Immigration & Visas
Digital Nomad Visa Options: Countries and Requirements
Overview of digital nomad visas across top countries including Portugal, Spain, Croatia, Thailand, and more. Covers income requirements, application processes, tax implications, and duration of stay.
Source: Various — see individual country government websites
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Before You Apply: Common Requirements
Understand what a digital nomad visa is and who qualifies
Digital nomad visas allow you to live in a country while working remotely for a foreign employer or your own foreign-registered business. You cannot work for a local employer. Most countries require proof of remote employment or freelance income, health insurance, and a clean criminal record. Over 50 countries now offer some form of digital nomad or remote work visa.
Confirm you work remotely for a non-local employer or own a foreign business
Verify you meet the minimum income threshold for your target country
Prepare documents most countries require
While each country has specific requirements, the core documents are consistent: valid passport (6+ months), proof of income (employment contract, bank statements, tax returns), health insurance covering the country, and a clean criminal background check. Prepare these before researching specific countries to speed up applications.
Valid passport with 6+ months remaining
Proof of remote income (3-6 months of bank statements)
Employment contract or proof of business ownership
International health insurance policy
Criminal background check from your home country (apostilled)
Research tax implications before choosing a country
Some digital nomad visas include tax exemptions (Croatia, Greece), while others require you to pay local income tax after a certain period (Portugal, Spain). Spending 183+ days in most countries triggers tax residency. Consult a tax advisor specializing in international taxation before committing to a location. Double taxation treaties between your home country and the host country can prevent being taxed twice.
Check if the country has a double taxation treaty with your home country
Determine whether the visa triggers local tax obligations
Portugal: Digital Nomad Visa (D8)
Verify you meet Portugal's income requirement
Portugal requires a minimum monthly income of 4x the Portuguese minimum wage — approximately 3,480 EUR per month (2024 figures). Income must come from work performed for entities outside Portugal. Freelancers and employees of foreign companies both qualify.
Gather 3 months of bank statements showing 3,480+ EUR monthly income
Obtain a letter from your employer confirming remote work arrangement
Apply for the D8 visa at the Portuguese consulate
Apply at the Portuguese consulate in your country of residence. The D8 temporary stay visa is valid for 1 year (renewable for up to 5 years). After arrival, apply for a residence permit at SEF (immigration service). Processing at the consulate takes 2-4 weeks.
Complete the visa application form
Submit proof of income, health insurance, and accommodation in Portugal
Pay the visa fee (approximately 75 EUR)
Provide a Portuguese NIF (tax number) — obtainable remotely via a fiscal representative
Understand Portugal's tax regime for digital nomads
Portugal offers the Non-Habitual Resident (NHR) tax regime — a flat 20% income tax rate for 10 years on certain income types, compared to the standard progressive rates (up to 48%). Apply for NHR status within the first year of tax residency. Consult a Portuguese tax advisor, as NHR rules changed in 2024.
Spain: Digital Nomad Visa
Verify you meet Spain's requirements
Spain requires a minimum income of 200% of the Spanish minimum wage — approximately 2,520 EUR per month. You must work for a foreign company (or have foreign clients comprising at least 80% of revenue). Maximum 20% of income can come from Spanish clients. The visa is valid for 1 year, renewable for up to 5 years.
Confirm income of 2,520+ EUR per month from foreign sources
Verify at least 80% of income comes from non-Spanish clients
Apply for the Spain digital nomad visa
Apply at the Spanish consulate in your country or online through the UGE (Unidad de Grandes Empresas) portal if already in Spain on a valid visa. You need proof of professional activity for at least 1 year with your current employer or clients. Processing takes 20 business days.
Complete the visa application and gather required documents
Provide 1+ year of employment history with your current employer
Submit proof of income, health insurance, and clean criminal record
Pay the visa fee (approximately 80 EUR)
Understand Spain's Beckham Law tax benefit
Digital nomad visa holders can apply for the Beckham Law special tax regime: a flat 24% tax rate on Spanish-source income (vs. progressive rates up to 47%) for 6 years. Foreign-source income is generally exempt. Apply within 6 months of registering as a Spanish tax resident.
Croatia: Digital Nomad Visa
Verify you meet Croatia's requirements
Croatia requires proof of remote work for a foreign company and a minimum monthly income of 2,539.31 EUR (as of 2024). The visa is valid for up to 1 year and is not renewable — you must leave for 6 months before reapplying. No local tax is charged during the visa period.
Confirm income of 2,539.31+ EUR per month
Obtain proof of employment or freelance contracts with foreign clients
Apply online or at a Croatian embassy
Apply online at mup.gov.hr (Ministry of Interior) or at a Croatian diplomatic mission. Processing takes up to 30 days. Required documents: passport, proof of income (3 months of bank statements), health insurance, accommodation proof, and criminal background check.
