These 12 European Countries Are Perfect for American Digital Nomads

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The trend of working remotely as a digital nomad continues to grow across the United States as more and more people try to escape the daily grind of office life. As such, millions of digital nomads in the United States are now looking for somewhere new and exciting to work.

You’ve come to the right place if you’re one of those people. Thanks to digital nomad visas, Americans can legally live and work in many European countries, allowing them to explore some of the world’s most fascinating places. To learn more, here are 12 European countries for American digital nomads. Stick around if you’re looking for your next adventure.

Italy

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Italy is the first European country on our list to offer Americans a digital nomad visa. This breathtaking nation is famed for its rich history, ancient architecture, lush landscapes, and tasty cuisine. Designed for non-EU citizens who can work remotely online, the Italy digital nomad visa permits entry for one year.

It’s available to highly skilled freelancers, self-employed workers, and remote workers from companies or organizations outside Italy. It’s also worth noting that this visa can lead to permanent residency. In Italy, you’ll spend your free time exploring historical landmarks, eating Italian food, hiking in the great outdoors, and more. Popular places to live in the country include Rome, Florence, Sicily, Sardinia, and Milan.

Spain

Suppose you’re an American citizen or a Green Card Holder. In that case, you are eligible to apply for Spain’s digital nomad visa, which permits freelancers, self-employed individuals, and remote workers of companies based outside Spain a one-year renewable stay in the country. This gives you plenty of time to explore world-famous destinations like Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia, and Ibiza.

History buffs must stay in Barcelona, where you’ll find fascinating historic landmarks like La Sagrada Familia and Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya. Meanwhile, beachgoers can enjoy the nation’s best beaches in Mallorca. Alternatively, sports fans can watch Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid in Madrid. Other fantastic destinations include Santander, Sevilla, and San Sebastian.

Portugal

Spain’s vibrant neighbor, Portugal, is the following country on our list. Portugal is one of the latest European countries to offer a digital nomad visa to Americans. The visa for non-EU citizens was introduced towards the end of 2022. It takes approximately 90 days to obtain the visa, which grants a one-year stay.

To obtain this visa, you must be a freelancer, self-employed worker, or employee of a foreign company and earn at least €3,280 ($3,670) per month. However, the hard work starts when you have your visa because deciding where to live is tough. Portugal is home to many magnificent destinations. However, the likes of Porto, Lisbon, Madeira, and Braga are always excellent options.

Iceland

If you’re looking for somewhere to live that offers endless hiking opportunities, breathtaking landscapes, many things to see, and the possibility to spot the Northern Lights daily, Iceland must be your next home. The Iceland digital nomads visa lets Americans live amongst volcanoes for six months.

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To make the move, you just need to be a freelancer, a remote worker from a foreign company, or a self-employed individual. If you live in Reykjavik, you’ll have easy access to the Iceland Ring Road, which connects the island’s best attractions, including Thingvellir National Park, Hofn, Gullfoss Falls, and Geysir. The capital also has many attractions, such as Hallgrimskirkja.

Croatia

Another fantastic place to live if you love picturesque beaches and historic cities in Croatia, where you’ll find many iconic locations, including the ancient city of Dubrovnik and its world-famous Old Town. A big hit with Game of Thrones fans, Dubrovnik is an excellent example of what Croatia offers.

You’ll swim in the emerald waters and explore the breathtaking natural surroundings when you’re not admiring the stunning architecture or getting lost in narrow, winding alleyways. Other popular places to live in Croatia include Split, Zagreb, Cavtat, and Hvar. Under the Croatia digital nomad visa, remote-working Americans can live in the country for up to one year.

Romania

Romania is one of Europe’s most underrated countries. Despite offering vast mountain ranges, medieval fortresses, lush landscapes, and fascinating cities with diverse cuisines, few digital nomads move to the country. You can change that by applying for the Romania digital nomad visa. Available to non-EU citizens, this digital nomad visa allows United States citizens to stay in the country for one year, renewable for a further year if necessary.

