15 country visa and residence guides
Find your digital nomad visa.
Compare work and residence routes across 15 countries: requirements, costs, and where to check the official rules.
- 15
- Countries
- Varies
- Route length
- 2026
- Guide year
By destination
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Compare the countries covered in our visa and residence guides.
Spain
- Income
- €2,852/month (~€34,200/year) — 200% of Spain's minimum wage (2026 SMI)
- Processing
- 2–8 weeks (legal term: 10 business days)
Portugal
- Income
- €3,680/month (~€44,160/year) — 4× Portugal's minimum wage
- Processing
- 60–90 days (scheduling consulate appointment may add months)
Italy
- Income
- €28,000/year minimum (net income)
- Processing
- 30–90 days
Japan
- Income
- ¥10,000,000/year (~$68,000 USD)
- Processing
- 5 business days (with COE); several weeks without
Thailand
- Income
- ฿500,000 (~$14,500 USD) in savings (bank balance for 3–6 months)
- Processing
- 5 days to 6 weeks
Canada
- Income
- No fixed minimum — must show sufficient funds for duration of stay
- Processing
- eTA: minutes; Visitor visa: a few weeks
Costa Rica
- Income
- $3,000 USD/month ($4,000 with dependents)
- Processing
- 15–30 calendar days
Greece
- Income
- €3,500/month (net) — +20% for spouse, +15% per child
- Processing
- 2–4 weeks (Type D visa); ~1 month (residence permit after arrival)
France
- Income
- Route-specific. Entrepreneur/profession libérale applicants must show a viable activity or resources at least equal to the full-time French minimum wage; talent categories have separate criteria.
- Processing
- Varies by route and consulate; check France-Visas before applying
Croatia
- Income
- €3,622.50/month (~€43,470/year) — +10% per family member (2026 figure, set at 2.5× the prior-year average net salary)
- Processing
- 8–30 days (can take up to 12 weeks)
Germany
- Income
- No fixed threshold — you must prove your livelihood is secured (revenue forecast, client letters, savings). Over-45s must also prove retirement provision: €1,612.53/month pension or €232,204 in assets (July 2025 figures, updated annually)
- Processing
- National D visa: up to ~3 months at the embassy (varies by mission); residence card ~4–6 weeks after applying in Germany
Albania
- Income
- No fixed statutory threshold — the law requires "sufficient income"; advisors recommend showing €1,500+/month for smooth approval
- Processing
- Legal maximum 12 weeks; commonly 4–6 weeks in practice
Iceland
- Income
- ISK 1,000,000/month (~€6,900) for an individual; ISK 1,300,000/month with a spouse/partner — the highest bar of any European remote-work visa
- Processing
- ~2–4 weeks (no official processing time published)
Panama
- Income
- USD 36,000/year from foreign sources (employer letter must show at least USD 3,000/month)
- Processing
- ~30–45 business days (no official processing time published)
Mexico
- Income
- ~USD 4,630/month income over the last 6 months OR ~USD 78,025 average savings balance over 12 months (2026, Las Vegas consulate — thresholds are UMA-based, reset every January, and vary by consulate: check yours)
- Processing
- Visa decision 1–10 business days from the consular appointment; card exchange (canje) at INM after arrival takes roughly 2–4+ weeks
15
Countries, one directory
visa and residence routes, compared
Some countries have a dedicated remote-work program; others use existing work or residence routes. Each guide covers requirements, fees, and the Schengen and tax implications — so you can pick the country that fits your life, not just your budget.
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Existing routes
No dedicated nomad visa? Check the alternatives.
These country guides explain the routes that exist and link to the official sources. Check which rules apply to your circumstances.
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