Romania became a member of the Schengen treat on 1st January 2025, that is great for all Schengen members that can freely access the Romanian market now. For everyone else the Digital Nomad Visa may be a good option!

Romania formally introduced the digital nomad visa on December 21, 2021. All non-EU citizens can obtain a digital visa for Romania.

The Romanian digital nomad visa is valid for one year and can be renewed. Applicants must provide proof of verifiable income from the previous six months (at least three times Romania’s average gross monthly salary, which is approximately €3,700 ($4,100)).

Overview of Romania’s Digital Nomad Visa

The digital nomad visa in Romania works similarly to visas in other European nations. The program is only available to digital nomads, who are defined by Romanian authorities as “foreign nationals employed with an employment contract by a company registered outside Romania or who own a company registered outside Romania and can operate as employees or within the company, remotely.”

This new visa is open to all non-EU citizens who want to work remotely in Romania. Their goal with this visa is to recruit about 2,000 digital nomads per year. As the country is trying to revitalize its economy, the cost of living is quite low, which is ideal if you plan to stay for an extended period.

The visa is valid for one year and allows visitors to stay in the country without the need for other permits or visas. If foreigners continue to meet the minimum standards, their digital nomad visa can be renewed for another 12 months.

Advantages of Being a Digital Nomad in Romania

When working in Romania, digital nomads will have numerous advantages. Remote workers can count on the following benefits:

• Simple application procedure. You can apply for a Romanian digital nomad visa at the nearest Romanian embassy or online through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The procedure is straightforward; all you need to do is prepare and submit the required documentation. Additionally, your application will be approved within ten to fourteen days.
• Tax exempt. The Romanian government will not charge income tax to foreigners if they have tax residency in another country.
• Advanced Internet infrastructure. Working remotely as a digital nomad will be surprisingly simple because Romania has the fastest Internet connection in the region. The fixed Internet speed is 241.35 Mbps, while mobile connections have a speed of 61.70 Mbps.
• A wide variety of coworking spaces. Romania has a large variety of coworking spaces in various cities. The accommodations are comfortable and ideal for digital nomads who enjoy solitude and meeting new people.
• Low cost of living. Romania is one of the European countries with the lowest cost of living. The projected monthly costs for a family of four are 1,700 euros without rent, while the expected monthly costs for a single person are 489.34 euros without rent.
• As English is widely spoken in Romania, you won’t have problems if you don’t speak Romanian. You’ll be able to quickly make friends and communicate with others.
• Coworking areas. As you’ll be working remotely, you can choose to work in one of the many workspaces in Romania’s attractive cities.

Requirements for the Digital Nomad Visa in Romania

In addition to a valid passport, foreigners who want to work remotely will need the following additional documents:

• Proof of accommodation. A rental contract, hotel reservation, or lease agreement can be used to demonstrate your accommodation.
• Valid health insurance. You must have proof of medical insurance that covers all costs during your trip and stay in Romania and must have a minimum value of €30,000.
• A travel itinerary, such as an airline ticket. If driving, you’ll need to bring your driver’s license, vehicle registration, and green card.
• Certificate of clean criminal record. You can obtain a clean criminal record at your local police station.
• Employment verification. You must present your employment contract to prove your employment. You need to demonstrate that you have worked for or owned a company outside Romania for at least three years.
• Valid proof of financial resources. You must have an average income three times higher than Romania’s average gross salary. The current salary is €1,100, so you must earn at least €3,300.
• Proof of remote work. An employment contract for a foreign company or any other document proving self-employment can be used as proof. Documents must be originals, including a Romanian translation.
• Letter of intent. The letter should explain what activities you will do in Romania and why you are traveling there. The letter must be original and include a Romanian translation.
• An apostilled or legalized document issued by a specialized public administration institution confirming that the applicant has paid all taxes, fees, and other contributions and is not on the fraud or tax evasion list. The original document must be accompanied by a Romanian translation.

How Do I Apply for a Digital Nomad Visa in Romania?