This grants you enough time to explore the nation’s most exciting places. Notable places worth visiting include Bucharest, the capital city, Sibiu, Cluj-Napoca, and Timișoara. Most digital nomads choose to live in Bucharest, where you’ll find popular attractions like the Romanian Athenaeum, the Palace of Parliament, and the National Museum of Romanian History.

Albania

American digital nomads seeking sun, sea, sand, and affordable living should consider moving to Albania. Albania, a relatively un-traveled European destination, offers white sand beaches framed by turquoise waters, beautiful architecture, and rich cultural heritage. As a result, the country is beginning to grow in popularity. City-dwelling digital nomads can live in Tirana, the capital city.

Here, you’ll find attractions like Skanderbeg Square, the Pyramid of Tirana, and all the essential amenities you need to live and work, such as shops, restaurants, and medical centers. Meanwhile, beachgoers can enjoy endless sunshine, sea, and sand in Ksamil, Vlorë, and Sarandë. Americans can stay in Albania on a digital nomad visa for one year, renewable for up to five years.

Czech Republic

Another affordable place for Americans to live in Europe on a digital nomad visa is the Czech Republic. Renowned for its castles, the Czech Republic has much to offer digital nomads. You can expect a low cost of living, many things to see and do, and world-class cuisine. The Czech Republic digital nomad visa grants American citizens a one-year stay.

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However, you must meet some specifications. For example, you must earn a minimum salary of 60,530 CZK ($2,700) and have worked as a remote worker for at least three months. Prague, the capital city, is one of the best places to live in the Czech Republic. Significant points of interest include Charles Bridge, Prague Castle, and Old Town Square.

Montenegro

In Montenegro, you can spend your free time exploring the great outdoors, swimming in the sea, relaxing on the beach, and exploring historical sights. This small mountainous country in the southwest Balkans is well-known for its beautiful natural landscapes, historical landmarks, and sunny skies. The Montenegro digital nomad visa permits American citizens a two-year stay.

Better yet, the visa can be extended for a further two years. This grants you four years to explore the country. During those four years, visit Podgorica, the capital city, Kator, Budva, and Tivat. Some of the most popular attractions in the capital city include the Dajbabe Monastery, Millennium Bridge, and the Orthodox Temple of Christ’s Resurrection.

Norway

Like Iceland, Norway is an excellent place to work and live if you want to explore the great outdoors. In your free time, you’ll sail along the fjords, search for wildlife, and hike in the Lofoten islands. However, Norway does offer more regarding big city attractions. In Oslo, Bergen, and Tromsø, you can enjoy outdoor adventure and city life.

Points of interest across Norway’s cities include Akershus Fortress, Bryggen, the Arctic Cathedral, and the Polar Museum. Norway’s digital nomad visa allows non-EU citizens, including Americans, to live there for up to two years. Having visited Norway, I recommend starting your journey in Oslo, the nation’s vibrant capital city. Above all else, the food here is out of this world.

Greece

If you dream of sun-kissed white sand beaches, mouthwatering cuisine, ancient historic sites, and beautiful natural scenery, Greece is the perfect place for you. Famed for its tropical-esque islands and historic cities, Greece is a lovely place to live. If anything, there are too many gorgeous places to live.

Luckily, under the Greece digital nomad visa, Americans can live in the country for one year, which should be enough time to see the most famous destinations. In a year, you can island hop on the Greek islands and explore the mainland. Don’t miss Crete, Mykonos, Santorini, Athens, and Thessaloniki. In Athens, the capital city, make sure you visit the world-famous Acropolis.

Belgium

Belgium is a fascinating addition to this list because it doesn’t have a dedicated digital nomad visa. Instead, it offers digital nomads a choice of two visas: the D-Visa and Professional Card. Aimed at freelancers and self-employed workers, these visas allow remote workers and digital nomads to live and work in the country for up to two years.

Better yet, both visas can be extended if you want to stay in Belgium longer. Famed for its beer, chocolate, unique traditions, and vibrant architecture, you’ll never tire of exploring this country’s best destinations. While deciding where to stay can be challenging, we strongly recommend living in Bruges or Brussels. These cities offer impressive architecture, delightful cuisine, and many things to see and do.