The EU is considering allowing non-EU remote workers to stay longer than 90 days without a visa, potentially reshaping digital nomad travel.
The European Union is exploring a plan to extend the 90-day visa-free rule for certain non-EU remote workers. Currently, non-EU citizens can stay in the Schengen area for 90 days within any 180-day period without a visa. This proposal would create an exception for remote workers—people working for foreign employers or running their own businesses—allowing them to stay longer.
This matters if you're a digital nomad, freelancer, or remote employee from outside the EU. The current 90/180 rule forces many to leave the Schengen area, spend 90 days outside it, and re-enter—a costly and disruptive cycle. An extended stay would simplify logistics and reduce visa runs.
Remote workers may soon stay in the EU longer than 90 days without a visa.
The proposal is still in discussion and has not been formally adopted. In the meantime, remote workers should continue planning around the 90/180 rule. Some EU countries offer digital nomad visas (Portugal, Estonia, Croatia) that provide longer stays outside the Schengen framework. If you're a remote worker considering Europe, research country-specific digital nomad visas as a more reliable option than waiting for EU-wide policy changes.
Source: original report ↗
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