Best European Digital Nomad Visas (2026): Portugal vs Spain vs Italy vs Greece

Italy's is the lowest on paper: EUR 24,789 a year, about EUR 2,066 a month, plus a high-qualification rule. Spain asks for EUR 2,442 a month (200% of the EUR 1,221 minimum wage, as Spain's UGE states it; some advisers annualise it to about EUR 2,849). Greece requires EUR 3,500 a month net and Portugal EUR 3,680 a month. These figures track minimum wages or other annual indexes and change each year (MNE, UGE, Italian consulate in New York and Greek Migration Code art. 68, checked 18 October 2026).

Mostly not by default. Spain is the clearest: employee nomads with the telework visa can elect the Beckham regime (24% on employment income up to EUR 600,000). Greece has a 50% relief, but it does NOT apply to a digital nomad because it requires work for a Greek employer or a business in Greece, which the nomad visa rules out. Portugal's NHR is closed to new arrivals, and Italy's visa confers no automatic break. In all of them, spending more than 183 days a year makes you a tax resident.

Portugal's D8 residence route and Spain's visa both lead to permanent residence after five years and to citizenship later (under Lei Orgânica 1/2026, in force since 19 May 2026, Portugal requires 10 years of legal residence for most nationals and 7 for EU and Portuguese-speaking countries; Spain is generally 10 years). Italy's permit is renewable and citizenship is possible after 10 years of legal residence. Greece's nomad permit is renewable, but check with the Greek authorities how the time counts toward long-term residence and the 7-year citizenship requirement.

Mostly no. In Spain, freelancers may do up to 20% of their work for Spanish companies, and employees must work for companies outside Spain. Greece requires your employers and clients to be outside Greece, and Portugal's D8 is for work for employers or clients based outside Portugal. Italy's visa is built around remote work. If you intend to serve the local market, a digital nomad visa is usually the wrong route.

Italy's visa is only for highly qualified workers. The Italian consulate in New York asks for a recognised degree, or a higher professional qualification with five years' experience (three for ICT executives and specialists), plus health insurance of at least EUR 30,000 and a lease, rental contract or deed for housing in Italy. Spain also asks for a degree or three years' experience. Italy's rules were set by a ministerial decree published on 4 April 2024.

Portugal offers either a stay visa of up to one year or, on the residence route, a two-year permit that renews for three years. Spain gives a visa of up to one year from a consulate, or a residence permit of up to three years applied for inside Spain, renewable for two years at a time. Italy is one year, renewable annually. Greece gives a visa of up to 12 months, then a two-year residence permit you apply for before the visa expires.

Yes, in all four countries, but you must show more income. Spain adds 75% of the minimum wage (EUR 915.75 a month) for the first family member and 25% (EUR 305.25) for each further one. Greece adds 20% for a spouse and 15% per child to the EUR 3,500. In Greece, family members on the nomad visa may not work in the country (UGE and Greek Migration Code art. 68, checked 18 October 2026).

By law, Spain's consulates decide within 10 working days, and the residence permit applied for in Spain is decided within 20 days (no answer means it is granted). Greece's consulate must reply within 10 days. Italy's consulates can take up to 90 days to decide a long-stay visa. Portugal's timing depends on the consulate, so check yours before you book travel.

Movingto publishes its fees: the Portugal D8 from EUR 1,760, the Spain digital nomad visa from EUR 1,895 and the Italy digital nomad visa from EUR 2,500. The Greece digital nomad visa is quoted per case. Government and consular fees are separate.