Pixabay / Makalu
The country of Estonia is offering up a ‘Digital Nomad Visa’ for remote workers looking for a change of scenery. For me, one of the hardest parts about the past few months stuck at home has been the inability to plan my next trip. I’ve needed the distraction, something on the horizon to keep me thinking about what’s next. So for anyone out there in the same boat as me, this could be perfect.
Estonia is a member of the European Union which is good news for anyone who lands the Digital Nomad Visa. In order to secure this visa, Forbes says the primary criteria is just being able to prove you have a steady income stream, aka a steady job that allows you to work remotely from just about anywhere.
The obvious benefit to Estonia is they bring in outsiders who will inject fresh money into the economy, money that’s needed with the steep decline in tourism across the entire globe.
The Baltic country and EU member is the latest in a handful of countries to create a so-called “digital nomad visa” in the hopes of attracting remote workers to live — and, of course, spend money — inside their borders. For applicants, the key criteria is being able to demonstrate steady remote income. The upside for Estonia is a potential influx of newcomers who will spend their hard-earned euros and help the local economy, without taking jobs from native citizens.
Estonia’s government has voted to amend its Alien Act to allow for a digital nomad visa for stays for up to a year — nine months longer than the three-month tourist visa allows.
“A digital nomad visa strengthens Estonia’s image as an e-state and thus enables Estonia to have a more effective say on an international scale,” said Estonia Interior Minister Mart Helme in an announcement.(via)
Our very own Matt Keohan worked remotely from Estonia for a few weeks last year and I asked him what it was like. He had this to say about the people of Estonia welcoming him with open arms: “In Estonia, every cafe or restaurant I went to work was super inviting and hospitable and didn’t mind me ordering a cafe and mooching off their internet for 8 hours. In some cities in America, I feel like I have to buy stock in coffee houses to stay there longer than 30 minutes.”
I’ve repeatedly said that I want to spend a full Summer working remotely in Portugal if they’d have me. I just need to figure out a way to rent my house for a few months or find a multi-month rental in Porto or Lisbon that’s affordable enough so I can cover both a mortgage and Summer rent.
I love the idea of being able to wake up 5 or 6 hours before my colleagues and have my dad over with by the time they’re eating lunch. All while getting to experience a new city/culture for an extended period of time. If any of you actually jump at the chance to get this Visa I want to hear about it! Hit me up on Twitter at @casspa.
Estonia’s borders will open up soon. You can apply for the Digital Nomad Visa by following that link and heading over to the country’s website.