In short
Which visa you can get depends first on how you earn your living, then on how much. The Visa Finder compares your income, salary or investment budget with the minimum each country publishes for its digital nomad, retirement, EU Blue Card and golden visa routes — the same figures as our country guides, each with its official source. Income is only one condition: health insurance, savings, a clean criminal record and other documents apply too.
The Finder
Find the Visas Open to You
Digital nomad visas
14 countries have a visa for remote work. Sorted by the income each asks for.
Guide →Italy — about €2,066 a month
At least €24,789 a year; a degree, licensed profession or 5 years' experience (3 for IT); 6 months of remote work; insurance of at least €30,000; 1 year, renewable (€24,789 a year ÷ 12)
Source: Consulate General of Italy in New York: digital nomad / remote worker visa · Embassy of Italy in Washington: digital nomad / remote worker visa
Guide →Bulgaria — about €2,292 a month
At least 50 minimum monthly wages of the previous year — about €27,500 a year for 2026 applications (€31,010 from 2027) (€27,500 a year ÷ 12)
Source: State Gazette No. 52/2025: amendment of the Foreigners Act (digital nomads)
Guide →Spain — about €2,849 a month (gross)
Gross income of at least 200% of the minimum wage — €34,188 a year in 2026 (about €2,849 a month; US consulates quote €2,442 × 14) — plus 75% of the minimum wage for the first family member and 25% for each other; a degree or 3 years of experience; at least 3 months with your employer or clients, an employer operating for 1 year, and freelancers may earn up to 20% from Spanish clients
Source: Consulate General of Spain in Washington – Telework (Digital nomad) Visa · Consulate General of Spain in Houston – Telework Visa (Digital Nomad Visa)
Guide →Hungary — about €3,000 a month (net)
€3,000 net a month for the 6 months before entry, from a foreign employer or your own business abroad; 1 year, extendable once for 1 year
Source: Immigration office (OIF): White Card for digital nomads
Guide →Slovenia — about €3,140 a month (net)
Since 21 November 2025: for people working remotely for a foreign employer or their own business abroad, with income of at least twice the average net salary — about €3,140–3,200 a month; up to 1 year, cannot be extended, new permit only 6 months after it ends; family can join at once
Source: GOV.SI - Temporary residence permit for digital nomads (21 Nov 2025) · GOV.SI - Uvajamo digitalne nomade (21 Nov 2025) · EY Slovenia - Tax News December 2025
Guide →Greece — about €3,500 a month (net)
€3,500 net a month from employers or clients outside Greece; 12-month D visa, then a 2-year permit, renewable
Source: Legal 500: digital nomads in Greece — legal framework
Guide →Malta — about €3,500 a month (gross)
Remote work for a foreign employer, company or clients; at least €42,000 a year gross income; €300 fee; 1 year, renewable up to 4 years in total (€42,000 a year ÷ 12)
Source: Residency Malta: Nomad eligibility · Residency Malta: Nomad FAQs v14.1
Guide →Cyprus — about €3,500 a month (net)
For anyone working remotely for employers or clients outside Cyprus (not only IT); €3,500 net a month, +20% spouse, +15% per child
Source: Migration Department (gov.cy): digital nomads and family members · GK Law Firm: Cyprus digital nomad visa 2026
Guide →Croatia — about €3,623 a month
€3,622.50 a month (2026) — 2.5× the previous year's average net salary, +10% per family member; or savings of €43,470 (12 months) / €65,205 (18 months)
Source: MUP: temporary stay of digital nomads
Guide →Portugal — about €3,680 a month
Remote income from outside Portugal of at least €3,680 a month (4 × minimum wage) plus €11,040 in savings; a temporary-stay version lasts up to 1 year
Source: A DEEP DIVE Into Portugal's D8 Requirements: Portugalist
Guide →Estonia — about €4,500 a month (gross)
€4,500 gross a month in each of the 6 months before applying
Source: Embassy of Estonia in Washington: digital nomad visa
Guide →Latvia — about €4,538 a month (gross)
€4,538 gross per month (2.5 × 2025 average wage of €1,815)
Source: PMLP: Long-stay visa for remote work · Central Statistical Bureau: 2025 average gross wage €1,815
Guide →Romania — about €5,220 a month (gross)
Since 2022: work remotely, as an employee or owner, for a company registered outside Romania, with income of at least 3 times the average gross salary for the last 6 months — RON 27,576 a month (≈ €5,220) in 2026; apply at a Romanian consulate
Source: E-Visa portal MAE · Alba24 - Noi valori pentru pensii si contributii 2026 (CNPP announcement, Law 44/2026)
Guide →Czechia — Only for IT and marketing professionals
Since July 2023 for highly qualified IT (and since 2025 marketing) professionals from the US and other listed countries; income at least 1.5× the average gross wage
Source: Czech Embassy: digital nomad programme · Fragomen: Czech digital nomad programme introduced
Also for self-employed Americans
- Guide →
Netherlands — DAFT (US citizens, self-employed)
Self-employed permit for US (and Japanese) citizens: invest at least €4,500 in your own Dutch business, register with KvK and invest within 6 months of the IND decision
Source: IND: Residence permit self-employed person (US/Japanese nationals) · IND form 7524: Application self-employed (2026) - Guide →
Germany — freelance or self-employment permit
Economic interest or regional need, positive effect on the economy and secured financing; no minimum investment
Source: Make it in Germany: self-employment
Retirement and passive-income visas
13 countries have a route for people living on a pension or savings.
