How many countries offer digital nomad visas?

As of February 2026, 65 countries offer digital nomad, remote work, or freelancer-friendly visas and residence permits. These range from temporary visitor permits to multi-year residence options.

What is a digital nomad visa?

A digital nomad visa is a special-category residence permit that lets remote workers and freelancers live legally in a foreign country while employed by — or contracting with — companies outside that country. Not every country uses the label 'digital nomad visa': qualifying programs include official remote work visas, freelancer visas, long-stay passive-income permits, and working holiday visas with remote work provisions. See the Requirements section for documents, income thresholds, and tax implications by program type.

What are typical income requirements for digital nomad visas?

Income requirements vary significantly by country and program, and can change over time. Always check the official program page for current monthly-income thresholds and acceptable proof of funds.

Which country gives digital nomad visa easily?

There is no single 'easiest' country for everyone. Processing speed and documentation burden depend on your nationality, income profile, and the destination's current policy. Compare official requirements first, then choose based on your risk tolerance and timeline.

How much does a digital nomad visa cost?

Total cost usually includes visa application fees plus document costs (insurance, background checks, legalization/apostille, translations, and courier fees). Always confirm current government fees directly on the official immigration portal before applying.

Can I work remotely on a tourist visa?

In many countries, tourist status does not authorize remote work. Breaching visa conditions can create immigration penalties and future visa complications. Check the destination immigration authority before working while on visitor status.

What is the cheapest digital nomad visa in Europe?

There is no permanent "cheapest" option because fees, exchange rates, and thresholds change frequently. Use official fee schedules and current income requirements to compare total cost, not just the visa filing fee.

Do digital nomads pay taxes?

It depends entirely on destination, length of stay, and your home country rules. Tax treatment ranges from full exemption on foreign income to full local tax residency after 183 days — with significant variation between programs. You may also remain liable in your home country regardless of where you live. See the Requirements section for a breakdown of tax-free destinations, 183-day rule countries, and foreign-income exemption programs. Always consult a tax professional familiar with international taxation before committing to a destination.

Which countries have the best digital nomad visa in 2026?

The "best" digital nomad visa depends on your priorities: tax treatment, residency pathway, cost, processing speed, and lifestyle fit. Build a shortlist from official program rules and compare on those criteria instead of rankings.

How long can you stay on a digital nomad visa?

Most digital nomad visas allow stays of 1 to 2 years. Some countries offer 6-month permits (e.g., Bermuda, Mauritius), while others allow up to 3 years or more with renewals (e.g., Portugal D7). Many programs are renewable, but renewal policies vary—always confirm stay limits before applying.

Does South Korea have a digital nomad visa?

South Korea has introduced a digital nomad pathway for remote workers, with eligibility criteria published by Korean immigration authorities and embassies. Check the nearest Korean embassy/consulate and official immigration notices for current eligibility, stay limits, and required documents.

Does the Philippines have a digital nomad visa?

The Philippines' digital-nomad-specific policy can change quickly. Confirm current options and stay rules directly with the Bureau of Immigration before relying on tourist-status extensions for long-term remote work.

What is Spain's Beckham Law and how does it benefit digital nomads?

Spain's special inbound-worker tax regime is distinct from visa approval and has separate eligibility rules and deadlines. Always verify current legal conditions with Spain's official tax authority and immigration sources before making tax assumptions.

What is Portugal's NHR 2.0 regime for digital nomads?

Portugal's tax regime for new residents has changed, and tax eligibility is separate from visa eligibility. Use official Portuguese tax guidance and a qualified advisor to determine whether any preferential regime applies to your case.

Is Estonia e-Residency the same as a digital nomad visa?

No. Estonia e-Residency is a digital identity/business-admin program and does not grant entry or residence rights. For physical residence, Estonia has a separate Digital Nomad Visa route with its own requirements and time limits.

Do digital nomad visas grant access to third countries?

Generally no — one country’s digital nomad visa does not automatically create global entry rights. Any third-country benefit depends on the issuing document type and the destination’s own entry rules. Check the exact visa/residence document and destination policy before travel.

What is the tax treatment for digital nomads who move frequently?

Tax residency is typically determined by the 183-day rule: spend more than 183 days in a country and you may become a tax resident, subject to local income tax. For nomads moving frequently, this can mean: no formal tax residency established anywhere (risky — may trigger home-country tax residency by default), multiple partial-year tax obligations, or maintaining your home-country tax residency while traveling short-term. Some destinations like UAE, Paraguay, and Panama offer territorial tax systems where foreign-source income is exempt regardless of stay duration. Always consult a tax advisor specializing in international taxation before adopting a nomadic lifestyle — tax treatment varies dramatically by your passport country and each destination.

65+ Countries with Digital Nomad Visas (2026)

›Digital nomad visa requirements: what you need to apply

Digital nomad visas bridge the gap between tourism and traditional work visas. Unlike tourist visas that prohibit any form of work, these permits explicitly allow you to live in a country while working remotely for foreign employers or clients.

Documents required for a digital nomad visa

Most digital nomad visas require the same core documents:

Proof you can work remotely: Employment contracts, freelance agreements, or client letters showing you work with non-local entities
Financial stability: Bank statements proving you meet the minimum income threshold (this varies significantly by country)
Health coverage: International health insurance valid in your destination country
Clean background: Police clearance or criminal record check from your home country
Valid travel documents: Passport with at least 6 months validity remaining
Proof of accommodation: Rental agreement, hotel booking, or property ownership documents

Important: You can work remotely for foreign companies or clients, but you cannot work for local businesses or take jobs that could go to local workers. This is non-negotiable across virtually all programs.

