Croatia will soon join countries offering remote work visas
Digital Nomads wishing to live in Croatia will soon be able to do so, as the country is in the process of introducing a Digital Nomad Visa, which will allow internationals who are engaged in jobs independent of location and time, to work in Croatia. countries offering remote work visas
Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic himself announced the move in a Twitter post, in which he said that Croatia would adjust the Aliens Act to legally regulate the stay of digital nomads.
Before announcing the decision, PM Plenkovic met with Dutch entrepreneur, Jan de Jong who for 14 years now lives in the city of Split, in Croatia.
S nizozemskim poduzetnikom sa splitskom adresom Jan de Jongom o novom Zakonu o strancima kojim će ?? postati jedna od prvih zemlja na svijetu koja će zakonski regulirati boravak “digitalnih nomada”. pic.twitter.com/CDRIEl7y5v
— Andrej Plenković (@AndrejPlenkovic) August 26, 2020
“ with Dutch entrepreneur with a Split address, Jan de Jong, on the new Aliens Act, which will make Croatia one of the first countries in the world to legally regulate the stay of digital nomads,” the Prime Minister tweeted over e picture of his with entrepreneur Jan de Jong.
Previously, de Jong had sent an open letter to Plenkovic calling on him to establish a visa that would enable internationals to stay in Croatia as digital nomads citing the example of Estonia as one of the first countries in the world to have introduced such a visa.
“The last time I sent an open letter to the Prime Minister, he promised not to sue me. But when Jan de Jong sends one, we get the promise of a digital nomad visa for Croatia. Fabulous effort, Sir, we salute you and all those who pushed for this. One of the smartest decisions for the future of Croatia in years,” Bradbury, who is a UK national living and working in Croatia,
said in a Facebook post.
Despite PM’s support, in order for the visa to be finalised, the Alien’s Act amendment will first have to go through parliament and get approved by a majority.
The number of digital nomads has been increasing in recent years, thus pushing governments to amend their laws on the stay and work of foreigners. According to a report by MBO Partners, in the US alone, 4.8 million independent workers present themselves as digital nomads.
Whereas in the UK, 0.03 percent of the job market consists of positions offered for working remotely.
The same report shows that productivity amongst remote workers is 13 percent higher than among office workers, while at the same time being 23 percent less likely to take days off for being sick.
Countries offering remote work visas:
1. Estonia
Estonia is offering a Digital Nomad Visa for remote workers from outside the country and the EU, which allows remote workers -whether working as freelancers or for foreign companies- to live and work in Estonia legally for up to 1 year. The applications are reviewed within 30 days.
2. Barbados
Need a complete change of scenery and love the idea of living in the Caribbean? The beautiful island of Barbados has introduced a special visa for remote workers who want to work, live, and enjoy life in Barbados legally (as long as you work remotely for companies and individuals not registered in Barbados). The new 12-month Barbados Welcome Stamp (time that that can be expanded) will allow remote workers and their families to relocate and work from sunny and safe Barbados.
3. Dubai countries offering remote work visas
Work and live by the beach… or the desert if you want, by applying to Dubai’s new one-year virtual working program. Dubai is offering a great chance to all remote workers to enjoy the sun every day while working in one of the safest and most dynamic cities in the world.
Dubai’s one-year virtual working program gives remote workers from any nationality the freedom to stay in Dubai alone or with family while working remotely, in a similar manner to residents, with access to day-to-day services, and the option to send your kids to Dubai’s schools.
4. Georgia
Located at the intersection of Europe and Asia, Georgia is a breathtaking destination whose tourism had boomed in recent years. Georgia has now introduced their special remote work visas under the name “Remotely from Georgia”, allowing foreign citizens from 95 countries to live and work in Georgia for a year.
The remotely from Georgia program is specifically designed for full-time remote workers, freelancers, and business owners who are looking forward to changing their work environment during the harsh days of COVID-19.