Comparison guide
Digital Nomad Visas in Europe: 2026 Comparison
Compare Portugal D8, Spain Digital Nomad Visa, and Germany freelancer routes for remote-working professionals.
Last reviewed:
Remote employees of foreign companiesFreelancers with international clientsSelf-employed founders who can relocateAt a glance
Key facts for each route covered in this comparison. Click any visa for the full guide.
| Country | Route | Sponsor? | Duration | Leads to PR? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portugal | D8 visa (digital nomad / remote work) | No | Residence track: same 2+3 year pattern as D7, leading to permanent residence or citizenship. | ✓ Yes |
| Spain | Digital Nomad Visa (Spain) | No | Initial 1-year consular visa, extendable to 3-year residence permit, then renewable for further 2 years; counts toward permanent residence after 5 years. | ✓ Yes |
| Germany | Freelance / Self-employment residence permit (§21 AufenthG) | No | Initial 3 years typically; leads to settlement. | ✓ Yes |
| Netherlands | Dutch-American Friendship Treaty (DAFT) entrepreneur | No | Initial 2 years, renewable for 5; leads to permanent residence. | ✓ Yes |
Detailed comparison
Portugal’s D8 digital nomad visa requires applicants to demonstrate remote income at least four times the Portuguese minimum wage; the route offers a residence permit renewable for up to 5 years and leads to permanent residence.
Spain’s digital nomad visa, introduced in the Startups Law of 2022, requires roughly EUR 2,760 in monthly income (200% of Spain’s SMI) and permits up to 20% of work for Spanish clients.
Germany has no dedicated digital nomad visa but offers the Freelancer Residence Permit under §21 AufenthG for self-employed professionals whose work benefits Germany—requiring a business plan, German client letters of intent, and Berlin-level cost of living reserves.
The Netherlands offers the DAFT (Dutch American Friendship Treaty) visa, exclusively for US nationals, requiring EUR 4,500 in business capital and no minimum income.
Across Europe, tax residence typically triggers after 183 days—intending nomads should plan social-security and income-tax exposure in parallel with visa applications.
Full guides for each route
Each link takes you to the complete visa guide — eligibility, step-by-step pathway, fees, processing time, and FAQs.
D8 visa (digital nomad / remote work)· Portuguese Republic
Residence visa for remote workers employed by or freelancing for companies outside Portugal.
No sponsorship needed · Residence track: same 2+3 year pattern as D7, leading to permanent residence or citizenship.
Digital Nomad Visa (Spain)· Kingdom of Spain
Residence permit for remote workers and international freelancers under the Startup Law (Ley de Startups).
No sponsorship needed · Initial 1-year consular visa, extendable to 3-year residence permit, then renewable for further 2 years; counts toward permanent residence after 5 years.
Freelance / Self-employment residence permit (§21 AufenthG)· Federal Republic of Germany
Residence permit for self-employed workers and liberal professionals establishing a business in Germany.
No sponsorship needed · Initial 3 years typically; leads to settlement.
Dutch-American Friendship Treaty (DAFT) entrepreneur· Kingdom of the Netherlands
Treaty-based self-employment residence for US nationals starting a business in the Netherlands.
No sponsorship needed · Initial 2 years, renewable for 5; leads to permanent residence.
Frequently asked questions
Which European digital nomad visa has the lowest income threshold?+
Among dedicated nomad visas, Portugal’s D8 has historically had one of the lower income thresholds (around four times the Portuguese minimum wage). The Netherlands DAFT has no income test but is limited to US nationals. Always verify current thresholds on official sources.
Which of these routes leads to permanent residence fastest?+
Portugal is typically cited as the fastest, with permanent residence possible after 5 years of legal residence. Spain also permits permanent residence after 5 years. Germany’s settlement permit typically follows 3–5 years. The Netherlands DAFT can count toward permanent residence after 5 years of uninterrupted legal residence.
Can I bring my partner or family on a European digital nomad visa?+
Yes on all four routes. Portugal D8, Spain’s digital nomad visa, and Germany’s freelancer residence all accept dependant partners and children, typically with proportional additional income thresholds. The Netherlands DAFT admits dependants under standard residence-permit rules and allows the partner to work without a separate work permit.
Do I pay tax in my new country on remote income?+
Tax residence typically triggers after 183 days of physical presence, after which worldwide income falls within the host-country tax system. Spain’s Beckham regime offers a flat 24% rate on Spanish-source income for qualifying new residents. Portugal’s non-habitual resident (NHR) regime was wound down in 2024 and replaced with a narrower IFICI scheme. Always align visa planning with tax advice before moving.
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