The 10 best countries to relocate to as a Freelancer

With the rise in side hustle culture, and people wanting more flexible working arrangements, the freelance revolution isn't slowing down - in fact, it's going global. In 2023, 64 million Americans freelanced¹, representing 39% of the U.S. workforce. Similarly, the United Kingdom had approximately 4.2 million freelancers, accounting for about 13.3% of the UK workforce.** **Governments worldwide have noticed, and more than 50 countries now offer dedicated visas² for remote workers and independent professionals.

If you've been dreaming of swapping your home office for a beachside café in Thailand or a historic piazza in Italy, 2026 is your year. We've done the research to bring you the top 10 countries rolling out the welcome mat for freelancers, complete with visa details, income requirements, and the pros and cons of each destination. If you’re looking to freelance in any country for an extended period of time, you’ll need to get a work visa. This allows you to live and work in a country for a set period of time (usually longer than what a tourist visa would allow). Let’s get into it.

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1. Thailand: The Southeast Asia Sweet Spot

Thailand's Destination Thailand Visa (DTV)³ is a game-changer. This five-year, multiple-entry visa allows 180-day stays (extendable to 360 days per entry) for just 10,000 THB (~$290 USD).

Eligibility: Remote workers, freelancers, and entrepreneurs earning from outside Thailand, plus anyone enrolled in Thai cultural activities like Muay Thai or cooking classes. You'll need 500,000 THB (~$14,500) in the bank and be at least 20 years old.

Why It Works: Thailand delivers the powerful trio - low cost of living (rent from $300-800/month), excellent healthcare, and a massive digital nomad community in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Phuket. The five-year validity gives you long-term flexibility most countries can't match.

The Catch: You can't work for Thai companies, and staying beyond 180 days may trigger tax residency. Requirements also vary by embassy, so double-check with your nearest Thai consulate⁴ before applying.

2. Portugal: Your European Home Base

Portugal is the EU daydream that actually holds up in real life: Atlantic light, walkable cities, serious coffee culture and a visa that lets you keep your clients while building a base in Europe.
Portugal's D8 Digital Nomad Visa⁵ offers a one-year residence visa that converts to a residence permit, renewable and leading to permanent residency after five years.

Eligibility: Remote workers and freelancers earning at least four times Portugal's monthly minimum wage (approximately €3,480 or ~$3,800 USD/month). You'll need proof of remote work, accommodation, health insurance, and a clean criminal record.

Why It Works: Portugal combines European charm with relative affordability, Schengen Area⁶ access, and a clear pathway to EU citizenship. Lisbon and Porto host thriving freelancer communities, and English is widely spoken.

The Catch: Processing can drag on for 4-6 months, income requirements are higher than competitors, and you'll become a Portuguese tax resident. Housing costs in major cities are also climbing. Apply throughPortuguese consulates or VFS Global⁷ - Visa provider service.

Cost: ~€80-€100 application fee plus residence permit costs.

3. Spain: Mediterranean Living, Beautifully

Spain's Digital Nomad Visa⁸ starts with one year, renewable for two additional two-year periods (up to five years total). It's part of Spain's Startup Law and is processed through the fast-track UGE-CE unit.

Eligibility: Remote workers and freelancers earning €2,400-€3,700/month (varies by region), with at least three months' employment history or one year as a freelancer. You'll need a degree or three years of professional experience, plus health insurance and a clean record. You can even do up to 20% of your work for Spanish clients.

Why It Works: Spain offers world-class quality of life, diverse cities from Barcelona to Valencia, and access to public healthcare once you're a resident. The "Beckham" tax (a Spanish tax incentive for qualifying new residents, like digital nomads, allowing them to pay a flat 24% tax rate on Spanish income (up to €600,000) for six years, while most of their foreign income is exempt from Spanish tax) offers a flat 24% rate on employment income for qualifying digital nomads.

The Catch: Bureaucracy can be slow, Spanish language skills help tremendously, and costs in Madrid and Barcelona are rising. You'll also become a tax resident. Check Spain's immigration website⁹ for details.

Cost: ~€60-€85 visa fee plus €2,763 average per month residence permit costs.

4. Mexico: The Americas Shortcut

Mexico doesn't have a "digital nomad visa," but its Temporary Resident Visa¹⁰ is well regarded by freelancers and valid for one year, renewable up to four years total.