To apply for a Romanian digital nomad visa, you can use the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ eVisa platform or apply in person at a Romanian consulate in your country. To apply online, follow these steps:

1. Register on the Romanian eVisa platform. To create an account and apply for a visa on the Internet service, you must have a valid email address.
2. Complete the required documents checklist. Before applying for a digital nomad visa, make sure you have all relevant documentation. The “Requirements for Romania’s Digital Nomad Visa” section will help you complete the document checklist.
3. Fill out the visa application. The application can be made using the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ electronic platform. Click “apply” and fill out the form with the required information.
4. Complete the payment requirements. Currently, there is no information about application fees, but they will likely be modest. Prices may increase in the future. Therefore, check again before applying.
5. Wait for confirmation. A Romanian digital nomad visa takes ten to fourteen business days to be authorized and processed.

It is equivalent to applying for this visa at the local Romanian embassy. You must schedule an interview with the embassy, attend the interview, and provide all necessary documentation. Then complete the payment requirements and wait for approval.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long can I work as a digital nomad in Romania?
The Romanian digital nomad visa is valid for one year and can be renewed for another year.

How long does it take to get a digital nomad visa in Romania?
Your digital nomad visa for Romania will be processed in about two weeks. However, processing time is determined by the embassy where you applied, as well as the volume of applications received.

Is Romania’s Internet connection fast?
Romania has a very good Internet connection. It has one of the fastest Internet connections in Europe. As a digital nomad in Romania, you won’t have to worry about finding a reliable Internet connection.

How long is the Romanian Digital Nomad Visa valid?
The digital nomad visa for Romania is valid for one year. As long as you meet the basic requirements, you can apply for visa renewal. After that, the digital nomad visa for Romania will be valid for another year.

What is the cost of Romania’s digital nomad visa?
Nothing is known yet about application fees, but they are likely to be minimal. Fees can be verified in the future. Therefore, before applying, do additional research.

What is the price of the Romanian digital nomad visa?
So far, the application fee is relatively low. The Romanian government hasn’t confirmed them. This may change in the future, so stay tuned for more information!

Do I have to pay taxes in Romania as a digital nomad?
Digital nomads, unlike Romanian citizens, are not considered tax residents. As a result, they will not be subject to any Romanian taxes.

Unless they have tax residency credentials proving they are tax residents in a country covered by a double taxation treaty, Romanian citizens are considered tax residents and are taxed on their worldwide income. To avoid double taxation, Romania has entered into a convention with other countries. Additionally, the personal income tax rate is 10%, with no local income taxes.

Other taxes, such as VAT, have a rate of 19%, and there are no net worth/value, inheritance, estate, or gift taxes. Finally, Romania has a property tax that is divided into two parts: building taxes and land taxes. The property tax rate is determined by the classification of the area where the land is located, while the building tax rate is divided into residential and non-residential buildings:

• Residential construction – with a tax rate ranging from 0.08% to 0.2%
• Non-residential building – with a tax rate ranging from 0.2% to 1.3%

Are you interested in Romania? Panoramic Citizen can help you with relocation and visas. Contact us for support!

Suppose you want to immigrate to an Asian country. In most cases, you can only obtain some type of golden visa, such as MM2H in Malaysia, Thai Elite Visa, Global Investor Program (GIP) in Singapore, etc. Still, all of them have a limited duration and require a significant investment of money. I’m not talking about work or student visas, but options are equally open to different groups of interested people, such as investors, digital nomads, retirees, etc.

For example, the cheapest version of the Thai Golden Visa (valid for only 5 years) would require a payment of 900,000 BTH (approximately 27,000 USD). A 15-year visa would cost you around 74,000 dollars (2.5 million BTH). These fees are non-refundable.

The MM2H conditions were significantly changed after the lockdown and require a minimum deposit of US$150,000, of which you can use US$50,000 for selected activities such as housing purchases. However, the minimum deposit of US$100,000 must be maintained in the account. Malaysia also requires a minimum stay in the country of 90 days per year. If you plan to move to Malaysia, this shouldn’t be a problem. But this isn’t the right choice if you’re a digital nomad or want to secure residence as a Plan B.

