7 Digital Nomad Visas that lead to permanent residency and second citizenship

A Digital Nomad Visa allows remote workers to live and work legally in another country. It enables individuals to earn income from abroad while staying in the country that issued the visa for an extended period.

To obtain a Digital Nomad Visa, proof of income is usually required, such as a bank statement. Income requirements vary by country. For example, Portugal requires applicants to earn at least €3,480 per month, while Spain’s income threshold is lower — €2,762 per month.

The visa duration also varies. In Spain, a Digital Nomad Visa is granted for three years, whereas in Italy, it is valid for one year. In most countries, the visa can be extended for at least one additional year.

Digital Nomad Visas lead to PR and citizenship in some countries. To qualify, digital nomads typically must:

• live in the country for a specified number of years;

• pass citizenship and language tests;

• demonstrate integration into society;

• have a clean criminal record.

Countries offering such Digital Nomad Visas include Portugal, Spain, Greece, Germany, Italy, Ecuador, and Uruguay.

Comparison of Digital Nomad Visas leading to citizenship

Country

Minimum income

Validity

Time to PR

Time to citizenship

Portugal

€3,480 per month

2 + 3 years

5 years

5 years

Spain

€2,762 per month

3 + 2 years

5 years

10 years

Italy

€2,700 per month

1 year, can be extended

5 years

10 years

Greece

€3,500 per month

1 year, can be extended

5 years

7 years

Germany

Not established

1—3 years, can be extended

5 years

5 years

Ecuador

$1,410 per month

2 + 2 years

21 months

5 years

Uruguay

Not established

6—12 months + 6 months

6 months

3—5 years

Requirements. The Portugal Digital Nomad Visa is available to non-EU and non-EEA citizens who are employed remotely or self-employed with clients outside Portugal. Applicants must:

• demonstrate a minimum monthly income of €3,480;

• have savings of at least €10,440 in a bank account;

• rent or buy real estate, with no minimum cost or size requirements.

Additionally, digital nomads must provide proof of health insurance valid in Portugal and a clean criminal record.

Albert Ioffe,

Legal and Compliance Officer, certified CAMS specialist

Portugal offers two types of Digital Nomad Visas: a temporary stay visa and a residence visa.

The temporary stay visa is for remote workers staying in Portugal for up to one year. It allows multiple entries but does not provide a path to residency or citizenship.

The residence visa grants a two-year residence permit, extendable for three more years. After five years of legal residence, holders can apply for permanent residency or Portuguese citizenship.

Both visas require a minimum monthly income of €3,480 and proof of accommodation.

Family inclusion. Spouses, dependent children under 30, and parents can join the main applicant, but additional financial resources are required.

The minimum income requirement does not change based on family composition, but savings requirements do. The applicant must add 50% of the required savings for a spouse and each parent, and 30% for each child.

Validity. The visa is initially valid for 2 years and can be renewed for an additional 3 years.

Physical presence. Digital nomads cannot leave Portugal for more than 6 consecutive months or a total of 8 months within the visa’s validity period.

Path to PR and citizenship. Digital Nomad Visa holders can apply for permanent residence and citizenship after five years of living in Portugal. To qualify, they must pass a Portuguese language test at the A2 level.

Portugal offers one of the fastest routes to European citizenship. By contrast, Spanish and Italian passports require at least ten years of residency.

Foreigners obtaining Portuguese citizenship do not need to renounce their original nationality, as Portugal allows dual citizenship.

Benefits. Foreigners with the Portugal Digital Nomad Visa can benefit from:

• visa-free travel to the Schengen Area — for 90 out of 180 days;

• affordable living — the cost of living in Portugal is 20% lower than in Italy, 40% lower than in the UK and Germany, and 50% lower than in the US;

• quality of life — Portugal ranks among the top 30 countries for quality of life and offers a high level of safety, healthcare, and freedom;

• popularity with expats — Lisbon and Porto are growing hubs for remote workers, offering co-working spaces and networking opportunities.

Taxes. Digital nomads are taxed on their worldwide income at a progressive rate of 13 to 48%, depending on income levels.

Requirements. The Spain Digital Nomad Visa imposes the following requirements:

• earn at least €2,763 per month, or €33,150 per year;

• rent or buy real estate, with no minimum cost requirements;

• have a higher education diploma or 3 years of work experience;

• purchase health insurance.

Family inclusion. The main applicant can include the following family members in the application: spouse, children, parents, grandparents, and siblings.

