Lowest Income Requirement DNVs

European digital nomad visas ranked by income threshold. Hungary at €2,000/mo leads. Spain at €2,762/mo and Italy at ~€2,333/mo (€28,000/year) are next. Most others sit at €3,000–€4,500/mo. Iceland at €6,400/mo is the highest.

Hungary's White Card at €2,000/month is the lowest in Europe but excludes family. Italy's €28,000/year (~€2,333/month) requires demonstrated remote-work income. Spain's €2,762/month (200% Spanish minimum wage) and Croatia's €3,000/month sit in the accessible second tier. Iceland's €6,400/month is the most demanding bar in Europe.

Lowest monthly threshold: Hungary €2,000
Lowest annual threshold: Italy €28,000
Lowest for family applicants: Croatia €3,000+€1,300/dep
Highest threshold: Iceland €6,400

European DNV income thresholds in 2026, ranked

Tier 1: Under €3,000/month

Hungary White Card: €2,000/month. Lowest threshold in Europe. No family inclusion, no PR or citizenship path, but for solo applicants who want a Schengen-connected base at low cost, the bar is very accessible.

Italy DNV: €28,000/year (±€2,333/month gross). Technically the lowest absolute number in Europe by annual measurement. Requires demonstrated freelance or remote-work income, with documentation showing the figure across 3–6 months.

Spain DNV: €2,762/month (200% Spanish minimum wage, indexed annually). The threshold rises with the Spanish SMI; in 2026 the SMI sits at €1,381/month so the DNV bar is twice that.

Tier 2: €3,000–€4,000/month

Croatia DNV: €3,000/month. Adds €1,300/month per family member. Reasonable family economics.

Cyprus DNV: €3,500/month. Adds 20% for spouse, 15% per child.

Greece DNV: €3,500/month. Adds 20% for spouse, 15% per child.

Portugal D8: €3,480/month (4x Portuguese minimum wage, indexed). Adds €660/month for first dependent, €220 per additional.

Romania DNV: €3,950/month (3x average Romanian gross wage, indexed).

Tier 3: €4,000–€5,000/month

Latvia DNV: €4,213/month (updated 2025 threshold). Adds ~€1,260/month per dependent.

Estonia DNV: €4,500/month gross. Strict on the demonstration requirement (6 months of bank statements).

Malta Nomad Residence Permit: €3,500/month officially but practitioner-reported effective bar runs €4,000–€4,500. Demands robust documentation.

Tier 4: €5,000+/month

Slovenia DNV: €4,500–€5,500/month (Nov 2025 launch; threshold being calibrated through 2026).

Iceland Remote Work Visa: €6,400/month. The highest income threshold among European DNVs. Designed to attract higher-earning remote workers who can absorb Iceland's cost of living.

All 13 European DNVs by income threshold

Each card shows the country's income threshold and headline tax position. Click through for full application mechanics.

Croatia 0 %

Foreign-income exemption

Foreign income exempt

Tax details

Iceland 0 %

Non-resident (under 183 days)

Foreign income exempt

Tax details

Romania 10 %

IT-sector exemption

All applicants

Tax details

Malta 10 %

Nomad flat tax

All applicants

Tax details

Cyprus 17 %

50% income tax exemption

17 years

Tax details

Portugal 20 %

IFICI (ex-NHR)

10 years

Tax details

Greece 22 %

50% income tax exemption

7 years

Tax details

Estonia 22 %

e-Residency company option

All applicants

Tax details

Spain 24 %

Beckham Law

All applicants

Tax details

Italy 30 %

Impatriati

All applicants

Tax details

How to read these thresholds in practice

Three nuances matter beyond the headline number:

1. The demonstration period

Most countries require 3–6 months of bank statements or pay stubs at or above the threshold. Hungary asks 3 months. Spain demands 6 months. Italy and Estonia require 6 months with clear evidence of remote-work activity (not just wealth or savings). Plan to hit the threshold consistently for the demonstration window before applying.

2. Gross vs net

Hungary, Estonia, and Italy publish gross income thresholds. Spain, Portugal, Greece, and Croatia accept net or gross depending on documentation. Iceland's €6,400 is gross. Always check the published threshold against your post-tax take-home, not just gross compensation.

3. Family top-ups

Family DNV applications need the principal applicant to clear a higher combined bar. Portugal is the most generous (+€660 first dependent, +€220 each additional). Romania adds ~€1,300/month per dependent (the steepest top-up). Croatia adds €1,300/month per member. Hungary doesn't allow family at all.

The lowest income threshold DNVs

Hungary White Card

€2,000/mo — lowest income threshold in Europe. No family, no PR path. Schengen-connected via Hungary EU membership.

Italy DNV

€28,000/yr (~€2,333/mo) — lowest annual threshold. Forfettario tax regime available for qualifying self-employed.

Spain DNV

€2,762/mo (200% Spanish minimum wage). Beckham Law 24% flat available for new tax residents.

Croatia DNV

€3,000/mo + €1,300/family member. Statutory tax exemption via Article 9.1.26. Fast 1–3 week processing.

Portugal D8

€3,480/mo (4x Portuguese minimum wage). Generous family top-ups at €660/€220. Path to citizenship at 10 years.

Want the full DNV comparison?

Income threshold is one filter. Tax, settlement, family, and processing speed all matter for the right fit.

All European DNVs

Lowest income DNVs: frequently asked questions

Which European DNV has the lowest income requirement?

Hungary's White Card at €2,000/month is the lowest monthly threshold. Italy's €28,000/year (±€2,333/month) is the lowest absolute annual figure. Spain at €2,762/month (200% Spanish minimum wage) is the third lowest.

How does Hungary's threshold compare?

Hungary's bar is set by Hungarian regulation at a fixed €2,000/month and doesn't index automatically to inflation or minimum-wage changes. Most other European DNV thresholds index annually (Spain to the SMI, Portugal to the SMN, Romania to the average wage). Hungary's threshold is therefore the most stable in real terms.

Do I need to demonstrate the threshold over time?

Yes — most countries publish 3–6 months of bank statements or pay stubs as the demonstration period. Spain demands 6 months. Italy requires 6 months with documented remote-work activity, not just generic income. Plan to hit the threshold consistently for the demonstration window before submission.

Are these thresholds gross or net income?

Most countries publish gross. Italy and Hungary are explicit about gross. Spain and Portugal are flexible (gross or net acceptable). Estonia is firmly gross. Always confirm against the specific country's documentation requirements before assuming.

Which DNV is cheapest for family applicants?

Portugal at €660 first dependent + €220 each additional is the most generous in absolute terms. Croatia at €1,300/dependent is mid-range. Romania at €1,300/dependent is the steepest top-up. Hungary doesn't allow family inclusion at all under the White Card.

Can I use freelance income to meet the threshold?

Yes — most countries accept business profits, dividends, royalties, or rental income alongside or instead of salary income. Spain and Italy specifically accept self-employment income with documented contracts. Estonia restricts to remote employment for a foreign employer or location-independent freelance work for foreign clients.