Digital Nomad Visas 2026: Countries, Income Rules and Length

A digital nomad visa, also called a remote work visa, is a long stay permission for people who work online for a company or clients in another country. You may live in the country, rent a flat and open a bank account, but you must not take a local job.

Most schemes ask for the same things: proof of income above a set level for the last 3 to 6 months, a work contract or client contracts, health insurance, a clean criminal record and a place to live. Some ask for a university degree or work experience.

A tourist visa or visa free stay is not the same. In many countries working online on a tourist stay is a grey area, and some, like Georgia since March 2026, now have clear rules on work.

These figures were read on official government pages on 1 November 2026. Where the official page did not give a clear amount, the table says so and links the official site.

Do not trust a list that gives one fixed number for Spain or Portugal. Both are tied to the national minimum wage, which changes every year.

• Croatia: the income level is 2.5 times last year's average net salary, plus 10 percent for each family member. Applying at a police station costs EUR 46.45 plus EUR 9.29 and EUR 31.85 for the residence card. You can apply again 6 months after the stay ends.
• Portugal: you show the average income of the last 3 months and proof of tax residence. Employees need a contract or employer letter; freelancers show contracts with clients.
• Spain: employees can only work for companies outside Spain. Freelancers can take Spanish clients for up to 20 percent of their work. You need a degree or at least 3 years of experience.
• Malta: people who applied before 1 April 2024 keep the old lower threshold. The permit is for 1 year and can be renewed.
• Japan: only for nationalities on Japan's list, with private medical insurance of at least JPY 10 million. Family members get the same 6 months. There is no residence card.
• South Korea: medical insurance is required and the income figure changes every year with GNI.

Georgia's 2020 programme, Remotely from Georgia, is no longer the usual route. Instead, about 96 nationalities can enter without a visa and stay a full year. The list includes the EU, the UK, the US, the Gulf states, Türkiye, Russia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and others. Citizens of most other visa free countries get 90 days in 180.

Since 1 January 2026 every tourist must have health and accident insurance of at least GEL 30,000. Since 1 March 2026, paid work in Georgia needs a right to work and a residence permit, but the law lists work for a foreign company's activity abroad among the exceptions. Read the law on matsne.gov.ge or ask a lawyer before you rely on it.

Our post on Baku vs Tbilisi for remote workers compares the two cities.

Not yet in full. On 22 October 2026 presidential decrees approved changes to the Migration Code that define digital nomads, with a temporary residence permit linked to tax registration and residency in a technology park. The tax and technology park changes start on 1 January 2027. The start date of the migration part and the income level were not published when we checked.

A separate digital nomad e visa is planned for 2027 to 2028 under the national tourism programme. Until then, remote workers come on a visa free stay or an e visa of up to 30 days. Read Azerbaijan's digital nomad visa: what is confirmed and is remote work legal on a tourist visa in Azerbaijan.

Most European schemes, such as Spain, Portugal, Croatia and Malta, are open to any non EU nationality that meets the income and document rules, so Pakistani and Indian applicants can use them. You apply at the consulate that covers your country of residence.

Japan's scheme is limited to the nationalities on its list, so check the list before you prepare documents. Azerbaijani, Turkish and Russian citizens can also use Georgia's 1 year visa free stay. See where your passport goes without a visa: Azerbaijan, Pakistan, India, Russia, Türkiye.

1. 1

   Check the income rule for this year

   Open the official page and check the date. Many levels change every January.

2. 2

   Collect 3 to 6 months of proof

   Bank statements that show the salary coming in, plus the contract or client invoices.

3. 3

   Get insurance that matches the rule

   Some countries name a minimum cover. See travel insurance for visa applications.

4. 4

   Think about tax

   Living in a country for more than about 183 days a year can make you tax resident there. Ask a tax adviser in both countries.

5. 5

   Track your dates

   Nomad permits have strict renewal windows. Sroky's reminders can warn you before a permit or passport ends.