Digital nomad visa checklist Europe 2027: requirements and steps for Spain, Portugal, Germany and Estonia

If you plan to work remotely from Europe in 2027, this digital nomad visa checklist Europe 2027 will help you organise all the steps to apply for visas in Spain, Portugal, Germany or Estonia. Each country has specific income, health insurance, accommodation and documentation requirements, but this list will help you avoid oversights and delays in the process.

Spain’s digital nomad visa requires a minimum monthly income of 2,520 € (2027) and a remote work contract with a company outside the country. Portugal requires 3,280 € per month and health insurance with EU coverage. Germany requires proof of sufficient funds (around 10,332 € per year) and registered accommodation. Estonia, a pioneer in this type of visa, requires 4,500 € per month and insurance valid in the Schengen Area.

How to use this checklist in Foco

Create a project called 'Nomad visa' in Foco and add these tasks. Use tags like #documentation, #income or #accommodation to filter by type. Assign due dates based on each country’s deadlines (e.g., consulate appointment). In Panorama view, you’ll see all pending tasks, while Foco mode lets you concentrate on this project. Use the Kanban view to organise tasks by stages: 'Requirements', 'Documentation', 'Application' and 'Follow-up'.

• Verify the minimum income requirements for each country (Spain: 2,520 €/month, Portugal: 3,280 €/month, Germany: 10,332 €/year, Estonia: 4,500 €/month) and gather bank statements or contracts to prove them
• Purchase health insurance with EU coverage (minimum 30,000 €) and ensure it meets each country’s requirements (e.g., Portugal requires coverage throughout Portuguese territory)
• Obtain a criminal record certificate apostilled and translated into the destination country’s language (valid for a maximum of 3 months in most cases)
• Request a work history report or equivalent to prove your remote employment (permanent contract, freelance or self-employed with clients outside the destination country)
• Write a motivation letter explaining your work situation, income and plans during your stay (free format, but must include details such as expected duration and address in the country)
• Book temporary accommodation (Airbnb, rental) or sign a long-term lease (Germany requires registration at the local residents’ office with a lease of at least 6 months)
• Complete the visa application form specific to each country (available on consulate or embassy websites)
• Schedule an appointment at the consulate or embassy of the chosen country (waiting times may exceed 1 month during peak seasons, such as summer 2027)
• Prepare certified copies of all documents (passport, health insurance, work contract, bank statements, etc.) according to the consulate’s requirements
• Pay the visa application fee (varies by country: Spain 80 €, Portugal 90 €, Germany 75 €, Estonia 80-100 €)
• Attend the interview at the consulate with all original documents and copies (arrive 15 minutes early and dress professionally)
• Submit additional documentation if requested by the consulate (may include sworn translations or supplementary documents)
• Track the status of your application via the consulate’s website or email (processing times: Spain 1 month, Portugal 60 days, Germany 3 months, Estonia 15-30 days)
• Collect the visa at the consulate or receive it by mail (check if you need to present your physical passport or if it will be sent by courier)
• Register at the foreigner’s office or town hall upon arrival (mandatory in Germany and Spain within the first 3 months)
• Apply for an NIE (Spain) or NIF (Portugal) if staying longer than 6 months (required to open bank accounts or sign contracts)
• Open a local bank account if necessary (in Estonia, the visa includes access to digital services like e-Residency)
• Renew health insurance before it expires (some countries require continuous coverage throughout your stay)