- Guide →
Portugal — about €920 a month
Passive income of at least €920 a month in 2026 (+50% for a spouse, +30% per child); consulates usually expect about 12 months of that (€11,040) in a Portuguese bank
Source: What Portugal's 2026 Minimum Wage Rise Means for Visas: Portugalist · Portugalist: D7 visa requirements 2026 - Guide →
Latvia — about €1,231 a month
€1,231/month personal, regular pension (from 1 Apr 2026)
Source: PMLP: Necessary means of subsistence (from 1 Apr 2026) 
Guide →France — about €1,478 a month
For people living on their own means who will not work in France; income at least the net SMIC — €1,477.93 a month (from June 2026)
Source: Service-Public: temporary residence card "visiteur" · Service-Public: SMIC (minimum wage)- Guide →
Spain — about €2,400 a month
Passive income or savings of 400% of IPREM — €2,400 a month or €28,800 a year in 2026 — plus €600 a month (€7,200 a year) per dependant; no work of any kind, including remote work
Source: Consulate General of Spain in New York – Non-Working Residence Visa · Consulate General of Spain in Chicago – Non-Lucrative Residence Visa - Guide →
Italy — about €2,583 a month
About €31,000 a year of passive income per adult (US consulates ask about €62,000 for a couple); registered lease or deed; no work of any kind, including remote work (€31,000 a year ÷ 12)
Source: Consulate General of Italy in Houston: elective residence visa checklist (Dec 2025) · Embassy of Italy in Washington: elective residence visa 
Guide →Austria — about €2,617 a month (net)
€2,616.78 net per month (€31,401 a year) in 2026, after rent above €386.43
Source: oesterreich.gv.at: settlement permit, gainful employment excluded · City of Vienna: secured means of subsistence
Guide →Luxembourg — about €2,771 a month
Since May 2023 only income from work in the EU/Schengen or an EU/Schengen state pension counts — US Social Security, 401(k)/IRA and investment income do not; benchmark €2,771 a month
Source: Guichet.lu: residence for private reasons · Lexgo: new restrictions on residence for private reasons (2023)- Guide →
Greece — about €3,500 a month
€3,500 a month (€42,000 a year), +20% for a spouse and +15% per child; no work in Greece
Source: TaxLaw Greece: residence permit for financially independent persons (Feb 2026) 
Guide →Ireland — about €4,167 a month
€50,000 a year of income per person, plus access to a lump sum equal to the price of a home in Ireland; full private health insurance; no work; does not count toward citizenship (€50,000 a year ÷ 12)
Source: Immigration Service Delivery: I want to retire to Ireland (Stamp 0)- Guide →
Malta
Pension at least 75% of your taxable income; 15% tax on pension remitted to Malta, minimum €7,500 a year (+€500 per dependant); €2,500 fee; at least 90 days a year in Malta (rules until end-2026)
Source: CSB Group: MRP · CSB Group: Malta tax residence programmes from 2027 - Guide →
Cyprus
Temporary residence for people who will not work: up to 1 year, renewable; needs income from abroad, health insurance and a lease
Source: GK Law Firm: the pink slip (temporary residence permit for visitors) · Theofanidis: temporary residence permit in Cyprus - Guide →
Bulgaria
Long-term residence for pensioners (Art. 24(1) point 10, Foreigners Act): a pension from any country plus sufficient means
Source: Foreigners in the Republic of Bulgaria Act (consolidated text) 
Guide →Belgium
No fixed amount — the Immigration Office assesses pension, rental income or savings case by case
Source: Commissioner Brussels Europe & International: more than 90 days (non-EU)
EU Blue Card and work permits
For highly qualified workers: salary of 1 to 1.6 times the national average (each country sets its figure), a contract of at least 6 months, and a move to another EU country after 12 months; not used by Denmark and Ireland. Salary thresholds by country (2026):
- Guide →
Latvia — €32,676 a year
€2,723/month gross (€2,178 in shortage jobs)
Source: PMLP: Necessary means of subsistence (from 1 Apr 2026) - Guide →
Italy — €36,300 a year
Gross salary of about €36,300 a year (2026) and the collective-agreement minimum; outside the quota system
Source: Arletti Partners: EU Blue Card minimum salary in Italy 
Guide →Poland — €36,840 a year
PLN 13,355.34 gross a month (≈€3,070) from 9 February 2026, with a degree or 5 years' experience (3 for IT) and a contract of at least 6 months
Source: Przeciętne wynagrodzenie w gospodarce narodowej (GUS) · EU Blue Card in Poland in 2026 (ATL Law)- Guide →
Estonia — €37,656 a year
Salary at least €3,138 a month (1.5× the average wage)
Source: Police and Border Guard Board: residence permit for employment - Guide →
