Best for budget
Italy
Lower monthly income thresholds make this option easier to qualify for financially.
Side-by-side visa comparison
Italy vs Portugal — Digital Nomad Visa Comparison
Italy requires $2,530/month with 12 months stay, while Portugal requires $4,015/month with 24 months stay. Italy wins on budget.
Budget
Italy
Long-term
Portugal
Fastest
Portugal
Feature
Italy
Portugal
Minimum Income
$2,530/month
$4,015/month
Duration
12 months
24 months
Processing Time
12 weeks
8 weeks
Application Fee
$126
$370
Tax Status
Italian tax residence generally applies after 183 days, subject to treaty relief and local rules.
Portugal's NHR ended Dec 2023. IFICI ('NHR 2.0') offers 20% flat tax but only for qualifying researchers/tech at certified companies. Most nomads pay standard progressive rates (14.5%–48%).
Dependents
Yes
Yes
Path to Residency
No
Yes
Path to Citizenship
Yes
No
Best for long-term
Portugal
Longer approved stay periods reduce renewal pressure and support slower relocation plans.
Fastest processing
Portugal
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 Portugal eligibility for your nationality