Best for budget
Italy
Lower monthly income thresholds make this option easier to qualify for financially.
Side-by-side visa comparison
Italy vs Estonia — Digital Nomad Visa Comparison
Italy requires $2,530/month with 12 months stay, while Estonia requires $4,950/month with 12 months stay. Italy wins on budget.
Budget
Italy
Long-term
Tie
Fastest
Estonia
Feature
Italy
Estonia
Minimum Income
$2,530/month
$4,950/month
Duration
12 months
12 months
Processing Time
12 weeks
3 weeks
Application Fee
$126
$132
Tax Status
Italian tax residence generally applies after 183 days, subject to treaty relief and local rules.
The DNV is an immigration document, NOT a tax regime. Under 183 days in a 12-month period: generally not an Estonian tax resident — no Estonian tax on foreign-sourced income. 183+ days: becomes Estonian tax resident, owing 22% flat income tax on worldwide income (2026 rate; planned 24% increase was cancelled Dec 2025). Universal €700/month tax-free allowance applies. Estonia has double-taxation treaties with 60+ countries.
Dependents
Yes
Yes
Path to Residency
No
No
Path to Citizenship
Yes
No
Best for long-term
Tie
Longer approved stay periods reduce renewal pressure and support slower relocation plans.
Fastest processing
Estonia
Shorter processing windows can make this the better pick for near-term travel timelines.
Next step
Check Italy eligibility for your nationality
Next step
Check Estonia eligibility for your nationality