As a recruiter in the UK, we have been closely following the rise in digital nomad visas in various countries around the world. It's an exciting development that could take remote working to the next level, and we believe it has the potential to benefit both employers and employees in 2023.
Digital nomad visas are visas specifically designed for people who work remotely and travel frequently. These visas allow remote workers to stay in a country for an extended period of time, often up to a year in some cases upto five, without needing to apply for a traditional work visa. Countries such as Estonia, Croatia, Portugal and now Spain have already started offering these visas, and others are likely to follow suit. For people in the UK, This is post Brexit.
The number of digital nomad visa applications has been steadily increasing in recent years, and this trend is expected to continue. For example, Estonia's digital nomad visa, the first of its kind in the world, has received over 1,200 applications since it was launched in August 2020 through to 2021. Croatia's digital nomad visa, which was launched in January 2021, has proven very popular. And Portugal's digital nomad visa, which was launched in February 2021, had received over 1,000 applications in just the first few weeks.
These figures show that there is a significant demand for digital nomad visas, and it's not hard to see why. Remote working has become increasingly popular in recent years, and the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated this trend even further. Many people are now realising that they can work from anywhere in the world, as long as they have a good internet connection. Digital nomad visas make it easier for remote workers to travel and work abroad, without needing to worry about visa restrictions.
But what does this mean for employers and employees in 2023? For employers, digital nomad visas could provide access to a wider pool of talent. With remote working becoming more popular, it's now possible to hire the best person for the job, regardless of their location. Digital nomad visas make it even easier to hire someone who is based overseas, without needing to worry about visa restrictions or other bureaucratic hurdles. How nice would it be to say to your Boss that you are off to live in the Algarve for 12 months? If they comply and consent of course.
For employees, digital nomad visas provide the freedom and flexibility to work from anywhere in the world. This can be especially attractive for people who love to travel or who have family overseas. Digital nomad visas also offer a unique opportunity to experience different cultures and gain new perspectives, which can be incredibly valuable both personally and professionally.
The rise of digital nomad visas is an exciting development that could take remote working one step further. As a recruiter, we believe that this trend will provide many benefits for both employers and employees in 2023 and beyond. With more countries likely to offer digital nomad visas in the coming years, it's an opportunity that should not be overlooked. Please do look into this in far more detail than we have discussed though, each country is different, has its own requirements for both the Company and employee so before you rush off to the HR department with your factor 50 in hand just read up.
Sources
https://www.total-croatia-news.com/travel/51881-digital-nomad-visa
https://www.portugalresident.com/digital-nomad-visa-scheme-takes-off-in-portugal/