Digital nomad visas: which countries issue them in 2026

More than forty countries issue a digital nomad visa in 2026, and they are built along the same lines: your work must be for clients or an employer outside the country, income is proved over several months, and the threshold is set against either the average or the minimum wage. What differs is what matters — how much you must earn, how long the status lasts and what comes after: in some countries the visa renews indefinitely but never leads to permanent residence, in others those years count towards it.

So the useful comparison is not the income threshold alone but three questions at once: how much they ask, how long they grant, and whether the years count later. Below is the list of countries with thresholds and terms, followed by a closer look at the European options.

• If it is Spain you need, go to the Spanish digital nomad visa: conditions, income, documents and timings for 2026.
• If you are not sure the format suits you, start with what a digital nomad actually is and who this life works for.

Before comparing countries, it is worth understanding the format itself: who a digital nomad is and who this kind of work suits.

Best digital nomad visa countries for Russian citizens in 2026: Relotus ranking

For a Russian citizen, the best digital nomad visa country in 2026 by the Relotus ranking is Spain (12 of 12 points): a permit for up to three years applied for from inside the country, the years count towards permanent residence, family can join and the Beckham tax regime applies. Next come Portugal (8), Albania (8) and Italy (7). Malta, Estonia, Latvia, the Czech Republic and Japan do not issue these visas to Russians.

Relotus ranking for Russian citizens, checked against official sources on 9 October 2026

Rank	Country	Income threshold a month	First status	Path to permanent residence	Family	Tax relief	Russian citizens	Points of 12
1	Spain	€2,849	up to 3 years when applying from Spain	yes, after 5 years	yes	Beckham regime	yes: from inside Spain via the UGE or through a consulate	12
2	Portugal	€3,680 (4 × minimum wage)	2-year permit, then 3-year renewals	permanent residence after 5 years; whether nomad years count is unconfirmed; citizenship after 10 years	yes; a spouse without children in common — after 2 years of residence	no	yes: visa at the consulate in Moscow by appointment; not from inside the country	8
2	Albania	no fixed amount in the law	1 year, up to 5 renewals	permanent permit after 5 years; whether nomad years count is unconfirmed	dependants	12 months without tax residence	yes: online application, entry on a visa	8
4	Italy	≈€2,066 (€24,789 a year; the Moscow consulate states about €27,000)	1-year permit, renewable	EU long-term residence after 5 years; whether nomad years count is unconfirmed; citizenship after 10 years	yes	no	yes: visa through the Consulate General in Moscow; not from inside the country	7
4	Montenegro	no amount in the 2026 law	up to 2 years + 2, then a 6-month break	no: 5 continuous years cannot be reached on this basis	yes	income from a foreign employer is exempt	yes: visa-free until 31.10.2026, from 1 November a D visa	7
4	Thailand	THB 500,000 in savings	5-year DTV visa, up to 180 days per entry	no	yes	no	yes: the embassy in Moscow accepts applications	7
7	Croatia	€3,622.50	up to 18 months + 6	no	yes	nomad income is exempt	yes: Interior Ministry approval, then a D visa through the visa centre in Moscow	6
Slovenia	≈3,390 net	Unknown	1 (not renewable)	yes, via embassy
7	Greece	€3,500 net	2-year permit	no, the years do not count	yes	no	yes: only through a consulate (no in-country filing since 02.2026)	6
7	Mauritius	USD 1,500	1 year, renewable	no, but you can switch to another permit	yes	no	yes: online, Russia is on the list of eligible countries	6
10	UAE	USD 3,500	1 year, renewable	no	unconfirmed	no personal income tax	yes: online application	5
10	Slovenia	≈€3,390 net (2 × average net wage, recalculated)	up to 1 year, not renewable; reapply after 6 months	no: the permit cannot be renewed	yes, immediately	no	yes: through the embassy in Moscow; programme since 21.11.2025; comparison — Slovenia or Spain	5
12	Hungary	€3,000 net	1 year + 1	no: a national residence permit is not available	no	no	yes: only through a consulate	3

How the ranking is calculated

We score each country on five criteria that matter to a Russian applicant; the income threshold is shown separately and does not affect the score, because converting dollars, baht and euros at a single rate would distort the comparison.

• Access for Russian citizens, up to 3 points: 3 — you can apply online or from inside the country without restrictions; 2 — through a consulate or visa centre; 0 — closed (such countries are not ranked).
• Path to permanent residence, up to 3: 3 — the years count, permanent residence after 5 years; 2 — permanent residence after 5 years, but it is unconfirmed that nomad years count; 0 — the status does not lead to permanent residence.
• Term of the first status, up to 3: 3 — three years or more; 2 — two years or a multi-year visa; 1 — up to a year and a half.
• Family, 2: spouse and children can join.
• Tax relief, 1: a special regime or exemption for nomad income.

