Best for budget
Italy
Lower monthly income thresholds make this option easier to qualify for financially.
Side-by-side visa comparison
Portugal vs Italy — Digital Nomad Visa Comparison
Portugal requires $4,015/month with 24 months stay, while Italy requires $2,530/month with 12 months stay. Italy wins on budget.
Budget
Italy
Long-term
Portugal
Fastest
Portugal
Feature
Portugal
Italy
Minimum Income
$4,015/month
$2,530/month
Duration
24 months
12 months
Processing Time
8 weeks
12 weeks
Application Fee
$370
$126
Tax Status
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%).
Italian tax residence generally applies after 183 days, subject to treaty relief and local rules.
Dependents
Yes
Yes
Path to Residency
Yes
No
Path to Citizenship
No
Yes
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 Portugal eligibility for your nationality
Next step
Check Italy eligibility for your nationality