EU Digital Nomad Visas: Nationality Restrictions Explained

Croatia Digital Nomad Visa (Temporary Stay Permit)

Croatia has not formally barred Russian or Belarusian nationals from the digital nomad temporary stay permit. Applications from these nationalities are processed individually. In practice, some consulates apply enhanced scrutiny and delays. Applicants must demonstrate income from a non-Croatian employer or company and provide full documentation. Tax treaty considerations and consulate location (apply at the nearest Croatian consulate to your country of residence) are relevant. Contact our team for current consulate-level guidance.

Estonia Digital Nomad Visa

Estonia has applied significantly increased scrutiny to applicants from Russia and Belarus following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The digital nomad visa (Type D) is assessed individually. Russian and Belarusian applicants should expect longer processing times and a higher documentation bar. Approvals are possible but not guaranteed. Estonia's Police and Border Guard Board has discretion to decline applications on security grounds. Our team can advise on current approval rates and documentation strategy before you proceed.

Czech Republic Digital Nomad Visa (Zivno/Freelance Visa)

The Czech Digital Nomad Program supports eligible IT and marketing professionals from specified countries in applying for a long-term visa or residence permit; the trade-licence/business route is distinct. Czech national measures restrict visa services for Russian and Belarusian citizens, with narrow exceptions. Ask the consulate to confirm eligibility before applying; enhanced scrutiny alone is not an adequate description of the restriction.

Portugal D8 Digital Nomad Visa

Portugal's D8 visa does not formally restrict Russian or Belarusian nationals, and Portugal has historically been more accessible than some other EU member states. However, banking for Russian/Belarusian nationals in Portugal has become significantly more difficult since 2022, which affects the ability to open a local account as required. Consulate processing for these nationalities is slower. Applicants must demonstrate remote income from outside Portugal and credible ties to the applicant's country of residence. See also the Portugal D8 guide for full details.

Spain Digital Nomad Visa (Teleworking Visa)

Spain's teleworking visa does not formally bar Russian or Belarusian nationals. Applications are considered individually by the Spanish consulate in the applicant's country of residence. Enhanced documentation and potentially longer processing applies. Spain's banking environment is more cautious regarding Russian/Belarusian account-opening than some other EU member states, which can complicate the residency phase. Contact our team for current consulate-specific guidance.

How Nomadic Go helps

Nomadic Go provides a free eligibility assessment for any nationality before you purchase a visa service. For Russian, Belarusian, and other flagged nationalities, we review current consulate-level policies, advise on document strategy, and give an honest assessment of approval likelihood. If we assess that an application is unlikely to succeed, we will tell you before any payment is made. Where applications proceed, we manage the full documentation and submission process.

Important limitations: Nomadic Go provides assistance and coordination services only. We do not guarantee approval of any bank account, visa, or company registration application. All final decisions rest with the relevant bank, government authority, or regulatory body. We do not provide tax advice, legal opinions, or financial advice.

Can Russian nationals apply for Croatia's digital nomad visa?

Croatia has not formally prohibited Russian nationals from the digital nomad temporary stay permit. Applications are processed individually at the consulate, with enhanced scrutiny following 2022 EU sanctions. Approval is possible but not guaranteed. Contact our team for a current assessment before proceeding.

Can Russian or Belarusian nationals apply for Estonia's digital nomad visa?

Estonia applies significantly increased scrutiny to applicants from Russia and Belarus. The Estonian Police and Border Guard Board has broad discretion to decline applications on security grounds. Approvals do occur but are less predictable than for other nationalities. Processing times are longer. We recommend a pre-purchase eligibility check.

Is the Czech Republic accessible for Russian passport holders?

The Czech Digital Nomad Program is limited to specified nationalities and occupations. Czech national measures restrict visa services for Russian and Belarusian citizens, with limited exceptions; do not assume a trade-licence route remains available subject only to enhanced documentation. Verify any exception with the Czech consulate before purchasing.

Will my nationality affect my ability to open a bank account in the EU country once I arrive?

Yes, significantly. Russian and Belarusian nationals face heightened AML scrutiny from EU banks, and many EU banks will decline to open accounts for these nationalities regardless of visa status. This is relevant because some EU residency pathways require a local bank account. Nomadic Go can advise on banking feasibility for your nationality and jurisdiction before you commit to a visa route.

What if my nationality is not Russian or Belarusian but I am from a FATF-greylisted country?

FATF-greylisted nationalities generally can apply for EU digital nomad visas, but face enhanced due diligence at the consulate and during the banking phase. Processing times may be longer and documentation requirements more extensive. Nationals of OFAC-comprehensively-sanctioned countries (Iran, North Korea, Cuba, Syria) face restrictions that make EU visa applications largely inaccessible in practice.