Complete the online application at mup.gov.hr
Submit all required documents (income proof, insurance, accommodation, background check)
Pay the application fee (approximately 80 EUR)
Thailand: Long-Term Resident (LTR) Visa for Remote Workers
Determine which Thailand visa path fits your situation
Thailand offers the LTR visa for remote workers with a minimum income of 80,000 USD per year (or 40,000 USD with a master's degree or specialized skills). The LTR is a 10-year visa. For shorter stays, the DTV (Digital Nomad Visa) launched in 2024 allows stays of up to 180 days (extendable once) with proof of remote work income of at least 500,000 THB (approximately 14,000 USD) per year.
LTR visa: confirm 80,000 USD+ annual income (or 40,000 USD with qualifications)
DTV: confirm 500,000 THB+ annual income and remote work documentation
Apply for the Thailand LTR or DTV visa
LTR visa: apply through the Thailand Board of Investment (BOI) at ltr.boi.go.th — processing takes 20 business days, then apply for the visa at a Thai embassy. DTV: apply at a Thai embassy or consulate. Both require proof of income, employment or freelance documentation, health insurance, and a criminal background check.
Submit the application through the appropriate channel (BOI for LTR, embassy for DTV)
Provide income documentation, health insurance, and criminal background check
Pay the visa fee (LTR: 50,000 THB for 10 years; DTV: 10,000 THB)
Understand Thailand tax rules for remote workers
LTR visa holders who earn income from foreign sources and do not remit it to Thailand in the same calendar year are generally exempt from Thai income tax. Income remitted to Thailand is taxable. DTV holders follow the same general rule. Tax laws in Thailand are evolving — consult a Thai tax advisor for current regulations.
Other Notable Digital Nomad Visa Countries
Greece: Digital Nomad Visa
Requires 3,500 EUR monthly income. Valid for 1 year, renewable for 2 years. Apply at a Greek consulate. Greece offers a 50% tax reduction on income for 7 years for new tax residents who transfer their tax residency from abroad. Processing: 2-4 weeks.
Estonia: Digital Nomad Visa
Requires a minimum gross income of 4,500 EUR per month over the last 6 months. Valid for up to 1 year. Apply at an Estonian embassy or online through the e-Residency portal. Estonia was the first country to launch a digital nomad visa in 2020. Processing: 15-30 days.
Barbados: Welcome Stamp
Requires annual income of 50,000 USD. Valid for 12 months. No local income tax during the visa period. Apply online at barbadoswelcomestamp.bb. Processing: 5-7 business days. One of the fastest digital nomad visas to obtain.
Colombia: Digital Nomad Visa
Requires a minimum monthly income of 3x the Colombian minimum wage — approximately 3,900,000 COP (roughly 950 USD, one of the lowest thresholds globally). Valid for 2 years. Apply at a Colombian consulate or online through the Cancilleria website. Processing: 5-15 business days.
UAE (Dubai): Virtual Working Programme
Requires a minimum monthly income of 3,500 USD (or equivalent). Valid for 1 year. Apply online at virtualjob.dubai.ae. Visa fee: 611 AED (approximately 166 USD). No income tax in the UAE. Health insurance with UAE coverage is mandatory. Processing: 5 business days.
Mexico: Temporary Resident Visa for remote workers
Mexico does not have a dedicated digital nomad visa, but the Temporary Resident Visa allows stays of 1-4 years. Requires proof of monthly income of approximately 2,800 USD or savings of 46,000 USD. Apply at a Mexican consulate. Many remote workers use the 180-day tourist visa (FMM) and renew by exiting and re-entering, but this is not a sustainable long-term strategy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which countries offer digital nomad visas in 2026?
Over 50 countries now offer dedicated digital nomad or remote work visas, including Portugal, Spain, Croatia, Estonia, Barbados, Costa Rica, Thailand, Indonesia (Second Home Visa), Greece, and the UAE. Each has different income requirements, tax implications, and stay durations. Portugal and Spain are popular for their Schengen zone access, while Caribbean options like Barbados offer tax-free stays for up to 12 months.
How much income do I need for a digital nomad visa?
Income requirements vary by country, typically ranging from $1,500 to $5,000 per month. Portugal requires proof of approximately EUR 3,510/month, Croatia requires roughly EUR 2,540/month, and Barbados requires $50,000 annual income. Most countries want to see consistent income over the past 3-6 months through bank statements or tax returns. Consult the specific embassy for the most current thresholds.
Do digital nomads pay taxes in the host country?
Tax obligations depend on the specific country's visa program and your length of stay. Some countries, like Barbados and the Cayman Islands, do not tax digital nomad visa holders on foreign-sourced income. Others, like Portugal and Spain, may consider you a tax resident after 183 days, potentially subjecting you to local income tax. You should consult a tax professional who specializes in international taxation before relocating.
Can I bring my family on a digital nomad visa?
Most digital nomad visa programs allow dependents (spouse and minor children) to be included in the application. Countries like Portugal, Croatia, and the UAE explicitly permit family members on dependent visas. Additional income requirements usually apply per dependent, typically EUR 500-1,500 per family member per month. Some programs allow dependents to enroll in local schools but restrict them from taking local employment.