Home / Visas
Visas for moving abroad, compared.
20 digital nomad, retirement and residency routes across Europe, the Americas and Asia. Each row links to the official source and shows when we last checked it.
| Country & program | Type | Apply from | First permit | Leads to residency? | Official source | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PortugalD7 Passive Income Visa | Passive income / retiree | €920/month (single, 2026) | Consulate | Visa, then a 2-year residence permit | Yes, after 5 years | AIMA / Portuguese consulates Checked Oct 2026 |
| PortugalD8 Digital Nomad Visa | Remote work | €3,680/month (2026) | Consulate | Visa, then a renewable residence permit | Yes, after 5 years | AIMA / Portuguese consulates Checked Oct 2026 |
| SpainDigital Nomad Visa | Remote work | €2,849/month (2026) | Online inside Spain, or consulate | 3-year card if you apply in Spain; 1-year visa from a consulate | Yes, after 5 years | Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs Checked Oct 2026 |
| SpainNon-Lucrative Visa | Passive income / retiree | €2,400/month (€28,800/year) | Consulate | 1 year, then 2 + 2 years | Yes, after 5 years | Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs Checked Oct 2026 |
| ItalyDigital Nomad Visa | Remote work | About €28,000/year | Consulate | 1 year, renewable | Yes, after 5 years | Italian visa portal Checked Oct 2026 |
| ItalyElective Residence Visa | Passive income / retiree | About €31,000/year passive income | Consulate | 1-year permit, renewable | Yes, after 5 years | Italian visa portal Checked Oct 2026 |
| FranceLong-Stay Visitor Visa (VLS-TS) | Passive income / retiree | About €1,450/month (French net minimum wage) | Consulate (france-visas.gouv.fr) | 1 year, renewable | Yes, after 5 years | France-Visas Checked Oct 2026 |
| GreeceDigital Nomad Visa | Remote work | €3,500/month net | Consulate only | Visa, then a residence permit of up to 2 years | Varies | Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs Checked Oct 2026 |
| MaltaNomad Residence Permit | Remote work | €42,000/year gross (about €3,500/month) | Online (Residency Malta) | 1 year, renewable | No | Residency Malta Agency Checked Oct 2026 |
| EstoniaDigital Nomad Visa | Remote work | About €4,000 to €4,500/month (official sources differ) | Consulate | Up to 1 year | No | Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Checked Oct 2026 |
| NetherlandsDAFT (Dutch-American Friendship Treaty) | Other route | €4,500 invested in your Dutch business | In the Netherlands (IND) | 2-year permit, renewable | Yes, after 5 years | IND (Dutch immigration) Checked Oct 2026 |
| GeorgiaVisa-free stay | Other route | No income test | On arrival | Up to 365 days | No | Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia Checked Oct 2026 |
| MexicoTemporary Residency | Other route | About $4,300 to $4,500/month, or about $73,000 in savings (varies by consulate) | Consulate | 1 year, then renew up to 4 years total | Yes, after 4 years | Mexican consulates (Consulmex) Checked Oct 2026 |
| Costa RicaDigital Nomad Visa | Remote work | $3,000/month ($4,000 with family) | Online | 1 year, plus 1-year renewal | No | Dirección General de Migración Checked Oct 2026 |
| Costa RicaPensionado (Retiree) | Passive income / retiree | $1,000/month lifetime pension | In Costa Rica | Temporary residency, renewable | Yes, after 3 years | Dirección General de Migración Checked Oct 2026 |
| PanamaPensionado (Retiree) | Passive income / retiree | $1,000/month lifetime pension | In Panama, through a lawyer | Permanent residency | Yes, from the start | Servicio Nacional de Migración Checked Oct 2026 |
| ColombiaDigital Nomad Visa | Remote work | 3 times Colombia's monthly minimum wage | Online (Cancillería) | Up to 2 years | Varies | Cancillería de Colombia Checked Oct 2026 |
| ThailandDestination Thailand Visa (DTV) | Remote work | 500,000 THB in savings (about $14,000 to $15,000) | Online e-visa, from outside Thailand | 5-year visa, 180 days per entry | No | Thai e-Visa portal Checked Oct 2026 |
| JapanDigital Nomad Visa | Remote work | ¥10 million/year (about $66,000) | Consulate | 6 months, not renewable | No | Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan Checked Oct 2026 |
| UAE (Dubai)Remote Work Visa | Remote work | $3,500/month | Online | 1 year | No | UAE government portal Checked Oct 2026 |
Figures are for one applicant unless noted. Click "Money needed" to sort by an approximate US-dollar equivalent. Thresholds tied to minimum wages change most Januarys.
