Freelancer and self-employed visas: 22 countries compared
Countries with a permit for freelancers, sole traders and self-employed people.
Sorted by the monthly income asked for, lowest first; countries without a fixed amount come after.
Programme details are shown in English.
| Country | Programme | Income a month | How long |
|---|---|---|---|
 Netherlands | Residence permit for self-employed persons (points-based) | $2,050 | Up to 2 years, extendable |
 Norway | Residence permit for self-employed persons | $2,700 | 1 year at a time |
 United Arab Emirates | Green visa for freelancers / self-employed | $8,170 | 5 years |
 Austria | Red-White-Red Card – Self-employed key workers and start-up founders | Not fixed | 24 months |
 Belgium | Professional card for self-employed foreigners | Not fixed | — |
 Croatia | Stay and work permit for owners of a company or sole trade | Not fixed | — |
 Czechia | Long-term visa for the purpose of doing business (trade licence / živnostenský list) | Not fixed | Up to 1 year in total, including extensions; longer stays require a long-term residence permit |
 Denmark | Start-up Denmark | Not fixed | Up to 2 years, then extensions of up to 3 years |
 Finland | Residence permit for start-up entrepreneurs | Not fixed | First permit up to 2 years |
 France | Entrepreneur / liberal profession residence card | Not fixed | First card up to 1 year, then a multi-year card of up to 4 years |
 Germany | Residence permit for freelance / self-employed work | Not fixed | Validity set by the immigration office |
 Greece | Residence permit for independent economic activity | Not fixed | 2 years, renewable for the same period |
 Hungary | Residence permit for guest self-employment | Not fixed | Up to 1 year, extendable by up to 2 years, 3 years in total |
 Italy | Self-employment visa (lavoro autonomo) | Not fixed | — |
 Japan | Startup Visa (Designated Activities) | Not fixed | Up to 1 year |
 Luxembourg | Residence permit for self-employed workers | Not fixed | — |
 Malta | Startup Residence Programme | Not fixed | 3 years, then renewable for 5 more if the startup is still active |
| Netherlands | Self-employed permit under the Dutch-American Friendship Treaty (DAFT) | Not fixed | Up to 2 years, extendable |
| Netherlands | Self-employed permit under the Dutch-Japanese Trade Treaty | Not fixed | Up to 2 years, extendable |
 Portugal | Residence visa for self-employed people and entrepreneurs (D2) | Not fixed | Visa valid 4 months with two entries; then a residence permit from AIMA |
 Rwanda | Class C1 permit for self-employed professionals | Not fixed | 2 years |
 Serbia | Single permit for residence and work: self-employment | Not fixed | Up to 3 years per permit; extension can be filed from 3 months before expiry |
 Sweden | Residence permit to run your own business | Not fixed | — |
 United Kingdom | Innovator Founder visa | Not fixed | 3 years, extendable by 3 years with a new endorsement |
Questions
Which country asks for the least income?
In our data, Netherlands asks for the least: about $2,050 a month.
How many countries are on this list?
22 countries, each with at least one route of this kind that we have checked against official sources.
Other routes
- Digital nomad visas
- Work permits
- Student visas
- Retirement visas
- Passive income visas
- Investment and golden visas
- Residence permits
This page is general information, not legal or immigration advice. Requirements change; confirm with the official government page or a licensed adviser before you apply.