Comparison guide
European and Central Asian Digital Nomad Visas (2026)
A fresh crop of remote-work visas across Europe and Central Asia - Slovenia, Montenegro, Moldova, and Kazakhstan.
Last reviewed:
Remote workers planning a 2026 movePeople comparing newer nomad routes beyond the usual optionsThose who want to know which routes are time-limitedWhat does European and Central Asian Digital Nomad Visas (2026) compare?
A fresh crop of remote-work visas across Europe and Central Asia - Slovenia, Montenegro, Moldova, and Kazakhstan. It compares Digital Nomad Temporary Residence Permit (Slovenia), Digital Nomad Temporary Residence (Montenegro), Digital Nomad Visa (Moldova), Neo Nomad Visa (B12-1), with each route linked to its primary government source.
Verified against Ministry of the Interior (Slovenia) on 1 June 2026.
At a glance
Key facts for each route covered in this comparison. Click any visa for the full guide.
| Country | Route | Sponsor? | Duration | Leads to PR? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Slovenia | Digital Nomad Temporary Residence Permit (Slovenia) | No | Up to one year and non-renewable; you may reapply six months after it expires - confirm current validity on the official page. | No |
| Montenegro | Digital Nomad Temporary Residence (Montenegro) | No | Issued for up to two years and extendable for up to two more, within the life of the programme - confirm current validity on the official page. | No |
| Moldova | Digital Nomad Visa (Moldova) | No | Allows you to live in Moldova for up to two years, with renewal possible while you still qualify - confirm current validity on the official page. | No |
| Kazakhstan | Neo Nomad Visa (B12-1) | No | Issued for up to around a year with the possibility of in-country extension; it is a stay route, not a settlement route. | No |
Detailed comparison
Slovenia launched a Digital Nomad permit on 21 November 2025; it is granted for up to a year, is non-renewable, and does not lead to permanent residence - but it gives Schengen access while valid.
Montenegro runs a government digital-nomad residence, but the programme is legislated to run only until the end of 2026 with no announced replacement, so check its status before planning.
Moldova introduced a Digital Nomad Visa in September 2025; note that the Moldova IT Park 7% tax regime is not available to nomad-visa holders.
Kazakhstan offers the Neo Nomad Visa for remote workers (which does not lead to permanent residence) and a separate IT Digital Nomad Residency that can.
Full guides for each route
Each link takes you to the complete visa guide — eligibility, step-by-step pathway, fees, processing time, and FAQs.
Digital Nomad Temporary Residence Permit (Slovenia)· Republic of Slovenia
If you work remotely for a company based outside Slovenia, this permit lets you live in Slovenia for up to a year while you keep earning from abroad.
No sponsorship needed · Up to one year and non-renewable; you may reapply six months after it expires - confirm current validity on the official page.
Digital Nomad Temporary Residence (Montenegro)· Montenegro
If you work remotely for a company based outside Montenegro, this residence permit lets you live in Montenegro while you keep earning from abroad.
No sponsorship needed · Issued for up to two years and extendable for up to two more, within the life of the programme - confirm current validity on the official page.
Digital Nomad Visa (Moldova)· Republic of Moldova
If you work remotely for a company based outside Moldova, this visa lets you live in Moldova while you keep earning from abroad.
No sponsorship needed · Allows you to live in Moldova for up to two years, with renewal possible while you still qualify - confirm current validity on the official page.
Neo Nomad Visa (B12-1)· Republic of Kazakhstan
For you if you work remotely for clients or an employer outside Kazakhstan: the Neo Nomad Visa (category B12-1) lets you live in Kazakhstan while keeping your foreign income - but please read the honesty note, because this one does not lead to permanent residence.
No sponsorship needed · Issued for up to around a year with the possibility of in-country extension; it is a stay route, not a settlement route.
Source basis
This comparison is based on the official government portals and primary route sources for the visas named on this page. Open each full guide for eligibility, fees, processing time and action links.
Reviewed
Primary sources
- gov.si - Entry and residence
Ministry of the Interior (Slovenia) - verified
- Government of Montenegro - Ministry of Internal Affairs
Ministry of Internal Affairs (Montenegro) - verified
- General Inspectorate for Migration
General Inspectorate for Migration (Moldova) - verified
- eGov.kz - services for foreigners
Migration Service, Ministry of Internal Affairs (Kazakhstan) - verified
- GOV.SI - Temporary residence permit for digital nomads
Ministry of the Interior (Slovenia) - verified
- Government of Montenegro - Digital Nomads (legal status)
Ministry of Internal Affairs (Montenegro) - verified
- General Inspectorate for Migration - Services
General Inspectorate for Migration, Ministry of Internal Affairs (Moldova) - verified
- eGov.kz - Visa classification to stay in the Republic of Kazakhstan
Electronic Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan - verified
Frequently asked questions
Which of these digital nomad visas gives Schengen travel?+
Slovenia is an EU and Schengen member, so its Digital Nomad permit comes with Schengen travel while valid. Montenegro and Moldova are EU candidates (not members) and Kazakhstan is outside the EU, so they do not. Confirm the current rules on each official page.
Are any of these time-limited?+
Yes - Montenegro's digital-nomad programme is legislated to run only until the end of 2026, and Slovenia's permit is non-renewable (with a six-month wait to reapply). Always check the official page for the latest status before you commit.
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