Eligibility: Remote workers and freelancers who meet financial requirements: either $3,738 USD monthly income over six months, or $62,233 USD in savings over 12 months. Apply at Mexican consulates¹¹ outside Mexico.

Why It Works: Proximity to the U.S. and Canada, minimal time-zone friction, warm weather, affordable living, and established communities in Mexico City, Playa del Carmen, and Oaxaca. Many consulates issue same-day approvals.

The Catch: You'll become a tax resident after 183 days, must apply from outside Mexico, and internet/healthcare quality varies by region. Check INM guidance¹² before you go.

Cost: $51 USD application fee; $300-$600 USD for the resident card.

5. Italy: La Dolce Vita, Officially

The Deal: Italy's Remote Worker Visa¹³, launched in April 2024, offers a one-year residence permit (renewable) with a pathway to EU long-term residence after five years.

Eligibility: Remote workers and freelancers earning at least €24,789 annually (~$27,000 USD), with proof of high professional qualification. You'll need accommodation, health insurance, and a clean five-year criminal record.

Why It Works: No work authorisation required, Schengen Area access, world-class culture and cuisine, and potential access to Italy's impatriate tax incentives (a form of tax exemption – for new residents) for new residents.

The Catch: Italian bureaucracy is known to be lengthy, language barriers exist outside major cities, and living costs in Milan, Rome, and Florence are high. Apply through Italian consulates¹⁴ using the Prenot@mi system.

Cost: €116 visa fee plus residence permit costs averaging ~€232.46.

6. Croatia: Your Adriatic Office

Croatia's Digital Nomad temporary stay¹⁵ allows up to one year (though not consecutively renewable, you'll need six months outside Croatia before reapplying).

Eligibility: Remote workers earning at least 2.5 times Croatia's average monthly salary (approximately €3,295 or ~$3,600 USD), with an additional 10% per dependent. You'll need health insurance and a clean record.

Why It Works: Tax-free status for qualifying digital nomads, Schengen Area access, stunning coastline, and significantly lower costs than Western Europe. Split, Zagreb, and Dubrovnik offer growing coworking scenes.

The Catch: The one-year limit with a six-month waiting period, seasonal tourism crowds and price surges, and quiet coastal winters. Apply at Croatian embassies¹⁶ or in-country if visa-exempt.

Cost: ~€85 application fee.

7. UAE (Dubai): Tax-Free Premium Living

The UAE's one-year Remote Work Visa¹⁷ targets high earners seeking world-class infrastructure and zero income tax.

Eligibility: Remote workers and freelancers earning at least $5,000 USD monthly, with comprehensive UAE health insurance and a valid passport (six months minimum).

Why It Works: Zero income tax, excellent global connectivity, premium coworking spaces, year-round sunshine, and a diverse international community. It's ideal for freelancers prioritising infrastructure and tax efficiency.

The Catch: High cost of living, expensive visa fees ($611-$870 USD plus insurance), scorching summers (if you can’t stand heat), and no pathway to permanent residency. Apply through the UAE official portal¹⁸ or approved service providers ranging anywhere between AED 7,250 - AED 10,000 (~$1,970 - $2,700 USD).

8. Estonia: The Digital-First Nation

Estonia's Digital Nomad Visa¹⁹, launched in 2020, allows 12 months while working for foreign employers or clients.

Eligibility: Remote workers, freelancers, and business owners earning at least €4,500 gross monthly, with health insurance and proof of remote work.

Why It Works: Pioneering e-government services, excellent tech infrastructure, Schengen Area access, and the e-Residency program for running an EU business fully online. English is widely spoken.

The Catch: Cold, dark winters, higher income requirements, limited to one year initially, and a high-quality Nordic lifestyle that prioritizes peace and work-life balance. Apply through Estonian embassies²⁰ or the Police and Border Guard Board.

Cost: €80-100 visa fee.

9. Bulgaria: Europe's Best Value

Bulgaria's program²¹, launched in July 2025, uses a Type D visa followed by a one-year residence permit (extendable for one more year).

Eligibility: Remote workers and freelancers earning at least 50 times the minimum wage in Bulgaria (approximately ~€2,300 per month), with health insurance, a clean record, and a freelance permit from Bulgaria's Employment Agency where applicable.

Why It Works: The EU's lowest cost of living, Sofia's growing tech scene, good internet, affordable rent, and rich history. It's European living without the Western European price tag.