Speaking of Singapore, the GIP is one of the best Golden Visas in Asia but requires a minimum investment of 10 million SGD (about 7.5 million dollars). You must also prove that you’ve been an entrepreneur or company owner for over 3 years, and your company’s last revenue must be at least 200 million SGD (about 150 million dollars) annually.

The Philippines also has long-term visa options, such as the SRRV (Special Resident Retiree’s Visa) in different variants, like Classic, Courtesy, Expanded Courtesy, or SIRV (Special Investor’s Resident Visa). Due to the abuse of these programs in recent decades, the government is currently reviewing both programs, and the Philippines Congress is reviewing the immigration law for both.

At the same time, a new program was created—the FIV or FAB Investor Visa. FAB is the Freeport Area of Bataan, a special administrative region directly linked to the presidential office.

The Philippines has had the fastest-growing economy in Southeast Asia in recent years. Its citizens are famous for their hospitality, and its natural beauty (over 7,000 islands with beautiful beaches, diving and snorkelling areas, mountains, and tropical forests) is impressive. The population is mostly proficient in English, making communication much more manageable.

As an emerging economy, the Philippines offers various business and investment opportunities. It’s also a good opportunity for families and retirees to move there. The country is very family-friendly, and there are many international schools. The healthcare system is of very high quality. You can seek treatment in public or private hospitals at affordable costs.

Even if you don’t plan to move directly to the Philippines, the FIV is a great possibility for a Plan B with one of the fastest, easiest, and cheapest processes. It offers immediate permanent residence and no stay requirements. Your residence remains valid even if you don’t stay in the Philippines.

The advantages

The advantages of this new program are evident at first glance:

• Simplified application process with a waiting time of approximately one week after submission
• Low investment requirement of US$75,000 (the amount must remain invested during your FIV validity period) – one of the fastest and cheapest investment residence programs
• Possibility to obtain Philippines citizenship (in this case, you can also get your investment refunded)
• Up to 7 years of tax exemptions with 0% taxes if the company is established on your own
• No taxes on foreign-source income (territorial taxation)
• No minimum stay requirements – you can come to the Philippines and leave whenever you want
• FIV residents can live, work, or study anywhere in the Philippines without the need for a separate work permit for the main applicant
• You get permanent residence from day one, and it counts immediately towards your future citizenship (citizenship requirement: maintain FIV for 10 years, of which you spend 5 years in the Philippines)
• No nationality restrictions – everyone is welcome
• No intrusive net worth requirements
• Access to high-quality banking services
• No real estate investment requirement (but you can certainly buy a house if you want)
• A single 5-day visit to the Philippines to complete the process
• The Philippines is one of the few Asian countries that accept dual citizenship – you can officially have a Philippines passport and keep your initial passport if you wish (subject to your initial citizenship country’s legislation).

The application processing fee is US$25,000 for the main applicant and US$2,500 per dependent family member. This fee is non-refundable and includes VIP treatment, such as:

• Ground transportation between Clark International Airport and the hotel
• Four nights accommodation (five days)
• Local transportation for necessary appointments
• Meals
• Philippines ID card processing fee
• Hospital medical examination fee
• Mental health examination fee
• Local SIM card fee
• Fingerprint fee
• Miscellaneous fees for the Bataan Special Administrative Region oath
• Permanent residence card issuance fee
• The local team will also be happy to help you open a local bank account during this period (but you need to apply in advance so the team can schedule appointments on time)

The Process

The process is straightforward:

Schedule the first introduction meeting with us
Sign the contract and prepare documentation
Pay fees
Submit applications
Pre-approval and travel scheduling (important! Don’t schedule your trip before pre-approval is provided. When it’s available, you’ll have 3 months to come to the Philippines to take the oath at FAB)
Take oath in the Philippines.
Remember that you must have all required original documents with certified translations available on your trip to the Philippines. They will be requested.

