The European Commission is considering letting certain non-EU workers stay longer than 90 days without a visa—a potential game-changer for digital nomads and short-term contractors.
The European Commission has announced plans to extend the 90-day rule for certain non-EU workers, a shift that could reshape how freelancers, contractors, and digital nomads move through the bloc. Currently, non-EU citizens can stay visa-free for 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen zone—then they must leave or apply for a residence permit.
The proposed extension would carve out exceptions for specific worker categories, though the Commission hasn't yet detailed which ones. The move signals recognition that the current 90/180 rule is a blunt instrument: it works fine for tourists but punishes people trying to do legitimate work across multiple countries.
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The 90/180 rule works fine for tourists but punishes people trying to do legitimate work across multiple countries.
If you're a contractor, consultant, or remote worker from outside the EU, watch this closely. The details matter enormously—which nationalities qualify, which professions, how long the extension lasts. Right now, your only real options are a digital-nomad visa (available in Portugal, Spain, and a handful of others) or a formal residence permit. A genuine extension to the 90-day rule could mean you can actually work legally across borders without committing to a single country. The Commission is still in the planning phase, so timelines are unclear, but this is worth tracking if you're considering a European work move.
Source: original report ↗
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