Spanish residence permit · updated 10.07.2026
Digital nomad visas in other countries: a comparison with Spain 2026
Updated: 10 July 2026 · Verified by the EuroGarant team against official sources
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In short: digital nomad programs exist in dozens of countries — from Thailand to Brazil. But most grant only a legal stay, with no route to residency. Spain's DNV (Visa de Nómada Digital) is one of the few EU programs with a direct road to permanent residence and citizenship: Portugal and Italy offer such a path too, and we compare them honestly below. Here are the pros and cons of each destination.
What a digital nomad visa is and why the choice of destination matters
A digital nomad visa is a permit to live legally in a country while working remotely for a foreign employer or clients. The key criteria for choosing one: income threshold, tax regime, visa duration and the option to convert it into a long-term status. That last point is the one most often overlooked when comparing programs.
If you are serious about relocating, check whether your income meets the Spanish DNV threshold in the 2026 income calculator.
Comparison table: other countries versus Spain
| Country / Program | Income threshold | Visa duration | Path to permanent residence | Tax regime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spain — DNV | €2,760–2,850/month | 1 year + extension up to 3 years | Yes → permanent residence → citizenship | Beckham regime 24% |
| Portugal — D8 | ≈ €3,680/month (4× the minimum wage) | 1 year + extension | Yes (EU) | NHR closed; replaced by IFICI ("NHR 2.0") at 20% — only for selected professions |
| Italy — Visto Nomade | from ≈ €2,070/month (€24,789/year; consulates often expect more) | 1 year | Yes (EU) | Standard IRPEF |
| Montenegro | ≈ 3× the minimum wage (roughly €1,800–2,400/month) | up to 2 years | Limited (non-EU) | Flat rate of 9–15% |
| Thailand — DTV (Destination Thailand Visa) | savings of 500,000 ฿ (≈ €13,000) in a bank account | 5 years (multiple-entry), up to 180 days per entry + extension | No | Tax residency after > 180 days a year; a 10-year LTR Visa with benefits exists for the premium segment |
| Vietnam — no dedicated nomad visa | — | e-Visa up to 90 days (multiple-entry), then a new visa | No | Tax resident after > 183 days |
| Argentina — Rentista | passive income ≈ 5× the minimum wage (roughly ≈ $2,000/month) | 1 year + extension | Yes (2–3 years → permanent residence) | Territorial taxation |
| Brazil — VITEM XIV | from $1,500/month or $18,000 in savings | 1 year + extension up to 2 years | Limited | Brazil's standard IRPF |
| South Korea — F-1-D ("workation") | ≈ 2× Korea's GNI per capita (around $5,500/month); relaxed terms for ages 18–34 outside the capital | up to 3 years | Limited | Standard |
| Sri Lanka — no official nomad visa | — | tourist visa with extensions | No | Tax resident after > 183 days |
| Turkey — Digital Nomad Visa (since April 2024) | from $3,000/month (ages 21–55, university degree) | visa → short-term residence permit (ikamet) for 1–2 years | Formally yes (5 years → permanent residence), but in recent years Turkey has been widely refusing to renew Russian citizens' residence permits | Standard |
* Income thresholds for other countries are based on open data as of July 2026 and rounded. Rules and amounts change regularly (thresholds are often tied to the minimum wage and revised annually) — check the official sources of the relevant country before applying.
Spain: why the DNV outperforms most alternatives
Spain's DNV is not just a temporary permit to spend some time in a warm country. It is a legal gateway into the European Union with a real path to long-term status. Let's look at the key advantages.
Income and threshold
The base threshold is 200% of the SMI (Spain's statutory minimum wage), which in 2026 amounts to €2,760–2,850/month. The first family member adds 75% SMI, and each additional one adds 25% SMI. This is higher than most Asian and Latin American programs, but in return you get status in the EU.
Read more about the requirements in the article DNV: Spain's digital nomad visa.
The Beckham regime: a flat tax
New residents on the DNV are entitled to apply a special tax regime (the Beckham regime): a rate of 24% on income up to €600,000/year applies for 6 years. This is comparable to Montenegro's flat rates and more favorable than the standard progressive IRPF. The tax residency rule: spending 183 days a year in the country makes you a Spanish tax resident. More details in taxes in Spain for residents with a residence permit 2026.
Path to permanent residence and citizenship
After 5 years of continuous residence you can apply for long-term residence (permanent residency), and after 10 years — for Spanish citizenship. Thailand, Vietnam and Sri Lanka offer no such prospect at all.
Overview of popular destinations
Thailand — DTV and LTR
Thailand attracts people with its climate and low cost of living. The main option for nomads is the DTV (Destination Thailand Visa), introduced in 2024: a 5-year multiple-entry visa allowing stays of up to 180 days per entry (extendable by another 180 days); the financial requirement is savings of 500,000 baht (≈ €13,000) in a bank account. For wealthier applicants there is the premium LTR Visa valid for 10 years with tax benefits, but with high income requirements. The common drawback: no route to residency: you remain a temporary guest. Staying more than 180 days a year triggers Thai tax residency — the tax implications are worth calculating in advance.