The entire process in the Philippines will be completed in 5 business days. Therefore, it’s advisable to fly in on Monday.

If you want permanent residence in the Philippines, don’t hesitate to schedule your free introductory consultation with us.

An update from 11/20/2024

At the beginning of the program, police clearance was requested from the country of citizenship. This is no longer the case. Now, there’s no problem providing police clearance from your current country of residence, which simplifies the process even further.

Also important is to be prepared for banks to request proof of funds. This is a common procedure in many banks worldwide currently, but it’s worth mentioning here as well to avoid bad last-minute surprises.

Why Choose the Philippines?

A year-round stable climate, it’s a ‘low-cost country’ with Western world benefits (infrastructure, security, and services), you have the sea and mountains, and it’s green. We don’t need to say more about the environment.

You can speak English, as it’s recognized as an official language. Not everyone speaks English, but you won’t need to communicate with absolutely everyone.

It’s a vast, well-connected country (with cheap flights to many parts of the world), it’s easy to emigrate there, and there are low or zero taxes for foreigners. What more can you ask for?

Sounds great right? If you need assistance emigrating or stabilising a business there get in touch.

Both the Malaysia My Second Home Program and the Premium Visa Program allow foreigners who meet specific requirements to stay in Malaysia with a 10-year multiple-entry visa.

The minimum investment is MYR 1 million (approximately USD 230,000), with a processing time of 3 to 6 months.

More Information About Malaysia’s Investor Visa

Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) is undoubtedly one of the world’s most popular investor visa programs.

More than 35,000 cases have been granted since its inception in 2002. Although most applicants are from China, the program is also popular in Japan, Bangladesh, and the United Kingdom.

Malaysia’s MM2H Golden Visa scheme is open to all citizens. Applicants must have a minimum net worth of USD 125,000 and a monthly income of at least USD 2,500.

Each applicant must deposit a minimum balance of RM150,000 as a bank deposit if they are over 50 years old, or RM300,000 if they are under 50 years old, and the applicant will need a fixed deposit certificate.

However, after one year, a portion of this balance can be withdrawn for qualified purchases, such as real estate.

Malaysia MM2H – Real Estate Investment Program

Anyone participating in the Malaysia MM2H program is eligible to purchase real estate in Malaysia. There are minimum investment values, which vary according to the city and region.

For example, in Kuala Lumpur, an investment of 1 million MYR is required. Applicants can purchase an unlimited number of properties beyond the minimum investment value.

Obtaining Residency in Malaysia

Through the Malaysia My Second Home Program or the Premium Visa Program, the Malaysian government allows applicants and their families to live in the country.

Successful applicants receive a long-term multiple-entry visa in exchange for an investment in the country.

Advantages of Investing in Malaysian Residency

There are several benefits to Malaysia’s residency by investment program, such as:

• Low cost of living, a pleasant lifestyle, a strategic geographical location favorable for business, the Labuan offshore tax haven, few restrictions on capital flow, and a strong and stable economy.
• Malaysia also has double taxation agreements with various countries and there is no inheritance tax.
• Cosmopolitan and multicultural, with English as the official business language and widely spoken along with Malay and various Chinese and Indian dialects.
• International and world-class center for healthcare and education.
• Relaxed property laws for foreigners, with a minimum threshold of RM 600,000 per property in Kuala Lumpur state. This differs from state to state.

Malaysia: My Second Home Program Requirements

Foreign investors must meet the standards listed below to obtain residence authorization in Malaysia under the Malaysia My Second Home Program (MM2H) and receive a 10-year multiple-entry visa.

Applicants must do the following when applying for the program:

• You must be at least 35 years old.
• Demonstrate financial capability in Malaysia without seeking employment or government assistance, by providing documentation of offshore monthly income of at least MYR 40,000 (approximately USD 10,000).
• Provide proof of financeable assets worth a minimum of MYR 1.5 million (approximately USD 350,000).

