11 Best Digital Nomad Visas for Families Moving Abroad
There may come a time when you decide that moving your family to a new country could be the best thing to improve your and your children’s lives. We’ve rounded up the best digital nomad visas for families who want to move abroad easily.
With the introduction of digital nomad visas, remote workers have the opportunity to keep their current jobs and move their families to a foreign country. These visas allow children to attend local schools and immerse themselves in the local culture. For many families, moving abroad could be the key to finding a better work-life balance and providing a better environment for their children.
Now don’t get confused! While many people imagine digital nomads as free birds who are single and without families hopping from one country to another every few months, this is an outdated version of the modern digital nomad. Here at Nomads Embassy, we have helped many families find new starts in foreign countries with digital nomad visas!
While most digital nomad visas allow applicants to include a spouse (or unmarried partner) and children, some also allow dependent parents to be included as well!
It’s important to remember that not every digital nomad visa allows applicants to include family members, so make sure to review eligibility requirements and implications before deciding!
To help you decide which digital nomad visa is right for you and your family, we have written this article with a list of popular digital nomad visas that allow family inclusion.
What is a Digital Nomad Visa?
A digital nomad visa allows remote workers and their family members to move to a foreign country temporarily.
It’s important to note that these types of visas prohibit applicants from seeking local employment or engaging in local economic activity. You must work remotely for clients and companies outside of the country where you wish to live.
In good news, some digital nomad visas even lead to permanent residency and citizenship. This is ideal for families who want to move abroad permanently.
Benefits of Applying for a Digital Nomad Visa as a Family
Applying for one of the best digital nomad visas for families allows you and your partner and children to move abroad for a year or more and experience a new culture and way of life.
From stretching your dollar a bit more by moving to a country with a more affordable cost of living to having more affordable healthcare to achieving a better work-life balance, applying for a digital nomad visa could be exactly what your family needs!
Plus, some digital nomad visas come with special tax benefits, helping remote workers save even more each year by living abroad.
Lastly, living abroad can provide a new perspective for you and your family members. Experiencing a new way of life, culture, and region can help create well-rounded children and fulfilling memories.
What Family Members Can You Include on a Digital Nomad Visa?
As mentioned before some digital nomad visas only allow applicants to include their spouses and dependent children.
Some digital nomad visas do allow unmarried couples to apply together with official documentation of their stable relationship.
Other digital nomad visas have an age limit on the children dependents applicants may include.
And a handful of digital nomad visas will allow applicants to include parents who are financially dependent on them too.
When considering which digital nomad visa to apply for, it’s important to understand exactly what family members you may include and if there are any restrictions.
Digital Nomad Visas for Extended Families
To start off our list of digital nomad visas for families, we’re going to go through the digital nomad visas that allow applicants to include their extended family members, such as dependent parents.
Spain
Spain has the most popular digital nomad visa of 2024—and for good reason! This visa allows applicants and their family members to apply for a three-year residence permit and obtain permanent residency in Spain after living in the country for five years.
Main applicants may include the following family members on their Spain digital nomad visa:
To be eligible for Spain’s digital nomad visa, there is an income requirement that increases with each family member you wish to include.
- Couple Applicants – 3,641€ per month before tax
- Children Dependents – additional 335€ per month
- Adult Dependents – additional 995€ per month
Portugal
Portugal’s digital nomad visa is one of the most popular because it leads to permanent residency and citizenship after living in the country for five years. Remote workers can move their entire family to Portugal with the digital nomad visa, which also allows their partners to work locally and their children to attend local schools after obtaining the initial two-year residence permit.
Main applicants may include the following family members on their Portugal digital nomad visa:
To be eligible for Portugal’s digital nomad visa, there is an income requirement that increases with each family member you wish to include.
- Couple Applicants – 4,100€ per month after tax
- Children Dependents – additional 216€ per month
- Adult Dependents – additional 820€ per month
Costa Rica
You and your entire family can live in the tropical rainforests of Costa Rica for up to two years with the digital nomad visa. Plus, you can use your original driver’s license in the country, open local bank accounts, and live tax-free!
Main applicants may include the following family members on their Costa Rica digital nomad visa:
To be eligible for Costa Rica’s digital nomad visa, the main applicant must earn at least $4,000 per month after tax to apply with their family members.
Malaysia
If you work remotely in the digital domain or a chief officer or managerial position in any other industry, then you and your family could live in Malaysia for up to two years with the digital nomad visa.
With an entirely online application process, remote workers and their family members can live in Malaysia, where kids can attend local schools. However, it is important to understand that spouses may not work while in Malaysia as a dependent of the main applicant.
Main applicants may include the following family members on their Malaysia digital nomad visa:
To be eligible for Malaysia’s digital nomad visa, the main applicant must meet the following income requirements:
- Earn $24,000 per year if they work in the digital domain (IT, software, AI, blockchain, graphic design, content creation, digital marketing, etc.)
- Earn $60,000 per year if they work in a chief officer or managerial position in any other industry.
