Programmes

Albania

The Ministry of Interior states that the unique permit for a digital mobile worker is granted for up to 1 year on first issue when the foreign national is lawfully staying in Albania. The official fee table also lists a renewal fee.

Family supported · PR path · Renewable

Croatia

Temporary stay may be granted for up to 18 months; a new digital nomad stay application can be submitted 6 months after the previous stay expires.

Family supported

Cyprus

The first temporary residence permit is valid for one year; renewal may be granted for up to two further years, with applications filed at least one month before expiry.

Family supported · Renewable

Czechia

The programme supports long-term visa or long-term residence applications; a business long-term visa is valid for a maximum of one year and longer stays generally require long-term residence planning.

Family supported · Renewable

Estonia

The Digital Nomad Visa is a temporary visa basis for up to 365 days; Estonia's D-visa stay limits restrict consecutive long-stay visa time.

Family supported

Greece

The route starts with a national digital nomad visa of up to 12 months, followed by a residence permit of up to 2 years if the applicant continues to meet the conditions.

Family supported · PR path · Renewable

Hungary

A White Card may be issued for up to one year and extended once; extension requires at least 90 days in Hungary within any 180-day period before applying.

Renewable

Italy

The visa leads to an Italian residence permit requested at the competent Questura within 8 working days of arrival; the permit is issued for up to 1 year and may be renewed if requirements continue to be met.

Family supported · PR path · Renewable

Latvia

The remote work route is a national long-stay D visa for up to one year, with one repeat long-stay visa possible for the same remote-work purpose.

Renewable

Malta

Renewal requires proof of at least five cumulative months of residence in Malta over the previous 12 months.

Family supported · Renewable

Montenegro

The official digital nomad portal says the temporary residence permit can be issued for up to 2 years, extended for up to 2 more years, and issued again only after a 6-month cooling-off period.

Family supported · PR path · Renewable

Portugal

The residence permit route is for stays over one year; applicants should plan for Portuguese residence and AIMA card formalities after arrival.

Family supported · PR path · Renewable

Romania

The digital nomad route starts with a D/AS long-stay visa generally granted for 90 days, followed by residence extension in Romania through the immigration authority.

Family supported · Renewable

Slovenia

The digital nomad permit is temporary and may be issued for up to one year; a new digital nomad permit can be requested only after a six-month gap after expiry.

Family supported

Spain

Applicants can apply from outside Spain through a consulate or, if legally in Spain, through the UGE residence authorization route.

Family supported · PR path · Renewable

Austria

The Austrian EU Blue Card is issued for 24 months and ties settlement and employment to the specific employer approved in the application.

Family supported · PR path · Renewable

Austria

The Red-White-Red Card is generally issued for 24 months and ties settlement and employment to the employer or self-employed activity specified in the application.

Family supported · PR path · Renewable

Belgium

Belgium's EU Blue Card is a combined work-and-residence route for highly qualified employment; validity is generally 1 to 3 years depending on the employment contract and regional implementation.

Family supported · PR path · Renewable

Belgium

Belgium's single permit is the work-and-residence route for employment over 90 days; regional work authorisation and federal residence approval are assessed in one procedure.

Family supported · PR path · Renewable

Bulgaria

The European Commission EU Blue Card page states Bulgaria's standard validity is 5 years but at least 24 months; shorter contracts receive contract duration plus 3 months, capped at 24 months.

Family supported · PR path · Renewable

Bulgaria

Bulgaria's single residence and work permit is issued for up to 3 years, or for the employment contract term if shorter.

Family supported · PR path · Renewable

Croatia

Croatia's amended Aliens Act frames EU Blue Card validity up to 48 months, with shorter validity possible where the work contract is shorter.

Family supported · PR path · Renewable

Croatia

Ordinary Croatian stay and work permits are generally tied to the employment basis and contract; validity should be checked by category and current police practice.

Family supported · PR path · Renewable

Cyprus

Cyprus EU Blue Cards are issued for 6 months to 3 years, with a minimum validity of 24 months unless the contract is shorter.

Family supported · PR path · Renewable

Cyprus

Cyprus remunerated employment permits may last up to 3 consecutive years, while ordinary employment stay is generally capped at 4 years unless an exemption applies.

Family supported · PR path · Renewable

Czechia

The Employee Card is issued for the employment or work-permit period, with a maximum validity of 2 years.