Portugal — Visto D8
Spain's closest competitor within the EU. There is a path to permanent residence and citizenship, and the income threshold is 4× the minimum wage (≈ €3,680/month in 2026). However, the former preferential NHR regime is closed to new applicants; it has been replaced by the narrower IFICI ("NHR 2.0") — its 20% rate is available only to selected qualified professions (science, innovation, teaching), and a typical remote worker generally does not fall under it. Consulate queues are traditionally long, and the support infrastructure for Russian-speaking remote workers is considerably weaker.
Italy — Visto per Nomadi Digitali
The program launched in 2022, but actual administrative practice still varies from region to region. The standard progressive tax makes Italy less attractive in the absence of special regimes.
Montenegro
Not an EU member, but holds candidate status. Attractive for its low taxes and modest cost of living. The paperwork is relatively simple, but the status grants no Schengen rights and is limited in its long-term prospects.
Vietnam
Vietnam has no dedicated digital nomad visa. In practice, remote workers live on the multiple-entry e-Visa (up to 90 days) and then obtain a new visa, and remote work in this format remains in a grey area. The length of stay after which tax residency arises is 183 days. The path to long-term status is closed.
Argentina, Brazil, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Turkey
Argentina (Rentista — passive income only) offers a path to long-term status. Brazil (VITEM XIV, from $1,500/month) and South Korea (F-1-D "workation") are mostly about temporary stays. Sri Lanka has no official digital nomad visa: the program has been under discussion for years but has never launched; tourist visas with extensions are available. Since April 2024 Turkey has offered a dedicated digital nomad visa (income from $3,000/month, ages 21–55, university degree), but in recent years residence permits (ikamet) held by Russian citizens have frequently not been renewed — building a long-term plan around Turkey is risky. Russian citizens should double-check the current situation of any destination at the time of applying.
Checklist: what to look at when choosing a country for a digital nomad visa
- Income threshold — does your actual income meet the minimum requirements.
- Tax regime — is there a preferential rate or territorial taxation.
- EU/Schengen membership — does the status give you the right to move freely around Europe.
- Path to permanent residence — can the visa be converted into long-term residency.
- Family — does the same program provide for reunification with your spouse and children.
- Double taxation — is there a treaty between the host country and Russia.
- Program stability — how long the program has been running and whether the rules have changed in the past 2 years.
- Infrastructure for Russians — access to banking services, a Russian-speaking community, consular support.
Does your income meet the Spanish DNV threshold, factoring in your family size? Use the 2026 income calculator: enter your income sources and the number of family members — and get the exact figure of the required minimum.
Common mistakes when choosing a digital nomad visa
- Comparing only the cost of living while ignoring taxes. Cheap rent in Asia can be wiped out by a complicated tax regime or the absence of a double taxation treaty.
- Overlooking the rule of 183 days. Once you stay in a country beyond this threshold, you automatically become its tax resident — even without any special registration.
- Confusing a tourist visa with a nomad visa. Working remotely for a foreign client while on a tourist visa violates immigration law in most countries.
- Not checking the renewal options. Some programs (for example, Thailand's DTV with stays capped at 180 days per entry) are simply not designed for continuous multi-year residence.
- Ignoring the Schengen limit of 90 days. Without a national type D visa, Russian citizens may stay in the Schengen Area no more than 90 days in any 180 — and this applies to all EU countries combined.
- Not preparing documents in advance. A criminal record certificate and a medical certificate are valid for 90 days from the date of issue. With long consulate queues, documents often expire before submission.
Spain vs other countries: the bottom line
If your goal is a temporary change of scenery for a year or two, Thailand (DTV) or Montenegro can be a practical choice. If your goal is a legal basis for living in Europe with the prospect of permanent status, Spain's DNV remains the most systematic solution: the EU, the Beckham regime, and a path to permanent residence and citizenship.
For more on the full journey — from the visa application to the TIE card (Spain's physical residence card) — see the article how to get a Spanish residence permit: the complete 2026 guide. For the cost of the procedure, see the cost of a Spanish residence permit 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Can you switch from Spain's digital nomad visa to permanent residence?
Yes. Time on the DNV counts toward continuous residence. After 5 years you can apply for long-term residence (permanent residency), and later for citizenship.
Do you have to pay taxes in Spain on the DNV?
If you spend 183 days a year in Spain, you become a tax resident. DNV holders are entitled to apply the Beckham regime with a rate of 24% for a period of 6 years.
Does Thailand's digital nomad visa lead to permanent residence?
No. Neither the DTV (Destination Thailand Visa) nor the premium LTR Visa offers a path to Thai permanent residency or citizenship — both remain long-term temporary visas.
What is the minimum income required for Spain's DNV?
In 2026 the base threshold is 200% SMI, which comes to €2,760–2,850/month. The threshold increases for each family member: the first adds 75% SMI, and each additional one adds 25% SMI.
How many days can you stay in the Schengen Area without a visa?
Without a national type D visa — no more than 90 days in any 180. Overstaying is a violation and may result in an entry ban.
Can you bring your family on Spain's DNV?
Yes, family reunification is provided for: the applicant's income requirement increases by 75% SMI for the first family member and by 25% SMI for each additional one.
Read next
Official sources: BOE — Spanish legislation · Ministry of Inclusion and Migration · Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (consulates)