---
title: "Spain Digital nomad visa vs Italy Digital nomad visa (2026)"
url: https://settleanywhere.com/compare/italy-digital-nomad-remote-worker-vs-spain-international-telework-visa/
lang: en
updated: 2026-10-12
---

Head to head

# Spain Digital nomad visa vs Italy Digital nomad visa

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

- **Money** Spain Digital nomad visa asks for income of €2,442+ a month ≈ $2,730; Italy Digital nomad visa for income of €25k a year ≈ $28k. The two figures cover different periods.
- **First stay** The first stay is 3 yrs on Spain Digital nomad visa and 1 yr on Italy Digital nomad visa.
- **Renewal** Renewable on both.
- **Permanent residence** After 5 years of residence on both.
- **Citizenship** After 10 years of residence on both.
- **Family** Spouse can work on both.
- **Work** Spain Digital nomad visa: limited. Italy Digital nomad visa: no local work.
- **Government fees** The first government fee listed is €73.26 ≈ $82 for Spain Digital nomad visa and €116+ ≈ $130 for Italy Digital nomad visa; the table lists every fee.
- **Tax residence** Spain: more than 183 days (calendar year). Italy: at least 183 days (tax year (184 days in leap years)).
- **Foreign-source income** Foreign-source income: beckham regime (6 years) in Spain, flat lump sum EUR 300,000 in Italy.