After application approval, successful applicants:

• Must invest MYR 1 million (approximately USD 230,000) plus MYR 50,000 (approximately USD 12,000) per dependent spouse or child in a local fixed deposit account that will be maintained throughout their participation in the program.
• After the first year, parents can withdraw up to MYR 500,000 (approximately USD 115,000) for approved expenses, such as purchasing a house, their children’s education in Malaysia, or medical expenses.
• Must spend 90 days per year in Malaysia (this criterion applies only to the main applicant and their spouse; children, parents, and in-laws are exempt).

Premium Visa Program Requirements

Foreigners must meet the following qualifications to obtain residency in Malaysia under the Premium Visa Program (PVIP) and receive a 20-year multiple-entry visa, issued in five-year increments.

Applicants must do the following when applying for the program:

Demonstrate financial capability in Malaysia without seeking employment or government assistance, by providing documentation of offshore income of at least MYR 40,000 (approximately USD 10,000) per month.
Successful applicants must invest MYR 1 million (approximately USD 230,000) plus MYR 50,000 (approximately USD 12,000) per dependent spouse or child in a local fixed deposit account maintained throughout their stay in the program.
After the first year, parents can withdraw up to MYR 500,000 (approximately USD 115,000) for approved expenses, such as purchasing a house, their children’s education in Malaysia, or medical expenses.
A one-time application fee of MYR 200,000 (approximately USD 45,000) + MYR 100,000 (approximately USD 22,000) per dependent is required.
An approved applicant for the PVIP visa of any age can work and operate a business in Malaysia. He or she does not need to reside in Malaysia.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) program?

The Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) program offers successful investors and their qualified family members a renewable five-year multiple-entry visa.

What are the procedures for obtaining MM2H and PVIP visas in Malaysia?

Each qualified applicant will receive a conditional approval letter from the Malaysian Immigration Department. MM2H and PVIP visas do not allow their holders to work in Malaysia and do not grant permanent residency.

After submitting the MM2H or PVIP residence application to the Malaysian government and receiving initial permission, the client can go to the country to complete the remaining procedures (specifically, opening a Malaysian bank account and meeting medical requirements).

Then, full approval is granted, and the applicant and their family members receive long-term multiple-entry visas for Malaysia (10 years in the MM2H program and 20 years in PVIP). The entire process takes three to six months.

Both the first MM2H visa and the PVIP visa are valid for five years and can be renewed after that.

What are the investment criteria for the Malaysian residence program?

The applicant must make a fixed deposit placement of RM 1,000,000.
If the main applicant is between 35 and 49 years old, an additional fixed deposit of RM 50,000 must be made for each dependent.
After one year, a maximum withdrawal of 50% of the fixed deposit capital is allowed for healthcare, education, and property acquisition in Malaysia.

Can I add my family to my Malaysian residence petition?

Yes, the investor can include as dependents a spouse, civil union partner, children (biological/stepchildren/legally adopted) under 21 years of age and from 21 to 34 years of age (single and unmarried).

If the main applicant is between 35 and 49 years old, an extra fixed deposit of RM 50,000 must be made in addition to the RM 1,000,000.

What are the MM2H visa requirements?

The main applicant must have a minimum offshore monthly income of RM 40,000.
Proof of at least RM 1,500,000 in liquid assets.
Main pass holders and/or their respective spouses must stay in Malaysia for at least 90 days each year, or 450 days total in a five-year period.
The main applicant must be at least 35 years old.
A valid medical insurance policy from an insurer, which allows access to a private hospital.
A government processing fee of RM 5,000 (main applicant) and an additional fee of RM 2,500 per dependent.
An annual visa fee of RM 500 charged by the government.
Additional visa fees and bank guarantee/security deposit apply, with prices varying according to nationality.

Does my money need to stay in Malaysia for me to maintain my residency?

According to immigration law, after one year, a maximum withdrawal of 50% of the fixed deposit capital is allowed as approved expenses related to health, education, and property acquisition in Malaysia.

Are you interested in the opportunities Malaysia brings? Reach out to us for any support on this endeavour!