Destinations and visas

Digital nomad visas in Europe: 8 countries, what they ask for and which fits you

Spain, Portugal, Greece, Croatia, Italy, Malta, Hungary and Estonia, compared by income, length of stay, family and tax.

Nomad Hub editorial team · Editorial update: 30 October 2026

How to read this comparison

Eight European countries now have a dedicated route for people who work remotely for companies or clients abroad: Spain, Portugal, Greece, Croatia, Italy, Malta, Hungary and Estonia. All of them are in the Schengen Area, and all are aimed at people from outside the EU, the EEA and Switzerland. If you hold a European passport, you do not need any of these visas.

The figures come from our country guides, which cite the official source for each point. Countries do not all measure the same thing: some ask for gross income, others net, and others an annual amount. Before you rule out a destination, read its full guide.

Income, from lowest to highest

Italy: about €24,789 a year (about €2,066 a month). It must come from your work: the consulate says pensions, rent and investment income do not count.
Spain: 200% of the minimum wage, about €2,442 a month using the 2026 monthly amount, or €2,849 if the annual total is spread over 12 months.
Hungary: €3,000 net a month over the previous six months.
Greece: €3,500 net a month for employment or service income.
Malta: €42,000 gross a year (about €3,500 a month).
Croatia: €3,622.50 a month, or enough funds for the whole stay.
Portugal: four minimum wages, €3,680 a month in 2026, averaged over the last three months.
Estonia: €3,960 a month (€132 a day).

If you are close to the threshold, start with Italy or Spain. Also check which income each country accepts: Italy, for example, does not count passive income.

How long you can stay

This is where the differences are biggest.

To settle for several years: Spain, Portugal, Greece and Italy. They start with a visa or permit of one or two years and are then renewed. In Spain, if you apply from inside the country, the authorisation can last up to three years.
Up to four years: Malta grants a one-year permit, renewable up to three times. To renew, you must have lived in Malta for at least five months in the previous twelve.
Up to two years: Hungary's White Card lasts one year and can be renewed only once.
Up to 18 months: Croatia allows up to 18 months. After that, you must wait six months before applying for a new stay.
One year: Estonia's D visa covers up to 365 days. It is not a residence permit; staying longer requires another route.

Family

Spain, Greece, Croatia, Italy and Malta accept family members on the same route, with additional income required for each one. Hungary does not allow family reunification on the White Card. For Portugal and Estonia, the official sources we reviewed are not clear: confirm with the consulate before you plan.

Tax: the regime does not come with the visa

If you spend more than six months in a country, it will usually treat you as tax resident and tax your worldwide income. Some countries have special rules, but almost none apply automatically.

Croatia: exempts employment income from employers outside Croatia earned under digital nomad status. It is not an exemption for any kind of income.
Malta: does not tax income from the authorised work for the first 12 months of the permit, then applies a flat 10% rate.
Spain, Portugal, Greece and Italy: have regimes for people moving to the country, each with its own conditions. In Spain, for example, the Beckham Law covers teleworking employees but, in principle, not freelancers.
Hungary and Estonia: the general rules apply. In Estonia, a one-year visa makes it easy to pass 183 days and become tax resident.

Travelling around the rest of Europe

A long-stay visa or residence permit from a Schengen country lets you travel to the other Schengen countries for short stays: up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Days spent in the country that issued your permit do not count towards that limit. To live longer in another country, you need its own permit.

Which one to choose

Your income is between €2,000 and €3,000 a month: Italy or Spain, depending on the kind of income you have.
You want to stay long term: Spain, Portugal, Greece or Italy, which renew with no published cap on the number of years.
You want to try Europe for a year or a year and a half: Estonia, Croatia or Hungary.
First-year tax matters to you: look at Croatia and Malta, and run the numbers with an adviser.
You are moving with family: rule out Hungary and check each country's additional amount.

Each country has a guide with requirements, documents and sources: Spain, Portugal, Greece, Croatia, Italy, Malta, Hungary and Estonia. If you are interested in a country that is not listed, such as France or Germany, read countries without a digital nomad visa.

Take this next step

Write down your gross and net monthly income: each country measures a different one.
Decide how long you want to stay and whether you are after long-term residence.
Confirm whether your family can come with you on the same route.
Check tax residence before choosing a country for its tax regime.