Family supported · PR path · Renewable

Czechia

Czechia's EU Blue Card is valid for the employment contract period plus 3 months, up to a maximum of 3 years.

Family supported · PR path · Renewable

Denmark

The Pay Limit Scheme is a Danish residence and work permit route for high-salary employment; permit length and extension depend on the job and continued conditions.

Family supported · PR path · Renewable

Estonia

Estonia grants the EU Blue Card for the employment period plus 3 months, up to 2 years and 3 months; extensions can be granted for up to 4 years and 3 months.

Family supported · PR path · Renewable

Estonia

A temporary residence permit for employment can be granted for up to 5 years, with extension possible if conditions continue.

Family supported · PR path · Renewable

Finland

Finland's EU Blue Card can be issued for a maximum of 2 years; shorter employment can receive the employment duration plus 3 months.

Family supported · PR path · Renewable

Finland

A first specialist residence permit is granted for a maximum of 2 years, or for the employment duration if shorter.

Family supported · PR path · Renewable

France

France issues the Talent - EU Blue Card for the employment contract duration, up to four years where the contract lasts at least two years; shorter contracts receive the contract duration plus three months within a two-year cap.

Family supported · PR path · Renewable

France

The French Talent residence card for qualified employee routes is generally valid for the same period as the employment contract, up to a maximum of four years.

Family supported · PR path · Renewable

Germany

The German EU Blue Card is issued for the employment contract duration plus three months, up to four years, and can lead to settlement after 27 months or 21 months with B1 German.

Family supported · PR path · Renewable

Greece

The E.4 dependent employment permit duration is variable subject to conditions under the Greek service record.

Family supported · PR path · Renewable

Greece

Greece's EU Blue Card is generally issued for 2 years, or for the contract period plus 3 months if the contract is shorter.

Family supported · PR path · Renewable

Hungary

Hungary's EU Blue Card is valid for up to 4 years and may be extended for up to 4 years at a time.

Family supported · PR path · Renewable

Hungary

The Hungarian Card is valid for up to 3 years and may be extended for 3 years.

Renewable

Ireland

The Critical Skills Employment Permit is issued for a 2-year job offer; after the permit duration, eligible holders can apply to immigration authorities for permission to reside and work without a further employment permit.

Family supported · PR path

Italy

Italy's EU Blue Card is a residence permit for highly qualified employment; the employee must apply for the residence permit within 8 days of entering Italy after the employer-side process and visa stage.

Family supported · PR path · Renewable

Latvia

Latvia's Immigration Law states that an EU Blue Card is issued for up to 2 years; if requested for a shorter period, it is issued for the employment contract period plus 3 months, capped at 2 years.

Family supported · PR path · Renewable

Latvia

Latvia's Immigration Law states that a temporary residence permit for employment can be issued for the employment period, up to 5 years.

Family supported · PR path · Renewable

Lithuania

The EU Immigration Portal states that Lithuania issues or renews the EU Blue Card for 3 years, or for the employment contract period plus 3 months if the contract is shorter.

Family supported · PR path · Renewable

Lithuania

The EU Immigration Portal states that employment residence permits are issued for the work permit period, or for the work period if a work permit is not required, but no longer than 2 years.

PR path · Renewable

Luxembourg

Luxembourg's first EU Blue Card is valid for 4 years, or for the employment contract duration plus 3 months if the contract is shorter than 4 years.

Family supported · PR path · Renewable

Malta

Malta first issues EU Blue Cards for 2 years, or contract duration plus 3 months if the contract is shorter.

Family supported · PR path · Renewable

Malta

The first KEI permit is valid for 1 year and may later be renewed for up to 3 years where conditions continue to be met.

Family supported · PR path · Renewable

Malta

Malta single permits are temporary employment-linked residence permits for work over 6 months and are generally renewed annually.

Family supported · PR path · Renewable

Malta

The SEI is submitted under Malta's Single Permit Regulations and is employment-linked to the Maltese role.

Family supported · PR path · Renewable

Netherlands

The Dutch EU Blue Card is tied to qualifying employment. IND states that the permit is valid until three months after the employment contract ends, with a maximum validity of five years.

Family supported · PR path · Renewable

Netherlands

The Highly Skilled Migrant permit is tied to employment with an IND-recognised sponsor. IND states that the permit is valid for the same period as the contract or job, up to five years.

