News Wise Words

The best places to live as a Freelancer

Anna Allgaier
Anna Allgaier
20.02.23 (updated more than 1 year ago)
Read time 2 minutes

Don’t have it in you to break up with someone so think moving overseas is the answer? Hate your job and want to hand in a sassy “I’m outta here” letter? Just a healthy, functional member of society looking to soak up new experiences abroad? BORING.

Whatever category you fall under, this quick read will have something in it (I hope) for you. Because honestly most of us find it hard enough to pick what we’re having for dinner on a menu, let alone decide where to move.

I’ll take you through countries that offer Freelance Visas, the best countries to live as a Freelancer and how to go rogue and travel while working. Basically, I’m spoiling you.

Hello 👋 click me, I dare you

Thinking practical: Freelance Visa countries

Moving abroad is exciting. New people, new food, new country where people don’t know your childhood nickname or remember the time you embarrassed yourself at the office Xmas party. But with moving, comes some adult stuff too 😴. I’m talking, bureaucracy, bank accounts (just use Wise instead lol) and the almighty Visa .

To simplify your search, here are a few countries that offer Freelance Visas.

Portugal 🇵🇹

Portugal offers the DT Visa. It lets you stay for four months while working and then offers you the chance to apply for a resident permit which would be valid for a further two years, which can, obviously, be renewed.

Germany 🇩🇪

Deutschland also has a Visa and it’s really fun to say… “Freiberufler.” Sounds like something out of the teletubbies. The Visa is valid for three months but can then be turned into a residence permit. Three years of residence following that will make you eligible to settle permanently in the country.

Belgium 🇧🇪

Belgium’s “Self-Employed Professional Card Visa” will give you five years of residence so long as you are seen to be of benefit to their economy (scary).

Brazil 🇧🇷

Brazil’s “Digital Nomad Visa” will help you get temporary and eventually permanent residence too but you have to show the government that you’re bringing in the bucks and making at least 7,844.10 Brazilian Real a month (1,248.21 GBP).

Spain 🇪🇸

The “Non-lucrative Visa” sounds mega official and fancy but it basically means you can live in Spain without being paid by a company within the country. That being said, you’ll be expected to bring in 3,290.39 EUR a month (2,924.60 GBP).

Cyprus 🇨🇾

If you have academic and/or professional qualifications spread all over your LinkedIn then Cyprus may let you live there under their “Immigration Permit Category D-Profession” Visa. What a mouthful. You have to show proof of income and have an annual salary of €30,000 (26,675.61 GBP).

Thinking taxes: Best countries to live as a Freelancer

Georgia 🇬🇪

Not Georgia in the US of A, or that girl you went to school with, but Georgia in Europe. Obviously it’s a beautiful place to live but the capital gains tax rate is 0% (yummy) and the tax rate for freelancers can be 0%-1% (delicious). The cost of living isn’t extortionate either with a rough estimate of 1,433.70 Georgian Lari (449.48 GBP) a month.

UAE 🇦🇪

The United Arab Emirates will be sunny and will have a tax rate as low as 0%. The cost of living is a little bit higher than Georgia- roughly 1,000 GBP higher to be precise.

Tax rates are set to increase to up to 9% for individuals making more than 375,000 AED (84,942.01 GBP) a year as of June, 2023.

Czech Republic 🇨🇿

The Czech Republic has a flat tax for Freelancers which is pretty unheard of. The monthly rate is 7,191.36 Czech Koruna (270 GBP) which is pretty lovely and the cost of living is about 837 GBP a month, which is pretty much the amount I spend at Pret A Manger every day.

Montenegro 🇲🇪

The currency is Euros, the Freelancer tax rate is 9%-15%, and the cost of living is 655.33 EUROS A MONTH!!!!! I won’t even bother converting that to GBP because it’s low.

Thinking “young, wild & free”: Travelling Freelancer

If like Miley Cryus, youcan’t be tamed then you may want to Freelance while moving around. Lucky for you I’ve written an article on that too.

What is a digital nomad and how to become one?

Please ignore the very Instagrammy “digital nomad” lingo and focus on the saucy destinations instead.

*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.

This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.

We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.

Money without borders

Find out more

Tips, news and updates for your location