Best Countries for Digital Nomads in 2026: Visas, Income Thresholds, Cost of Living

Five countries topped the global ranking for digital nomads in 2026. Find out which visa is right for you, how much you need to earn or have in your account, and how much it really costs to live in Kuala Lumpur, Lisbon, Chiang Mai, Tbilisi, and Taipei

Order a work guide and receive step-by-step instructions for obtaining a work visa to any country

GET THE GUIDE

Rumavi publishes the Global Relocation Index every year, an independent study of 192 countries and territories around the world, evaluated according to 24 indicators, which are combined into six thematic ratings: general, for retirees, for families, for entrepreneurs, for tax optimization and separately for digital nomads.

It is the latter that interests those who plan to obtain a remote worker visa in 2026 as a way to legally work from a laptop in another country: the methodology takes into account internet speed, ease of obtaining a residence permit, cost of living and general freedom of movement.

In the new edition of the rating, first place went to Malaysia, followed by Portugal, Thailand, Georgia and Taiwan - countries with very different entry rules: from a two-year work visa to a new short-term visa for remote workers.

Below is not just a list, but a practical analysis: which visa is valid in each country, what income or savings need to be confirmed and how much does a digital nomad really spend on living there.

Read also, TOP-10 countries for digital nomads according to Global Citizen Solutions.

Planning to move to work abroad, but getting lost in the list of documents for each country?

"Working Guide" from Visit World collects step-by-step instructions for obtaining a work visa or work permit for a citizen of any country in one place. All information comes to your email in PDF format within a few minutes after registration.

Learn the details of the "Working Guide" and prepare a full package of documents without unnecessary stress.

Malaysia: Southeast Asia’s tech capital

- Visa: DE Rantau Nomad Pass

- Income threshold: from $24,000/year for IT and digital professionals, from $60,000/year for other professions

- Cost of living: approximately $650–1,100 per month in Kuala Lumpur (excluding premium housing)

Malaysia topped the list thanks to its combination of advanced technology infrastructure and reasonable prices. DE Rantau is an official program of the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation, which allows you to live in the country for up to 24 months (12 months with the possibility of a one-time extension for another year).

The application is submitted online through the MDEC portal, the fee is about RM 1,080 (~$220), and the processing time is 6–8 weeks.

Income earned abroad is exempt from Malaysian tax – the exemption is valid until the end of 2026, so for those considering moving now, this is an additional argument. You cannot work for a Malaysian employer or receive income from local sources on this visa – only remotely for foreign companies or clients.

Portugal: a ticket to the Schengen area

- Visa: D8 Digital Nomad Visa

- Income threshold: €3,680 per month (in 2026 – four minimum salaries, which increased to €920)

- Cost of living: €1,400–2,600 per month in Lisbon depending on the area

Portugal remains the main “base” for those who want to gain access to the entire Schengen area at once. The D8 visa gives a residence permit for 2 years with the possibility of extension, and after 5 years of legal stay – the right to permanent residency.

In addition to confirming your monthly income, you need to show savings of at least €11,040 in a bank account.

It is worth considering the nuance of 2026: due to the workload on the AIMA migration service, the processing of applications is now stretched to 6–9 months, so it is worth submitting documents in advance, and not at the last moment before the planned move.

Conditions for obtaining a digital nomad visa in European countries in 2026 in this article.

Thailand: Five-year visa with no monthly income requirement

- Visa: Destination Thailand Visa (DTV)

- Threshold: 500,000 baht in savings account (approximately $14,000–17,000), maintained for at least 3 months – no separate monthly income requirement

- Cost of living: $800–1,300 per month in Chiang Mai, more expensive in Bangkok

Launched in July 2024, the DTV finally established itself as the most flexible option in Asia in 2026: the visa is multiple-entry, valid for five years, and a single entry allows you to stay in the country for up to 180 days with the possibility of extension.

Unlike Malaysia or Portugal, they don’t ask about regular income here – the main thing is to show the “frozen” amount in the account and confirm that you work for a foreign employer or your own business outside of Thailand.

Visa fee – about 10,000 baht (~$280), application completely online through the Thai e-Visa portal.

Visit World services for tourists, migrants, and expats: Insurance | Guides | Legal advice

Georgia: new special visa for digital nomads

- Visa: C5

- Income threshold: about $2,000 per month or $24,000 in savings

- Cost of living: $1,000–1,800 per month in Tbilisi

Until April 2026, digital nomads in Georgia relied mainly on a visa-free year for citizens of over 95 countries – there was no separate legal category for remote work. This has changed: the parliament approved in the third reading a new multiple-entry short-term visa C5, which officially establishes the status of a digital nomad.

The visa is valid for up to five years, but you can stay in the country on its basis for no more than 12 consecutive months, after which you need to re-enter. Citizens of countries on the "safe" list can apply for a C5, provided that the income comes exclusively from abroad, and the purpose of entry formally remains tourism.

The visa can also be issued for the spouse or minor children of the applicant, which makes the format convenient for families.

Working for a Georgian company on this visa is prohibited - only remotely for foreign employers or clients. The cost of application ranges from $20 to $500, depending on the type of application and the speed of consideration.

Today, digital nomads can combine work and travel with virtually no housing costs. We have already told you how to live for free in different countries of the world.

Taiwan: Gold Card for Experienced Professionals

- Visa: Employment Gold Card

- Income threshold: Average salary of NT$160,000 per month (about $5,000, or NT$1.92 million/year) – or proven expertise in one of 12 professional fields without income requirement

- Cost of living: $1,400–2,200 per month in Taipei for a comfortable digital nomad lifestyle

Taiwan rounds out the top 5 thanks to its combination of security, fast internet, and a developed gastronomic culture. The Gold Card is a work permit, visa, and residence permit in one document, which makes it a great alternative to typical “one-employer” work visas.

You can get a card either by confirming an income of NT$160,000 per month for the past 12 months, or by proving expertise in science, technology, finance, culture and other recognized areas - then the income requirements do not apply.

The card is issued for 1-3 years, and for the first five years of residence, owners receive a 50% discount on the taxable portion of income exceeding NT$3 million per year.

Have you chosen a country from the rating and are ready to apply for long-term residence? Even if it is a digital visa, and not a classic work permit, the lack of one certificate or an incorrectly filled out application form can delay the processing of your application for months - and in Portugal, as the practice of 2026 shows, the queues are already long.

The "Working Guide" from Visit World contains a complete list of documents for applying for a visa or work permit, information on visa fees and processing times, as well as practical advice for a specific country of entry.

Complete the “Working Guide” and approach the move with a clear picture of all the necessary steps.

Reminder! In 2026, Sri Lanka is actively developing the Digital Nomad Visa program, opening up new opportunities for foreign remote professionals, entrepreneurs and freelancers. We have already told you who can apply for this type of residence permit, what financial requirements are set for applicants, how long they are allowed to stay in the country and what benefits Digital Nomad Visa holders receive.

Photo - generated by Gemini

Products from Visit World for a comfortable trip:

Travel guide for 200 countries;

Legal advice from a local specialist on visa and migration issues;

Travel insurance around the world (please select the country of interest and citizenship to receive services);

Medical insurance all over the world.

We monitor the accuracy and relevance of our information, so if you notice any errors or inconsistencies, please contact our hotline.