Digital nomads
In an increasingly globalized world and with the confirmation of the benefits of remote work or teleworking, there are countless possibilities for digital nomads, technology professionals with a vocation for travel.
Portugal is becoming a favorite destination for technology professionals, entrepreneurs and freelancers, not only because of its wide coastline facing the Atlantic Ocean or its good weather, but also because of the progress it is taking to position itself as one of the technological countries par excellence due to its friendly tax regulations or its wide range of services for this type of professionals.
Remote work is becoming more and more common and, with it, workers who, due to their own activity, can reside in different parts of the world without being linked to a specific company or place. As a result, more and more so-called digital nomads are appearing.
The Iberian country wants to be a benchmark in this area, as other countries such as Estonia, Croatia or Dubai have already done, with advantageous proposals for remote workers. Portugal offers a residence permit or, as they are commonly called, a visa for digital nomads.
What does Portugal propose for digital nomads or freelancers?
A residence authorization has been established for these professionals, which offers tourists the possibility to extend their stay beyond three months and reach in full one year to practice their profession independently or as freelancers.
What are the requirements for digital nomads?
Portugal has established two categories for which the digital nomad can opt:
First, it has the visa for digital nomads, freelance professionals or freelancers. The main requirement for this type of permit lies in obtaining benefits for work performed independently, without the need to have a contract or an employer. In the new technological era and with the international explosion of remote work, there are countless job opportunities that can be performed from anywhere in the world.
On the other hand, Portugal has established a clear strategy to turn the country into an entrepreneurial and technological enclave and that is why it also offers the possibility of a visa for entrepreneurs or freelancers. This type of permit facilitates entrepreneurship in the country and is designed for those digital nomads who have plans to start or open a business in Portugal, complying with all the procedures requested by the corresponding immigration authority.
Is there a similar figure in Spain?
Spain is not far behind in relation to this type of authorization to reside in Spain. Apart from the already known Golden Visa or investment visa, it is not unreasonable to think that the Non-Profit Residence can be assimilated to this figure for digital nomads. Fulfilling the economic requirement that this residence permit demands, the foreigner will have the right to reside in Spanish territory for a period of one year, but without a work permit, permission to work as an employee in Spain but that does not exempt the digital nomad to continue receiving his income from abroad. In addition, we must not forget that in Spain you can opt for the Residence for Own Account, or what is the same, the permission to reside for self-employed.
Jobs for digital nomads
One of the most widespread doubts may be what type of employment suits professionals who consider themselves digital nomads. Currently, and largely due to the pandemic effect, we have many more resources and opportunities in this regard.
The job par excellence and the one that best suits this type of life is that of influencer, blogger or communicator. The scope of travel and to make others aware of the curiosities and adventures around the world make it, without a doubt, a highly attractive profession. Strongly related to this type of work is that of video editing or the traditional photographer.
Any job related to digital marketing, SEO or web design will be highly demanded by digital nomads, even more so when it comes to work for their own projects.
Another job that is growing in the digital nomad community is that of translator, as the mere fact of residing in different places gives professionals in the sector greater resources for their work.
Increasingly introduced in the jobs for digital nomads is that of investor or trader, either in the stock market or cryptocurrencies, as we have been discussing. This is because they can develop their professional activity from anywhere in the world and are always looking for the most advantageous jurisdictions for it.
In general, any job that does not require face-to-face attendance will increase in popularity and demand in the digital nomad environment and, as we have seen, few jobs currently require face-to-face attendance for their good performance.
Cities for digital nomads
More and more digital nomads are opting for an exotic destination, where they can work in a new culture while discovering new places or live local adventures.
Undoubtedly, Thailand is one of the favorite countries for digital nomads, cities like Bangkok, the capital or Chiang Mai are positioning themselves to stand out in an environment where digital professionals meet all their claims. Bali, in Indonesia, is another of the cities to highlight in the Asian continent.
In Europe, Lisbon and Porto, in Portugal, offer resources and advantages both labor and tax for the performance of this type of work. Continuing in Europe, cities like Hungary, Berlin or London become cities in high demand by digital nomads.
There is no doubt that other countries such as the United States, where we can not forget the city of San Francisco, or New Zealand, with the city of Wellington at the head, are targets highlighted in red by digital nomads to relocate.
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