Family supported · PR path · Renewable

Poland

Poland's EU Blue Card is issued for the contract period plus 3 months, with a maximum validity of 3 years under current public guidance.

Family supported · PR path · Renewable

Poland

Poland's temporary residence and work permit is granted for the period needed for the stay purpose, longer than 3 months and up to 3 years.

Family supported · PR path · Renewable

Portugal

Portugal's EU Blue Card is a residence title for highly qualified activity; AIMA handles the national filing and mobility procedure.

Family supported · PR path · Renewable

Portugal

Portugal's highly qualified activity residence permit is valid for 2 years from card issue and renewable for successive 3-year periods under current AIMA guidance.

Family supported · PR path · Renewable

Portugal

Portugal's temporary residence permit for employed work is valid for 2 years from card issue and renewable for successive 3-year periods under current AIMA guidance.

Family supported · PR path · Renewable

Romania

Romania's 2026 amendments provide for highly qualified temporary work residence for the contract period plus 3 months, capped at 3 years.

Family supported · PR path · Renewable

Romania

Romania's 2026 amendments provide for ordinary temporary work residence for the contract period, capped at 2 years.

Family supported · PR path · Renewable

Slovakia

Slovakia issues the EU Blue Card for 5 years, or for the Labour Office confirmation period plus 90 days if that period is shorter.

Family supported · PR path · Renewable

Slovakia

Slovakia's employment residence is granted for the expected employment duration; a single permit is generally up to 2 years, while certain Slovak graduates may receive up to 5 years.

Family supported · PR path · Renewable

Slovenia

The Slovenian Employment Service states that an EU Blue Card is issued for 2 years, or for the employment contract period plus 3 months if shorter, capped at 2 years; renewal can be up to 3 years.

Family supported · PR path · Renewable

Slovenia

The Employment Service of Slovenia states that the first single permit is issued for the employment or work contract period, but for no more than 2 years; extensions may be up to 3 years.

Family supported · PR path · Renewable

Sweden

Sweden grants the EU Blue Card for at least 9 months and up to 4 years, limited by employment, passport validity, and the conditions stated in the decision.

Family supported · PR path · Renewable

Sweden

Sweden can grant a work permit for up to 2 years, but not longer than the employment contract or passport validity; the permit can be extended if requirements continue to be met.

Family supported · PR path · Renewable

Austria

The Red-White-Red Card for self-employed key workers and start-up founders is issued for up to 24 months and ties settlement to the approved self-employed activity or start-up purpose.

Family supported · PR path · Renewable

Belgium

Professional-card validity depends on the competent region and right of residence. Brussels and Wallonia state that a first card is generally issued on a probationary basis for two years and can be valid for up to five years.

Family supported · PR path · Renewable

Bulgaria

Bulgaria's StartUp Visa is a certificate for a high-tech and/or innovative project. The Ministry describes it as an official document that can support a residence permit for non-EU founders who want to develop innovative or high-tech business in Bulgaria. Bulgarian residence categories distinguish short-term stay from continuous residence, which can be permitted for up to 1 year.

Family supported · PR path · Renewable

Denmark

Startup Denmark is for non-EU/EEA startup founders whose business plan is approved by the Startup Denmark expert panel before applying to SIRI for residence and work permission. SIRI states a first permit can be granted for up to 2 years, and extension can be granted for up to 3 years at a time.

Family supported · PR path · Renewable

Finland

First applications are normally submitted abroad. Startup entrepreneur first permits can be granted for 2 years if the applicant has financial resources for the full permit period; extended permits can be valid for up to 4 years.

Family supported · PR path · Renewable

France

The VLS-TS entrepreneur/profession liberale route is valid for one year if validated after arrival; the related residence card has a maximum duration of one year and can lead to renewal or a multi-year card if conditions continue to be met.

PR path · Renewable

Germany

The residence permit for self-employment is initially issued for up to three years; freelancer permits are initially limited to a maximum of three years and can be extended if the activity supports the applicant and family.

Family supported · PR path · Renewable

Ireland

The Irish Immigration Service describes STEP as permission for innovative entrepreneurs to establish their business and reside in Ireland on a full-time basis. EU Immigration Portal material states successful applicants and nominated family members receive 2 years of residence and can apply to renew for a further 3 years, subject to compliance checks.

