The EU is planning to let certain non-EU workers stay longer than 90 days without a visa—a shift that could simplify moves for remote workers and digital nomads.
The European Union has announced a plan to extend the 90-day visa-free rule for certain non-EU workers, moving away from the strict Schengen 90/180-day limit that has long constrained digital nomads and remote workers.
The specifics are still being finalized, but the proposal targets workers who meet certain criteria—likely including proof of income, health insurance, and clean background. The goal is to make it easier for remote workers and skilled professionals to stay in the EU without applying for a formal residence permit, while maintaining security standards.
Free alerts
Free: the visa and tax changes that move your plans.
Get the immigration, residency and tax changes that actually affect living abroad — verified, dated, and explained, in your inbox. Free, and one click to leave.
Free · weekly · unsubscribe anytime. Privacy.
The EU is moving away from the strict 90-day rule for certain non-EU workers—but the specifics are still being finalized.
This matters because the current 90/180 rule is absolute: spend 90 days in the Schengen zone in any 180-day period and you must leave for 90 days before you can return. Many remote workers have structured their lives around this—working three months in Portugal, three months elsewhere, repeat. An extended stay option would eliminate that shuffle.
The timeline and exact income thresholds are not yet public. If you're planning a move to Europe as a remote worker, watch for the formal announcement. In the meantime, the 90/180 rule still applies. Don't assume the extension is in place until it's law.
Source: original report ↗
Knowing the rule changed is the easy part.
Seasoned Expat Pro tells you what each visa change, tax rule and residency decision actually means for your move — and the paperwork it changes — in a two-minute read.
Get the edge · $20/mo
Join the readers who move before the rules do. Cancel anytime, one click.
