If working remotely is a lifestyle for you, and not a passing trend you may be wondering: which countries out there welcome long-term remote workers? This means: which countries offer remote work visas, have an array of co-working and co-living spaces, and make it easy for foreigners to settle in. LMDES as a team, has always worked remotely and has seen this idea transform from an idea to a realistic way of life over the years. We pride ourselves on giving our readers practical information and resources to make their dreams of location-independence a reality. In fact, LMDES founder Sienna Brown, has compiled so much of her lived experiences, research and 5+ years of trial and error into a comprehensive course on moving abroad!
One of the first big questions is: where should I go? This is one question that we cover in the Master Your Move Abroad course, but in the meantime, let’s explore 5 of the best countries for long-term remote workers!
Photo by Christina @ wocintechchat.com
Barbados
Now, we can’t promise that you’ll meet RiRi while you’re here, but we can assure you that Barbados is a beautiful nation and it’s already on board with remote workers. How do we know that? Well, they have officially launched the “Barbados Welcome Stamp” which is a 12-month visa for remote workers! It’s 2k for individuals, and 3k for families!
Estonia
Before you knock it, you should know that Estonia is one of Europe’s most least crowded countries which in these pandemic times is not a bad idea! It also has over 2000 islands, one of the highest literacy rates in the world, and the country is 52% forest! They’re planning to launch a “Digital Nomad Visa” for those who can prove they earn at least 3,500€ a month. The application fee is $117 and it’s only open to 1,800 people.
Bermuda
This one-year residency program is aimed at students and remote workers alike and the goal is to bring international students to the island, increase tourism and bring some life back to the island that has been affected by the lack of tourism. It’s $263 and you can find more information about the Bermuda one-year visa here!
Georgia
No, not the state; the country! Although the application hasn’t been released yet, what we do know is that this visa is aimed at long-term remote workers who wish to stay for 6 months or longer. One other requirement is a quarantine (at your own expense) upon arrival, which is doable in the grand scheme of things!
Portugal
Portugal is a stunning country on the Iberian Peninsula, and of course Spain’s next door neighbor! Be warned, this is one of the more lengthy application processes, but the pay off is so worth it. Can you imagine waking up in Lisbon, looking out at the coast and heading to a café for a day of work? If you want to work remotely in Portugal, you’ll need to find which visa suits you, and also prove that your skill set is necessary in the country.
Our goal with this list is to give you a mix of expected, and unexpected countries which welcome long-term remote workers, and we’re certain that in the months and years to follow, even more countries will be opening up their borders to this sustainable way of life and to embrace this new normal. If you’re feeling more inspired than ever, but still a bit lost on the next steps, our MYMA course is the perfect introduction to moving abroad. You don’t need to feel stressed, overwhelmed or alone! That’s why we’re here to help you every step of the way!