Best for budget
Spain
Lower monthly income thresholds make this option easier to qualify for financially.
Side-by-side visa comparison
Spain vs Japan — Digital Nomad Visa Comparison
Spain requires $3,105/month with 12 months stay, while Japan requires $68,000/year with 6 months stay. Spain wins on budget.
Budget
Spain
Long-term
Spain
Fastest
Japan
Feature
Spain
Japan
Minimum Income
$3,105/month
$68,000/year
Duration
12 months
6 months
Processing Time
4 weeks
3 weeks
Application Fee
$106
$20
Tax Status
24% flat tax available via Beckham Law (OPTIONAL, must apply within 6 months). Applies to Spanish-source income up to €600,000. Self-employed autónomos may not qualify. Not automatic.
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
Yes
No
Best for long-term
Spain
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 Spain eligibility for your nationality
Next step
Check Japan eligibility for your nationality