The Catch: Two-step application process, language barrier (Bulgarian), less developed infrastructure, cold winters, and a smaller international community. Apply at Bulgarian embassies²² then the Migration Directorate.

Cost: ~$60-$100 total fees.

10. Cyprus: Mediterranean Island Living

Cyprus's Digital Nomad Visa²³, opened in March 2025, allows 12 months with an option to renew for two more years. The program expanded its total cap from 100 to 500 residence permits.

Eligibility: UK and non-EU citizens (remote workers and freelancers) earning at least €3,500 monthly, with health insurance and a clean criminal record.

Why It Works: English widely spoken, year-round sunshine, beautiful beaches, favourable tax potential, and a strategic time-zone location. The growing nomad community adds support.

The Catch: Limited to 500 permits, no pathway to permanent residency, island isolation means higher import costs, and you must apply from outside Cyprus. Apply at Cypriot embassies²⁴ then finalise your permit in Nicosia within three months.

Cost: ~€70-€100 application fee.

Quick tips as you start your freelance journey:

• Verify everything. Visa rules change frequently, always check official embassy sources.
• Get documents certified. Most countries require a signature by a notary - lawyer, and apostilled (approved for work abroad).
• Consider time zones. If your clients are in specific regions, choose accordingly.

On arrival:

• Join local digital nomad communities on websites like Nomad List and Facebook groups
• Track your days carefully for tax purposes (183 days typically triggers residency)
• Learn basic local phrases, it transforms daily life
• Attend coworking events to build your network

Managing money abroad:

If you’re planning a move to one of these top 10 destinations, the Wise Business account - built for international businesses and freelancers, offers you local account details in 9+ currencies and allows your clients to pay you via Swift in 23+ currencies. This means your clients can pay you easily in EUR, GBP, USD and more. You can send money internationally at the mid-market exchange rate with low, transparent fees*.

Once you arrive, the virtual Wise Business card helps you settle in seamlessly with spending in 40+ currencies, in 150+ countries. You can also create and send professional invoices instantly in 23+ languages, so you don't have to worry about figuring out how to bill clients from your next destination.

Ready for your next adventure? Open a Wise Business account today to handle everything from visa costs to your daily spending.

2026 isn't just another year, it's the year governments worldwide are competing for freelance talent. Whether you want Thailand's affordability, Portugal's European pathways, or Dubai's tax-free luxury, there's a visa waiting with your name on it.

Ready to take your freelance career global? Start with theWise Business multi-currency account and make international payments as fast as sending that “I’ve landed” text.

*Disclaimer: The UK Wise Business pricing structure is changing with effect from 26/11/2025 date. Receiving money, direct debits and getting paid features are not available with the Essential Plan which you can open for free. Pay a one-time set up fee of £50 to unlock Advanced features including account details to receive payments in 22+ currencies or 8+ currencies for non-swift payments. You’ll also get access to our invoice generating tool, payment links, QuickPay QR codes and the ability to set up direct debits all within one account. Please check our website for the latest pricing information.

Sources

1. **Upwork - **Research Report 2023
2. Digital Nomad - Countries You Can Move To
3. Thailand -Destination Thailand Visa (DTV)
4. Thailand -Royal Directory of Thai Embassies
5. Portugal -D8 Digital Nomad Visa - Portugal Pathways
6. Schengen Area - What is the Schengen Area?
7. Portugal -VFS Global - Portuguese Visa Services
8. Spain -Digital Nomad Visa - Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs
9. Spain -Spanish Immigration Website
10. México -Temporary Resident Visa - Secretaría de Relaciones Exteriores
11. Mexico -Mexican Consulates Directory
12. Mexico -Instituto Nacional de Migración (INM)
13. Italy -Remote Worker Visa
14. **Italy - **Italian Consulate
15. Croatia -Digital Nomad Temporary Stay - Ministry of Interior
16. Croatia -Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
17. United Arab Emirates -Remote Work Visa - UAE Official Portal
18. **United Arab Emirates **- UAE Official Portal
19. Estonia -Digital Nomad Visa - E-Residency Portal
20. Estonia - Estonian Embassies
21. Bulgaria -Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
22. **Bulgaria - **Bulgarian Embassies
23. Cyprus -Digital Nomad Visa
24. Cyprus -Cyprus Ministry of Foreign Affairs
25. General -Upwork Freelance Forward 2023 Report
26. General -Nomad List - Digital Nomad Visas