## Side by side

|   | Spain [Digital nomad visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/spain/international-telework-visa/) | Italy [Digital nomad visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/italy/digital-nomad-remote-worker/) |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Country:** | *1* Digital nomad visa [Spain](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/spain/) | *2* Digital nomad visa [Italy](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/italy/) |
| **Type:** | *1* Digital nomad visa Nomad / Remote work | *2* Digital nomad visa Nomad / Remote work |
| **Money needed:** | *1* Digital nomad visa **Needs income of €2,442+ a month ≈ $2,730** | *2* Digital nomad visa **Needs income from €25k a year ≈ $28k** |
| **First stay:** | *1* Digital nomad visa **3 yrs** | *2* Digital nomad visa **1 yr** |
| **Renewal:** | *1* Digital nomad visa **Renewable** Details The visa lasts up to one year, the residence authorization up to three years, then renews in two-year periods while conditions are met. [Boletín Oficial del Estado](https://www.boe.es/buscar/act.php?id=BOE-A-2013-10074) | *2* Digital nomad visa **Renewable** Details The permit is issued for up to one year and renews annually while the conditions are met. [Gazzetta Ufficiale](https://www.gazzettaufficiale.it/eli/gu/2024/04/04/79/sg/pdf) |
| **Spouse can work:** | *1* Digital nomad visa **Can work** | *2* Digital nomad visa **Can work** |
| **Work:** | *1* Digital nomad visa **Limited** Details Remote work for the foreign company only. Freelancers may take Spanish clients up to 20% of their professional activity. | *2* Digital nomad visa **No local work** Details Remote work as a nomad or remote worker; no work nulla osta is required. |
| **Government fees:** | *1* Digital nomad visa **€73.26 ≈ $82** Details €73.26 ≈ $82 Fee for the initial application, payable for the holder and for each family member before filing. | *2* Digital nomad visa **€116+ ≈ $130** Details €116+ ≈ $130 National visa fee paid in cash at the Paris consulate; the amount varies by post. |
| **Permanent residence:** | *1* Digital nomad visa **After 5 years of residence** Details Long-term residence needs five years of continuous legal residence; absences of up to 6 consecutive months (10 in total, or 18 for work) do not break continuity. [Boletín Oficial del Estado](https://www.boe.es/buscar/act.php?id=BOE-A-2024-24099) | *2* Digital nomad visa **After 5 years of residence** Details The EU long-term residence permit needs five years on a valid residence permit, income at least the annual social allowance, and an Italian language test; it is issued within 90 days. [Normattiva](https://www.normattiva.it/uri-res/N2Ls?urn:nir:stato:decreto.legislativo:1998-07-25;286~art9) |
| **Citizenship:** | *1* Digital nomad visa **After 10 years of residence** Details Nationality needs 10 years of legal, continuous residence immediately before applying (2 years for nationals of Ibero-American countries, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea and Portugal), plus good conduct and integration. [Agencia Estatal Boletín Oficial del Estado](https://www.boe.es/buscar/act.php?id=BOE-A-1889-4763) | *2* Digital nomad visa **After 10 years of residence** Details Naturalisation needs 10 years of legal residence (4 years for EU citizens) and Italian at level B1 or above. [Ministero dell'Interno](https://libertaciviliimmigrazione.dlci.interno.gov.it/temi/concessione-della-cittadinanza-italiana-residenza-sul-territorio-italiano-ai-sensi-dellart-9) [Normattiva](https://www.normattiva.it/uri-res/N2Ls?urn:nir:stato:legge:1992-02-05;91~art9) |
| **Processing:** | *1* Digital nomad visa **20 days** Details Applicants already lawfully in Spain get a decision within 20 days; the consulate decides a visa within 10 working days. [Boletín Oficial del Estado](https://www.boe.es/buscar/act.php?id=BOE-A-2013-10074) [Large Companies and Strategic Groups Unit](https://inclusion.gob.es/documents/d/unidadgrandesempresas/digital-nomad-faqs-english) | *2* Digital nomad visa **Up to 90 days** Details The consulate may take up to 30 days to examine a remote worker visa application and up to 120 days for a digital nomad; a residence permit must then be issued, renewed or converted within 90 days of the application when requirements are met (Art. 5(9)). [Consulate General of Italy in Paris](https://consparigi.esteri.it/it/servizi-consolari-e-visti/servizi-per-il-cittadino-straniero/visti/visto-per-nomadi-digitali-e-lavoratori-da-remoto/) [Normattiva](https://www.normattiva.it/uri-res/N2Ls?urn:nir:stato:decreto.legislativo:1998-07-25;286~art5) |
| **Where to apply:** | *1* Digital nomad visa **Abroad or in-country** Details Request the telework visa at the Spanish consulate, or apply for the residence authorization from within Spain if you are there lawfully. [Boletín Oficial del Estado](https://www.boe.es/buscar/act.php?id=BOE-A-2013-10074) [Large Companies and Strategic Groups Unit](https://inclusion.gob.es/documents/d/unidadgrandesempresas/digital-nomad-faqs-english) | *2* Digital nomad visa **From abroad** Details Request the visa at the Italian consulate, then apply for the residence permit at the Questura within 8 working days of arrival. [Gazzetta Ufficiale](https://www.gazzettaufficiale.it/eli/gu/2024/04/04/79/sg/pdf) [Embassy of Italy in Washington](https://ambwashingtondc.esteri.it/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Digital-nomad-Remote-Worker-Visa-2026.pdf) |
| **Employer needed:** | *1* Digital nomad visa **No** | *2* Digital nomad visa **No** |
| **Tax residence test:** | *1* Digital nomad visa **More than 183 days (calendar year)** | *2* Digital nomad visa **At least 183 days (tax year (184 days in leap years))** |
| **Foreign-source income:** | *1* Digital nomad visa **Beckham regime (6 years)** Details Foreign-source income outside the qualifying work and entrepreneurial income is not taxed in Spain under this regime. | *2* Digital nomad visa **Flat lump sum EUR 300,000** Details Optional annual lump sum replacing Italian tax on foreign-source income: EUR300,000 (≈ $335,000) for people transferring residence from 1 January 2026 (Law 199/2025), EUR200,000 (≈ $223,000) for transfers between 11 August 2024 and 31 December 2025, EUR100,000 (≈ $112,000) for earlier transfers; the effect ends after fifteen years. |
| **Tax note:** | *1* Digital nomad visa [24% tax · Special regime for workers, entrepreneurs and teleworkers relocated to Spain](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/spain/tax/) | *2* Digital nomad visa [Tax relief · Substitute tax for new residents on foreign-source income](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/italy/tax/) |
| **Official source:** | *1* Digital nomad visa [Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Spain](https://www.exteriores.gob.es/en/ServiciosAlCiudadano/Paginas/Servicios-consulares.aspx?scca=Visados&scs=Visados+Nacionales+-+Visado+de+residencia+para+teletrabajo) | *2* Digital nomad visa [Embassy of Italy in Washington](https://ambwashingtondc.esteri.it/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Digital-nomad-Remote-Worker-Visa-2026.pdf) |
| **Checked against official sources:** | *1* Digital nomad visa First checked 11 Oct 2026 | *2* Digital nomad visa 12 Oct 2026 |

≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated.