Armenia
While Armenia’s Permanent Residency Visa is not technically a digital nomad visa, it is a great opportunity for entrepreneurs and freelancers who work remotely and would like to register a business in Armenia in exchange for permanent residency. There is no income requirement and the application process can be done remotely.
That’s right; just by registering a business in Armenia, you and your family members may obtain the right to permanently reside in Armenia. After three years of holding permanent residency in Armenia, you can apply for citizenship.
Main applicants may include the following family members on their Malaysia digital nomad visa:
To be eligible for Armenia’s digital nomad visa, you must simply register a business, such as a sole proprietorship, and remain in good standing by paying taxes and conducting business.
Digital Nomad Visas for Immediate Family Members
We’ve covered the best digital nomad visas for families who want to bring extended members. Now, let’s dive into the digital nomad visas for families that allow applicants to bring just a spouse and dependent children.
Greece
Soak in the Mediterranean sun for two or more years with the Greece digital nomad visa. After five years, you can apply for permanent residency in Greece, and just seven years after that, you can get citizenship!
Greece’s digital nomad visa allows remote workers and their immediate family members to live in the country, go to school, and experience its rich culture. You can either apply for a 12-month non-renewable visa or a two-year renewable residence permit.
Main applicants may include the following family members on their Greece digital nomad visa:
To be eligible for Greece’s digital nomad visa, there is an income requirement that increases with each family member you wish to include.
- Couple Applicants – 4,200€ per month after tax
- Children Dependents – additional 15% per month
Malta
Officially known as the Nomad Residence Permit, Malta’s digital nomad visa allows remote workers and their immediate family members to live in the country for up to four years.
The application is done entirely online and takes just 60 days to process, making it one of the easiest digital nomad visas to apply for.
Main applicants may include the following family members on their Malta digital nomad visa:
To be eligible for Malta’s digital nomad visa, the main applicant must earn at least 42,000€ per year before taxes. This amount does not increase when you add family members.
Colombia
Remote workers and their family members may live in Colombia for up to two years with the digital nomad visa. It’s important to mention that this visa is only available to nationalities that do not require an entry visa into Colombia. The application is done entirely online and takes about 30 days to process.
Main applicants may include the following family members on their Colombia digital nomad visa:
The minimum income requirement for Colombia’s digital nomad visa is just $900 per month. While there is no stated increase for additional family members, authorities may require a slight increase depending on how many members you plan to bring.
Japan
Japan recently launched its digital nomad visa to remote workers from 49 countries and their immediate family members. While this visa is only valid for a total of six months and is non-renewable, it could be a great opportunity for adventurous families who homeschool their children and want to experience a new country.
It’s important to understand that Japan’s digital nomad visa is not an immigrant visa. So, you and your family will still have a tourist status and may not use any social services in Japan.
While the main applicant must be from one of the accepted countries, their spouse may be from a select country not on the list. You can view a list of accepted countries for Japan’s digital nomad visa here.
Main applicants may include the following family members on their Japan digital nomad visa:
To be eligible for Japan’s digital nomad visa, the main applicant must earn at least $68,300 per year. This does not increase with additional family members.
Croatia
Croatia’s digital nomad visa is another temporary solution for remote families who would like to settle down for a year or less. This visa is a non-renewable 12-month opportunity to live in Croatia tax-free.
With three application methods—online, in-country, or at a consulate or embassy—Croatia’s digital nomad visa welcomes remote workers with open arms.
Main applicants may include the following family members on their Croatia digital nomad visa:
To be eligible for Croatia’s digital nomad visa, the main applicant must meet the following income requirements:
- Earn at least 2,870€ per month after taxes
- Spouses and Dependents – additional 287€ per month
- OR have at least 34,440€ in a bank account for at least 12 months
Italy
In April 2024, Italy officially introduced its digital nomad visa, allowing highly skilled remote workers and their immediate family members to live in Italy for a year with a renewable residence permit. As an Italian resident, family members may attend local schools and sign up for national health insurance.
To apply for Italy’s digital nomad visa, you must submit your application at an Italian consulate in your country of residence. The processing time takes about four months.
Main applicants may include the following family members on their Italy digital nomad visa:
To be eligible for Italy’s digital nomad visa, the main applicant must meet the following income requirements:
- Couple Applicants – 3,153€ per month after taxes
- Family of Three Applicants – 3,425€ per month after taxes
- Dependents – additional 275€ per month
Find the Right Digital Nomad Visa for Your Family
Moving abroad with your family is a major decision that definitely should not be taken lightly. You’ve already done the first step—reviewing the best digital nomad visas for families!
And Nomads Embassy is here to help beyond just providing information and details about available digital nomad visas. We have partnered with hand-selected local immigration lawyers to create Done-for-You Digital Nomad Visa Services to professionally assist you with your relocation.
With a guaranteed 100% compliant application and one-on-one assistance from a legal professional, you can submit your application with confidence.
Still not sure which digital nomad visa is right for you? Schedule our 30-minute Digital Nomad Visa Exploration Call to speak with our visa experts and review your eligibility to identify which digital nomad visas are the best for you and your family.
Or, if you’re ready to bite the bullet, request our free digital nomad visa eligibility assessment to get started with your process today!
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