Many countries around the world offer foreigners the opportunity to obtain a residence permit through business registration or freelance work - without a large start-up capital. The requirements for applicants vary significantly depending on the country: in some cases a trade license is enough, while in others a business plan or confirmation of high income is required. Learn more about residency programs for the self-employed in Europe, the USA, the Gulf countries and other regions in 2026

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Dozens of countries around the world allow foreigners to obtain a residence permit by registering their own business or engaging in freelance work—without requiring significant investment. The key difference between these programs lies in the eligibility criteria: a business license, membership in a specific profession, the applicant’s citizenship, a business plan, or documented income.

Which countries offer the most accessible conditions, where there is a path to citizenship, and how requirements will change in 2025–2026—we’ll cover all this below.

Planning to start a business abroad and obtain a residence permit through self-employment?

A business lawyer from the Visit World portal will analyze your situation, select the optimal residency program, and assist with document preparation.

What mechanisms provide access to residency for the self-employed?

Residency programs for the self-employed can be divided into five categories:

1. Business license — business registration in the local registry with minimal fees. Renewal depends on economic activity within the country.
2. List of recognized professions — only representatives of specific professions from the approved list are eligible for residency.
3. B Bilateral agreement between countriesB — the program is available exclusively to citizens of states that have signed the relevant agreement.
4. Business plan or contract with a local company — the applicant must convince the immigration authority of the viability of their business.
5. Verified high income — the decision depends on documented earnings from previous years.

Residency through a trade license: Czech Republic, Hungary, Georgia, and others

Programs with the lowest entry thresholds. The applicant registers a business, pays a small fee, and becomes a self-employed operator in the local registry. Renewal requires proof of actual business activity in the country.

Czech Republic (Živno). The cost of a trade license (Živnostenský list) is 1,000 CZK. The financial threshold is approximately 156,500 CZK (~6,400 euros), plus proof of housing, a criminal record check, and documents in Czech. The initial visa is valid for up to one year, followed by renewals every two years. Naturalization is available after ten years (B1 exam in Czech). To renew, a tax return confirming work with Czech clients is required. A separate digital nomad visa was launched in July 2023 (IT, STEM) and expanded in February 2025 to include marketing specialists.

Hungary (Guest Self-Employment Permit). Effective January 1, 2024 (Act XC of 2023, Decree 35/2024). No capital requirements.

Income threshold: 24× the minimum wage per year (~€19,500–20,500 in 2026). Taxes: 15% income tax + 18.5% social insurance + 13% social contributions. Permit valid for a maximum of three years. Mandatory quarterly reporting via the E-Paper platform; missing a single submission may result in revocation. Permit holders are excluded from the standard path to permanent residence—the only option is an EU Residence Card after five years with a change in permit type.

Georgia. Registration is open to foreigners without prior residency. Tax: 1% of turnover (for turnover up to 500,000 lari, ~170,000 euros). Residency is available for an annual turnover of 50,000 lari (~16,500 euros); this rule has been in effect since August 2019.

This category also includes: Slovenia (the cheapest route to the EU), Serbia (available to founders from outside the EU), Armenia (easier tax regime), Mexico (entry via tax registration — constancia de situación fiscal).

About 15 countries for remote work in 2026 — read here.

GNP by profession: requirements in Germany and France

Inclusion in a recognized list of professions is of decisive importance. Income is a secondary criterion. The main difficulty is that modern professions often fall into a “gray area.”

Germany. Section 21(5) of the Residence Act (Aufenthaltsgesetz). No minimum capital requirement. You need a profession from the Katalogberufe list (doctors, lawyers, engineers, architects, journalists, artists, certain IT specialists), letters of intent from German clients, a business plan, and health insurance. Permit — up to three years; permanent residence and naturalization — after five years (the June 2024 reform reduced this from eight). UX designers, data scientists, and AI consultants are often not included in the list and must justify an analogy with a recognized profession. Decisions by the Ausländerbehörde may vary by city.

France. The VLS-TS visa covers commercial, craft, and independent professional activities. The financial threshold is ~21,800 euros per year (indexed to the SMIC). The visa fee is 99 euros. Naturalization is possible after five years, but starting January 1, 2026, a B2 level in French (previously B1) and a citizenship exam are required. Family reunification is possible after the main applicant has resided for 18 months.

The alternative Talent Passport (Business Creator) route grants work rights to spouses but requires an investment of at least €30,000.

Similar systems are in place in Belgium and Luxembourg.

