“Digital nomads used to be a niche in the travel market, posting enviable photos on Instagram of a sumptuous working life lived outside of an office,” Alex Ledsom writes on Forbes.

Ledsom sees that the situation is changing due the corona pandemic. “After three or four months of lockdown, many people are starting to see the new reality; even if they don’t work for themselves, many more can now work from anywhere to do their jobs,” Lendsom says. Digital nomads are still a niche market, but it is getting bigger soon.

Digital Nomad Visa is a step towards a no-bureaucracy country

Emerging Europe has recently named Estonia as a ‘bureaucratic innovator’, and perhaps for the reason. Having built a digital state and e-government over the decades, made 99% of public services accessible to all its residents and companies, offering e-Residency, the digital nomad visa is just another step of Estonia towards a no-bureaucratic country. Furthermore, the new digital nomads can benefit from the ease of doing business and living in that country, where the state is almost invisible, and everything works quickly, online and safely.

Estonia has already transformed the way a country serves people beyond its borders through programmes such as e-Residency. Now with the Digital Nomad Visa, Estonia is transforming how people in the world choose to work.

„The intention behind the digital nomad visa is to attract talented people from around the world to Estonia, who can work independent of location and timezone,“ explains Ott Vatter, the head of e-Residency.

According to Ministry of Interior, digital nomads value Estonia’s startup ecosystem, access to the European Union market, the high level of English language skills, and the e-residency programme.

„From Tartu to Tallinn, in the bogs, through the forests, and on the beaches, there is an exciting startup scene and rich ancient culture and landscapes here waiting to be discovered and explored by diverse entrepreneurs and global citizens, no matter where you are from or what sector you work in,” Vatter adds.

Estonia is allowing anyone to come live and work in the country for up to a year, plus allowing 90 days of travel across Schengen countries.

How to apply?

Applicants must prove that they earn a good living; showing evidence that they are earn at least €3,504 a month. They must also be employed or paid by overseas companies and not be tied to one location.

An Estonian nomad visa costs 80€ to 100€ depending on length of stay and forms should be submitted at the nearest embassy. Digital nomad visa applications can be submitted from 1 August 2020 here.

Moreover, Estonia can be invested in completely digitally from August 1, 2020, as the foreign investors don’t have to travel to Estonia to visit a notary to make an investment in Estonian company.

Investing in Estonia is also becoming digital

In addition, from 1 August 2020, Estonia can be invested in completely digitally, as foreign investors don’t have to travel to Estonia to visit a notary in order to invest in an Estonian company.

“Investors whose business in Estonia we have been facilitating have repeatedly indicated that there is great interest in online investment procedures,” noted Raido Lember, the head of Estonian Investment Agency.

Unique digital capabilities, world-class human capital, a competitive business environment with advantageous tax system make Estonia a smart, agile location for businesses with global ambitions.

Interested in doing business in Estonia? Use our free e-Consulting service to get started.