In order to enjoy your experience abroad fully and safely, it is good to familiarize yourself with, and obey the national laws of the country you’re in. By not following remote working laws, which can include paying taxes; you can incur fees, face restrictions, attend court and sometimes even deportation. But there’s good news:
European countries, be it an EU or non-EU state, have started to introduce tax benefits and returns for those working for a foreign company or client.
By the end of this article, you will be familiar with tax rates in Europe, types of taxes, how to pay them, the benefits of being a tax resident and the countries with the lowest tax rates.
Who needs to pay taxes in Europe?
Whether you are a self-employed remote worker, or you’re being employed by a company outside of Europe, you are under the employment laws of the country you are residing in.
An individual becomes a tax resident in Europe after spending six months, or 183 days in the country. After that time, the individual needs to report and pay income tax according to the national taxation laws. In some cases, this can be reset by doing what is referred to as a “border run,” which is simply exiting and re-entering the country around the six month mark. But this is not the most secure way to avoid paying taxes.
Once you become a tax resident, you are also under that country’s specific labor and social security laws, as well as being able to collect benefits.
Tax rates also vary depending on one’s amount of income. Those with lower incomes will be taxed at a smaller percentage.
How does it work?
Most countries have a flat tax rate for remote workers, and an income tax rate can vary from anywhere between 10% in Bulgaria to 55% in Denmark.
It is good to know that most countries have a double-tax agreement, meaning that you won’t pay taxes in your home country once you become a tax resident abroad. In case there is no agreement, you can ask your employer to terminate your contract so that you won’t have to pay taxes twice.
One sure way to make paying taxes more straightforward is by using the “Estonian shortcut.” It is easy and cost efficient to obtain e-residency and open a business in Estonia. Since the country is a part of the European Union, you can send invoices and do business in other countries in the European Union, or the European Economic Area (EEA).
There are 3 ways to legally work remotely in Europe:
- Register as a freelancer or independent worker
- Create a legal entity, such as a limited company where you would own 100% of the shares
- Ask your employer to open an office or subsidiary branch
Any of these will work, and they’re all compatible with long-term visa options in European Union countries.
What if I decide to leave the country?
Incurring a tax only applies to residents of a particular country. If you decide to leave the country, the tax laws will no longer apply to you.
How much will I pay in taxes as a remote worker in Europe?
The EU does not have a direct role in determining the amount of taxes in countries or collecting them. Tax rates are decided by the country you are residing in. The country determines the laws regarding taxation of foreigners, social security, benefits and tax returns.
Income taxes for certain income brackets in Europe are divided into corporate, individual and value added taxes (VAT). Below are some examples:
| Country | Corporate tax | Maximum income tax rate | Standard VAT rate |
| Belgium | 29% on €100,000 profit | 23% | 20% |
| Bulgaria | 10% | 40.8% | 21%, reduced up to 6% |
| Georgia | 15%,0% for Virtual Zone Companies | 20%, 1% for small businesses | 18% |
| Denmark | 22% | 56% | 25% |
| Estonia | 20% CIT on distributed profit. 14% on regular distribution. 0% on undistributed profits | 57,8% | 20%, reduced rate 9% |
| Greece | 24% | 56.67% | 24%, reduced to 13% or 5% |
| Hungary | 9% | 43.16% | 27%, reduced 18% and 5% |
| Italy | 27,9% | 45.83% | 22%, reduced 10%, 5%, 4% |
| Serbia | 15% | 52% | 20%, reduced 10% |
| Spain | 25%, 4% on Canary islands | 45% | 21%,reduced 10% and 4% |
Income tax rates for countries in Europe can be found here
If your income tax does not exceed the yearly tax bracket, the taxes will of course be lower.
Taxes can be paid either online or in person, depending on the country. The level of efficiency of the bureaucratic system in the specific European country also affects the ease of paying taxes. If you want to avoid endless paperwork, and you’re thinking of starting a business in Europe as a foreigner, check out our for our list of the best countries for this!
What are the best tax-friendly countries in Europe to pay taxes?
Let’s talk about the top five countries in Europe and their low tax rates.
Georgia, which offers a digital nomad visa and low tax rates
Georgia is one of the most attractive countries for remote workers because of its amazingly low tax rates and cheap cost of living. It’s an increasingly popular option among digital nomads and entrepreneurs. To reap the benefits of this amazing country, here are the requirements:
- A monthly income of at least $2000
- Or a bank statement of $24000
- Apply for the digital nomad visa for Georgia
What do you get in return? Apart from the great cost for the value of living in Georgia, you will participate in a project for individual entrepreneurs, which taxes just 1% of your business’s gross revenue up to $155,000 a year!
