Blue-sky thinking: new rules allow digital nomads to work in the sun
The pandemic locked us down, but at the same time freed many workers from the confines of the office. A new breed of digital nomads emerged – people who took their laptops, jumped on planes and set up shop in some of the most beautiful parts of the world. And with them have come schemes to make it easier for them to stay for months on end.
Barbados was one of the first countries to formalise arrangements with its “welcome stamp”, launched in June 2020. To qualify, workers must earn more than US$50,000 (£37,000) during the 12 months they are in the country and pay $2,000 for the application. They will not be subject to income tax while they are there.
In June last year, Malta launched a nomad residence permit, with which workers can live in the country once they earn €2,700 (£2,230) a month. Applicants pay €300 each, plus the same for each dependant.
Iceland has operated a long-term visa for remote workers since October 2020, and Bermuda has a new “work from Bermuda” certificate. Spain and Sri Lanka have plans to follow suit.
The schemes all run in a fairly similar fashion: workers pay to apply and get the right to stay in the country while working for an employer based elsewhere. The visas typically last a year, which can usually be extended once the time is up. Once you have one in place, you can rent a property and travel in and out of the country.
However, there are things to bear in mind before you pack your bag.
“Being a digital nomad can be made to work. However, it is seldom as straightforward as people sometimes think,” says Lee McIntyre-Hamilton of Keystone Law, who specialises in global mobility. “Obtaining a visa is just the start of the process.”
Alex Lilburn, a software developer, moved from the UK to Barbados in
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