Best for budget
Thailand
Lower monthly income thresholds make this option easier to qualify for financially.
Side-by-side visa comparison
Malta vs Thailand — Digital Nomad Visa Comparison
Malta requires $3,850/month with 12 months stay, while Thailand requires $0/month with 60 months stay. Thailand wins on budget.
Budget
Thailand
Long-term
Thailand
Fastest
Thailand
Feature
Malta
Thailand
Minimum Income
$3,850/month
$0/month
Duration
12 months
60 months
Processing Time
6 weeks
2 weeks
Application Fee
$440
$300
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.
Foreign-sourced income is generally not subject to Thai tax if it is not remitted under the applicable rules.
Dependents
Yes
Yes
Path to Residency
No
No
Path to Citizenship
No
No
Best for long-term
Thailand
Longer approved stay periods reduce renewal pressure and support slower relocation plans.
Fastest processing
Thailand
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 Thailand eligibility for your nationality