Malta — €38,628 a year
Salary of 1.5 × the average gross salary — about €38,628 a year in 2026; valid up to 2 years or the contract plus 3 months
Source: Identità: highly qualified and Key Employee Initiative FAQs · GVZH: Malta immigration for skilled workers - Guide →
Spain — €41,356 a year
Salary of at least €41,356.36 a year (1.4× the average salary, 2026), or €33,085.09 for recent graduates and shortage occupations; handled by the UGE, permits up to 3 years
Source: Tarjeta azul-UE: la Orden PJC/44/2026 fija el umbral salarial mínimo (laboral-social.com) · Nota informativa: modificaciones introducidas en la Ley 14/2013 por la Ley de empresas emergentes (ECIJA) 
Guide →Finland — €47,244 a year
Salary at least €3,937 a month (2026); degree of 3+ years or about 5 years of comparable experience; up to 2 years
Source: Migri: EU Blue Card
Guide →Lithuania — €47,280 a year
1.5 times the average gross wage (about €3,940 a month in 2026; 1.2 times for shortage jobs); degree or 5 years' experience; 3 years; decision in 1 month
Source: EU Immigration Portal: EU Blue Card in Lithuania
Guide →Germany — €50,700 a year
Salary at least €50,700 a year, or €45,934.20 for shortage occupations, new graduates and IT specialists (2026)
Source: Make it in Germany: EU Blue Card- Guide →
Guide →Sweden — €57,000 a year
Salary of at least SEK 53,625 a month (about €4,750) from 15 July 2026 — 1.25× the average salary, updated each year; a 3-year degree (180 credits) or 5 years of relevant experience; a contract of at least 6 months; card valid up to 4 years since 1 June 2026
Source: EU Blue Card - Important to know - Migrationsverket · New rules for work permits now apply - Migrationsverket- Guide →
France — €59,373 a year
Multi-year card up to 4 years: skilled employee €39,582/yr; EU Blue Card €59,373/yr; company creation €30,000 investment (2026)
Source: Service-Public: carte talent (multi-year residence card) 
Guide →Netherlands — €71,304 a year
€5,942 a month gross in 2026 (€4,754 for recent graduates)
Source: IND: Required amounts income requirements
- Guide →
Germany — any job for US citizens (Section 19c)
US, Canadian, Australian, UK, Israeli, Japanese, Korean and NZ citizens may take any job, regardless of where the employer is based, with Federal Employment Agency approval (priority check)
Source: Employment Ordinance § 26 (BeschV)
Startup and founder routes
12 countries have a route for founders. Most need approval of your business plan by a national body or incubator.
- Guide →
Czechia
Long-term visa for business: trade licence, accommodation, criminal record, insurance and funds of CZK 156,500 (about €6,430)
Source: ipc.gov.cz: long-term visa for the purpose of doing business · ipc.gov.cz: proof of funds for the stay - Guide →
Estonia
Startup Committee approval (within 10 working days), then a D visa or a residence permit for up to 5 years
Source: Startup Estonia: startup visa for foreign founders · Police and Border Guard Board: residence permit for start-up entrepreneurs - Guide →
Finland
Positive eligibility statement from Business Finland; team of 2+ founders holding 60%+; first permit up to 2 years; about 2 weeks
Source: Migri: residence permit for a start-up entrepreneur · Business Finland: applying for the startup permit · Migri: processing times - Guide →
Germany
Economic interest or regional need, positive effect on the economy and secured financing; no minimum investment
Source: Make it in Germany: self-employment - Guide →
Ireland
€50,000 of funding for a high-potential start-up (10 jobs and €1 million in sales within 3–4 years); €350 fee; 2 years, then 3 more
Source: Immigration Service Delivery: Start-up Entrepreneur Programme (STEP) · Immigration Service Delivery: STEP guidelines (PDF) - Guide →
Italy
€50,000 of funds for a new innovative startup; nulla osta from the MIMIT committee in about 30 days; free to apply
Source: Italia Startup Visa: guidelines (MIMIT) · Italia Startup Visa: official site (MIMIT) - Guide →
Latvia
Kept and widened by the new law (only high terrorism-risk countries excluded)
Source: PMLP: New Immigration Law, main changes and requirements (LV) - Guide →
Lithuania
An expert committee scores your innovative, scalable plan — no incubator or investment threshold; living funds of €13,836 for 12 months (2026); 2-year permit, extendable to 5
Source: Startup Visa Lithuania (Innovation Agency): official site · Startup Visa Lithuania: FAQ · Startup Visa Lithuania: guidebook (Aug 2025) - Guide →
Netherlands
1 year, not extendable, with an RVO-recognised facilitator and an innovative product; then switch to the self-employed permit