The required income increases if family members are included: €1,035 per additional adult and €345 per child.

Validity. The Spain Digital Nomad Visa is initially issued for three years and can be extended for an additional two years. It offers one of the longest validity periods among Digital Nomad Visas, as most countries initially grant visas for one or two years.

Physical presence. There is no physical presence requirement if the applicant does not plan to apply for permanent residence. However, to qualify for permanent residence, a digital nomad must spend at least 183 days per year in Spain.

Path to PR and citizenship. Digital nomads become eligible for permanent residence after five years of living in Spain. After another five years, foreigners can apply for Spanish citizenship.

To qualify for a Spanish passport, applicants must pass citizenship and language tests, demonstrating integration into society. Citizens of Spanish-speaking countries are exempt from the language test.

Spain does not recognise dual citizenship. Foreigners must renounce their original nationality to obtain a Spanish passport.

Benefits. The Spanish Digital Nomad Visa offers several advantages:

• visa-free access to the Schengen Area — for 90 out of 180 days;

• access to healthcare — Spain ranks 10th out of 97 countries for healthcare quality; if digital nomads contribute to social security funds, they receive free treatment;

• high quality of life — Spain ranks higher in quality of life than the UK, Canada, and Singapore;

• citizenship for newborns in 1 year — if a child is born in Spain to foreign parents holding residence permits;

• sunny weather — Spain is considered the sunniest country in Europe.

Taxes. Digital nomads in Spain can benefit from a special expatriate tax regime, commonly known as the Beckham Law. This regime allows them to pay a fixed 24% income tax rate for the first five years. The preferential rate applies to earnings up to €600,000 per year, while income exceeding this threshold is taxed at up to 47%.

These tax benefits are exclusively available to employees and entrepreneurs. Self-employed individuals are not eligible for tax reductions.

Requirements. The main requirement for the Greece Digital Nomad Visa is a minimum monthly income of €3,500. Digital nomads must also rent or buy real estate to have a registered address in Greece and purchase health insurance.

Family inclusion. Applicants can add their spouse or cohabitant and children to their application.

Including family members increases the monthly income requirement by 20% for a spouse and 15% per child.

Validity. The Greece Digital Nomad Visa is valid for one year. After that, holders can convert it into a Digital Nomad Residence Permit, which is renewable every two years.

Physical presence. While there are no strict physical presence requirements in Greece, it is advisable to spend at least six months in the country to avoid visa revocation.

Path to PR and citizenship. Foreigners with the Greece Digital Nomad Visa become eligible for permanent residence after five years of living in the country.

Citizenship is available after two years of living in Greece with permanent resident status. Applicants must pass a citizenship test covering the country’s culture, history, and government structure. Proficiency in Greek at the B1 level is also required.

Greece recognises dual citizenship, so foreigners do not need to renounce their original nationality when obtaining a Greek passport.

Benefits. Digital nomads in Greece can enjoy the following advantages:

• visa-free travel to the Schengen Area — for 90 out of 180 days;

• low cost of living — living in Greece is 27% more affordable than in the UK and 34% more affordable than in the US;

• English proficiency — many Greeks, especially in urban areas, speak fluent English, making it easy for digital nomads to settle without a language barrier;

• access to healthcare — Digital Nomad Visa holders can receive medical treatment in Greece and within the EU;

• pleasant climate — the Mediterranean climate ensures warm summers and mild winters, making Greece a great year-round destination.

Taxes. Personal income tax is charged on a progressive scale of 9 to 44%, depending on income.

Digital nomads committing to at least two years in Greece can benefit from a 50% reduction in personal income tax.

Requirements. The Italy Digital Nomad Visa requires a minimum income of €32,400 per year, or €2,700 per month, and at least €28,000 in savings. Applicants must have at least six months of remote work experience.

The Italy Digital Nomad Visa has one of the lowest income requirements among EU countries. Only Finland and Croatia have lower thresholds.

Family inclusion. The main applicant can include their spouse, minor children, and dependent parents in the application. Adding family members increases the required savings by €10,000 per person.

Validity. The Italy Digital Nomad Visa is valid for one year and can be renewed for successive one-year periods.

Physical presence. There is no strict physical presence requirement to maintain the Digital Nomad Visa, but it is advisable to spend most of the year in Italy to avoid visa revocation.

For those seeking permanent residence, absences from Italy cannot exceed 6 consecutive months or a total of 10 months within a five-year period.