The data was checked against official sources — immigration authority websites, consulates and legal texts — on 9 October 2026. Thresholds and rules change often, so check them on the consulate website before applying. Countries with conflicting or unconfirmed data are not ranked.

Where Russian citizens cannot get a digital nomad visa

• Malta — Russia is on the official list of excluded countries.
• Estonia — the Ministry of Foreign Affairs does not accept visa applications from Russian citizens.
• Latvia — since 25.02.2025 remote-work D visas are not issued to Russian citizens.
• Czech Republic — the Digital Nomad programme is open only to citizens of 13 countries; Russia is not among them.
• Japan — Russia is not on the Immigration Services Agency list of eligible countries.
• Iceland — the long-term remote-work visa was abolished in May 2026.

Not ranked because the data is incomplete: Cyprus (programme quota), Romania, Turkey, Brazil, Mexico, South Korea, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Malaysia, Indonesia, Argentina, Uruguay, Cape Verde. Georgia and Armenia have no separate nomad visa.

Who can apply

Foreigners who work remotely can apply for the visa. It is important that the employer or clients are located outside the country issuing the visa.

The long-stay visa is available to:

• employees who perform their duties remotely;
• entrepreneurs with a registered business abroad;
• freelancers whose clients are in other countries.

When applying, the candidate provides information about the employer, so you will not be able to obtain nomad status without a corresponding contract.

Which countries issue a digital nomad visa: the 2026 list

Digital nomad visa holders are not tied to any one country. They can work in almost any state.

We will show which countries can issue a digital nomad visa.

Digital nomad visas: income threshold, processing time, validity and access for Russian citizens, 2026

Country	Minimum monthly income (≈ in euros unless stated)	Minimum processing time	Validity (years)	Russian citizens
Portugal	3,680	Six months	2	yes, via consulate
Hungary	3,000	3 months	1	yes, via consulate, no family
Spain	€2,849	20 working days	3	yes
Italy	≈2,066	4 months	1	yes, via consulate
Malta	3,500	60 days	1	closed
Cyprus	3,500	60 days	1	check with the consulate
Greece	3,500	10 days	2	yes, via consulate
Croatia	3,623	21 days	Up to a year	yes, via embassy
UAE	USD 3,500	30 days	1	yes, online
Antigua and Barbuda	4,170	5 days	2	check with the consulate
Dominica	4,170	2 weeks	1.5	check with the consulate
Costa Rica	3,000	15 days	1	check with the consulate
Brazil	USD 1,500	2 weeks	1	check with the consulate
Mauritius	USD 1,500	48 hours	1	yes, online
Estonia	4,500	30 days	1	closed
Latvia	4,213	1 month	1	closed
Georgia	1,800	10 days	1	check with the consulate
Turkey	3,000	Unknown	Unknown	Russia on the eligible list
Iceland	programme abolished in May 2026	—	—	programme abolished
Romania	3,700	2 weeks	1	check with the consulate
Mexico	4,450	1 month	1	check with the consulate
Malaysia	2,000	2 months	Up to a year	check with the consulate
Thailand	Not set	2 months	5	yes, embassy in Moscow
South Korea	5,350	2 weeks	1	check with the consulate
Japan	5,550	Unknown	6 months	closed
Anguilla	Not set	3 weeks	1	check with the consulate
Barbados	4,160	7 days	1	check with the consulate
Saint Lucia	Not set	7 days	1	check with the consulate
The Bahamas	Not set	7 days	1	check with the consulate
Bermuda	Not set	7 days	1	check with the consulate
Cayman Islands	8,350	1 month	2	check with the consulate
Curaçao	Not set	2 weeks	6 months	check with the consulate
Montserrat	5,850	7 days	1	check with the consulate
Argentina	2,500	7 days	1	check with the consulate
Belize	6,250	Unknown	From 6 months	check with the consulate
Colombia	750	1 month	2	check with the consulate
Panama	3,000	1 month	9 months	check with the consulate
Uruguay	Not set	1 month	6 months	check with the consulate
Ecuador	1,350	2 weeks	2	check with the consulate
Cape Verde	Not set	2 weeks	6 months	check with the consulate
Namibia	2,000	Unknown	6 months	check with the consulate
Seychelles	Not set	2 months	1	check with the consulate

The times in the table are the minimum periods set for a decision on the application, not the full path to a residence card. For Spain, 20 working days is the statutory processing time at the UGE when applying from inside the country; including gathering documents, the biometrics appointment and producing the card, the whole process takes 3–5 months.