Cyprus
Since the beginning of 2022, non-EU residents who work for companies, or who have customers abroad, have been able to apply for a digital nomad visa in Cyprus. This is a good opportunity to live a stress-free life by the Mediterranean sea and still have foreign income.
Cyprus has been able to attract remote workers with its “non-domestic tax residency,” an incentive to recruit and maintain highly-skilled and highly-paid expats to Cyprus. This excludes people from paying taxes on overseas earnings, ‘passive’ interest income or profit from the sale of securities.
Malta
The beautiful island of Malta launched its digital nomad visa program, which is attracting more remote workers. As stated on its website, “The remittance basis of taxes is one of the most significant benefits of moving to Malta. When it comes to taxation, non-Malta residents pay taxes on their local income and some of their profits, but they are exempt from paying taxes on their worldwide income that hasn’t been sent to Malta. As a bonus, they are not taxed on capital gains, even if this money is sent back to Malta. As a cherry on top, any money they earn from that remote work does not require them to do local fillings.”
Additionally, there are ongoing discussions about lowering the tax rate to 5%!
Portugal
The Portuguese government introduced the Portugal Passive Income Visa (D7 Visa) and the Non-Habitual Residence Tax as a way to attract foreign workers to the country.
Tax-free overseas income and tax-free cryptocurrency are only two of the perks. Also, both the income requirements and the minimum stay length are much lower than most other European countries.
As part of the NHR, non habitual residency allows for foreigners to reap the tax benefits after they settle in Portugal.
These are some of the most attractive programs for freelancers, entrepreneurs and remote workers in general in Europe.
Greece
Greece’s digital nomad policy was first introduced in 2021, which offers an incredible 50% reduction on income tax and social security payments. For example, the maximum tax rate for someone earning $40,000 will be reduced from 44% to only 22% under this scheme!
Check out our Most Exhilarating Locations to Work From in Europe for a list of more great locations to hit when working remotely.
Work, residency permits and digital nomad visas in Europe
The number of countries in Europe offering some form of digital nomad visa is increasing rapidly. Some programs are still in the making, which means that not all aspects of those potential visas are regulated regarding taxation as well.
However, digital nomad visas are necessary if you plan to stay long-term in a country. To open a business, a digital nomad visa and residency permit is required in most cases.
Luckily, you can click here to see which countries offer digital nomad visas.
Tax benefits
Europe specifically has a much lower cost of living compared to the UK and the US. Whether you are going to an EU or a non-EU country, you will surely enjoy the great cost for value, as well as many tax benefits.
Countries around the world are doing all they can to attract remote workers and entrepreneurs. With great remote programs, nomad visas and tax benefits, they are succeeding in creating a great atmosphere for foreign citizens and their business. Here’s why:
- 70-90% tax rebates in some countries for remote employees and self-employed digital nomads with a low flat tax.
- Low tax rates.
- Renewable residence permit and visa.
- The visa can be extended to immediate family members.
- Social security and other benefits.
- Easy to do business with other countries in Europe.
Understanding Social Security Contributions in Europe
In addition to income taxes, remote workers in Europe must also consider social security contributions, which fund essential services like healthcare, unemployment benefits, and pensions.
Who Needs to Pay?
As a tax resident in a European country, you’re generally required to pay social security contributions. Rates vary by country:
- Germany: Employees pay around 7.3% of their salary, matched by employers.
- France: Employees contribute about 22%, with employers adding around 30%.
- Italy: Employee contributions range from 9.19% to 10.49%, with employers contributing 29% to 32%.
Benefits of Paying Social Security
These contributions provide access to healthcare, unemployment benefits, pensions, maternity/paternity leave, and disability benefits.
Managing Social Security Contributions
- Understand Obligations: Research the specific requirements in your host country.
- Use Professional Services: Hire an accountant or use an online service specializing in expatriate taxes.
- Stay Informed: Keep updated on any regulatory changes.
By managing your social security contributions effectively, you can enjoy the benefits and ensure compliance with local laws while working remotely in Europe.
Do you want to work remotely in Europe?
If you’re planning to move abroad, but not sure how to get a fully-remote job that can support your nomadic lifestyle, we are here with an opportunity!
Support Adventure is an expat-run and fully remote MSP staffing company and has positions open for remote IT technicians! Apply on our IT Jobs page to get hired!
And if you’re not in IT and just looking for a remote job you can work while in Europe, check our Remote Jobs: Europe for more information and tips on how to get one.
We wish you all the best on your remote work adventure in Europe!
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