Best for budget
Italy
Lower monthly income thresholds make this option easier to qualify for financially.
Side-by-side visa comparison
Costa Rica vs Italy — Digital Nomad Visa Comparison
Costa Rica requires $3,000/month with 12 months stay, while Italy requires $2,530/month with 12 months stay. Italy wins on budget.
Budget
Italy
Long-term
Tie
Fastest
Costa Rica
Feature
Costa Rica
Italy
Minimum Income
$3,000/month
$2,530/month
Duration
12 months
12 months
Processing Time
2 weeks
12 weeks
Application Fee
$100
$126
Tax Status
Full income tax exemption on foreign-sourced earnings per Art. 16 of Ley 10008. Beneficiaries are explicitly NOT considered habitual tax residents. This exemption applies only to the primary beneficiary, not to family members automatically. Costa Rica uses a territorial tax system.
Italian tax residence generally applies after 183 days, subject to treaty relief and local rules.
Dependents
Yes
Yes
Path to Residency
No
No
Path to Citizenship
No
Yes
Best for long-term
Tie
Longer approved stay periods reduce renewal pressure and support slower relocation plans.
Fastest processing
Costa Rica
Shorter processing windows can make this the better pick for near-term travel timelines.
Next step
Check Costa Rica eligibility for your nationality
Next step
Check Italy eligibility for your nationality