Best for budget
Portugal
Lower monthly income thresholds make this option easier to qualify for financially.
Side-by-side visa comparison
Portugal vs Japan — Digital Nomad Visa Comparison
Portugal requires $4,015/month with 24 months stay, while Japan requires $68,000/year with 6 months stay. Portugal wins on budget.
Budget
Portugal
Long-term
Portugal
Fastest
Japan
Feature
Portugal
Japan
Minimum Income
$4,015/month
$68,000/year
Duration
24 months
6 months
Processing Time
8 weeks
3 weeks
Application Fee
$370
$20
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%).
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
Yes
No
Path to Citizenship
No
No
Best for long-term
Portugal
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 Portugal eligibility for your nationality
Next step
Check Japan eligibility for your nationality