Work from anywhere guide: From Portugal's Golden Visa and beyond

Portugal isn't the only European country offering attractive investment-based visa options — several other nations also offer variations on such programs.

For example:

• Austria has its investor visa version, requiring applicants to invest €2 million into Austrian real estate or business interests.
• Belgium has an investment program that requires applicants to put down €500,000 towards Belgian government bonds and life insurance policies over ten years.
• The Czech Republic offers a five-year temporary residence permit if you invest €150,000 or more into their economy.

Meanwhile:

• Denmark offers a residency permit in exchange for an investment of up to 10 million Danish kroner (around 1.3 million Euros). There are cheaper ways to get Denmark's version of the Golden Visa by investing in scientific research or artistic projects.
• In Estonia, investors can purchase a long-term resident visa after investing €400,000 into property or businesses.
• Finland has an "Entrepreneur Residence Permit" that requires a minimum capital investment of €80,000 and the creation of jobs.

Other notable countries include:

• France, with investor visas ranging from €50,000 to €300,000, depending on the project.
• Germany, requiring investments between €250,000 and €500,000 over five years.
• Greece, which requires €500,000 into real estate or business investments.
• Hungary, needing at least €300,000 into government bonds and certain other assets.
• Iceland, where investors must spend at least 1 million Icelandic Krona (around 8100 Euros) on local stocks or shares.
• Italy, offering options that require investments of up to 2 million Euros or €500,000 into government bonds.
• Latvia, with an investment visa for a minimum of €250,000 in a Latvian business or real estate.
• Liechtenstein, requiring 1 million Swiss francs (around 925,000 euros) into its economy over five years.
• Lithuania, offering the "Investment Residence Permit" with a €100,000 bank deposit requirement.
• Luxembourg, with varying cash requirements based on job type and business setup.
• Malta, requiring €275,000 into local bonds and approved investments.
• The Netherlands, with options needing at least 1 million Euros in Dutch government bonds.
• Norway, offering two investor visas: the "Business Immigration Program" and the "Investor Visa Program," with a minimum capital contribution of 3 million Norwegian kroner (around 300,000 Euros).
• Poland's "Entrepreneurial Residence Permit," requiring a €100,000 investment in Polish businesses or real estate.
• Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland, all offering different versions of the Golden Visa for investors.

All figures quoted are subject to change on a case-by-case basis. Anyone interested in moving to any country in the Schengen area should investigate all options before paying a specialist company to obtain a visa.

The Schengen area is one of many ways to move access-free worldwide. The pandemic proved that if you have means and can prove that you can work from anywhere, you can access some of the most beautiful places in the world as a digital nomad.

Digital Nomad Visas

Working from a hammock on the beach sounds fantastic (if not impractical), but changes to how we work mean hammock work is possible if you have the correct visa.

Barbados Welcome Stamp Plan

The Barbados Welcome Stamp program enables digital nomads to stay in the country for up to 12 months, with the option to extend for another year. It is open to those working remotely or freelancers who can show that they can sustain themselves financially and contribute to the island's economy.

• The cost of obtaining this visa is US$2,000 per person.

Work From Bermuda Certificate

The Work from Bermuda Certificate allows digital nomads to work remotely on the island but limits their stay to six months. Applicants must provide proof of sufficient income (the exact amount varies depending on circumstances) and pay a $263 fee.

Other Digital Nomad Visas

In addition to the Schengen area and Barbados/Bermuda visas, other countries offer special permits for digital nomads.

• Aruba has a "Work & Stay" visa, requiring at least US$1,500 per month of passive income or US$3,000 per month from active income sources.
• Costa Rica requires $2,500 per month in passive income or $5,000 per month in active income.
• Antigua offers the "Nomad Digital Residence Program," requiring an annual fee of $1,500 and proof of health insurance coverage.
• Panama requires a minimum financial investment of $5,000 before being granted digital nomad status.
• Mexico has a "Temporary Resident Visa," requiring proof of a monthly income (either active or passive) of at least $1,500 per month.

The visa cost is around US$70, which allows stays up to four years. It's important to note that the Temporary Resident Visa does not give you the right to work in Mexico; you must be freelance with a current work pipeline to apply and obtain an additional work permit if you wish to do so.

These are just some of the many digital nomad visas available. It's worth researching the options thoroughly before applying to ensure you have all the information you need to make an informed decision.

Becoming a digital nomad is an exciting experience but requires careful planning and preparation. Understanding visa requirements can make your transition smoother and more hassle-free. This time next month, your daily commute may take on another meaning altogether.