Europe's Freelancer Visas: Easy to Get in, Hard to Get Out
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 15 ต.ค. 2024
- nomadcapitalis...
Should you apply for one of the many freelancer visas that Europe has to offer?
On the surface, these visas are very attractive. However, you should always look below the surface, because there are often caveats.
Signing up for these freelance visas can often carry a fairly heavy tax burden depending on your income level. However, it's not just paying the taxes that can be problematic, but often just the process of filing can be much more burdensome and complex compared to what you are likely used to.
A lot of these European countries offering these visas are spending a lot on marketing to make these visas look very appealing. Regardless of how appealing they are, you should always exercise caution, because once they have you in the tax net, it can be difficult to get out.
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I really like Spain's option for freelancers. They have both a non-lucrative visa and a work visa that might work well for someone like me. I prefer the non-lucrative visa option since it's easier to obtain. But, you're right, they can smash you with taxes and bureaucracy, 20% in Spain plus forced payments into social security, etc.
Are you a non-EU person? I'm considering this visa atm and would be great to know someone else's experience.
@@eliseumds Yes, I'm from the United States.
@@eliseumds I didn't get it myself, I just did a lot of research into it because I love Barcelona. I think there are good options out there, but as Andrew pointed out, the taxes and bureaucracy, etc led me towards a different route for now. It might be something I reapproach in the future. That being said, it seems pretty straightforward if you contact the Spanish embassy near you they will explain. I didn't see much need for an agency or a lawyer when I was researching it, but they could save time for sure.
@@NickDemski oh got it. From experience after 4 different countries, I'd go for a decent lawyer. I'm considering Barça as well but the after-tax salary is pathetic. After 2y I can apply for citizenship which is what I'm after, until then, I guess the best option would be to live in Spain but work for some British or Swiss company.
@@eliseumds Got ya, best of luck on your search!
What’s wrong with the Hungarian freelancer program? The personal income tax is 15% and corporate taxes are at 9%.
my question too
There's also a 27% VAT tax in Hungary; also, this website implies that the social security tax rate (employer + employee contribution) is 35%: bit.ly/37CqFea
There's a programme for freelancers called KATA in Hungary where you pay a monthly 50K HUF (like $180) and you don't have to pay anything extra if your net income doesn't exceed 12M HUF a year ($40K) and if you make over that you pay 40% tax only over the surplus of 12M HUF. I know coz I live here now.
@@RodGibsonMusic how long you been there? How is it living there? Been twice but not lived.
Hungarians don’t want to live in Hungary.
Estonia and the Baltics and general really are big for these programs!
the only problem with the baltic is the high amount of obligatory social insurance you have to pay as an entrepreneur.
@@summ466 I see, what exactly do you mean by social insurance?
@@maverickcapitalist1 Social tax of 33% which is paid from your freelance revenue if you are registered as a sole-proprietor. In other words, the only viable option to operate as a freelancer in Estonia is setting up your own company.
@@maverickcapitalist1 when you pay obligatory for health insurance, retirement insurance, accident insurance, in europe its in every country obligatory to pay to the state social insurance.
@@maverickcapitalist1 employees are very expensive in europe. under the table work using asylum applicants etc is increasing bcuz no paperwork and no tax costs or receipts
Andrew since you often talk about other less known non European countries offering the same if not better lifestyles, do you anticipate producing any new content on the African nations? I am an IT freelancer who is a citizen of the United States(😧, I know it depresses me too) who often sees the advantages of the lower cost of living in that region. I don't make a ton of money but I live well because I manage my income conservatively. These videos that address us Plebians are of great value to me as I don't want to fall into the "Europe is better" mentality. Currently I'm looking at property in Montenegro but Africa has always appealed to me. Thanks for your great content. 🤗
This is a good question, especially if there are places with solid infrastructure for online work!