Program details
Portugal: D7 Passive Income Visa€920/month (single, 2026)
Best for: Retirees and people living on pensions, rent or dividends
What you need
- Passive income of at least €920/month for one person, €1,380 for a couple (2026 figures, tied to Portugal's minimum wage)
- Or savings of about €11,040 for one person
- Proof of a place to live in Portugal
- Private health insurance valid in Portugal, with at least €30,000 of cover
Watch for
- Remote-work salary doesn't count. Consulates now push remote workers to the D8.
- The figure rises each January with the minimum wage.
Official source: AIMA / Portuguese consulates Checked Oct 2026
Portugal: D8 Digital Nomad Visa€3,680/month (2026)
Best for: Remote employees and freelancers with foreign clients
What you need
- Income of at least 4 times Portugal's minimum wage: €3,680/month in 2026
- Proof of remote work for employers or clients outside Portugal
- Proof of a place to live and health insurance
Watch for
- Immigration agency appointments are the real bottleneck, not the paperwork.
- Citizenship now takes 10 years of residence, not 5 (law in force since 19 May 2026).
Official source: AIMA / Portuguese consulates Checked Oct 2026
Spain: Digital Nomad Visa€2,849/month (2026)
Best for: Remote workers who want a fast route and a long first permit
What you need
- Income of 200% of Spain's minimum wage: €2,849/month for one person in 2026
- No more than 20% of income from Spanish clients
- Proof the remote job or client work has lasted a while (usually 3 months or more)
- Private health insurance with full cover in Spain
Watch for
- The threshold rises with Spain's minimum wage most years.
- You can't switch from the Non-Lucrative Visa to this one from inside Spain.
Official source: Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs Checked Oct 2026
Spain: Non-Lucrative Visa€2,400/month (€28,800/year)
Best for: Retirees and people who won't work at all
What you need
- Passive income or savings of €2,400/month for one person, plus €600/month per family member
- Spanish private health insurance with full cover
- Criminal record check and medical certificate
Watch for
- No work of any kind, including remote work for foreign clients.
- Spain's golden visa is gone. This and the Digital Nomad Visa are the main routes now.
Official source: Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs Checked Oct 2026
Italy: Digital Nomad VisaAbout €28,000/year
Best for: Skilled remote workers and freelancers
What you need
- Income of about €28,000/year from work outside Italy
- Proof of qualifications or relevant experience
- Health insurance and a place to live in Italy
Watch for
- Spend more than 183 days a year in Italy and you're usually an Italian tax resident.
Official source: Italian visa portal Checked Oct 2026
Italy: Elective Residence VisaAbout €31,000/year passive income
Best for: Retirees with steady pension or investment income
What you need
- Passive income of about €31,000/year for one person, about €38,000 for a couple
- A signed lease or a deed for a home in Italy before you apply
- Health insurance
Watch for
- €31,000 is the consulates' benchmark, not a fixed legal number. Many ask for more.
- Work, including remote work, isn't allowed.
Official source: Italian visa portal Checked Oct 2026
France: Long-Stay Visitor Visa (VLS-TS)About €1,450/month (French net minimum wage)
Best for: Retirees and people with passive income
What you need
- Income at or above France's net minimum wage, about €1,450/month
- Full-year private health insurance with no major gaps
- Proof of a place to live
- Validate the visa online within 3 months of arrival
Watch for
- Consulates are stricter with income near the minimum. More helps.
- You sign a promise not to work in France.
Official source: France-Visas Checked Oct 2026
Greece: Digital Nomad Visa€3,500/month net
Best for: Higher-earning remote workers
What you need
- Net income of at least €3,500/month (+20% for a spouse, +15% per child)
- Proof of remote work for employers or clients outside Greece
- Health insurance and a clean criminal record
Watch for
- Since 5 February 2026 you can't apply from inside Greece as a tourist. Apply at a consulate first.
Official source: Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs Checked Oct 2026
Malta: Nomad Residence Permit€42,000/year gross (about €3,500/month)
Best for: English speakers who want an EU island base
What you need
- Gross income of at least €42,000/year from work outside Malta
- Health insurance and a place to live in Malta
Watch for
- This permit doesn't lead to permanent residence on its own.
Official source: Residency Malta Agency Checked Oct 2026
Estonia: Digital Nomad VisaAbout €4,000 to €4,500/month (official sources differ)
Best for: High earners who want a short EU base
What you need
- Income at the published threshold for the 6 months before you apply
- Proof of remote work for a foreign employer or your own foreign company
Watch for
- Don't confuse this with e-Residency. e-Residency is a digital business ID, not a visa, and gives no right to live in Estonia.
Official source: Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Checked Oct 2026
Netherlands: DAFT (Dutch-American Friendship Treaty)€4,500 invested in your Dutch business
Best for: American freelancers and small business owners. US citizens only.
What you need
- US citizenship
- A Dutch business (often a sole proprietorship) with €4,500 in its business account
- Registration with the Dutch Chamber of Commerce
Watch for
- Your business has to be real and earn. It isn't a passive-income visa.