**Official sources**

### Spain Digital nomad visa

1. [Telework (digital nomad) visa](https://www.exteriores.gob.es/Consulados/washington/en/ServiciosConsulares/Paginas/Consular/Telework-visa.aspx) · Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Spain (Embassy in Washington consular section) · checked 2026-10-10
2. [FAQs: residence and work authorizations for international teleworkers](https://inclusion.gob.es/documents/d/unidadgrandesempresas/digital-nomad-faqs-english) · Large Companies and Strategic Groups Unit (UGE-CE) · checked 2026-10-10
3. [Initial applications for international teleworkers: documentation and financial thresholds](https://inclusion.gob.es/documents/d/unidadgrandesempresas/informacion-documentacion-pagina-web-titular-v2) · Large Companies and Strategic Groups Unit (UGE-CE) · checked 2026-10-10
4. [Ley 14/2013, support for entrepreneurs and their internationalisation: consolidated text (Arts. 61-76, 74 bis-quinquies)](https://www.boe.es/buscar/act.php?id=BOE-A-2013-10074) · Boletín Oficial del Estado · checked 2026-10-10
5. [Royal decree setting the 2026 minimum wage (EUR1,221/month)](https://www.boe.es/buscar/doc.php?id=BOE-A-2026-3815) · Boletin Oficial del Estado · checked 2026-10-10
6. [Real Decreto 1155/2024, Regulation of Ley Orgánica 4/2000: consolidated text (in force 20 May 2025)](https://www.boe.es/buscar/act.php?id=BOE-A-2024-24099) · Boletín Oficial del Estado · checked 2026-10-10
7. [Código Civil, Art. 22 (Spanish nationality by residence)](https://www.boe.es/buscar/act.php?id=BOE-A-1889-4763) · Agencia Estatal Boletín Oficial del Estado · checked 2026-10-11

### Italy Digital nomad visa

1. [Digital Nomad / Remote Worker Visa 2026 checklist](https://ambwashingtondc.esteri.it/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Digital-nomad-Remote-Worker-Visa-2026.pdf) · Embassy of Italy in Washington (MAECI) · checked 2026-10-10
2. [Interministerial decree of 29 February 2024 on entry and residence of digital nomads and remote workers (GU n. 79, 4 April 2024)](https://www.gazzettaufficiale.it/eli/gu/2024/04/04/79/sg/pdf) · Gazzetta Ufficiale · checked 2026-10-10
3. [Visa for digital nomads and remote workers: requirements and fee](https://consparigi.esteri.it/it/servizi-consolari-e-visti/servizi-per-il-cittadino-straniero/visti/visto-per-nomadi-digitali-e-lavoratori-da-remoto/) · Consulate General of Italy in Paris · checked 2026-10-10
4. [The visa for Italy: long-stay visa types (investors, self-employment, subordinate work, elective residence, research, study, working holiday)](https://vistoperitalia.esteri.it/home.aspx) · Ministry of Foreign Affairs · checked 2026-10-10
5. [Legislative Decree 286/1998, Art. 30: residence permit for family reasons](https://www.normattiva.it/uri-res/N2Ls?urn:nir:stato:decreto.legislativo:1998-07-25;286~art30) · Normattiva (Italian Government) · checked 2026-10-12
6. [Legislative Decree 286/1998, Art. 9 (EU long-term resident permit)](https://www.normattiva.it/uri-res/N2Ls?urn:nir:stato:decreto.legislativo:1998-07-25;286~art9) · Normattiva (Presidenza del Consiglio dei ministri) · checked 2026-10-11
7. [Citizenship by residence, Art. 9 of Law 91/1992](https://libertaciviliimmigrazione.dlci.interno.gov.it/temi/concessione-della-cittadinanza-italiana-residenza-sul-territorio-italiano-ai-sensi-dellart-9) · Ministero dell'Interno · checked 2026-10-11
8. [Law 91/1992, Art. 9.1 (Italian language level B1 for citizenship)](https://www.normattiva.it/uri-res/N2Ls?urn:nir:stato:legge:1992-02-05;91~art9) · Normattiva (Presidenza del Consiglio dei ministri) · checked 2026-10-11
9. [Legislative Decree 286/1998, Art. 5 (residence permit)](https://www.normattiva.it/uri-res/N2Ls?urn:nir:stato:decreto.legislativo:1998-07-25;286~art5) · Normattiva · checked 2026-10-11

## More head-to-heads