Spain vs Italy Digital Nomad Visa
Spain vs Italy digital nomad visa, verified 2026-05-06: Italy is easier to qualify for — Spain requires $2,700/mo versus Italy at $2,250/mo. Spain lets you stay longer — up to 5 years in Spain versus 2 years in Italy. Spain is cheaper — a comfortable single-nomad budget runs $3,200/mo in Spain versus $3,800/mo in Italy.
- Spain
- Italy
Spain leads on stay length, affordability and processing speed; Italy leads on income access.
| Dimension | Spain | Italy |
|---|---|---|
| Income access (USD/mo) | $2,700/mo | $2,250/mo |
| Stay length (years) | 5 years | 2 years |
| Affordability (USD/mo) | $3,200/mo | $3,800/mo |
| Processing speed (days) | ~45 days | ~90 days |
| Internet speed (Mbps) | 120 Mbps | 120 Mbps |
| English access | Medium | Medium |
| Residency path | PR route; citizenship in 10 yrs | PR route; citizenship in 10 yrs |
Spain data verified 2026-04-24 — official sourceItaly data verified 2026-05-06 — official source
Side-by-side data
| Field | Spain | Italy |
|---|---|---|
| Program | Digital Nomad Visa (Ley de Startups) | Digital Nomad / Remote Worker Visa |
| Launched | 2023 | 2024 |
| Minimum monthly income | $2,700 | $2,250 |
| Duration | 12 months | 12 months |
| Renewable | Yes | Yes |
| Max duration | 5 years | 2 years |
| Processing time | ~45 days | ~90 days |
| Application fee | $80 | $130 |
| Family allowed | Yes | Yes |
| Path to PR | Yes | Yes |
| Citizenship after | 10 years | 10 years |
| Tax residency trigger | 183 days | 183 days |
| Budget tier (monthly) | $1,100 | $1,300 |
| Comfortable tier (monthly) | $3,200 | $3,800 |
| Typical internet speed | 120 Mbps | 120 Mbps |
| Coworking desk (monthly) | $140 | $180 |
| English in daily life | Common in cities | Common in cities |
| Remote work explicitly allowed | Yes | Yes |
Which is easier, cheaper, or longer?
- Lower income requirement: Italy is easier to qualify for — Spain requires $2,700/mo versus Italy at $2,250/mo.
- Cheaper to live: Spain is cheaper — a comfortable single-nomad budget runs $3,200/mo in Spain versus $3,800/mo in Italy.
- Longer stay: Spain lets you stay longer — up to 5 years in Spain versus 2 years in Italy.
- Faster decision: Spain decides faster — roughly 45 days in Spain versus 90 days in Italy.
- Cheaper to apply: Spain costs less to apply — $80 in Spain versus $130 in Italy.
- Cheaper coworking: Spain has cheaper desk space — a coworking membership runs $140/mo in Spain versus $180/mo in Italy.
Frequently asked questions
Which has the lower income requirement, Spain or Italy?
Italy is easier to qualify for — Spain requires $2,700/mo versus Italy at $2,250/mo.
Is Spain or Italy cheaper for a digital nomad?
Spain is cheaper — a comfortable single-nomad budget runs $3,200/mo in Spain versus $3,800/mo in Italy.
Which digital nomad visa lasts longer, Spain or Italy?
Spain lets you stay longer — up to 5 years in Spain versus 2 years in Italy.
Which is processed faster, the Spain or Italy nomad visa?
Spain decides faster — roughly 45 days in Spain versus 90 days in Italy.
Which costs less to apply for, Spain or Italy?
Spain costs less to apply — $80 in Spain versus $130 in Italy.
Is coworking cheaper in Spain or Italy?
Spain has cheaper desk space — a coworking membership runs $140/mo in Spain versus $180/mo in Italy.
Read the full country guides
This auto-fact-sheet is a starting point. For tax treaty interactions, lifestyle texture, and application walk-throughs, read the full country guides:
- Spain complete guide · Taxes · Application process
- Italy complete guide · Taxes · Application process
Sources
- Spain — official source (data verified 2026-04-24)
- Italy — official source (data verified 2026-05-06)
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