Italy Checklist: Sponsoring Highly Skilled Migrant Visas
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We’re living in an age of seismic shifts in where and how people work. As globalization, remote work, and digital-first careers become the norm, the traditional hubs of talent migration—like Germany, the U.S., and France—are sharing the spotlight. In 2025, professionals are increasingly looking toward new horizons, prioritizing cost-effectiveness, legal ease, and lifestyle balance. Enter the new titans of global talent relocation: Croatia, Serbia, Turkey, and the UK.
Data from Native Teams’ latest 2024 mobility report reveals that 75% of their relocation cases stem from just these four countries, marking a sharp increase from a broader seven-country distribution in 2023. Why this dramatic shift? Because companies are no longer hiring based only on geography—they’re hiring based on value. These nations provide the sweet spot: access to global markets, affordable lifestyles, business-friendly environments, and talent-ready infrastructure.
Global professionals now seek hubs where they can not only work efficiently but also thrive personally. Whether it’s tax benefits in Serbia, digital nomad visas in Turkey, or professional communities in the UK, each location has carved out a unique appeal in today’s mobile labor force.
Croatia, once better known as a summer tourism destination, has rapidly transformed into a haven for remote workers and digital nomads. With the introduction of its digital nomad visa in 2021, the country has positioned itself as one of the most accessible and livable spots within the European Union for global professionals. Its Schengen area membership in 2023 has only accelerated its appeal.
A key factor is affordability. Compared to cities like Paris or Berlin, Croatia’s capital Zagreb or coastal towns like Split and Dubrovnik offer a similar EU lifestyle at a fraction of the cost. In fact, by 2023, the country welcomed over 54,000 third-country nationals, a number expected to grow thanks to supportive immigration policies (European Commission).
With over 680 approved digital nomad visas by early 2023 and an estimated 10,000 digital nomads residing in the country monthly, the appeal is clear. Croatia combines tech-friendly regulations, EU access, Mediterranean living, and a welcoming local culture—making it a complete package for global professionals seeking work-life harmony.
Serbia has become a surprise favorite for businesses and professionals seeking cost efficiency without sacrificing infrastructure or opportunity. With its low cost of living, skilled talent pool, and recent immigration reforms, the country is stepping confidently into the global mobility spotlight.
In 2023 alone, Serbia issued over 50,000 work permits, and its simplified online visa processing system introduced in 2024 makes it one of the easiest countries in the region for relocation. Add to that the extended validity of permits and visa options for EU and non-EU professionals alike, and you’ve got a compelling case for talent migration.
From a business perspective, Serbia offers tax incentives for foreign investors and burgeoning industries—especially in tech, software development, and creative sectors. Many remote workers are drawn to Belgrade’s vibrant urban life, robust internet infrastructure, and a growing coworking culture. The ability to live comfortably on a fraction of Western Europe’s cost makes it especially appealing for freelancers, startups, and scale-ups.
What really sets Serbia apart is its combination of ease and quality. You can set up, live well, integrate into local communities, and access top talent without financial strain or bureaucratic delays.
Turkey stands out not just for its geography—straddling Europe and Asia—but for its strategic value to global professionals and businesses. With a diverse economy touching on tourism, IT, construction, and fintech, and a fast-growing expat community, Turkey has become a logical destination for relocation in 2025.
The country’s newly launched digital nomad visa allows remote workers to stay up to a year, with potential renewals. This program, paired with the country’s relatively low living costs, high urban amenities, and fast internet, has turned cities like Istanbul, Izmir, and Antalya into hotbeds for mobile talent.
Turkish work permits now account for 20% of all relocation cases according to Native Teams’ data—proof of its rising popularity. For professionals, Turkey provides rich cultural experiences, a modern digital infrastructure, and a variety of affordable living options. For companies, Turkey offers an opportunity to bridge markets across continents while reducing costs.
