Digital Nomad Permit Now Available
June 15, 2021
Country / Territory
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At a Glance
Malta now offers a one-year Digital Nomad Residence Permit for foreign nationals seeking to reside in Malta while:
- working for an employer registered abroad with whom they have an employment contract; or
- conducting business activities for a company registered abroad, of which they are partners or shareholders; or
- offering freelance or consulting services to foreign clients with whom the applicant has a contract.
The situation
Malta now offers a one-year Digital Nomad Residence Permit for foreign nationals seeking to reside in Malta while continuing to work on behalf of their home employer via telecommunications tools.
A closer look
Details of the new immigration route include the following:
| TOPIC | DETAILS |
Permitted activities |
Applicants can perform the following activities under a Digital Nomad Residence Permit:
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Key eligibility requirements |
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Application process |
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Other permit details |
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Impact
Digital nomads now have access to an immigration status in Malta, where no such option previously existed. Interested employers benefit from being able to offer their employees flexible residence choices.
Background
- Remote work visa warning. In countries where remote work is unregulated, workers and employers may unknowingly put themselves at risk of noncompliance with many aspects of the law, exposing them to possible fines or other penalties, depending on the country. Importantly, noncompliance with regulations could result in employers losing their rights to hire foreign labor. Additionally, this type of work arrangement may have employment or tax law impacts. It will become increasingly important as such policies are developed (and in many countries where remote work is unregulated) for employers to analyze strategies and assess risks associated with implementing and/or continuing remote work policies with a trusted immigration partner.
- Current programs in Europe. European countries that offer Digital Nomad or Remote Work visa options include Croatia, Estonia (which was the first country in the world to offer this type of visa), Georgia and Iceland. Greece and Romania are expected to implement remote work visa programs in the near future.
Looking ahead
As the non-traditional workforce grows and countries focus on post-COVID-19 economic remobilization, more governments will likely start to slowly adapt and update remote work policies. Fragomen will report on related developments.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].