Andrew almost never mentions Africa as an Nomad option other than Mauritius as a 2nd citizenship option only. I won't speculate as to why, other than his clientele may not find The Continent appealing. As you know Africa is very large and diverse. North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, and areas within these. I maintain a small base in Tangier, Morocco - which itself isn't a bad tax haven for the right organizations. From this base, one can fly Ryanair nonstop to Paris for $58. Or Barcelona for $97. You can actually spend about 6 Months of the year living in much of the EU from the North African jumping off point.
Other than stability, the main concern as a IT freelancer is "ping, power, and pipe" when considering a location on The Continent. As it stands, speed and stability allow you to RDP, Skype, and remote console/ssh... but don't expect massive file transfer speed. Stay in coastal cities with undersea cable access. The other issue is power. North Africa is excellent overall. Sub-Saharan states are simply not there in general; Nigeria is the worst, and Botswana is the best. However, certain cities like Dar es Salaam, Cape Town, Kigali, Mombasa, Nairobi, Kampala, etc, can be functional with the proper "backup plan".
If your services are denominated (paid for) in U.S. Dollars, you don't need to be a 6,7,8,9,10 "figure" entrepreneur to live like royalty in many of the Worlds Frontier/Emerging Countries, among peoples who are just refreshing to be around compared to the U.S. Remember, if your living abroad and an employee for your U.S. based company, you're tax exempt up to $103,900 (Foreign Earned Income Exclusion-FEIE). That's a lot of cabbage in low cost of living Countries.
@@shotelco Thank you for your excellent information. I will use this knowledge to help me if I decide to go to Africa. I was thinking sub sahara Africa more because the values of goods and services are much much cheaper than other parts of the continent. I would NOT be working for a US based company but rather freelance my services to smaller local businesses or residents. I've worked in Corporate America for most of my life and recently have broken free from that paradigm. I want to "live like a king" on $50,000 or less a year and know that my money will go further there than other parts of the globe. I also was thinking interior Africa because it's cheaper than coastal but will take your information into considerate.
I still wasn't sure which countries in particular were easier to get permanent residency so I could remain in the country indefinitely. That's where I was hoping the Nomad Capitalist might be of great help. Any suggestions for people in our trade would be helpful. Thank u. 🤗
@@klwthe3rd I think I understand your position. From my somewhat limited experience, there isn't a lot of business to be had providing services to other organizations *within* emerging markets. Moreover, there is a cultural component where one doesn't want to be viewed as a foreigner "taking away" a job from a resident. Perhaps better to plot a method to bring in revenue from other global geographies...at least initially.
Sounds like Rwanda may be a good place for you to visit or the new capital, Dodoma
Tanzania (along with other EAC countries) that are aggressive in terms of tech based growth. Again, culturally, it's better (I would say practically necessary) that one make a personal visit to speak with the Immigration office and business development departments of these Countries. If you haven't checked out or contacted Dr. Harnet's [her channel: th-cam.com/channels/j14ayxMq8Es3ml2hoqyA-g.htmlfeatured ], you may find her information useful. I will defer to her expertise in the domain. Edit: this Dr. Harnet video in particular I found addresses the "emotional romanticism" vs. the realities of business in Africa: th-cam.com/video/-D3qBR9yHDk/w-d-xo.html
@spinning nonsense Thank you for your reply. Don't laugh but marriage might be my own opinion to be able to stay. I love Senegal and most of the Western nations due to their Atlantic Ocean access. But Eastern Africa such as Somaliland, Ethiopia and Burundi have been on my radar too. I watch tons of TH-cam videos on these regions to get an idea on a cost of living range but few deliver on my usable information.🤗
Did you mean $1,200 € per month for France? You said per year.
There are always ways of exploiting legal loopholes, I have lived in Europe for many years and never paid taxes on all of my offshore income here because I know the loopholes, and I spent a lot of time learning and researching to find out those.
Wow, thank you for this extremely insightful, helpful, and informative comment!
@@iLikeMyOwnPosts Indeed, we like very useful comments like these. Not vague, very concise and very easy to act upon!
