Although governments around the world, including Europe, encourage people to work from home, most employees experience isolation, which leads to anxiety and stress.
According to research, 80% of employees want to work remotely in countries or cities with high living standards and luxurious lifestyles. Working remotely has the advantage of allowing you to work from anywhere in Europe.
"The return to work has continued across the EU as public health restrictions were lifted, according to Eurofound, with only 12% of respondents working exclusively from home in spring 2022." However, there is a clear preference for teleworking, with more than 60% of both men and women expressing a desire to work from home at least several times per month, implying that the return was not entirely voluntary."
So, if you want to relocate to Europe and lead a luxurious life, Europe is a popular choice for remote workers and digital nomads.
Many digital nomads have been waiting for this day to come. The new digital nomad visa will be published and available in the coming months, and foreigners wishing to relocate remotely from Spain will be able to begin their applications.
This a very helpful guide that will show you all of the requirements for this new residency, all of the tax benefits, and much other legal information you should know before applying. Learn more about the new digital nomad visa in Spain here.
Remote Work Policy in Europe
Many EU member states have now adapted existing legislation or enacted new legislation to accommodate new and preferred working methods. The Dutch parliament approved legislation in July to make WFH a legal right, making the Netherlands one of the first countries to do so. We look at four more countries that have responded…
1. Ireland: Right to Request Remote Work
Ireland's government drafted a bill this year granting the right to request remote work. A public consultation was held, with significant participation from both employer and employee representative groups. The legislation is currently being updated.
2. Spain: Royal Decree-Law on Remote Work
Many useful aspects of remote working are defined and clarified by this new Spanish law, which states that remote work is work performed by an employee outside of the workplace that accounts for at least 30% of the working day and is performed for at least three months. It also states that telework should be completely voluntary for both the employee and the employer and that either party can opt out at any time.
3. Hungary: Home Office Law Package
The Hungarian Parliament approved a bill to update its Labor Code, Labor Protection Act, and Personal Income Tax Act to accommodate remote work. The Labor Code's updated rules on remote working will cover both full-time and part-time work from home.
A regular home office will necessarily require the creation of a "telework contract" between the parties. Employees whom telework can spend up to 30% of their working days in the office.
4. Italy: Italian National Procotol on Remote Working
The Italian Government further defined remote or "smart working" in 2021 as an update to its existing legislative framework on remote working, as defined by law no. 81/2017. It is distinguished by the lack of a fixed working time, though the parties may agree on specific availability slots. Employees must also have the right to disconnect, and they must be free to choose where they will work remotely; however, collective agreements may establish locations that are deemed inadequate for remote work.
European countries offer excellent opportunities for people from different countries to start a remote working career and achieve heights of success.
Additionally, employees must be granted the right to disconnect, and they must be free to choose where they will work remotely from. Collective bargaining agreements, on the other hand, may establish locations that are insufficient for remote work.