Amounts in dollars and local currencies have been converted into euros approximately, and many countries revise their thresholds every year, so check them against the consulate’s website before applying.

Germany and Norway: no separate nomad visa

Germany has no digital nomad visa. Remote professionals and freelancers apply for a residence permit for the self-employed — as a Freiberufler under § 21 of the Residence Act (AufenthG). You need contracts or letters of intent from clients, proof of qualifications, accommodation and health insurance, and your income must cover your living costs without benefits; applicants over 45 must also show pension provision.

Norway has no nomad visa either. A similar route is the permit for self-employed people and independent contractors, but it requires at least one client in Norway itself, so it does not work if you only have foreign clients.

Top countries in Europe for digital nomads

Foreign countries are actively welcoming digital nomads. Many people who work remotely want to change their permanent place of residence. We explain how to get a visa in the countries that rank highest for remote workers. France is not on this list: it has not introduced a separate status for remote workers, and founders and specialists use a different channel — the Talent Passport and French Tech Visa. For an ordinary business without an incubator there is the création d’entreprise route.

Spain

Spain is the only country in this table where the digital nomad visa also allows you to work for Spanish clients: up to 20% of income. The threshold for the main applicant is €2,849 a month before tax (200% of the Spanish minimum wage), and it is higher for a family: +75% of the SMI for the first family member and +25% for each additional one.

When you apply from inside Spain through the UGE (the Large Companies Unit), the permit is issued for 3 years straight away and then renewed for 2 years — one of the longest first terms on the list. The consular visa is issued for 1 year. After 5 years of continuous residence the path to permanent residence opens up.

Requirements, documents, timescales and costs are covered in detail on our page on a turnkey digital nomad residence permit. If remote work is not your only option, see other grounds for a Spanish residence permit. How the Spanish programme looks from the side of an applicant from a third country is shown in our article on moving from Dubai on a digital nomad residence permit: it also sets out the difference between applying through a consulate and applying from inside Spain.

Portugal

This oceanside country appeals to expats because of its particularly pleasant climate. It has some of the safest and most picturesque beaches. An affordable cost of living compared with other EU countries attracts Russians. A comparison with Spain on residence routes, taxes and prices is in the article Spain or Portugal.

Requirements

Nomads can apply for a short-stay or a long-stay visa. In the first case you can stay in the country for up to 12 months, and in the second for 24 months, with the right to apply for a residence permit.

The requirements for the short-stay and long-stay options are the same. You must provide a full set of documents. It is important to prove income of at least four Portuguese minimum wages — €3,680 a month in 2026. The money must come from companies registered and operating outside Portugal. In addition to income, the consulate looks at savings in your bank account.

When applying with a family the requirement increases: 50% of the minimum wage is added for a spouse and 30% for each child.

Costs

The application involves significant costs, but the amounts are quite manageable for people with a stable financial position.

Digital nomads need to pay:

• The visa fee. The long-stay visa costs 90 euros and the short-stay one 75 euros.
• Insurance. Insurance can cost from 20 to 100 euros a month. The cost depends on the package of services provided.
• Rent. For a positive decision on your application you need proof of a registered address. A lease agreement for the property must be attached to the documents. A one-bedroom flat can be rented for an average of €900–1,350.

Procedure

The required documents and application are submitted to the consulate. The application is processed in about two months. With a long-stay visa you need to apply for a residence permit as soon as you arrive in Portugal.

Documents

You will not get a positive decision without:

• an international passport;
• a birth certificate;
• a marriage certificate;
• photographs;
• a letter explaining your motivation;
• a bank statement showing available funds;
• a criminal record certificate;
• tickets;
• a lease agreement or purchase deed;
• an insurance policy from an accredited company;
• a certificate of your taxpayer number — NIF.

Hungary

Hungary attracts freelancers with its low cost of living: expenses for one person are about 700 euros. But the average costs do not include rent. To enter the country you can obtain a digital nomad visa, known here as the “White Card”.

Requirements

You cannot obtain the document without proof of monthly income of at least 3 thousand euros. The proof is provided for the previous 6 months, as the authorities want to be sure of the foreigner’s financial stability. The card is valid for 12 months and gives the residence permit status that many people need. The cardholder must be in Hungary for at least 3 months within 180 days. You cannot include any family members in the application, which is a clear disadvantage compared with other EU countries.

Costs

Nomads pay several fees:

• Fee. One hundred and ten euros must be paid to obtain the card.
• Renewal fee. Want to extend your residence permit for a year? You will have to pay another 60 euros.
• Rent. Renting a one-bedroom flat can cost from 350 to 600 euros.