Path to PR and citizenship. After five years of continuous residency, digital nomads can apply for Italian permanent residency. To qualify, they must demonstrate knowledge of Italian at the A2 level through a university or school diploma or an exam certificate.

Citizenship is available after ten years of residency, provided the applicant did not leave Italy for more than 10 months during the entire ten-year period. To apply for an Italian passport, they must demonstrate knowledge of Italian at the B1 level.

Italy recognises dual citizenship, so foreigners do not need to renounce their original nationality when obtaining an Italian passport.

Benefits. Some of the benefits of the Italy Digital Nomad Visa include:

• visa-free travel to the Schengen Area — for 90 out of 180 days;

• access to European healthcare — digital nomads can receive treatment in Italy and across the EU;

• access to quality education — visa holders can attend Italian universities, including top institutions like Politecnico di Milano, Sapienza University of Rome, and Università di Bologna;

• rich culture — Italy is home to some of the world’s greatest art, architecture, and historical landmarks, including the Colosseum, the Vatican, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, and countless museums.

Taxes. Italy has three levels of personal income taxation:

• national level — 23 to 43%, depending on income;

• regional level — varies by region, ranging from 1.23 to 3.33%.

• municipal level — varies by municipality, up to 0.9%.

Digital nomads pay income tax under the general tax rules.

Requirements. Germany offers freelancers an alternative to a Digital Nomad Visa, known as the Freiberufler visa. This visa allows foreigners to work independently in Germany without needing employment from a German employer.

Some of the professions eligible for the visa include artists, writers, doctors, lawyers, and language teachers. In some cases, applicants may be required to obtain a licence to practice their profession.

There is no specific income requirement, but applicants must be able to cover their living expenses in Germany without relying on government aid. As of 2025, the subsistence minimum is €11,940 per year.

Individuals over 45 must provide evidence of retirement benefits, which may include a private pension plan, life insurance policy, personal assets, or business assets. By the age of 67, applicants must meet one of the following criteria:

• receive a monthly pension of at least €1,280 for a minimum of 12 years;

• possess assets totaling at least €187,682.

Family inclusion. The applicant can bring their spouse and minor children.

Validity. The Freiberufler visa is valid for up to three years and can be renewed for the same period.

Physical presence. There are no strict physical presence requirements, but digital nomads are generally expected to reside in Germany for most of the visa’s validity period. Spending extended periods outside the country may affect visa status and the ability to renew it.

Path to PR and citizenship. Foreigners become eligible for permanent residence or citizenship after 5 years of living in Germany. Obtaining a German passport in three years is possible for those who significantly contribute to German society and actively integrate.

To qualify for citizenship, applicants must demonstrate German proficiency at the B1 level and pass a citizenship test covering the country’s legal system and society.

As of 2025, Germany allows dual citizenship, meaning foreigners do not need to renounce their original nationality when obtaining a German passport.

Benefits. Foreigners with residency in Germany benefit from:

• visa-free travel within the Schengen Area — for 90 out of 180 days;

• high quality of life — Germany ranks among the top 15 countries for quality of life, ranking higher than the US, Japan, the UK, and Canada;

• free education — non-German and non-EU nationals can study at public universities for free;

• developed economy — Germany has one of the world’s largest economies and the strongest in the EU;

• easy access to other European countries — located in Western Europe, Germany borders France, Austria, the Netherlands, and Czechia, making travel within Europe convenient.

Taxes. Digital nomads pay income tax on a progressive scale, ranging from 14 to 45%, depending on income.

Requirements. Applicants for the Ecuador Digital Nomad Visa must prove a monthly income of at least three times the Unified Basic Salary for the three months before applying.

As of 2025, the Unified Basic Salary is $470, so applicants must earn at least $1,410 per month. Alternatively, they can prove an annual income of at least 36 times the Unified Basic Salary — $16,920 per year.

Employed workers, freelancers, and business owners are eligible for the Ecuador Digital Nomad Visa.

Family inclusion. Digital nomads can include immediate family members in their application. In this case, they must show an additional $250 per month per dependent.

Validity. The Ecuador Digital Nomad Visa is valid for two years and can be extended for another two years.

Physical presence. While the visa does not have strict physical presence requirements, digital nomads must maintain residence in Ecuador. Otherwise, the visa may be revoked.

Path to PR and citizenship. Ecuadorian permanent residence is available after 21 months of living in the country. Applicants can apply for Ecuadorian citizenship after holding permanent residency for at least three years. To qualify for a passport, foreigners must pass language and citizenship tests.

