Is there a digital nomad visa for Taiwan?
Yes – since January 2025, Taiwan (Republic of China) has had a dedicated "Digital Nomad Visitor Visa". It is administered by Taiwan's Bureau of Consular Affairs (BOCA) under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which forwards applications to the National Development Council (NDC) for eligibility review. Per Taiwan's state news agency CNA/Focus Taiwan, the programme launched as a "six-month 'digital nomad visitor visa' program for foreign nationals from its list of visa-exempt countries" (report dated 6 January 2025). It is a standalone visa – not to be confused with the Employment Gold Card, which has existed since 2018 and grants full work authorization for employment with a Taiwan-based employer.
Requirements: income, assets, insurance
Per BOCA's official requirements page (dated 2 January 2025), the Digital Nomad Visitor Visa is only open to nationals of visa-exempt countries – Germany is one of them. In addition to standard documents (application form, passport photos, valid passport, CV, current employment or freelance contract), applicants must meet at least one of the following conditions:
- proof of having already obtained a digital nomad visa issued by another country, or
- age 30 or older: proof of an annual salary of at least US$40,000 (or equivalent) in one of the last two years, or
- age 20 to 29: proof of an annual salary of at least US$20,000 (or equivalent) in one of the last two years.
Additionally mandatory, regardless of age: "Proof of bank account balance over the last six months – Account balance must average at least US$10,000 or its equivalent each month," plus proof of international health and accident insurance covering the entire stay in Taiwan. The combination of an income threshold, a bank-balance requirement and mandatory insurance makes the process stricter than many other digital nomad programmes in Asia.
Application process and visa duration
Per BOCA, there are two application routes: applicants still outside Taiwan submit to a Taiwan overseas mission, which forwards the documents to the NDC for eligibility review and then decides via the mission. Applicants already in Taiwan under visa-exempt entry or another non-extendable visitor visa must file at least 10 working days before their current stay expires, with BOCA or one of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' regional offices. BOCA explicitly notes that visa issuance is "a sovereign power of the state" and can be refused without explanation; the application fee is non-refundable even if the visa is denied. Per matching reports from the state news agency CNA/Focus Taiwan ("launches six-month 'digital nomad visitor visa' program," 6 January 2025) and immigration firm Envoy Global ("Visa validity: Up to six months," 7 January 2025), the visa's validity at launch was six months (180 days). Whether and how this duration has changed since should be verified directly with BOCA or the NDC before applying, since programme details can change.
90 days visa-free, or the Digital Nomad Visa: what applies for Germans?
German nationals generally do not need a visa for short stays in Taiwan. Per BOCA's current overview ("Visa-Exempt Entry," as of 17 July 2026), Germany is among the countries with a 90-day visa-exemption period. Importantly, BOCA states: "the duration of stay starts from the day after arrival and is not extendable" – unlike Canadian or UK passport holders, German nationals cannot extend the 90 days. Anyone wanting to stay longer, or to work remotely without being employed by a Taiwan-based company, therefore needs a separate residence status – the Digital Nomad Visitor Visa is the formal route, provided the income, asset and insurance conditions are met.
German social security: no agreement with Taiwan
The A1 certificate applies only within the EU, EEA and Switzerland – Taiwan is not covered. Crucially, unlike South Korea, Japan, China, the US or Canada, Taiwan has no bilateral social security agreement with Germany. GKV-Spitzenverband's liaison body DVKA lists, in its official glossary under "Abkommensstaaten," all states "with which the Federal Republic of Germany has concluded agreements on social security": Albania, Australia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Chile, China, India, Israel, Japan, Canada, Korea, Kosovo, Morocco, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, the Philippines, Serbia, Türkiye, Tunisia, Uruguay and the USA. Taiwan does not appear on this list.
For German employees working remotely from Taiwan, this means there is no country-specific proof form comparable to the Certificate of Coverage D/USA 101 or the DE/IN 101 posting certificate for India. German social security generally continues under the "Ausstrahlung" rule (Section 4, German Social Code IV) for a formal posting, as long as the German employment contract and pay continue – but there is no official, internationally recognised proof mechanism under a bilateral agreement, since none exists. A genuine double-coverage risk on the Taiwanese side cannot be ruled out; the exact procedure (notifying the health insurance fund and Deutsche Rentenversicherung Bund) should be clarified case by case before departure.
Digital Nomad Visa vs. Employment Gold Card: two different programmes
| Feature | Digital Nomad Visitor Visa | Employment Gold Card |
|---|---|---|
| Since when? | January 2025 | since 2018 |
| Target group | Remote workers for non-Taiwan employers/clients | Qualified professionals seeking employment with a Taiwan-based company |
| Work authorization in Taiwan? | No – working for a Taiwan-based company is excluded | Yes – open work permit ("work for any company you want," per the Gold Card Office) |
| Length of stay | up to 6 months at launch (verify current status) | up to 3 years, per the Gold Card Office |
| Qualifying criterion | Age + income (US$20,000-40,000/year) + bank balance + insurance | Qualification in one of ten to twelve defined professional fields |
What this means for employers
For HR and global mobility teams, the Taiwan case implies a clear checking order: first, entry authorization (90 days visa-free, non-extendable, or the Digital Nomad Visitor Visa with income, asset and insurance proof), second, the distinction from the Employment Gold Card if employment with a Taiwan-based company is under consideration, and third, German social security: without a bilateral agreement, Taiwan lacks the official proof mechanism that already exists for South Korea, Japan or the US. Companies should therefore clarify early with the health insurance fund and Deutsche Rentenversicherung Bund how "Ausstrahlung" coverage under Section 4 SGB IV is documented case by case for Taiwan stays, and track both the 90-day visa-free limit and the Digital Nomad Visitor Visa's validity period. Tools like premote help capture countries without a bilateral social security agreement systematically alongside standard A1 cases, and track days of stay automatically.
FAQ
Is there an official digital nomad visa for Taiwan?
Yes. Since January 2025, Taiwan has issued a dedicated Digital Nomad Visitor Visa via BOCA and the National Development Council for remote workers from visa-exempt countries – separate from the Employment Gold Card, which has existed since 2018.
How long can Germans stay in Taiwan without a visa?
Up to 90 days visa-free, non-extendable per BOCA. For a longer stay as a remote worker, the Digital Nomad Visitor Visa is the formal route.
Does the A1 certificate apply to Taiwan?
No. The A1 certificate only applies within the EU, EEA and Switzerland. For Taiwan, unlike South Korea, Japan or the US, there is also no bilateral German social security agreement.
Does German social security coverage continue during a Taiwan workation?
Generally yes, via the "Ausstrahlung" rule under Section 4 SGB IV, as long as the German employment contract remains in place – but there is no official proof mechanism under a bilateral agreement, since none exists. The procedure should be clarified in advance with the health insurance fund or Deutsche Rentenversicherung Bund.
What financial conditions apply to the Digital Nomad Visitor Visa?
Per BOCA, depending on age, an annual income of at least US$20,000 (ages 20-29) or US$40,000 (age 30+) in one of the last two years, plus an average bank balance of at least US$10,000 over the last six months, and international health and accident insurance for the entire stay.
The information provided on this website does not constitute legal advice and is not intended to address any legal issues or problems that may arise in individual cases. The information on this website is of a general nature and is provided for informational purposes only. If you need legal advice for your individual situation, you should seek the advice of a qualified attorney.