Minister of Economic Affairs Proposes Relaxing Estonia’s Digital Nomad Criteria

Minister of Economic Affairs Proposes Relaxing Estonia’s Digital Nomad Criteria

Key Points to Remember

1. The Minister of Economy in Estonia is proposing a reduction in salary requirements to attract more digital nomads.
2. The Minister has urged the Ministry of the Interior to revise the criteria for remote workers.
3. Currently, individuals seeking a Digital Nomad visa in Estonia must earn at least €150 daily or maintain a monthly income of €4,500 on average.

Estonia is considering lowering salary thresholds to draw a larger pool of remote workers, as revealed by Tiit Riisalo, Estonia’s Minister of Economy and Information Technology. Riisalo has called upon the Ministry of the Interior to introduce new criteria for remote workers. Presently, to be eligible for a Digital Nomad visa, applicants must meet a daily income requirement of €150 or maintain an average monthly income of €4,500.

The reasoning behind the high-income requirements for digital nomads, who contribute to the economy and tax revenue without long-term liabilities for the state, remains unclear. Minister Riisalo emphasized the positive economic impact of digital nomads, who spend money on accommodation, food, transportation, and entertainment, thereby benefiting local businesses. Additionally, they enhance the country’s image as a successful digital hub and attract international tourists, boosting local tourism revenues.

Estonia's Digital Nomad Visa permits remote work for foreign employers and businesses. Since its inception in 2020, Estonia has issued 535 digital nomad visas, offering both short-stay (type C) and long-term (type D) options. The monthly income requirement was raised from €3,500 to €4,500. Minister Riisalo noted that even the previous threshold was high compared to other countries offering digital nomad visas.

Several European countries provide digital nomad visas with lower income requirements: Spain (€2,160), Croatia (€2,232), Malta (€2,700), Latvia (€2,857), Portugal (€3,040), Greece (€3,500), and Romania (€3,700). Despite Estonia ranking 20th in the Digital Nomad Index, other European nations like Spain, Romania, Croatia, Portugal, Malta, and Norway rank higher, according to VisaGuide.World.

News, Politics, Schengen News, Immigration,

Disclaimer

The Think Europe Services website is owned and operated by Think Europe Services Sp. z. o. o., a private international company operating independently from the Polish government. Please note that the information on this website is not intended as professional or legal advice. We make every effort to maintain the accuracy of the content, but it's important to be aware that certain terms, like immigration eligibility criteria, may be subject to change without prior notification. ..see more

In reference to our Job Search Service, we specialize in Resume Crafting, LinkedIn Enhancement, and Resume Promotion. It's crucial to emphasize that we do not promote job opportunities on behalf of international employers or serve as agents for any foreign companies. Our Registration number is KRS 0001007806, our tax identification number is NIP 9512557041, and all our services are exclusively offered at our Registered Center.

Please bear in mind that the content provided here is meant solely for informational purposes and should not be regarded as legal or tax guidance. It is recommended that you seek advice from your own legal and/or tax consultant(s). We do not offer legal or tax advice, and the information we present is of a general nature, not customized for any particular company or workforce. Moreover, it does not represent how we operate in a specific jurisdiction. We do not assume responsibility for the accuracy or timeliness of this information, and we are not liable for any losses that may occur as a result of using or relying on it.