Visa-Free Living and Working in Europe for Australians? What Digital Nomads Need to Know

Nadia Dardón

Immigration Content Writer

Last update 26 January, 2026

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For Australians who work remotely or dream of building a life abroad, Europe has always felt just a little out of reach. You can visit easily, but staying longer than a few months, let alone working legally, usually means navigating a maze of visas, country-specific rules, and strict time limits.

That’s why the EU–Australia Mobility proposal has caught so much attention. If negotiations move forward, this new framework could eventually give Australians the right to live and work across parts of Europe without the usual visa barriers. This shift could fundamentally change what long-term European life looks like for digital nomads, remote workers, and expats.

It’s still early days, and nothing has been finalized yet. But for Australians used to counting Schengen days and planning visa runs, the EU–Australia Mobility proposal signals something bigger: a possible move toward easier, longer-term mobility in Europe.

What Is the EU–Australia Mobility Proposal?

At its core, the proposal centers on a new two-way mobility arrangement between Australia and the European Union that would significantly expand how long Australians can live and work in Europe, and under what conditions.

According to reports, the EU is considering allowing Australians to live and work in EU member states for extended periods, potentially up to four years, without having to go through the traditional work visa process. This process currently applies in most countries. In return, EU citizens would receive similar rights to live and work in Australia under a reciprocal arrangement.

This would be a major shift from the rules Australians face today. While Australians can already enter most European countries visa-free, those stays are limited to 90 days within any 180-day period, and working during that time is generally not permitted. Longer stays usually require country-specific visas, sponsorship, or participation in age-restricted working holiday schemes.

What makes this proposal notable is its scope. Rather than applying to a single country or a narrow visa category, the agreement would sit at the EU level, potentially allowing Australians to move more freely across participating member states once admitted.

Importantly, this is not a confirmed visa yet. The proposal is still under negotiation as part of broader EU–Australia discussions, and key details, including eligibility criteria, conditions, and implementation timelines, have not been finalized. But if agreed, it would represent one of the most flexible mobility arrangements Australians have ever had access to in Europe.

Why This Is Big News for Digital Nomads and Remote Workers

For Australian digital nomads and remote workers, Europe has always been appealing, but rarely practical for long stays. Strict time limits, unclear work rules, and country-by-country visas make it difficult to settle in one place or move freely across the continent.

If the EU–Australia Mobility proposal moves forward, it could change that in several important ways:

Longer, more stable stays: Instead of being limited to short tourist visits, Australians could potentially live in Europe for years at a time. That kind of stability makes it easier to rent long-term housing, build routines, and integrate locally.
Less reliance on employer sponsorship: Traditional European work visas often require a local employer or pre-arranged job offer. The proposal could reduce or remove that requirement, which is especially important for freelancers, founders, and fully remote employees.
Freedom to move between countries: Current digital nomad visas usually tie you to one country. A broader EU-level arrangement could allow Australians to base themselves in Europe while moving between participating countries without restarting the visa process each time.
No more Schengen countdown stress: For remote workers used to tracking their 90/180 days, this proposal could remove the constant pressure of visa runs and exit dates.
A more realistic long-term European base: With extended stays and fewer administrative hurdles, Europe could become a genuine long-term home base rather than a short stop between other destinations.

While many details are still being negotiated, the potential impact is clear: if approved, this proposal could make Europe significantly more accessible for Australian digital nomads, not just as a travel destination, but as a place to live and work.

How This Proposal Compares to Existing Visas

Australians already have several ways to spend time in Europe, but none offer the level of flexibility this proposal could introduce. Here’s how the EU–Australia Mobility proposal compares to what’s currently available:

Short-stay Schengen access vs long-term living: Australians can currently visit most European countries visa-free, but only for 90 days within any 180-day period, and working during that time is generally not permitted. The proposed agreement would go far beyond short stays, potentially allowing Australians to live and work in Europe for several years.
Country-specific visas vs EU-level mobility: Existing work visas and digital nomad visas are issued by individual countries. That usually means committing to one destination and reapplying if you want to move. The EU–Australia Mobility proposal is being discussed at the EU level, which could allow broader movement across participating member states.
Digital nomad visas vs broader work rights: Digital nomad visas typically allow remote work for non-local employers, but they often come with strict income thresholds, reporting requirements, and limits on local employment. While details are still emerging, this proposal appears focused on general work and residency rights, not just remote work.
Working holiday visas vs long-term flexibility: Working holiday visas are usually age-restricted and time-limited, making them unsuitable for many professionals. The EU–Australia proposal is not positioned as a youth or holiday program and could apply to a wider range of Australians.
Frequent reapplications vs longer-term certainty: Many current options require renewals, extensions, or exit-and-reentry strategies. A longer-term mobility arrangement could offer greater certainty and reduce administrative friction for people planning multi-year stays.

Taken together, this is what makes the proposal stand out. Rather than adding another niche visa option, it suggests a shift toward broader, more flexible mobility, something Australian digital nomads and remote workers haven’t previously had access to in Europe.

What We Don’t Know Yet

While the EU–Australia Mobility proposal has generated plenty of excitement, many of the most important details haven’t been confirmed yet. As negotiations continue, several key questions remain unanswered:

Who would be eligible: It’s not yet clear whether the proposal would apply to all Australians or whether eligibility criteria, such as age limits, income thresholds, or skill requirements, would be introduced.
Which EU countries would participate: Although the proposal is being discussed at the EU level, it hasn’t been confirmed whether all member states would be included or whether participation could vary by country.
How long stays would actually last: Reports have mentioned potential stays of up to four years, but the final duration, renewal options, and conditions for extensions are still unknown.
How work rights would be defined: It’s unclear whether Australians would be able to work for local employers, work remotely for overseas companies, or both, and whether any restrictions would apply.
Tax and residency implications: Longer stays raise important questions around tax residency, social security contributions, and local registration requirements, none of which have been clarified so far.
Whether it leads to permanent residency: At this stage, there’s no indication that time spent under the proposal would count toward permanent residency or citizenship in EU countries.
When (or if) it will be implemented: The proposal is still under negotiation, and no official timeline or implementation date has been announced.

For now, the proposal should be viewed as a potential future pathway, not something Australians can rely on yet. Until details are finalized and formally adopted, existing visa rules, including Schengen limits and country-specific work visas, remain in place.

Final Thoughts: The Future of Living and Working in Europe

The EU–Australia Mobility proposal has the potential to change how Australians live and work in Europe significantly. For digital nomads, remote workers, and expats, it signals a possible shift away from short stays, visa runs, and country-by-country restrictions, toward longer-term, more flexible mobility across the continent.

That said, it’s important to keep expectations realistic. The proposal is still under negotiation, key details remain undecided, and no timeline has been confirmed. For now, Australians must continue to rely on existing visa options and Schengen rules.

Still, the fact that this level of mobility is even being discussed is notable. If approved, the EU–Australia Mobility proposal could open the door to a new way of living and working in Europe, one that better reflects the realities of modern remote work and international lifestyles.

For Australians planning their next move, this is one development worth watching closely.

If you’re excited about the possibility of living and working in Europe, Citizen Remote can help you plan your next move. Our platform breaks down visas and residency options country by country, explains requirements clearly, and helps you compare destinations so you can choose the best path with confidence. Stay updated on policy changes, explore detailed guides, and start planning your European adventure, all in one place.

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