Its strategic location also makes it a hub for companies operating in or serving the Middle East, Central Asia, and Europe, giving professionals the chance to be at the intersection of multiple economic regions.
Despite Brexit and the evolving political landscape, the United Kingdom remains a top-tier destination for global professionals. London and other major cities continue to lead in industries like finance, healthcare, creative arts, and tech, drawing talent from all over the world.
The country’s new wave of visa options, including the Skilled Worker Visa and Global Talent Visa, has simplified the process for qualified individuals to relocate. These initiatives aim to fill sector-specific skill shortages while fostering innovation and growth. While the UK’s tax and employment regulations can be intricate, service providers like Native Teams help companies and individuals navigate compliance smoothly.
Culturally diverse, economically robust, and innovation-driven, the UK offers unmatched professional exposure. But it’s not just London—the rise of secondary cities like Manchester, Bristol, and Edinburgh provides even more options for relocated workers.
Although the cost of living remains higher than in Croatia or Serbia, the career potential and access to global networks make the UK a cornerstone of international mobility.
At the heart of this transformation are several interconnected factors:
Affordability: Countries like Serbia and Turkey offer low living costs but high standards of living.
Visa Innovation: Croatia and Turkey’s digital nomad visas and Serbia’s streamlined permits show progressive policymaking.
Remote Work Growth: Businesses are embracing global hiring and distributed teams.
Sectoral Expansion: Growing demand in tech, tourism, finance, and healthcare opens doors for skilled talent.
Lifestyle Balance: From the beaches of Croatia to the cosmopolitan vibrance of Istanbul, these places offer more than just jobs—they offer lifestyle.
Each country offers distinct advantages, making them collectively attractive for a variety of workers—from freelancers to corporate professionals, from startup founders to creatives.
As the demand for talent rises globally, businesses must think beyond traditional borders. Relocation isn’t just a perk anymore—it’s a strategic advantage. Companies tapping into these new hubs enjoy access to a diverse talent pool, reduced costs, and greater agility in scaling.
Moreover, with a 90% success rate in relocation applications, services like Native Teams prove that a structured, compliant, and efficient mobility strategy is not just possible—it’s profitable.
By relocating employees or hiring in Croatia, Serbia, Turkey, and the UK, businesses can gain a competitive edge in cost, talent access, and speed-to-market. These aren’t just temporary hot spots—they’re becoming pillars in the global workforce ecosystem.
Because of its EU access, low cost of living, digital nomad visa, and Mediterranean lifestyle, Croatia has quickly become a preferred spot for remote professionals.
Yes, Serbia has a growing tech ecosystem, affordable living, and streamlined work permit processes—making it ideal for startups and digital professionals.
Turkey offers a unique mix of affordability, cultural richness, and a newly introduced digital nomad visa, especially appealing for remote workers and freelancers.
The UK has diversified its visa offerings to attract skilled talent in high-demand sectors like healthcare, finance, and technology, while still offering access to world-class infrastructure.
Not anymore. Each country has taken steps to simplify relocation, whether through digital visa platforms (Serbia), digital nomad visas (Croatia and Turkey), or professional support (UK).
Tech, finance, tourism, healthcare, and the creative industries are driving most of the relocation interest in these emerging hubs.
The rise of Croatia, Serbia, Turkey, and the UK as global talent relocation hubs is not a temporary spike—it’s a sign of a larger, lasting shift. As businesses go borderless and professionals prioritize quality of life, these countries offer the right mix of opportunity, affordability, infrastructure, and innovation.
Companies that embrace this trend will find themselves better positioned to compete globally, build more diverse teams, and grow in cost-effective yet strategic markets. Talent mobility isn’t just about moving people—it’s about moving business forward.
Ready to transform your mobility program? Explore xpath.global’s solutions.
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Italy Checklist: Sponsoring Highly Skilled Migrant Visas
Grab a copy of a guide to international employee relocation
View E-book