An increasing number of European countries are creating special visa programs for professionals who work remotely and wish to live abroad legally. Eligibility requirements, income thresholds, permit validity periods, and tax regimes vary significantly depending on the jurisdiction. Learn more about the requirements for obtaining a digital nomad visa in European countries in 2026

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Europe remains one of the most popular destinations among digital nomads from around the world. European countries have already introduced special visa programs for those who work remotely and wish to reside legally within their borders. YB Case recently wrote about this, analyzing the requirements for obtaining a Digital Nomad Visa in various jurisdictions. Requirements for applicants vary significantly by country, ranging from minimum income thresholds and permit validity periods to tax regimes and the possibility of relocating with family.

Which European countries offer visas for digital nomads, how much you need to earn, and what documents to prepare—we’ll cover all of this in the article below.

Are you planning to move to another country as a digital nomad and want to know all the requirements and nuances of the visa application process in advance?

Order the Digital Nomad Guide from Visit World—receive step-by-step instructions, a list of required documents, visa fees, and application processing times in a convenient PDF format sent to your email in just a few minutes.

What does a digital nomad visa offer, and how does it differ from other visa permits?

A Digital Nomad visa is a special residence permit for individuals who work remotely for a company or clients outside their country of residence. The holder of such a visa has the right to legally reside in the country and perform professional duties online without obtaining a work permit from a local employer. The key condition is that the applicant cannot be employed by a company registered in the host country, and their income must come from abroad.

Compared to a tourist visa, which limits stays to 90 days and prohibits employment, the Digital Nomad Visa allows you to stay in the country for 6 months to 2 years. A simplified set of documents is required for application: proof of remote income, health insurance, and proof of accommodation. Many countries offer tax benefits, and some programs allow family members to be included in the application.

Digital Nomad Visa in Portugal: Requirements and Conditions of the D8 Program

Portugal is among the most attractive European destinations for digital nomads. The Portuguese D8 visa is available to citizens of non-EU/EEA countries and Swiss citizens. It is valid for up to 2 years, after which you may apply for long-term residency.

Applicants must prove a monthly income of at least €3,480 (from employment, freelance work, or passive income) and provide a bank statement showing savings of at least €9,840. Other requirements include a criminal background check, health insurance, and proof of housing. After five years of continuous residence, you can apply for permanent residency.

How much will housing cost in Portugal in 2026? — find out here.

Digital Nomad Visa in Spain: Income, Taxes, and Opportunities for Families

Spain ranks highly in the Digital Nomad Visa Index thanks to moderate eligibility requirements, a well-developed network of coworking spaces, and a relatively low cost of living. The minimum annual income is €31,752 (€2,646 per month). The applicant must be an entrepreneur with tax residency in another country, a self-employed individual, or an employee of a company outside Spain (the company must have been in operation for over a year). The visa extends to family members: the income requirement increases by €993 for a spouse and €331 for each additional family member. The consular fee is €80. The visa is valid for 12 months; after five years of legal residence, applicants become eligible for permanent residence, and after ten years, for citizenship.

Staying for more than 183 days grants tax resident status. Income up to €600,000 is taxed at a rate of 24%; above this amount, it is taxed on a progressive scale up to 47%. For new residents, the rate is reduced to 15% for the first six years. Income from Spanish companies must not exceed 20% of total income. Mandatory health insurance starts at €30,000.

Read more about the Digital Nomad Visa in Spain here.

Digital Nomad Visa in Italy: Annual Income and Relocating with Family

The Italian Digital Nomad Visa is a long-term permit for foreigners who work remotely, with the right to relocate with their family. The minimum annual income is €32,400, and the bank balance must be at least €30,000. Documents required for residency in Italy. The applicant may be joined by a spouse, minor children, and dependent parents (an additional €5,000 per adult, €3,000 per child). Processing time: 90 days or more.

Taxation is based on tax residency rules: a progressive rate ranging from 23% to 43%. Tax residents are required to declare all worldwide income.

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Greek Digital Nomad Visa: Affordable Living Costs and Tax Benefits

Greece is one of the most cost-effective destinations in terms of living expenses. Coworking spaces and remote worker communities operate in Athens, Thessaloniki, and Crete. The visa is issued for two years. The minimum income requirement is €3,500 after taxes (increased by 20% for a spouse and 15% per child). A decision is made within 10 days. The visa fee is €75.

Staying for more than six months grants tax resident status, though certain benefits apply—partial exemption from taxation on foreign income or reduced tax rates. Visa holders can move freely within the Schengen Area. Long-term residency opens the possibility of obtaining citizenship.

We discussed the best cities in Greece to move to in 2026 in a previous article.

