Working a US Job Remotely in Europe: Everything You Need to Know
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This post is aimed at US citizens. If you want to live in the USA as a non-US citizen and have a... Remote Job want to exercise, please read this blog .
Since 2020, remote work has become the new normal for many people. Some have even decided to move to other countries to be able to work online. More and more people are working for U.S. companies while living abroad, and many are choosing a European country as their base. The reason for this is as follows:
An individual can work remotely for a US company and live in Europe for at least 90 days on a tourist visa. However, if you stay longer than 90 days, you need a residence and work permit for the relevant country. After staying in one place for more than 183 days, a person becomes a tax resident.
And it's not just employees who choose a remote office. Companies have also started hiring more employees remotely to reduce costs and gain more flexibility. As a remote work staffing company, we at Support Adventure don't complain! We have seen tremendous growth since the start of the pandemic. People finally realized that they could have a remote job at a US company and live in Prague or Mexico.
However, there are many things to consider when working remotely and living in another country. Continue reading this article to learn more about how to easily work remotely in Europe. If you want to work in Switzerland, will help you this blog post further. As a German, we recommend you this blog post . It's worth it for Austrians this post .
Can you work a US job in Europe remotely?
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In general, you can work remotely for the US and live on the other side of the world. However, an employee must comply with tax and residency regulations.
If you work for a US company but live permanently in a European country, you are theoretically working in that European country. Therefore, your residency must also allow you to work in that country, which means you will need a work permit.
Don't forget Uncle Sam either. If you stay in a country for more than 6 months, you must pay US income tax if your salary qualifies, as well as local taxes. Ultimately, we always have to remember the reservations when working and living abroad.
If you work for a non-American company in Europe, you will have to deal with work permits, visas and banking issues.
Find a remote job
Of course, the first step to working abroad for a US company is to find a job in the US or any other country you are considering. It doesn't necessarily have to be the USA. You have the option to work remotely for a company as an employee or contractor. It may also make sense to become self-employed by working as a freelancer or starting your own business.
A simple Google search will help you find coveted ones Find remote jobs , as many people work online these days.
You can also find out about our own job offers, as we are hiring remote employees primarily for help desk support. If you have experience or interest in the IT field, we are always looking for low to senior level engineers and dispatchers. The biggest advantage of our work is that you can work from anywhere in the world! So you are welcome to apply.
Do you need a visa?
As a US citizen, you do not need a visa to visit Europe unless you plan to stay longer than three months. In general, you can stay in any EU country for 90 days within a 180-day period. The same applies to non-EU countries, regardless of whether they are only members of the Schengen area or are not part of it, such as Serbia.
What options are there for your visa?
Some European countries have visas for freelancers or long-term visas for those with foreign income. Visa options and regulations vary significantly from country to country, so do your research before moving to a specific country.
Ultimately, you need to know whether you have the ability to work remotely and reside there for an extended period of time in the country of your choice.
The process of applying for a residence permit in Europe can be lengthy and involve a lot of paperwork. In most cases, the government requires at least the following documents:
- Proof of the required level of income from abroad
- Proof of health insurance coverage
- Proof of long-term accommodation (rental agreement)
- a declaration of intent or a letter of motivation
The regulations for each country are also different. For example, the required income is higher in some countries than in others. However, in general the regulations are the same in most European countries.
Are you a US citizen?
US citizens have an easier time in most European countries than other foreigners because the US is on a list of priority countries. Americans can apply for most documents and residency options in a European country without having to go to an embassy.
However, if you have citizenship of a non-EU country, it may be more difficult to obtain a long-term visa in European countries. In many cases, you will need to apply at the relevant embassy in your home country rather than directly at your destination.
Many factors depend on your nationality. Therefore, always check the regulations of the country where you want to work remotely.
Do you need to apply for a work visa?
Yes, you need some type of freelance, self-employed or work visa for the EU country if you are staying there for longer than three months.
Get paid when you work remotely
The other question that probably comes to mind is, "How do I get paid?" Since bank transfers abroad can be quite expensive, we recommend avoiding them at all costs.
While you can receive your earnings with an American bank card, transfers to European cards and withdrawals can also be expensive. You may want to set up a different structure with your employer and use online payment tools like PayPal, Stripe or Wise. In our opinion, Wise is by far the best solution and is what we use for our employees. It sends money from one bank account to another at minimal cost and with the best currency conversion rates.
Wise also has a built-in currency exchange if your employer transfers money to your account. The rates are the best, especially when compared to a regular bank. Plus, it's fast and you can receive your money the same day.
Steer
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In general, U.S. tax laws apply to U.S. citizens regardless of where or how long they reside. However, if you stay in a European country for more than 183 days, you will be considered a resident. Your income is then subject to income tax in this country and in the USA.
But you shouldn't worry too much because most countries have introduced some rules to avoid double taxation.
If you become a tax resident in some EU countries, you will pay taxes there only after you receive a U.S. tax credit based on the European taxes you paid. Remember that taxpayers usually have to file tax returns in both countries.
Become independent
For some people, becoming self-employed as a freelancer or entrepreneur is the best solution. You can obtain a self-employed residence permit in various European countries. This also allows you to work as a contractor for a US company.
Where is the best place to work remotely in Europe?
There are so many countries in Europe and they all have something to offer remote workers. If you really want to work remotely in Europe but don't want to worry about all the tax regulations, we recommend setting up in Serbia.
Many of our employees work remotely from Serbia and are thrilled. Due to the low cost of living and exclusion from the EU, foreigners can enjoy a great lifestyle and avoid strict restrictions.
In Serbia, you can stay as a digital nomad as long as you want and enjoy this European country at a fraction of the cost you would pay in the EU.
Visa options for Serbia
As a US citizen, you can stay in Serbia for 90 days without a visa. After that, you can apply for a temporary stay visa or register as an individual entrepreneur. Both options are not nearly as expensive as in other countries.
Plus, you can take advantage of both options without leaving the country or investing a lot of time and money. The first option is valid for up to three months, while the other two options are valid for up to a year. Both can be renewed.
In the coming years, Serbia will also introduce a new residence permit for remote workers, where anyone with a remote job and a monthly income of over EUR 3,000 can stay and enjoy the country without any problems.
However, many remote workers and digital nomads do not even bother to get a residence permit and simply cross the border. So they can extend those 90 days by simply crossing the border and coming back. Nevertheless, we would recommend applying for one of these visas if you plan to stay in Serbia for a longer period of time.
Serbia is becoming a hub for remote work and is a very popular destination for:
- developer
- WordPress page builder
- Self-employed people and entrepreneurs
- freelancer
Wherever you settle, we're happy for you as you set out to work remotely for a US company while living somewhere in Europe.