What an amazing video! Thank you for it!
Also for anyone out their, another great business concept is one which focuses on the "Nomad Communities". This could be in the realm of health insurance, accomodations, personal banking, ect...
So what country is the best solution for a digital nomad ?
Cabo verde has a digital nomad visa and you dont have to pay any tax except for the one-time airport tax ($34). It’s not in Europe but the lifestyle is very similar to other latino countries, and even better imo
My oh my! Im watching this video like i can do this . My mind is going to blow with the numbers you guys talking about 🤯 hahaha im a server assistant basing tables in restaurant here in the US haha 😂
@nomadcapitalist I’m thinking of going to Europe to live/work/travel for a few years. What countries do you recommend as a base in Europe for an IT where I can earn good money so I can travel around EU on my free time?
Pure gold. Many thanks
There are freelance visas in UAE too, way better option.
A bit pricey for me.
Thank you 👑 v.insightful
What source or link do you have for the freelance visa for France??? Thank you.
What's the cheapest country in Europe for a freelance visa or to start a company?
Adnane Bendriss Ireland, Cypress, Malta, possibly turkey and hungry.
I don't think Italy, Spain, UK, France, Germany. It wouldn't make sense it would be one of those major countries…
Do some towns in Europe still offer $1 euro houses for sale for people to move there and renovate?
Yeah, but you need to spend like 250 000 euros to renovate.
I would like to know if a Freelancer visa can be taken for Europe and instead of paying Taxes one can get a Tax Refund in the form of ACCA's membership in the form of Free Farm Group ACCA membership
You are right. Ppl should be asking why are large welfare states with aging populations branding themselves as the best places to live and work?
Hi Andrew!
I got refused for my visa 3 times to Spain,so what you think the best country to workin as nomad other than Europe ?
Europe is not a country.
Estonia promised to make Nomad Visa available in 2019 but its delaying for some reason.
You are based in Estonia or Russia I assume?
@@maverickcapitalist1 Nope. Based in Baku at the moment.
@@orkhankhalafov2793 I see. I know the Estonian government is scrutinizing these applications a lot more then before, since I personally know one person that screens applications for this program, but I would just apply again or wait since they are getting over flooded with applications now due to all the interest from other countries.
@@maverickcapitalist1 I don't think they are accepting any applications for Nomad Visa (not to be confused with e-Residency). It's just not available yet.
Thank you for zero added information.
Hello, I really appreciate the video, it's quite motivating,
I am not a national of the EU, I am in Colombia and currently in the process of applying for a visa ACTIVIT´E NON SALARI´E/ PROFESSION LIBERAL , I want to start my photography business, but there are many doubts and requirements that I do not understand and that is not clear on the embassy page,
----- for example .. *** Proof of the guarantee commitment made by a credit institution or an insurance company approved to stand surety and having their registered office in France, or a certificate of credit balance of '' an account in the name of the applicant opened with a credit institution having its head office in France.
My main question is whether they require a minimum amount to have in the bank account ??, or a minimum amount of bank credit? for the non-salary activity-liberal profession visa,
thanks for your info if you know
Amigo, he escuchado que es increiblemente dificil tratar con autoridades Francesas. Mejor ponle ojo a la visa para Freelancers de Alemania. Supuestamente es la más fácil de conseguir y tiene camino directo a residencia. La otra es de Croacia.
Thank you
Bulgaria?
Morning class. Morning Prof. The IRS Code has more pages than The Holy Bible.
True.
Ukraine 5% entrepreneur tax
Live in Slovakia, former Soviet Republic but now in EU
That is true, but I doubt that you know what you are talking about. FYI:
The Slovak Soviet Republic was a short-lived Communist state in southeast Slovakia in existence from 16 June 1919 to 7 July 1919. Its capital city was Prešov and was headed by Czech journalist Antonín Janoušek.
This guy has fantasy clients ...total BS