Source: IND: Start-up · RVO: Facilitator for startups - Guide →
Poland
Your company must have earned at least 12 times the regional average monthly wage last year, or employed 2 full-time staff for a year — a new business can instead show the resources to get there
Source: Ustawa o cudzoziemcach art. 142 (arslege) · Temporary residence for company owners (Wielkopolski Urząd Wojewódzki) - Guide →
Portugal
For non-EU founders accepted by an IAPMEI-certified incubator; leads to a residence permit
Source: Portaria 344/2017 (Informador) - Guide →
Spain
For an innovative business with a favourable ENISA report; visa for 1 year or a permit of up to 3 years applied for inside Spain at the UGE, decided in 20 working days
Source: Nota informativa: modificaciones introducidas en la Ley 14/2013 por la Ley de empresas emergentes (ECIJA) · Consulate General of Spain in Houston – Telework Visa (Digital Nomad Visa) · Billin - La visa de emprendedor en España (Ley 14/2013) - Guide →
Netherlands — DAFT for US citizens
Self-employed permit for US (and Japanese) citizens: invest at least €4,500 in your own Dutch business, register with KvK and invest within 6 months of the IND decision
Source: IND: Residence permit self-employed person (US/Japanese nationals) · IND form 7524: Application self-employed (2026)
Golden visas
Seven European programmes still give residence for an investment.
- Guide →
Latvia Residence by Investment — from €50,000
- Guide →
Malta Permanent Residence (MPRP) — from €169,000
- Guide →
Portugal Golden Visa — from €250,000
- Guide →
Greece Golden Visa — from €250,000
- Guide →
Italy Investor Visa — from €250,000
- Guide →
Hungary Guest Investor Programme — from €250,000
- Guide →
Cyprus Investment Permanent Residence — from €300,000
Compare routes, stay rules and citizenship in the Golden Visa Calculator →
Student residence permits
Most European countries issue residence permits to students admitted to a recognised university, usually with proof of funds and health insurance. Our study guide compares tuition, permits and staying on after graduation.
Citizenship by descent
With a European parent or grandparent you may be able to claim citizenship directly — no visa needed, and an EU passport lets you live and work in any EU country. Rules differ a lot by country — Italy, for example, tightened its rules in 2025.
How It Works
How the Finder Decides
Income thresholds
Each country sets its own minimum — some as gross, some as net, some yearly. We show the figure as the country publishes it and convert yearly amounts to a monthly figure. Dollars are converted at €1 = $1.1186 (ECB reference rate, 8 October 2026).
US income for retirees
Most retirement routes accept US pensions, Social Security and investment income. Luxembourg is the exception: Since May 2023 only income from work in the EU/Schengen or an EU/Schengen state pension counts — US Social Security, 401(k)/IRA and investment income do not; benchmark €2,771 a month.
Salary for the EU Blue Card
Thresholds are each country's 2026 Blue Card salary for a standard job; many countries set a lower figure for shortage jobs and recent graduates — see the country guide.
Not a decision
Meeting the income bar does not guarantee a visa. Consulates also check documents, insurance, accommodation and your record — and some routes have quotas or exclude certain work.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Which European country has the easiest digital nomad visa for Americans?
On income, Italy (about €2,066 a month), Bulgaria (about €2,292) and Spain (about €2,849) ask for the least; Romania (about €5,220) asks for the most. Other conditions differ — Italy, for example, needs a degree or years of experience.
Can I retire in Europe on Social Security alone?
In several countries, yes, if your benefit is high enough: Portugal asks for Passive income of at least €920 a month in 2026 (+50% for a spouse, +30% per child); consulates usually expect about 12 months of that (€11,040) in a Portuguese bank; France for For people living on their own means who will not work in France; income at least the net SMIC — €1,477.93 a month (from June 2026). Luxembourg does not count US income.
Can Americans work in Europe without an employer sponsor?
Yes — through a digital nomad visa if you work for clients or employers outside the country, the Dutch DAFT for self-employed US citizens, or freelance and self-employment permits such as Germany's.
Turn Your Shortlist Into an Application
Book a free consultation. We check every condition, not just income, and plan the steps for your visa.