The indisputable advantage of being a freelancer is the ability to work from anywhere in the world. The situation with the coronavirus has adjusted our plans, and those who have lived abroad for a long time had to return home. But despite the pandemic not going away, many countries have opened their borders and even launched special programs for freelancers, making visa conditions easier for them. Check out our list of the best countries for freelancers in 2021.
Netherlands
Amsterdam, the heart of the Netherlands, is a beautiful and surprisingly diverse city that attracts freelancers and travelers alike. The Netherlands has big tax breaks for expats: you get almost 30% of your income tax-free, which is great (the rest will be taxed).
Access to Amsterdam is currently limited. All public places, non-food shops are closed until April 2021. Travelers will be required to present a negative COVID-19 test upon arrival in the Netherlands.
Registered freelancers in the Netherlands must have at least three employers (clients) per year. It is also undesirable to receive more than 70% of income from one client - exceeding this indicator will lead to the fact that the tax authorities will consider your work as a traditional form of employment.
Spain
Spain is ideal for retirees, traditional entrepreneurs and freelancers who are not dependent on their jobs. The Spaniards do not want you to look for work in their country, but they allow those who can support themselves to live in the country. Spain offers several long-term residence visas + there is a program for entrepreneurs, which makes Spain attractive for investors, businessmen, highly qualified specialists, researchers.
Spain Non-Lucrative Visa - This one-year visa is ideal for those who do not have an EU passport and who are not going to work for a Spanish company. It is suitable for freelancers - however, clients must be located outside of Spain.
At the time of application, the applicant must have about € 26,000 in savings or guaranteed annual income + health insurance.
Dubai ( UAE )
Dubai opened borders for tourists after the pandemic and attracted workers thanks to a new visa for up to 12 months for freelancers, entrepreneurs and those who work remotely.
The visa gives the right to use all services - rent housing, connect television, the Internet, study at courses, at universities, and other educational institutions. And you can come along it at any time and as many times a year!
For registration, you will need to pay a fee of $ 287, take out insurance and prove that you receive at least $ 5,000 every month (the same conditions apply to entrepreneurs and company owners).
Tourists take a covid test before arriving in Dubai or immediately after arriving.
Bali
Bali is an opportunity to live in a cheap and beautiful place all year round. This is a haven for digital nomads.
Living requirements in Bali are not strict, Wi-Fi is excellent, and the cost of living is very low: for about $ 1500-2500 / month. you can live very comfortably and afford to travel in Asia.
The most popular visa option for freelancers is the Sosial Budaya Visa , officially designated for those who visit their Indonesian relatives and friends. Applicants need to send an appropriate sponsorship letter or hire a visa agent to do the job for them. These documents allow you to stay in Bali for 60 days, and then allow up to 4 extensions for 30 days, as a result of which the visa is valid for 6 months.
Right now, there is no isolation in Bali and throughout Indonesia, but the local government is taking some measures: you have to wear a mask (100,000 rupees fine), markets close at 23:00. Covid-19 cases in Bali are at their highest level since the opening of domestic tourism.
Georgia
Georgia has allowed tourists to enter, although the pandemic has not ended. Freelancers can enter the country for up to 12 months. Visitors must prove income over $ 2,000 and complete an application.
All tourists are quarantined for 14 days, taking a coronavirus test. Please bring a valid passport, your paycheck receipt, and your insurance for the duration of your stay.
Estonia
A visa for "digital nomads" in Estonia also appeared during the pandemic - the government allowed to issue it for a year to those who can confirm that they work remotely or freelance. You can apply for the Estonia Digital Nomad Visa online: the cost is 80 € for a short-term (type C) and 100 € for a long-term visa (type D).
To move you must prove your worth. Financial minimum - 3 405 € excluding taxes.
Germany
Germany is another favorite destination for freelancers. Berlin has introduced a visa for those who are self-employed in a wide variety of fields, including technology, creativity, marketing, engineering, architecture and medicine. If the German authorities see that your work will have a positive economic impact, you may be eligible to enter on a visa to pursue independent business and work in liberal professions.
Required documents:
- Completed online form
- Passport
- Proof of address in Berlin
- Summary
- Freelance confirmation
- Funding plan
- Revenue forecast
- For Artists and Foreign Language Teachers: Proof of Other Regular Income
- Professional authorization, if applicable (for example, if you are a practicing lawyer)
- Medical insurance
- Pension plan if you are over 45 years old.
Today, the entry of tourists to Germany is limited, but flights between the countries are open. The grounds for entering Germany are:
- residence permit
- valid long-term visa
- urgent need
- close relationship with European citizens
- long-term relationships with the inhabitants of the country.
