Best for budget
Italy
Lower monthly income thresholds make this option easier to qualify for financially.
Side-by-side visa comparison
Italy vs Japan — Digital Nomad Visa Comparison
Italy requires $2,530/month with 12 months stay, while Japan requires $68,000/year with 6 months stay. Italy wins on budget.
Budget
Italy
Long-term
Italy
Fastest
Japan
Feature
Italy
Japan
Minimum Income
$2,530/month
$68,000/year
Duration
12 months
6 months
Processing Time
12 weeks
3 weeks
Application Fee
$126
$20
Tax Status
Italian tax residence generally applies after 183 days, subject to treaty relief and local rules.
Tax exposure depends on stay length, treaty status, and sourcing rules; shorter stays under 183 days may avoid Japanese tax in treaty-supported cases.
Dependents
Yes
Yes
Path to Residency
No
No
Path to Citizenship
Yes
No
Best for long-term
Italy
Longer approved stay periods reduce renewal pressure and support slower relocation plans.
Fastest processing
Japan
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 Japan eligibility for your nationality