During the pandemic, various phenomena related to the labor market arose. The need to continue economic activity led many companies to apply teleworking, expanding a way of working that was very marginal before the health crisis. However, many firms are now opting to return to the face-to-face model, either due to a lack of trust or as a way to covertly dismiss.
New ways of working. On the other hand, remote work has created the figure of the digital nomad, a person who has the ability to work through their electronic devices from anywhere in the world. These types of professionals are usually found in the technology sector, and some states of the Old Continent have chosen to regulate their activity to attract them, thus boosting the economy, and to avoid the negative consequences of their arrival.
European interest. As Euronews indicates, in Europe there are fifteen countries that offer a visa specifically aimed at digital nomads. However, other countries such as Germany or the Netherlands, although they do not have this type of visa, have other permits aimed at entrepreneurs who, in practice, can perform the same function.
Spain 2.0 In December 2022, the Law for the Promotion of the Emerging Companies Ecosystem, also called the Startups Law, was approved in our country. This regulation, aimed at the development of “an entrepreneurial ecosystem with an innovative vocation”, contemplates an international teleworking visa that authorizes its holders to reside in Spain for a maximum of one year. With it, the holder has the permission to pay taxes on the Non-Resident Income Tax instead of the IRPF.
Some requirements to obtain this visa are proof of being a university graduate, professional training or a school of recognized prestige, as well as demonstrating that at least 200% of the monthly Minimum Interprofessional Salary (2,160 euros) is earned.
Portuguese visa. Since October last year, the neighboring country has offered a digital nomad visa that allows citizens from outside the EU and the European Economic Area to work in Portugal for one year. In order to obtain this permit, it is necessary to demonstrate that a monthly salary is obtained four times higher than the Portuguese minimum interprofessional salary, which is 760 since January of this year: 3,040 euros. According to Público, two and a half months after its activation, around 200 visas were processed.
All roads lead to Rome. For its part, the transalpine country approved a law in March last year that will allow teleworkers from outside the EU to work in Italy. Although it is still unknown when it will be available, this visa will allow its holder to live on Italian soil for a year, permission that can be extended to close relatives.
In Aegean waters. The Hellenic country has been offering, since last year, visas for digital nomads that allow their holders to live in Greece for one year, with the possibility of extending that period. The economic criterion establishes that the income of the digital nomad must be at least 3,500 euros per month.
Scandinavian nomadism. If we look at Northern Europe, we see that Norway and Finland also offer visas for digital nomads. In the first case, teleworkers from outside the EU have permission to work if they are self-employed and have at least one Norwegian client. To obtain the visa, which allows the holder to live in Norway for two years, it is necessary to pay a fee of 600 euros and have a salary of at least 3,000 euros per month.
In the case of Finland, the visa allows its holder to live for six months, upon payment of a fee of 400 euros. It is geared towards freelance digital nomads or broader business owners. Of course, the holder has to obtain a monthly income of at least 1,200 euros per month.
Baltic visas. To the south of Finland is Estonia, a country that since 2020 offers a visa for digital nomads. This document authorizes its holder to live for one year, extendable to six more months. From the year and a half, the digital nomad will have the obligation to pay taxes in Estonia. On the other hand, this permit is aimed at non-EU workers and self-employed workers who must demonstrate a monthly income of at least 3,500 euros per month.
For its part, Latvia is preparing its digital nomad visa that will allow teleworkers to live in the Baltic country for one year, extendable for another year. Candidates must belong to an OECD country, as well as obtain a minimum income of 2,857.50 euros per month.
Positive points. In short, many European countries have realized the advantages of attracting digital nomads to work in their territories. Economic development, increased national competitiveness, international relevance or the promotion of tourism are some of the positive aspects of this new type of professional.
Other consequences. However, the presence of digital nomads also has negative consequences, such as the increase in housing in the areas where they reside, as recognized by Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, President of Portugal, in November 2022. The Portuguese country, in fact , has a serious housing problem, to which the arrival of these workers has contributed, who, in general, earn more than other citizens.
Therefore, the regulation and control of the activity of this new type of workers is essential to eliminate or, at least, minimize the negative effects, enhancing the advantages.
Image: Rafael Hoyos Weht/Unsplash
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