Spain vs Italy digital nomad visa: which should you choose?
Two of Europe's most-wanted bases, and a closer call than it looks. Spain's Telework Visa is faster and skills-test-free; Italy's Digital Nomad Visa has a lower income bar but a catch. Here is the honest head-to-head, every figure from each country's official source.
Short version. Choose Spain for speed (a 3-year permit in about 20 working days) and if you are a salaried employee who can use the 24% Beckham tax. Choose Italyif you qualify as "highly skilled," want the lower €2,333 income bar, or are a freelancer who can use Italy's 5% flat tax. Both lead to permanent residence after five years.
Side by side
| 🇪🇸 Spain | 🇮🇹 Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Visa | International Teleworking (Digital Nomad) Visa | Digital Nomad / Remote Worker Visa |
| Monthly income | ≈€2,850/month (200% of minimum wage) | ≈€28,000/year (~€2,333/month) |
| Savings to show | Not required | Not required |
| Application cost | ~$190 | ~$250 |
| Processing time | ~20 working days (in-country route); 1–3 months at a consulate | ~30–120 days (varies widely by consulate) |
| First permit | 1 year at a consulate; 3 years if applied in-country | 1 year, renewable yearly |
| Extra requirement | Freelancers: max 20% income from Spanish clients | Must be 'highly skilled' (degree or experience) |
| Tax perk | Beckham Law: flat 24% for up to 6 years | Impatriati: ~50% exempt for 5 years; 5% flat tax option for freelancers |
| Health insurance | Required | Required |
| Path to permanent residence | After 5 years | After 5 years of residence |
Income and the eligibility catch
On paper Italy is cheaper to qualify for: about €28,000 a year, roughly €2,333 a month, versus Spain's ~€2,850. But Italy attaches a condition Spain does not, you have to be "highly skilled," meaning a degree or substantial professional experience. Spain has no skills gate, though freelancers must keep income from Spanish clients under 20%. So the real question is less about the euro figure and more about whether you clear Italy's skills bar.
Speed and the permit you get
Spain is the faster door by a wide margin. Applying from inside Spain is decided in about 20 working days and grants a three-year authorization in one step. Italy's processing runs roughly 30 to 120 days and varies sharply by consulate, and it hands you a one-year permit you renew each year. If being legally settled quickly matters, Spain wins.
Tax
Both offer real breaks, aimed at different people. Spain's Beckham Law is a flat 24% on Spanish-source income for up to six years, which mostly helps salaried employees. Italy's impatriati regime can exempt around 50% of qualifying work income for five years, and self-employed people may use the 5% forfettario flat tax if eligible, which makes Italy the stronger pick for many freelancers.
So which should you pick?
Choose Spain if
- You want to be settled fast (a 3-year permit in ~20 days)
- You do not have a degree or want to skip the skills test
- You are a salaried employee who can use the 24% Beckham tax
Choose Italy if
- You qualify as 'highly skilled' and want the lower income bar
- You are a freelancer who can use the 5% flat tax
- You are set on living in Italy specifically
Not sure you clear either bar?
The free checker matches your income to every visa you qualify for, and both of these visas require health insurance, which we compare in the nomad insurance guide.
Run the free visa checker →Spain vs Italy FAQ
Is Spain or Italy better for a digital nomad visa?
Spain is faster and has no skills test: applying in-country grants a three-year permit in about 20 working days. Italy has a slightly lower income bar (about €2,333 a month vs Spain's €2,850) but adds a 'highly skilled' requirement, and is slower. Pick Spain for speed, Italy if you qualify as highly skilled and want its freelancer tax options.
Which has the lower income requirement?
Italy, narrowly. Its visa asks for about €28,000 a year (roughly €2,333 a month), while Spain asks for about €2,850 a month (200% of the minimum wage). But Italy also requires you to be 'highly skilled' with a degree or substantial experience, which Spain does not.
Which is better on tax?
It depends on how you work. Spain's Beckham Law gives a flat 24% on Spanish-source income for up to six years, which mainly helps salaried employees. Italy's impatriati regime can exempt about 50% of work income for five years, and self-employed people may qualify for the 5% 'forfettario' flat tax, so Italy is often better for freelancers.
Which is faster to get?
Spain. Its in-country route is decided in about 20 working days and hands you a three-year permit in one step. Italy's processing runs roughly 30 to 120 days and varies a lot by consulate, and it grants a one-year permit you renew annually.
Income thresholds track each country's minimum wage and change yearly, and processing times vary by consulate. Figures are drawn from the official Spanish and Italian sources linked on each country guide. This is general information, not legal or tax advice, so confirm the current rules with a qualified professional.