Six holiday destinations tempting remote workers with tax perks and cheap visas
Holiday destinations that usually rely on tourism are jumping on the “work from anywhere” bandwagon, tempting remote workers with cheap visas and tax incentives.
Millions have been told not to come into the office and some are using that as an opportunity to ditch the British autumn weather and work abroad instead. A few have even found that the lower cost of living in their temporary home has helped them to save hundreds of pounds a month.
Here are six places currently offering perks to remote workers.
Anguilla
This British overseas territory in the Caribbean has launched a new visa programme so remote workers can live and work on the island for up to a year. A three-month visa costs £749 and a 12-month one £1,498. Families of four can secure big discounts, with respective visas costing £1,123 and £2,247.
Jocelyne Arana of Hoxton Capital Management, an international financial adviser said that workers who wanted to stay for longer periods of time would be prioritised. They also benefit from Anguilla’s tax-free status.
It is on the Government’s travel corridor list, so Britons would not have to quarantine on their return. The island has 33 beaches and has had just three positive coronavirus cases since March.
You must get approval before you travel to Anguilla. This involves providing proof of a negative Covid-19 test taken three to five days before arrival. You will also be tested on arrival and spend your first 10 to 14 days there in quarantine.
Barbados
Slightly further south in the Caribbean Sea, the island of Barbados has created a similar scheme. Called the “Barbados Welcome Stamp”. This visa allows you to live and work there for up to 12 months. You can also reapply when it runs out. It costs about £1,550 for one person or £2,300 for a family.
“Workers will be exempt from paying Barbados income tax during their stay,” Ms Arana said.
Barbados has high-speed internet and a 4G mobile network. Britons returning from the island do not currently have to quarantine. The average temperature in November is around 27°C.
Travellers must test negative for coronavirus within three days before their arrival. They will have to take a second test four to five days later, quarantining during this time. If the result is negative they can then stop isolating.
Dubai
People working remotely from Dubai benefit from the United Arab Emirates’ zero income tax policy. Their only costs will be the visa, priced at £220, and medical insurance they need before arriving. You must be earning at least £3,850 a month to qualify and are employed with at least a year left on your contract or have been running your own business for a year or longer.
Only the emirate of Dubai is offering this scheme with the rest of the UAE not covered. Visitors to the UAE must have taken a Covid-19 test with a negative result 96 hours before their departure.
Bermuda
Both students and remote workers can live in Bermuda for up to a year on a new residency programme. The Caribbean island is offering one-year visas for around £200.
You must be older than 18, have medical insurance and provide proof that you have a regular income source. The local government has also extended its tourist visa from 90 to 180 days for those relocating for the short-term.
Bermuda is a tax haven made up of around 184 islands and islets surrounded by coral reefs. It is a British overseas territory and is currently on the Government’s travel corridor list.
However, you must get authorisation before travelling and test negative for Covid-19 both before and on arrival. The pre-arrival test must be taken between a week and 72 days beforehand.
Estonia
Estonia has launched what it called Europe’s first “digital nomad visa”. It costs £100 and you can live and work there for up to a year.
You must work for or run a company registered outside of Estonia or freelance for clients based outside the country. Applicants must also have earned at least £3,180 a month in the previous six months.
The Baltic country is currently quarantine-free for Britons on their return. If you’re arriving to Estonia from Britain, you’ll need to self-isolate for 14 days. You can opt to take a test to shorten the quarantine period.
Georgia
The former Soviet nation has created the “Remotely from Georgia” scheme to attract freelancers, full-time employees and business owners. They can stay in the country for a minimum of 180 days and a maximum of 12 months so long as they are earning £1,500 a month. They do not need to buy a visa.
The country is home to the Caucasus mountains and Black Sea beaches and is famous for its red wines.
Most foreign arrivals to Georgia will be placed under an eight-day quarantine and then have to take an antigen test.
In some cases you may have to pay tax in two different countries if you work in one but live in another for roughly half the year, or 183 days. This would depend on when each country's tax year starts.
Remote workers should also bear in mind any restrictions countries have on using the internet. For example, the UAE, China, Turkey and Russian all have blocks on certain types of content.