Procedure

Applications are accepted at a Hungarian consulate available to you. You can also enter the country on a tourist visa and submit the documents within the country to the National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing. Processing takes 1–2 months. After approval and arrival in the country, you must register with the local police and obtain a residence permit.

Documents

To prepare the application you need:

• an international passport;
• a correctly completed application form;
• insurance costing from 25 euros a month;
• a document confirming accommodation in Hungary;
• proof of income of 3 thousand euros for the last six months;
• a contract with the employer stating that you can work remotely.

Cyprus

The Digital Nomad Visa is issued for 12 months and then extended to two years. The Cypriot authorities have set a quota limiting the number of applicants.

Requirements

The applicant must provide a contract or other evidence of employment abroad — for example, a service agreement with a company operating outside Cyprus. It is a temporary residence permit for 1 year, renewable for another 2; whether these years count towards permanent residence is not officially confirmed.

A digital nomad must meet the following requirements:

• prove an income of at least 3.5 thousand euros a month;
• provide evidence of working abroad;
• take out health insurance;
• provide a medical examination certificate;
• present a criminal record certificate;
• rent or buy property and provide the lease or purchase documents.

Costs

The applicant faces some costs, including:

• the card issuance fee — 140 euros;
• rent.

Procedure

Documents are submitted in Cyprus, where you can arrive on a tourist visa. You must visit the authority within 3 months of entry. The application is processed within 45 days of submitting the documents and the application. The government allows family members to be included, but then the income requirement increases: you will need to add 15–20% of your budget for each person.

Documents

The main documents include:

• an international passport;
• proof of no criminal record;
• agreements or other proof of employment;
• evidence that the work is done remotely;
• a bank statement for the last 6 months;
• a lease agreement or purchase deed;
• health insurance;
• certificates confirming the absence of dangerous conditions.

Montenegro

In Montenegro the visa lets you live there for up to two years while working for employers outside the country. It can be extended for another two years. This is temporary residence, and the 5 continuous years needed for permanent residence cannot be reached on this basis alone. Russian citizens can stay visa-free for up to 30 days until 31 October 2026; from 1 November 2026 they need a visa, and there is a separate D visa for nomads. If you plan to move on from Montenegro to Spain, bear in mind that years in Montenegro do not count there — details in our article on moving from Montenegro to Spain.

Requirements

The main requirement is that you do not work in the country. You must work remotely for a company registered in another state. You must also meet other conditions:

• prove a monthly income above 1,350 euros by providing statements for the previous and current year;
• provide proof that you have no tax debts;
• present a criminal record certificate obtained in your home country;
• find accommodation in the country;
• have valid health insurance (a travel policy is not accepted).

Costs

A nomad needs to pay:

• the state fee — up to 67 euros;
• translation of documents — about 50 euros;
• insurance — 45 euros;
• the list nepokretnosti (property title extract) — about 40 euros.

Procedure

The application can be submitted in your country of residence or directly in Montenegro. After obtaining temporary residence you can apply for family reunification. The application is processed within 30 days.

Documents

The application will not be approved without:

• an international passport;
• an employment contract;
• an extract from the company register for the employer;
• proof of rental;
• health insurance;
• proof of stable income;
• a certificate confirming pension coverage.

Andorra: close by, but with different rules

Andorra has no separate digital nomad visa, although you can live there and work for foreign clients — the status is obtained through employment, your own company or passive residence. How these options differ in cost and timescales is covered in our overview of Andorran residence for Russians.

Frequently asked questions

Which countries issue a digital nomad visa?

More than forty countries. In the European Union — Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece, Croatia, Slovenia, Malta, Cyprus, Hungary, Estonia, Latvia and Romania; outside it — the UAE, Turkey, Georgia, Montenegro, Thailand, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Brazil, Costa Rica and a number of Caribbean island states.

Does Germany have a digital nomad visa?

No. In Germany remote professionals and freelancers apply for a residence permit for the self-employed — as a Freiberufler under § 21 of the Residence Act: you need contracts with clients, qualifications, accommodation, insurance and enough income to live on.

Which European country has the lowest income threshold for a nomad visa?

Among EU countries the lowest thresholds are in Italy — about €2,066 a month (€24,789 a year) — and in Spain, where you need from €2,849 a month. In Portugal and Croatia the threshold is above €3,600, in Estonia €4,500.

Which country is best for a Russian citizen applying for a digital nomad visa?

By the Relotus ranking, Spain: a permit for up to three years applied for from inside the country, the years count towards permanent residence, family can join and the Beckham tax regime applies. Next come Portugal, Albania and Italy.

Where do Russian citizens not get a digital nomad visa?

Malta, Estonia, Latvia, the Czech Republic and Japan do not issue digital nomad visas to Russian citizens, and Iceland abolished its remote-work visa in May 2026.