The European Union is considering allowing some non-EU workers to stay longer than the standard 90 days in 180 days—a potential relief for digital nomads and remote workers.
The EU is exploring a plan to extend the 90-day visa-free window for certain categories of non-EU workers, moving beyond the standard Schengen 90/180 rule that currently limits most visitors to 90 days within any 180-day period. The proposal targets remote workers and digital nomads who don't take local employment.
This is still in the planning phase, but if adopted, it would allow qualifying workers to stay longer without needing a formal work visa or residence permit. The exact eligibility criteria—income thresholds, employment type, and which nationalities qualify—have not yet been finalized.
The EU may soon allow remote workers to stay longer than 90 days without triggering visa requirements.
If you're a digital nomad or remote worker planning to base yourself in Europe, monitor this closely. For now, stick to the 90/180 rule: you can spend 90 days in the Schengen zone per 180-day rolling period. Once that window closes, you must leave for 90 days before re-entering. Some EU countries offer digital nomad visas (Portugal, Estonia, Greece) that bypass this rule entirely—worth exploring if you plan to stay longer than three months.
Source: original report ↗
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