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Now that digital nomads are taking over the scene, numerous countries around the world have begun relaxing immigration rules to better accommodate them, whether it’s treating them as long-term tourists and offering tax exemptions or launching Digital Nomad Visas (DNV).
Europe is at the forefront of this exciting trend, with an ever-expanding list of nations announcing DNVs, but while this is great news for remote workers looking to relocate, wider availability of visas does not necessarily mean they are easy to apply for.
With higher financial thresholds to be met, their DNVs are some of the hardest to obtain, but not all European nations are establishing strict eligibility requirements. In fact, 3 of them allow nomads to remain as tourists for extensive periods of time without having to worry about visa rules at all.
If you’re a U.S. passport holder traveling full-time, all you need is a valid passport to relocate, only if temporarily, to these destinations:
The United Kingdom
One of the top 4 European destinations Americans want to visit the most, the United Kingdom has a surprisingly relaxed border policy, taking into account the country’s reputation for taking control of its own borders very seriously.
Unlike the confusing 90/180-day rule which applies to Americans entering the Schengen Area, the U.K. grants visitors leave to remain for up to six months following each new entry. This means a U.S. citizen will not be expected to leave after only three months in the country.
Once the 6-month period is up, a U.S. passport holder can, in theory, exit the territory, spend a day in a neighboring country such as France, and return to Britain immediately after that. As long as they never stay for longer than 180 days following each entry, they will continue on the right side of the law.
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For example: entering the U.K. on June 1, 2023, you will be granted permission to stay continuously until December 1, 2023. However, should you take a day trip to France* on September 1, returning on September 2, a new six-month reference period will start from that date, allowing you to remain in the country until March 2, 2024.
Non-residents are advised against living permanently in the U.K. through various consecutive visits, as border authorities could be suspicious of your intentions, but it is possible to have a temporary home base in Britain as you explore Europe without worrying too much about complex visa rules.
The U.K. is a collective of four historic nations: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, and there is a lot to explore outside of London.
*Day trips to Ireland will not reset your clock, as both Ireland and the U.K. form a single Common Travel Area, where border checks mostly do not apply.
Armenia
Georgia’s direct neighbor to the South, Armenia, is just as friendly to digital nomads, with some of the most dramatic natural scenery seen anywhere in the Caucasus and a rich cultural heritage to match.
Although it is not technically a European country, unlike cross-continental Georgia, as it sits South of the Caucasus dividing line, Armenia is traditionally perceived as a geopolitically-European nation.
Entering Armenia without having applied for long-term residence, Americans can stay for up to six months in a calendar year, whether continuously or through various successive visits within the fixed 12-month period.
With a sprawling Soviet-era capital, set against the dramatic background of the Ararat Mountain, and a high concentration of UNESCO World Heritage Sites and other historically-relevant structures, such as the Hellenic Temple of Garni, the only surviving Greco-Roman building in the ex-USSR, Armenia is a beautiful hidden gem worth exploring.
Georgia
Georgia has risen to prominence in recent years as Europe’s nomad hub for a reason: much like the U.K., it grants tourists permission to stay for longer than just 3 months, but while the British cap it at six, Georgian authorities grant foreigners an entire year of visa-free access.
You read that right.
If you’re a digital nomad who’s grown wary of excessively complicated DNV procedures, you will have no issue relocating to Georgia, the northernmost state in the Caucasus, at the junction between Eastern Europe and Western Asia.
This small, often overlooked nation is home to an ancient capital city, Tbilisi, with a History spanning several millennia. It is also where wine originated from 6000 years ago and the birthplace of Stalin.
On top of its friendly visa policy, Georgia is one of the cheapest countries for digital nomads, with a low cost of living compared to much of the Western World and affordable housing, though rent has increased in recent months due to the influx of Russians and Ukrainians fleeing the conflict in their home countries.
Entering Georgia at any checkpoints, both via land and airports, you will be issued a one-year entry stamp, enabling you to take up local residency with minimal hassle and explore the dozens of cobblestoned cities and picturesque countryside without rush.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
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