Head to head
Cyprus Digital nomad permit vs Malta Nomad Residence Permit
Two remote-work routes side by side: money, stay, family, fees and tax, from the official sources. The official authority decides every application.
Key differences
- MoneyCyprus Digital nomad permit asks for income of €3,500+ a month ≈ $3,910; Malta Nomad Residence Permit for income of €42k+ a year ≈ $47k. The two figures cover different periods.
- First stayBoth give a first stay of 1 yr.
- RenewalCyprus Digital nomad permit: renewable. Malta Nomad Residence Permit: renewable, 4 years max.
- Permanent residenceCyprus Digital nomad permit: general rule: 5 years of residence. Malta Nomad Residence Permit: time here doesn't count.
- CitizenshipCyprus Digital nomad permit: general rule: 7 years of residence. Malta Nomad Residence Permit: time here doesn't count.
- FamilyCyprus Digital nomad permit: spouse can't work.
- WorkRemote only on both.
- Government feesThe first government fee listed is €70 ≈ $78 for Cyprus Digital nomad permit and €300 ≈ $340 for Malta Nomad Residence Permit; the table lists every fee.
- Foreign-source incomeForeign-source income: non-dom (17 of 20 years) in Cyprus, remittance basis (non-dom) in Malta.
Side by side
Cyprus Digital nomad permit | ||
|---|---|---|
| Country | 1Digital nomad permit | 2Nomad Residence Permit |
| Type | 1Digital nomad permit Nomad / Remote work | 2Nomad Residence Permit Nomad / Remote work |
| Money needed | 1Digital nomad permit Needs income of €3,500+ a month ≈ $3,910 | 2Nomad Residence Permit Needs income of €42k+ a year ≈ $47k |
| First stay | 1Digital nomad permit 1 yr | 2Nomad Residence Permit 1 yr |
| Renewal | 1Digital nomad permit Renewable DetailsThe first permit is for 1 year; it can be renewed, with a renewal issued for up to two years. | 2Nomad Residence Permit Renewable, 4 years max DetailsThe permit lasts one year and can be renewed three times, up to four years in total, if you lived in Malta at least 5 cumulative months in the previous 12. |
| Spouse can work | 1Digital nomad permit Can't work | 2Nomad Residence Permit |
| Work | 1Digital nomad permit Remote only DetailsRemote work for foreign employers or clients only; no local employment. | 2Nomad Residence Permit Remote only DetailsRemote work for foreign employers or clients only; no local employment. |
| Government fees | 1Digital nomad permit €70 ≈ $78 · €70 ≈ $78 Details
| 2Nomad Residence Permit €300 ≈ $340 Details
|
| Permanent residence | 1Digital nomad permit General rule: 5 years of residence DetailsLong-term resident status is open to third-country nationals after 5 years of continuous legal residence on a valid residence permit. | 2Nomad Residence Permit Time here doesn't count DetailsThe Nomad Residence Permit does not lead to long-term residence. |
| Citizenship | 1Digital nomad permit General rule: 7 years of residence DetailsGeneral naturalisation rule: 12 months of legal continuous residence immediately before applying and at least 7 years of legal residence in the preceding 10 years, plus Greek at B1 level. | 2Nomad Residence Permit Time here doesn't count DetailsTime on the Nomad Residence Permit does not count toward citizenship. |
| Processing | 1Digital nomad permit | 2Nomad Residence Permit 30 working days DetailsProcessing is expected to take 30 working days from receipt of the fee, and cards take 3 to 4 weeks to issue after approval. |
| Where to apply | 1Digital nomad permit Abroad or in-country DetailsApply to the Migration Department; renewals go to the Civil Registry and Migration Department in Nicosia at least one month before expiry. | 2Nomad Residence Permit Abroad or in-country DetailsApply online from abroad or from Malta; if you are already in Malta on a valid visa covering 30 days or more, no separate entry visa is needed. |
| Employer needed | 1Digital nomad permit No | 2Nomad Residence Permit No |
| Tax residence test | 1Digital nomad permit More than 183 days (tax year) Details
| 2Nomad Residence Permit |
| Foreign-source income | 1Digital nomad permit Non-dom (17 of 20 years) DetailsSDC on dividends (5% for residents who are domiciled) and interest (17% for residents who are domiciled) under Law 117(I)/2002 as amended; ordinary income tax on residents continues to apply to worldwide income. | 2Nomad Residence Permit Remittance basis (non-dom) DetailsFor a person who is not ordinarily resident or not domiciled in Malta, income arising outside Malta is taxed only on the amount received in Malta and capital gains arising outside Malta are not taxed; Maltese-source income is taxed normally. |
| Tax note | 1Digital nomad permit | 2Nomad Residence Permit |
| Official source | 1Digital nomad permit | 2Nomad Residence Permit |
| Checked against official sources | 1Digital nomad permit | 2Nomad Residence Permit First checked |
≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated.
Official sources
Cyprus Digital nomad permit
- Digital nomads and family members · Migration Department, Cyprus · checked 2026-10-12
- Digital Nomads: list of accompanying documents (MVIS v.19.03.2025) · Migration Department, Deputy Ministry of Migration and International Protection · checked 2026-10-11
- Digital Nomads: accompanying documents for a spouse or partner (MVIS v.19.03.2025) · Migration Department, Deputy Ministry of Migration and International Protection · checked 2026-10-11
- Cyprus Digital Nomad Visa Scheme for foreign nationals of non-EU countries · Migration Department, Deputy Ministry of Migration and International Protection · checked 2026-10-11
- Digital nomads and family members: Cyprus Digital Nomad Scheme · Migration Department, Deputy Ministry of Migration and International Protection, Republic of Cyprus · checked 2026-10-10
- Digital Nomads: List of accompanying documents (19 March 2025) · Migration Department, Deputy Ministry of Migration and International Protection, Republic of Cyprus · checked 2026-10-10
- Acquisition of the status of long-term resident in the Republic · Civil Registry and Migration Department · checked 2026-10-12
- Acquisition of Cypriot citizenship by naturalization due to years of residence (form M127) · Ministry of Interior (Cyprus) · checked 2026-10-12
Malta Nomad Residence Permit
- New FAQs – Nomad Residence Permit (updated 17 April 2026) · Residency Malta Agency, Government of Malta · checked 2026-10-10
- Nomad Residence Permits (Income Tax) Rules S.L. 123.210: Guidelines (12 March 2026) · Malta Tax and Customs Administration · checked 2026-10-10
- EU member countries — current official 27-country list · European Union · checked 2026-10-10
- EFTA members and EEA/EFTA membership distinction · European Free Trade Association · checked 2026-10-10
- The European Free Trade Association and its four member states · European Free Trade Association · checked 2026-10-10