Best for budget
Malta
Lower monthly income thresholds make this option easier to qualify for financially.
Side-by-side visa comparison
Malta vs Portugal — Digital Nomad Visa Comparison
Malta requires $3,850/month with 12 months stay, while Portugal requires $4,015/month with 24 months stay. Malta wins on budget.
Budget
Malta
Long-term
Portugal
Fastest
Malta
Feature
Malta
Portugal
Minimum Income
$3,850/month
$4,015/month
Duration
12 months
24 months
Processing Time
6 weeks
8 weeks
Application Fee
$440
$370
Tax Status
Three-phase tax regime: Phase 1 (first 12 months) — income from authorised remote work is exempt from Maltese income tax. Phase 2 (after exemption) — authorised remote work income taxed at flat 10%. Phase 3 — any additional non-remote-work income taxed at standard progressive rates (0%–35%). Registration with Maltese tax authorities is mandatory even during the exemption period.
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
No
No
Best for long-term
Portugal
Longer approved stay periods reduce renewal pressure and support slower relocation plans.
Fastest processing
Malta
Shorter processing windows can make this the better pick for near-term travel timelines.
Next step
Check Malta eligibility for your nationality
Next step
Check Portugal eligibility for your nationality