List of Tech Visas for Working and Starting a Business in Europe – Part One

European countries are confronting a severe shortage of computer expertise, and they are devising strategies to address and meet the need. However, according to an article published on euractiv.com, “the influx of talented employees is insufficient to meet the long-standing shortfall of trained labor for European enterprises.”

Tech businesses are either attempting to acquire talent worldwide via remote work or hiring foreign staff and relocating them. The fight for digital talent has begun, and several European governments are implementing generous tech visa programs to attract the expertise. Many European nations have worked hard to develop “tech visas” to allow foreign entrepreneurs and tech employees to work in their digital ecosystems. France is the frontrunner with the “French Digital Visa,” which permits highly talented professionals to work in the French tech sector for four years with the possibility of an extension.

In the first part of our essay, we will tell you about some European tech visas and the requirements for each:

France

French tech visa

It is a four-year visa with the possibility of extension for highly talented individuals in the technology field. This visa does not need a diploma or funds, and the processing time ranges from a few days to multiple weeks.

French tech visa for founders

This is a long-term visa for founders who wish to establish their business in France. It necessitates financial resources equivalent to or greater than the French yearly minimum salary of €17,981.60 as of January 1, 2018. The visa needs 3 months of processing and costs roughly €368.

Austria

Austria’s very highly qualified workers

This is a long-term visa for highly skilled professionals, with eligibility decided by a points system. At first, a 6-month “Job Seeker Visa” is offered. The visa application is a point-based system that costs around €160.

Finland

Finland’s Work Permit

This is a long-term visa for employees “issued based on either temporary or continuous labor.” This visa needs around a month to process and costs approximately €450.

Finnish Startup Permit

This visa is long-term permission for non-EU founders who intend to start a business in Finland. It is valid for two years, takes around 38 days to complete, and costs €350.

Germany

Germany’s Temporary Residence Permit for Employment

For workers in Germany, the visa is valid for one year.

Germany’s Blue Card

This is a four-year visa that needs a high level of German fluency and a job that pays at least €50,800 per year.

Israel

Israel Long Term Working Visa

This visa is a license for foreign, highly talented workers that is valid for up to 63 months and must be requested by the employer.

Medium-Term Visa for founders looking to launch a startup in Israel

This Israelian visa is only valid for two years, and the initiative must be started in Israel.

Latvia

Startup Latvia Visa

This is a long-term visa allowing up to five entrepreneurs who want to start a business in Latvia. It is valid for three years and needs a €30,000 investment in six months and another €30,000 investment in another 18 months.

Netherlands

Highly-skilled migrants

This is a long-term contract visa for highly qualified workers who fulfill the eligibility criteria. It is valid for the length of the contract, and the needed income increases with age. This visa takes around 90 days to process and costs approximately €2,638.

Dutch Startup visa

This is a short-term visa for non-EU entrepreneurs looking to start a business in the Netherlands. The Dutch visa is valid for one year and requires the fulfillment of five requirements. In addition, this visa requires 90 days of processing and costs around €326.

Portugal

Startup Portugal

This is a medium-term visa for startup entrepreneurs looking to develop or expand their businesses in Portugal. It is valid for two years and needs a minimum annual revenue of €325,000; processing time is limited to 30 days.

Sweden

Sweden’s Residence Permit for self-employed

This is a short-term visa for extremely competent self-employed employees whose company is either participating in or wants to start a business in Sweden. It is valid for two years and needs a salary of SEK 200,000. In addition, the visa requires 13 to 15 months of processing and costs around SEK 2,000.

Sweden’s work permit

This visa is a contract-based license for foreign employees, and an advance employment offer is necessary. It is valid for the contract term and needs a monthly salary of SEK 13,000 and a standing employment offer. This visa takes around two months to process and costs around SEK 2,000.

Let’s Sum Up

There is a shortage of computer expertise. As a result, European countries are formulating strategies to meet their needs. Many tech businesses even attempt to acquire talent from around the world. This shortage has forced European nations to develop “tech visas” to allow foreign entrepreneurs or tech employees to work in their digital ecosystems.