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Contractual residency programs: the role of the applicant’s citizenship

Eligibility is determined solely by citizenship—no qualifications can compensate for the lack of the appropriate passport.

Netherlands (DAFT). The 1956 treaty allows U.S. citizens to obtain a residence permit as self-employed entrepreneurs. The minimum investment is €4,500 in a business account. A parallel agreement applies to Japanese citizens (1912 treaty). The initial permit is valid for two years, with a five-year extension. Naturalization is possible after five years (A2 Dutch language exam; typically, renunciation of previous citizenship is required). Starting in April 2024, the IND will simplify initial applications from abroad but will conduct an audit after six months. “Fake self-employment” (working for a single client) is actively investigated.

United States (E-2). Available to citizens of ~80 countries with relevant treaties. Requires investment (usually $100,000 or more), but for citizens of participating countries, it is the most accessible route to self-employment in the U.S.

The best countries for real estate investment in 2026 — compiled at the link.

Residency through a business plan: Portugal, Spain, and other countries

The applicant must demonstrate the viability of the business through one of three mechanisms: administrative assessment (immigration officer), institutional endorsement (accelerator/incubator), or a points-based system.

Portugal (D2). Two sub-categories: for entrepreneurs and for freelancers with a contract from a Portuguese company. No minimum investment required. Financial threshold — ~€11,040 (12 × €920). Permit — two years, renewal — three years. Naturalization—after ten years under the 2026 reform (Lei Orgânica No. 1/2026, effective May 19, 2026; seven years for EU and CPLP citizens). The transitional clause protects only applications already submitted to the IRN. Freelancing for foreign clients does not fall under the D2 category—the D8 visa exists for this purpose.

Spain (autónomo). There is no formal minimum capital requirement. A business plan, qualifications, and proof of funds (~7,200 euros/year) are evaluated. The process is two-stage: work permit + visa. The initial permit is valid for one year, with renewals every four years (reform effective May 20, 2025). Naturalization is granted after ten years (two years for citizens of Ibero-American countries, the Philippines, Andorra, and Equatorial Guinea).

Social security contributions (~€230/month minimum in 2026) are calculated from the start of business operations, regardless of revenue. Immigration authorities may reject applications in oversaturated categories (consulting, content).

This category also includes the UK (Innovator Founder), Singapore (EntrePass), Mauritius, and South Africa. Japan (Business Manager) exited the “no-investment” category in October 2025 after increasing the capital threshold sixfold (to 30 million yen). Canada (Self-Employed Persons Program) has been suspended indefinitely since April 2024. Italy (lavoro autonomo) is subject to a quota of 650 visas per year across all subcategories.

High income as a residency requirement: UAE and Gulf countries

The key factor is documented earnings from previous years. A defining feature of the category is the lack of a path to citizenship.

UAE (Green Visa). Five-year self-sponsored residency (2021 reform). Requirements: a freelance permit from MOHRE or a free zone, a bachelor’s degree, and proof of annual income of at least 360,000 dirhams (~$98,000) for the previous two years. Renewal under the same conditions with a 180-day grace period. Zero income tax, family sponsorship, but naturalization is practically unavailable.

Saudi Arabia (Premium Residency), Qatar, Oman, and Bahrain operate under a similar model with lower income thresholds. General formula for the region: high entry barrier, preferential taxation, no path to citizenship.

About 15 countries with no cryptocurrency tax in 2026 — read here.

Trends 2025–2026: which programs are expanding and which are winding down

• Expansion — programs based on business licenses and high income. Hungary launched its program in 2024, Saudi Arabia expanded its Premium Residency program in 2024–2025, and Oman, Qatar, and Bahrain are developing parallel programs.
• Tightening of requirements — programs based on professions and business plans. France raised the language threshold to B2, Germany tightened integration requirements, and Japan increased the capital threshold sixfold.
• Cuts — contract-based and points-based programs. No new DAFT- or E-2-type contracts are being signed. Canada’s program for self-employed individuals has been suspended indefinitely; the replacement pilot program from IRCC will likely focus on pathways requiring higher capital and job creation.

Remember! The choice of a residency program depends on your citizenship, type of business, income level, language requirements, and long-term plans. A mistake at the route selection stage can cost you months of waiting and financial losses.

A business lawyer from the Visit World portal will help you determine the optimal route, prepare documents, and guide you through the process from application submission to permit approval.

Book a consultation with a business lawyer on the Visit World portal and start the residency application process with professional support!

Reminder! In our previous article, we discussed 15 countries with no tax on foreign income in 2026.

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