Official source: IND (Dutch immigration) Checked Oct 2026
Georgia: Visa-free stayNo income test
Best for: US, UK and Australian passport holders who want a long, cheap trial run
What you need
- A US, UK, Australian or other eligible passport
- Since 1 January 2026: travel health insurance for your whole stay, with at least 30,000 GEL of cover
Watch for
- Visa-free status isn't residence. Long-term living needs a residence permit.
- Most foreign workers need a work permit since 1 March 2026. Check how this applies to your remote work.
Insurance for your Georgia stay
A travel medical plan meets Georgia's 2026 insurance rule. You can buy it after you've left home.
See SafetyWing Nomad Insurance
Getting around Georgia
A car makes it easy to compare Tbilisi, Batumi and Kutaisi in one trip. Localrent books cars from local rental companies.
Find a rental car on Localrent
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Official source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia Checked Oct 2026
Mexico: Temporary ResidencyAbout $4,300 to $4,500/month, or about $73,000 in savings (varies by consulate)
Best for: Americans who want to stay close to home
What you need
- 6 months of income statements, or 12 months of savings statements, above the consulate's figure
- Apply at a Mexican consulate outside Mexico, then finish inside Mexico within 30 days
Watch for
- Each consulate sets its own number. Check the one you'll use.
- Government fees roughly doubled on 1 January 2026.
Official source: Mexican consulates (Consulmex) Checked Oct 2026
Costa Rica: Digital Nomad Visa$3,000/month ($4,000 with family)
Best for: Remote workers who want a 2-year stay
What you need
- Income of $3,000/month for one person, $4,000/month for a family
- 12 months of bank statements
- Health insurance for the whole stay
Watch for
- This is a stay permit, not residency. For residency, look at Rentista or Pensionado.
Official source: Dirección General de Migración Checked Oct 2026
Costa Rica: Pensionado (Retiree)$1,000/month lifetime pension
Best for: Retirees with Social Security or another lifetime pension
What you need
- A lifetime pension of at least $1,000/month. US Social Security counts.
- Join Costa Rica's public health system (the Caja)
Watch for
- No pension yet? The Rentista route needs $2,500/month for 2 years or a $60,000 deposit.
Official source: Dirección General de Migración Checked Oct 2026
Panama: Pensionado (Retiree)$1,000/month lifetime pension
Best for: Retirees who want permanent status right away
What you need
- A lifetime pension of at least $1,000/month
- A Panamanian lawyer, who files the application for you
Watch for
- Panama doesn't tax foreign-source income, but US citizens still file US returns.
Official source: Servicio Nacional de Migración Checked Oct 2026
Colombia: Digital Nomad Visa3 times Colombia's monthly minimum wage
Best for: Budget-minded remote workers
What you need
- Income of at least 3 times Colombia's minimum wage, from work outside Colombia
- Health insurance that covers Colombia
Watch for
- The peso amount changes every January with the minimum wage.
Official source: Cancillería de Colombia Checked Oct 2026
Thailand: Destination Thailand Visa (DTV)500,000 THB in savings (about $14,000 to $15,000)
Best for: Remote workers who want Southeast Asia on a modest budget
What you need
- 500,000 THB in savings, held for at least 3 months (bank statements)
- Proof of remote work for employers or clients outside Thailand
- 10,000 THB visa fee
Watch for
- It's a savings test, not an income test.
- Thailand taxes foreign income you bring into the country once you're tax resident.
Official source: Thai e-Visa portal Checked Oct 2026
UAE (Dubai): Remote Work Visa$3,500/month
Best for: Remote workers who want no personal income tax
What you need
- Income of at least $3,500/month from an employer or clients outside the UAE
- Health insurance valid in the UAE
Watch for
- No income tax in the UAE doesn't end US tax filing for Americans.
Official source: UAE government portal Checked Oct 2026
Need health insurance? Most residence visas need full private cover. See which insurance each visa accepts. For scouting trips and visa-free stays, a travel plan like SafetyWing Nomad Insurance is enough.
Common questions
What's the difference between a digital nomad visa and a work visa?
A digital nomad visa lets you live in a country while you work for employers or clients outside it. A work visa is for a job with a local employer, who usually has to sponsor you.
Can I apply from inside the country?
It depends. Spain lets you apply for the Digital Nomad Visa from inside Spain and gives a 3-year card. Greece stopped in-country applications on 5 February 2026. Mexico's Temporary Residency must start at a consulate outside Mexico. Check the "Apply from" column.
Do these visas lead to citizenship?
Some lead to permanent residence after 5 years (Portugal, Spain, Italy, France) and citizenship later. Portugal raised its citizenship requirement to 10 years for most nationalities on 19 May 2026. See citizenship paths.
Does a visa make me a tax resident?
Not by itself. Tax residence usually follows where you live, often 183 days or more in a year. Americans keep filing US returns regardless. Read the tax guide.