2. Colombia: Minimum monthly income of 3 million COP (around $650)

Medellin, Colombia, nicknamed "the city of eternal spring" is located in the Aburra Valley, a central region of the Andes Mountains in South America.
Medellin, Colombia, nicknamed "the city of eternal spring" is located in the Aburra Valley, a central region of the Andes Mountains in South America. John Coletti/Getty Images

Colombia is scheduled to launch its digital nomad visa in October 2022, which will allow foreign nationals to work remotely in the country for up to two years. Entrepreneurs who plan to create a technology start-up in Colombia may also apply.

Applicants must have health insurance and make at least three times the country's monthly minimum wage of 1 million COP, which calculates to around $650 a month. Local income tax applies to foreigners who reside in Colombia for over 183 days, according to the accounting firm KPMG

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3. Netherlands: At least €1,327.69 (around $1,290) in gross profit per month

Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Amsterdam, the Netherlands. George Pachantouris/Getty Images

The Netherlands "self-employed person residence permit" is open to freelancers whose work is considered "of essential interest to the Dutch economy" and make at least €1,327.69 (around $1,290) in gross profit per month.

The visa requirements vary based on nationality and type of income, according to the Netherlands Immigration agency.

If accepted, the residence visa is valid for a maximum of 2 years. Recipients must pay all applicable local taxes. 

 

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4. Cape Verde: Average bank balance of €1,500 (around $1,456) over the last six months

Cape Verde or "Cabo Verde" is an island country in the central Atlantic Ocean off the Western coast of Africa.
Cape Verde or "Cabo Verde" is an island country in the central Atlantic Ocean off the Western coast of Africa. Peter Adams/Getty Images

Cape Verde, also called "Cabo Verde" is an island nation located off the Western coast of Africa.

The country's digital nomad visa first launched in 2020 allows remote workers to live on the island for 6 months, with the possibility of renewal up to 12 months.

In order to apply, applicants must submit proof of health insurance and an average bank balance of €1,500 (around $1,456) over the last six months. 

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5. Brazil: Minimum monthly income of $1,500

"Nomad Village" in Pipa, Brazil is home to a community of remote workers.
"Nomad Village" in Pipa, Brazil is home to a community of remote workers. Leandro Santos / EyeEm via Getty Images

Brazil's digital nomad visa was launched in January of this year and is open to remote workers who make at least $1,500 a month or have an available bank balance of at least $18,000 at the time of the application, according to the Brazilian embassy.

The South American country has become so popular among remote workers that a "nomad village"  is being constructed in Pipa, a northern surf town. 

Digital nomads who reside in Brazil for more than 183 days in a 12-month period will be subject to the local income tax, according to the Brazilian law firm CGM

 

 

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6. Hungary: Minimum monthly income of €2,000 (around $1,943) for six months before entry

The Hungarian Parliament Building on the Banks of the Danube at dawn.
The Hungarian Parliament Building on the Banks of the Danube at dawn - stock photo Getty Images

Hungary's digital nomad visa, formally called a "white card," allows foreign remote workers to stay in the country for up to one year, with the option to renew for a second year.

The visa also allows you to stay in countries within the Schengen Area — a region containing 26 European Union member countries where travelers can move freely without dealing with border control — for up to 90 days. 

Applicants must submit proof of employment and a monthly salary exceeding €2,000 (around $1,943) for the last six months before entry, according to the Hungary Immigration and Asylum Office

White card recipients living in Hungary must pay local income tax if you "physically spend at least 183 days in a given calendar year" in the country, according to local accounting firm Helpers Finance

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7. Georgia: Minimum monthly income of $2,000 or $24,000 in savings

The town of Mtskheta, Georgia.
The town of Mtskheta, Georgia. Cescassawin/ Getty Images

Georgia's digital nomad visa called "remotely from Georgia" was launched in 2020 and allows citizens of 95 countries around the world to live and work in the country for 180 days. 

In order to qualify, applicants must make at least $2,000 a month and have health insurance, according to the Georgian news platform Agenda

 

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8. Malta: Minimum monthly income of €2,700 (around $2,625)

Luxury yachts and sailboats at Kalkara marina with Vittoriosa on right seen from Upper Barrakka Gardens at dusk, Valletta, Malta.
Luxury yachts and sailboats at Kalkara marina in Malta. Holger Leue/Getty Images

Malta's digital nomad program requires applicants to make a minimum monthly income of €2,700 (around $2,625). Participants are completely exempt from any local income taxes, making it one of the most tax-friendly digital nomad visas. 

The permit also doubles as a Schengen Area visa, allowing recipients to stay in 26 different European countries for up to 90 days at a time. 

 

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9. Portugal digital nomad visa: Around $2,750 a month

A tourist photographs the sunrise in Lisbon, Portugal, ranked as the top city in the world for remote workers.
A tourist photographs the sunrise in Lisbon, Portugal, ranked as the top city in the world for remote workers. Marco Bottigelli/Getty Images

Portugal recently released the requirements for its highly anticipated "digital-nomad visa," allowing remote workers who make four times its national minimum wage to live and work in the picturesque European nation. That calculates to about $2,750 a month.

Starting October 30, remote workers can apply for either a temporary-stay visa of up to one year or a residency permit that can be renewed for up to five years.

Portugal is expected to raise the monthly minimum wage in 2023 to 760 euros (around $739), Reuters reported Monday. This would bring the visa's minimum income requirement closer to $2,950 a month. 

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10. Latvia: Minimum monthly income of €2,857.50 (around $2,830)

Riga, Latvia around Christmas time.
Riga, Latvia around Christmas time. Joe Daniel Price/Getty Images

Latvia's digital nomad visa announced this February allows foreign nationals to work from the northeastern European country for up to one year, with the possibility of renewal. 

In order to apply, your employer or business must be based in a country that is a member of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, immigration news site SchengenVisaInfo.com reported. 

Applicants must make 2.5 times the average monthly salary in Latvia, which currently equals €2,857.50 (around $2,830), per the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs. Recipients will be eligible for a reduced personal income tax rate, according to the European law firm Sorainen. 

 

 

 

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