Europe route comparison

Spain DNV vs Portugal D8 vs Italy DNV vs Netherlands DAFT: Which Visa Fits an American?

Four routes, one honest comparison. Income, government fees, observed timing, tax mechanics, residence path and family rules are shown side by side without turning any route into a caricature.

Compare the four routes Check my case for free

7,000+ cases handled
99.2% completed-case rate
80+ experts and lawyers

Mediterranean waterfront in Spain — Spain · Portugal · Italy · Netherlands

Spain
Lower headline income and a fast in-country residence decision
Portugal
Higher income proof, a clear residence ladder and slower AIMA reality
Italy and DAFT
One qualified-remote route and one US-only self-employment route

The four routes at a glance

Compare the mechanics before you choose the country.

Every figure below comes from the live July verification and is recorded in the claims ledger. Observed timing is never a promise.

Income or capitalGovernment feesObserved timingTax mechanicsResidence and citizenshipFamily

Spain DNVIncome or capital€2,849/month (12 payments)Government feesabout €70 to €100 + card feeObserved timingabout 2 to 2.5 monthsTax mechanics24% for qualifying employment situationsResidence and citizenshipPermanent residence after 5 yearsFamilySpouse and children; income uplift applies

Portugal D8Income or capital€3,680/month + €11,040 savingsGovernment fees€110 + €307.20 standard permitObserved timing5 to 18 months at the residence stageTax mechanics20% for qualifying activity if the application is acceptedResidence and citizenshipPermanent residence after 5 years; longer citizenship clockFamilySpouse, children and dependent parents

Italy DNVIncome or capital€24,789.93/yearGovernment feesConfirm current consular and permit feesObserved timing30 to 60 days + local permit stageTax mechanicsPartial exemption may apply case by caseResidence and citizenshipLong-term residence after 5 yearsFamilySpouse and dependent children

Netherlands DAFTIncome or capital€4,500 business equityGovernment feesConfirm current Dutch feesObserved timingTypically a few monthsTax mechanicsDutch resident tax appliesResidence and citizenshipBroadly 5 yearsFamilyPartner and children

On the consultation we test income, family, tax position and the desired move date, then recommend the route the evidence can actually carry.

Check my case for free

The routes Relovisa handles

Three filed routes, plus one honest external comparison.

DAFT stays in the ledger because it is a real option for US applicants. Relovisa does not currently sell that filing.

Spain Digital Nomad Visa

For remote workers, freelancers and founders earning from non-Spanish clients or employers.

See the Spain DNV guide

Portugal Digital Nomad Visa (D8)

For remote workers with stable foreign income and the savings buffer required by the route.

See the Portugal D8 guide

Italy Digital Nomad Visa

For highly qualified remote workers and self-employed professionals working for non-Italian clients.

See the Italy DNV guide

Netherlands DAFT

A US-only self-employment route with a low business-equity minimum. Included for context; Relovisa does not offer the filing.

How to choose

Choose by the constraint that matters most to your move.

Income, tax, timing and citizenship do not point to the same country for every household.

By income

Spain has the lower monthly floor. Portugal asks for the higher monthly proof plus savings. Italy uses an annual threshold. DAFT asks for business equity instead of income.

By tax situation

Spain, Portugal and Italy each have different tax mechanics and qualifying conditions. US citizens keep their US filing obligations wherever they live.

By speed of the move

Spain is usually the fastest route to a residence card. Portugal's AIMA stage is the slowest part of this comparison.

By citizenship horizon

All four can reach long-term residence. The naturalisation timeline and nationality exceptions need to be checked for the actual applicant.

How we work

One recommendation.The real trade-offs stay visible.

Relovisa separates the service fee, government fee, tax question and observed authority wait before the client commits.

One expert, from start to status

A dedicated consultant keeps the application and residence-card path together.

A transparent price range

Service, government and third-party costs remain separate.

Observed ranges, never promises

The planning range includes the real authority bottleneck, not only the statutory target.

A consultancy with licensed specialist support

Relovisa prepares and coordinates the application. The authority makes the decision.

If the route does not fit, the answer is a different route, not stronger marketing copy.

Comparison questions

What changes after the first shortlist.

The live answers, shortened only to remove visible legal shorthand and apologetic disclaimers.

Do I need a visa to buy property in Spain, Portugal or Italy?

No. Property ownership does not itself grant residence. You still need a residence route; property may support proof of accommodation.

Which route is usually fastest?

Spain's in-country Digital Nomad residence filing is usually fastest to a card. Portugal and Italy start with a consular stage, and Portugal's AIMA residence step is typically the longest.

What happens with US taxes after European residence?

US citizens and green-card holders keep US filing obligations on worldwide income. Model the actual position with a qualified US cross-border tax adviser.

Can I bring my family?

Yes. All four routes cover close family, but the income top-up, eligible relatives and work rights differ.

Is the Netherlands DAFT an option for a US citizen?

Possibly, if the applicant will be self-employed or run a Dutch business and maintain the required business equity. Relovisa does not currently offer the DAFT filing.

Which route reaches citizenship soonest?

The answer depends on nationality, residence history and the current law. Permanent residence and naturalisation are separate decisions; neither is guaranteed.

Does this comparison apply to non-US citizens?

Spain, Portugal and Italy are open to non-EU nationalities under the same route rules. Only DAFT is US-specific; the passport mainly changes consular and document mechanics.