Hungary’s “White Card”: A Visa for Digital Nomads in Budapest

Hungary introduced the “White Card” in 2022. Budapest attracts people with its affordable cost of living and convenient connections to other European hubs. The visa allows you to reside in Hungary for one year with the possibility of a one-time extension. The minimum income requirement is 3,000 euros per month (after taxes) for the past six months. Proof of housing is required. The application must be submitted in person at the consulate with biometric data. The fee is 110 euros.

The holder may not remain outside Hungary for more than 90 days. The visa does not provide for family reunification and does not create grounds for permanent residence or naturalization. After 183 days of residence—tax resident status with a 15% tax rate plus social security contributions.

Nomad Residence Permit in Malta: Conditions and Benefits

The Maltese Nomad Residence Permit is available to entrepreneurs, freelancers, and employees of companies abroad. The minimum income requirement is €3,500 per month. Proof of housing is required, and family members may be included in the application. The fee is €300, and the processing time ranges from one to four months.

Freelancers are exempt from taxation on foreign income for stays of less than 183 days. For tax residents, there is a progressive tax rate ranging from 0% to 35%. Over 67,000 expats live in Malta, creating a thriving international community.

Digital Nomad Visa in Iceland: High Income Threshold and Unique Conditions

Iceland is recognized as one of the safest countries in the world. The visa, introduced in 2020, allows for a stay of 180 days (90 for Schengen residents). Citizens of countries outside the EEA and EFTA who work remotely for a foreign company or are self-employed are eligible.

The income threshold is one of the highest in Europe: starting at 1 million Icelandic krona (≈$7,487) per month; for applications with a partner, 1.3 million krona (≈$9,734). The consular fee is ≈$88. The application is submitted by mail to the Immigration Authority, and the visa is issued upon arrival in Iceland.

Why you should embark on an unforgettable journey through Iceland — find out more at the link.

Digital Nomad Visa in Norway: Local Client Requirement

Norway has a unique requirement: the applicant must have at least one client who is a resident of Norway. The document package includes a passport, application form, proof of accommodation, documents confirming self-employment status, education, and work experience. The fee is 6,300 Norwegian kroner (≈600 euros); the renewal fee is the same amount, plus an additional 25 euros through the visa center.

Foreigners staying for more than six months must obtain a tax card (skattekort) with a 23% tax rate. For income up to 40,000 Norwegian kroner, a tax break of up to 10% is possible. Norway and Iceland are among the most expensive countries in Europe.

The “Remote from Georgia” Program: Current Status and Conditions

Georgia launched the “Remote from Georgia” program in 2020, offering a 360-day stay with an income of at least $2,000 per month or savings of $24,000. The program was suspended in 2022, but as of March 1 of this year, a simplified entry process has been introduced for freelancers via an online application at www.stopcov.ge.

Georgia remains one of the most accessible destinations. Tax residency does not apply for stays of less than 183 days. For an annual income of up to $155,000, the tax rate is just 1%. Tbilisi offers a well-developed infrastructure for remote work, including the Terminal and Fabrika coworking spaces.

By the way, we recently reported that Georgia is raising the minimum threshold for a real estate investor visa to $150,000.

Comparison of income requirements and visa validity periods

The lowest income thresholds are offered by Georgia (starting at $2,000) and Spain (starting at €2,646). The mid-range includes Hungary (starting at €3,000), Portugal (starting at €3,480), Greece, and Malta (starting at €3,500). Italy requires €32,400 per year plus a balance of €30,000. The highest thresholds are in Iceland (≈$7,487/month) and Norway (from €30,900).

Duration: Iceland—180 days, Georgia—360 days, Spain and Hungary—one year with renewal, Portugal, Greece, and Norway—up to 2 years. Most countries allow relocation with family, except for Hungary’s “White Card.”

In Spain, Portugal, and Greece, long-term residency can lead to naturalization with the right to visa-free entry to over 150 countries.

Each of the countries described has its own rules, and requirements often depend on the foreigner’s citizenship. You can find up-to-date information and familiarize yourself with the entry rules for any country in the digital nomad guide from Visit World—all information will be sent to your email address in PDF format within a few minutes.

The guide contains step-by-step instructions for submitting an application, rules for filling out the form, a complete list of documents, visa requirements, visa fees, and processing times, as well as the benefits of working as a digital nomad.

Order the guide from Visit World and get structured information for a confident start abroad!

Reminder! The World Happiness Report 2026 identified the top ten countries with the highest levels of life satisfaction among 140 nations worldwide. The Scandinavian region once again dominates the ranking, though this year a Latin American country entered the top five for the first time.

Photo: Freepik

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