Ecuador permits dual citizenship, so foreigners do not need to renounce their original nationality when obtaining an Ecuadorian passport.

Benefits. Digital Nomads in Ecuador enjoy the following advantages:

• low cost of living — Ecuador is one of the most affordable countries in South America; it is 20% cheaper than Mexico and 25% cheaper than Argentina and Chile;

• easy travel to other South American countries — for instance, the capitals of Colombia, Panama, and Peru are just two hours away by plane from Quito, Ecuador’s capital;

• easy access to the US — direct flights from Ecuador to the US are frequent;

• pleasant climate — Ecuador has a tropical climate, with temperatures rarely dropping below 20°C;

• expats-friendly environment — Ecuador has a growing expat community, making it easy for digital nomads to network and integrate into local life.

Taxes. Personal income tax in Ecuador is charged on a progressive scale ranging from 0 to 37%.

Starting in January 2024, a new rule allows individuals who have not previously been tax residents of Ecuador to obtain temporary tax residency. This status exempts digital nomads from paying tax on income earned outside Ecuador.

Requirements. Uruguay does not have minimum income requirements for the Digital Nomad Visa. Instead, applicants must prove they can sustain themselves in Uruguay without relying on government aid.

As of 2025, the minimum wage in Uruguay is around $558 per month. On average, a single person needs $790 per month, excluding rent, to live in the country.

Family inclusion. Foreigners obtaining nomad residency cannot include family members in their application.

Validity. The Digital Nomad Visa is valid for 6—12 months and can be extended for the same period.

Physical presence. There are no strict physical presence requirements, but it is advisable to spend most of the time in Uruguay. Being away for long periods could affect the ability to maintain or renew the visa.

Path to PR and citizenship. Foreigners can apply for permanent residence after six months of living in Uruguay with the Digital Nomad Visa.

Citizenship is granted after three or five years of residing in the country, depending on the applicant’s marital status. Married foreigners are eligible for a Uruguayan passport after three years, while unmarried individuals can apply after five years.

Uruguay recognises dual citizenship, so foreigners do not need to renounce their original nationality when obtaining a Uruguayan passport.

Benefits. Some of the advantages of the Uruguay Digital Nomad Visa include:

• low cost of living — living in Uruguay is 25% more affordable than in the UK and 32% more affordable than in the US;

• short application time — the application is usually processed within one month, but in some cases, it can be approved in as little as one week;

• easy access to South American countries — flying to Buenos Aires takes around an hour, and to Rio de Janeiro, around three hours;

• pleasant climate — Uruguay enjoys a mild climate, with no freezing temperatures and plenty of sunshine throughout most of the year.

Taxes. In Uruguay, new tax residents can be exempt from taxes on foreign income for ten years. After that, they must pay a 12% tax.

Alternatively, they can choose to pay taxes from the moment they become tax residents at a reduced rate of 7%, which remains unchanged after the ten-year period.

To apply for the Digital Nomad Visa, foreigners usually provide the following documents:

• a valid passport;

• a work contract or proof of self-employment showing remote work;

• bank statements or tax returns proving sufficient income;

• proof of accommodation — lease contract or real estate ownership certificate;

• health insurance covering the duration of the stay;

• a police clearance certificate from the applicant’s home country or recent place of residence.

Some countries may require additional documents, such as a motivation letter, tax registration, or proof of a local bank account.

To apply for permanent residence, one typically submits the following:

• banking statements proving income;

• health insurance;

• residency records — tax returns, utility bills, or rental contracts;

• a police clearance certificate;

• a language certificate, if applicable.

To apply for citizenship, the following documents are generally required:

• a valid passport or an ID card;

• a birth certificate;

• proof of residency — tax returns, utility bills, or rental contracts;

• a language certificate;

• a police clearance certificate;

• tax and financial documents;

• health certificate.

1. The Digital Nomad Visa offers foreigners working for companies abroad a way to obtain a residence permit in their chosen country and relocate there.

2. Digital nomads must prove a monthly income, which varies by country. They must also have a place to live in the chosen country.

3. Some countries allow foreigners with Digital Nomad Visas to obtain permanent residence or citizenship after continuously living in the country.

4. The path to permanent residence takes 6 months to 5 years. Citizenship is usually granted after an additional 2 to 5 years.

5. Digital Nomad Visas lead to permanent residence and citizenship in Portugal, Spain, Greece, Italy, Germany, Ecuador, and Uruguay.