Digital nomad visa taxes: what remote workers need to know

"Digital nomad visa" does not automatically mean "tax-free." The tax implications vary dramatically by destination and length of stay:

Tax-free destinations: The UAE, Bahamas, Cayman Islands, and Barbados offer complete tax exemptions on foreign income for digital nomads.
183-day rule countries: Portugal, Spain, and Croatia may classify you as a tax resident if you stay more than 183 days, making you liable for local income tax on worldwide earnings.
Foreign-income exemptions: Some programs explicitly exempt foreign-sourced income regardless of how long you stay—but you'll need to verify each country's specific rules and tax treaties with your home country.

Always consult a tax professional who understands both your home country's tax laws and your destination country's rules before making long-term commitments.

›How to choose a digital nomad visa: cost, duration, and tax compared

Cheapest digital nomad visas by income requirement

Georgia (no formal income minimum, free entry for most nationalities), Colombia (~$1,000/month), and Ecuador (~$1,275/month) are the lowest-threshold programs globally. In Europe, Albania and Croatia offer the lowest income floors among countries with a formal visa program. Income thresholds are updated by governments periodically — confirm figures on official immigration portals before applying.

Visa duration and renewal options

If you plan to settle somewhere long-term, focus on programs offering multi-year validity or transparent renewal processes. Portugal's D7 visa can lead to permanent residency; Estonia's digital nomad visa is renewable. But not all visas can be renewed—some are explicitly one-time only with maximum total stay limits. Confirm renewal rules and stay limits directly with official immigration sources before committing.

Processing speed

Processing times vary dramatically by season, embassy workload, and nationality. Some countries promise 30-day processing but routinely take 90 days. Check current estimates from official sources and build in buffer time if you have hard deadlines.

›Top digital nomad visa countries: key facts for 2026

Spain digital nomad visa

Income requirement: €2,334/month
Stay: 1 year initial, renewable up to 5 years
Processing: 3–4 weeks in Spain; up to 10 weeks at overseas consulates

Spain: step-by-step application process

You can apply for Spain's digital nomad visa either at a Spanish consulate in your home country or in-country if you are already in Spain on a legal stay (such as a tourist visa). Consulate applications typically take 3–10 weeks depending on location and demand. In-country applications through Spain's UGE (Unidad de Grandes Empresas) can be faster but require you to already be present with valid status.

Spain: document checklist

Income proof: €2,334/month minimum (200% of Spain's minimum wage) — employment contract, freelance agreements, or client letters confirming remote work for non-Spanish entities
Bank statements: 3–6 months showing consistent income above the threshold
Health insurance: Coverage with a minimum of €30,000 in benefits, valid in Spain with no co-pays or deductibles for emergency care
Criminal record check: Apostilled police clearance from your home country (issued within the last 3–6 months)
Passport: Valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended stay
Accommodation proof: Rental contract, property deed, or hotel booking in Spain

Spain: Beckham Law tax benefits

The Beckham Law (formally Régimen Especial de Trabajadores Desplazados) allows qualifying digital nomad visa holders to pay a flat 24% on Spanish-sourced income up to €600,000 for up to 6 years, instead of Spain's standard progressive rates which can reach 47%. To qualify, you must not have been a Spanish tax resident in the previous 5 years. This is one of the most favorable tax regimes available to remote workers in Europe.

Spain: Schengen access and residency path

As a Spanish digital nomad visa holder, you have full freedom of movement across all 29 Schengen Area countries. The visa is renewable annually up to 5 years, and after 5 years of continuous legal residence, you become eligible for long-term EU residence status — opening pathways across the European Union.

›Digital nomad visa comparison table: 2026 overview

This table compares the key requirements and benefits across the most practical digital nomad visa destinations. These figures change — verify with official sources before applying.

Country	Income Requirement	Stay Duration	Fee	Tax Treatment	Schengen Access
Spain	€2,334/month	1 year, renewable to 5	~€80 visa fee	24% flat (Beckham Law, 6 years)	Yes
Italy	€28,000/year	1 year, renewable	~€116 visa fee	€100K lump sum flat tax (optional)	Yes
Portugal	~€3,280/month	1 year, renewable to 2; PR after 5	~€90 visa fee	20% flat (NHR 2.0, 10 years)	Yes
Greece	€3,500/month	1 year, renewable to 3	~€75 visa fee	Standard Greek tax rates apply	Yes
Canada	No formal minimum	Up to 6 months (visitor)	Free (visitor status)	Generally no Canadian tax under 6 months	No
Thailand	$80,000/year (LTR)	10 years (5+5)	$10,000 application fee

›Common digital nomad visa mistakes to avoid

Working remotely on a tourist visa

"I can enter visa-free, so I can work remotely, right?" Wrong. Visa-free entry applies only to tourism. Working—even remotely for a foreign company—is prohibited under tourist status in most countries. Digital nomad visas exist specifically to legalize what would otherwise be illegal work. Don't risk deportation or future entry bans.

Weak income documentation

Depositing a lump sum the month before you apply doesn't work. Immigration officials want to see 3–6 months of consistent income above the required threshold. Sporadic payments or irregular freelance income may not qualify. Start documenting your earnings early and maintain consistent proof well before applying.

Travel Insurance vs. International Health Insurance

Many applicants purchase basic travel insurance thinking it satisfies visa requirements. It usually doesn't. Digital nomad visas typically require international health insurance with specific minimum coverage amounts (often €30,000+), worldwide or regional coverage, and validity for the entire visa duration.

Standard travel insurance designed for short holidays won't cut it. You need an international health plan that covers emergency medical treatment, hospitalization, and medical repatriation for extended stays abroad.