Are you looking for Countries with Available Visas?

While this will take some digging on your part (or scroll down for paid options). There are many countries offering many different types of visas from: digital nomad, student, freelancer, investor, work, retirement… or even moving around like doing the Schengen Shuffle; which can be done in other places as well.

Find my TikTok video talking about visas here.

There are ways to research these yourself by:

  1. Ask ChatGPT to get an idea but know the information there is not always 100% correct so you’ll need further research.
  2. Looking in FB groups for the country you are interested in moving to. Do a search, ask questions. (be sure to read their rules first though!)
  3. Go to the countries internet page by searching google for “visas Spain” as an example. Click on the countries official site. In Spain it look like this. But you can also find other people who have written about the process this way. Just make sure their articles are up to date.

The Schengen Shuffle

First of all: what is the Schengen?

The Schengen is a zone in Europe where 27 countries have lifted internal borders, allowing for passport-free travel between each of them. So once you enter a Schengen country, you can move freely to other Schengen countries without undergoing border checks. It is named after the Schengen Agreement, which was signed in 1985 in the village of Schengen, Luxembourg.

The Schengen Shuffle

The Schengen Shuffle refers to a strategy used by travelers, particularly long-term tourists, digital nomads, or expats, to maximize their stay within the Schengen Area by carefully managing the 90-day limit of the Schengen Visa rules. It involves moving in and out of the Schengen Area to reset the allowed 90-day period within any 180-day timeframe.

What Are the Schengen Visa Rules?

The Schengen Area consists of 27 European countries that have abolished internal borders for passport-free travel. Under the Schengen Visa rules:

  • Non-EU citizens (e.g., U.S., Canadian, Australian, or other visa-exempt travelers) can spend 90 days within a 180-day period within the Schengen Area without a visa.
  • The 180-day period is a rolling window, meaning the clock continually shifts based on the current date.
  • After spending 90 days in the Schengen Area, you must leave for at least 90 consecutive days before re-entering.

How Does the Schengen Shuffle Work?

Since the 90-day limit applies specifically to Schengen countries, travelers use the Schengen Shuffle to stay in Europe for longer periods by alternating between Schengen and non-Schengen countries. Here’s how it works:

  1. Spend 90 Days in the Schengen Area:
    • Travel freely among Schengen countries (e.g., France, Germany, Italy) for up to 90 days.
  2. Exit to a Non-Schengen Country:
    • After reaching the 90-day limit, move to a nearby non-Schengen country (e.g., the UK, Croatia, Serbia, Turkey, Morocco) and stay for at least 90 days.
  3. Re-enter the Schengen Zone:
    • Once the 90-day period outside the Schengen Area is complete, you can return and restart your 90-day allowance.
  4. Repeat as Needed:
    • By alternating between Schengen and non-Schengen countries, you can stay in Europe for extended periods without violating visa rules.

Example of the Schengen Shuffle

  • January 1 to March 31: Spend 90 days in Schengen countries (e.g., France, Spain, Germany).
  • April 1 to June 30: Spend 90 days in a non-Schengen country (e.g., Croatia, Turkey, or the UK).
  • July 1 to September 30: Return to the Schengen Area for another 90 days.
  • October 1 to December 31: Leave the Schengen Area again for another 90 days.

This approach allows travelers to stay in Europe year-round by planning their movements strategically.

These are my two favorite paid resources!

Resources to Move to Portugal