Government fees are the one cost that is the same for everyone, which makes them easy to compare. They are rarely the biggest cost, though. Health insurance, translations, apostilles and the income floor itself usually matter more. This table shows the fee next to those other hurdles.
Long-Stay and Remote Work Visas by Fee
| Programme | Government fee | Permit | Income or funds | Work allowed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spain Digital Nomad Visa | ≈ $80 | 3 years | EUR 34,188/yr (≈ $37,504/yr) | Yes, for foreign clients or employers |
| Germany Freelancer Visa (Freiberufler) | ≈ $100 | 3 years | Funds of ≈ $20,000 | Yes, for foreign clients or employers |
| France Long-Stay Visitor Visa | ≈ $107 | 1 year | No fixed income floor | No |
| Italy Digital Nomad Visa | ≈ $125 | 1 year | EUR 24,789/yr (≈ $28,408/yr) | Yes, for foreign clients or employers |
| Spain Non-Lucrative Visa | ≈ $130 | 1 year | Funds of ≈ $32,000 | No |
| Portugal D7 Passive Income Visa | ≈ $250 | 2 years | Funds of ≈ $11,000 | No |
| Portugal D8 Digital Nomad Visa | ≈ $250 | 2 years | EUR 3,680/mo (≈ $50,607/yr) | Yes, for foreign clients or employers |
| United Arab Emirates Virtual Work Residence Visa | ≈ $300 | 1 year | USD 3,500/mo (≈ $42,000/yr) | Yes, for foreign clients or employers |
| Destination Thailand Visa | ≈ $335 | 5 years | Funds of ≈ $14,700 | Yes, for foreign clients or employers |
| United Arab Emirates Green Visa (Freelancer / Self-Employed) | ≈ $750 | 5 years | No fixed income floor | Yes, for foreign clients or employers |
| Long-Term Resident Visa (Work-from-Thailand Professional) | ≈ $1,470 | 10 years | USD 80,000/yr (≈ $80,000/yr) | Yes, for foreign clients or employers |
| Thailand Privilege (Membership Visa) | ≈ $19,100 | 5 years | No fixed income floor | No |
The short answer
Cheap Fee, High Bar
A low fee does not mean an easy file. Spain's Digital Nomad Visa has a low fee but asks for EUR 34,188/yr (≈ $37,504/yr) and a degree or professional experience. Germany's freelancer permit is cheap to file but is judged on your clients and business plan, which takes real preparation.
When a Higher Fee Is Worth It
Thailand's DTV costs more than the European fees but has no salary floor and runs for 5 years. For someone with savings and modest income, that can be the cheaper route overall. The Privilege membership is the outlier: a high price for convenience and no work right.
Transita covers 16 destinations. Low-cost nomad visas outside that set are not in our data, so they are not ranked here.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest digital nomad visa?
By government fee, the Spain Digital Nomad Visa is the cheapest remote work route in our data at ≈ $80. Add document costs and health insurance, which often exceed the fee itself.
Which nomad visa is cheapest per year of stay?
Dividing the fee by the permit length, the Spain Digital Nomad Visa comes out cheapest: ≈ $80 for 3 years.
Why is the Thailand Privilege visa so expensive?
It is a paid membership rather than a visa fee: the entry tier costs ≈ $19,100 and the visa does not itself let you work. It buys convenience, not a work right.
Is a low fee the same as a cheap visa?
No. The income you must prove is the bigger cost barrier. A visa with a low fee and a high income floor is out of reach for many people, while a slightly pricier route with no floor may be easier.
Are these fees fixed?
Fees change and some vary by consulate or nationality. Each figure here is our latest record against the official source, converted to USD where needed; confirm it with the consulate before paying.
Related guides
official sources: Ley de Startups (Art. 74-78) · exteriores.gob.es·§21 AufenthG · make-it-in-germany.com·VLS-TS visiteur · france-visas.gouv.fr·DM 29.02.2024 · consnewyork.esteri.it·NLV · exteriores.gob.es·D7 · vistos.mne.gov.pt·Remote Work Residence · gdrfad.gov.ae·DTV · thaievisa.go.th·Green Residence · u.ae·LTR (WFTP) · ltr.boi.go.th·Privilege Entry Visa · thailandprivilege.co.th