Family supported · PR path · Renewable

Lithuania

Startup Lithuania and the Migration Department describe a founder route for establishing and developing an innovative startup in Lithuania. Migration Department material indicates a startup temporary residence permit is issued for 2 years and can be renewed for 3 years.

Family supported · PR path · Renewable

Luxembourg

The residence permit for self-employed third-country nationals is valid for up to 3 years from the declaration of arrival and is renewable for new periods of up to 3 years if the conditions continue to be met.

Family supported · PR path · Renewable

Netherlands

The self-employed residence permit is purpose-based. IND describes an initial validity of up to two years, with extension possible if the self-employed conditions continue to be met.

Family supported · PR path · Renewable

Norway

UDI's skilled-worker guidance allows a residence permit for self-employed persons with a company in Norway where it is necessary for the applicant to live in Norway and actively participate in establishing and operating the business. The business is normally a sole proprietorship, the applicant can only work in that business, and first permits are granted for one year at a time.

Family supported · PR path · Renewable

Poland

Temporary residence permits are purpose-based and can be issued for the period needed to achieve the purpose of stay for more than three months, up to three years.

Family supported · Renewable

Slovakia

Slovakia's route for independent operators is temporary residence for the purpose of business. Ministry of Economy guidance says that, as of 1 July 2025, applications for granting temporary residence for business are accepted exclusively at Slovak diplomatic missions abroad. IOM guidance states temporary residence for business can be granted for the period necessary for the business, up to 3 years.

Family supported · PR path · Renewable

Sweden

The Swedish Migration Agency states that a residence permit to run your own business can be granted for a maximum of two years, never longer than passport validity, and can be extended.

Family supported · PR path · Renewable

Switzerland

EU/EFTA self-employed persons who prove genuine self-employment can receive a B EU/EFTA residence permit generally valid for 5 years. Third-country self-employed admission is more restrictive, quota-sensitive, canton-led, and depends on the specific permit granted.

Family supported · PR path · Renewable

Andorra

Andorra residence without work requires principal and effective residence in Andorra for at least 90 days per calendar year, according to the government route page.

Family supported · PR path · Renewable

Cyprus

Cyprus investor immigration permits grant an unlimited residence right, but the residence card is issued for 10 years and must be replaced. Immigration permits cease if the holder and dependants acquire permanent residence abroad or are absent from Cyprus for 2 years.

Family supported · PR path · Renewable

Greece

Greece's investor residence permit is valid for 5 years and can be renewed while the qualifying investment or lease remains in force; applicants should separately check tax residence and naturalisation presence rules.

Family supported · PR path · Renewable

Hungary

NDGAP FAQ says there is no mandatory minimum stay rule for the Hungary residence permit for guest investors. Long-term residence, tax residence, and citizenship planning have separate residence and integration tests.

Family supported · PR path · Renewable

Italy

Italy's Investor Visa leads to a 2-year investor residence permit that can renew for further 3-year periods if the original investment or donation is maintained. The programme guidance says continuity-of-presence obligations do not apply after obtaining the investor residence permit, but tax residence, long-term residence, and citizenship planning are separate.

Family supported · PR path · Renewable

Latvia

Latvia issues temporary residence permits for up to five years under several investment grounds; applicants should separately check renewal, tax residence, Schengen, and permanent residence conditions.

Family supported · PR path · Renewable

Malta

A formal application after approval in principle must show at least 8 months of residence in Malta before the application date, plus adequate residential property and Malta ties; the grant remains discretionary.

Family supported

Malta

The certificate grants indefinite residence, settlement, or stay rights in Malta while conditions are met; the Agency monitors compliance annually for the first five years and later at its discretion.

Family supported · PR path · Renewable

Portugal

AIMA says ARI holders must stay in Portugal for at least 7 days in the first year and at least 14 days in subsequent years. The temporary investment residence permit is valid for 2 years and renews for 2-year periods while the investment requirement is maintained.

Family supported · PR path · Renewable

Turkiye

Turkiye's exceptional citizenship route is investment-led and decision-based; residence, property, tax, banking, and family facts should be checked separately before filing.

Family supported

Iceland

The short-term residence permit is for a stay of more than 90 days and no more than 180 days. It cannot be renewed and may only be granted once during any 12-month period.

Liechtenstein

Liechtenstein residence is quota-controlled and purpose-specific. EEA residence permits are limited by annual quotas and third-country residence is exceptional; the exact permit term depends on the category granted.

Family supported · PR path · Renewable