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Spain DNV vs Portugal D8 vs Italy DNV vs Netherlands DAFT: Which Visa Fits an American?
Four routes, one honest comparison. We put the income floors, fees, timelines, tax regimes and citizenship paths side by side, then point you to the one that fits your income and your plans. Built with American applicants in mind; the Spain, Portugal and Italy routes are open to any non-EU passport.
- Spain DNV: the lowest income floor and the fastest card, via the UGE-CE
- Portugal D8: the strongest tax regime and a defined citizenship clock
- Italy DNV: a 12-month renewable permit, genuinely operational in 2026
- Netherlands DAFT: a US-only treaty route with a low capital bar (we do not file it)
- 7,000+ cases handled
- 99.2% completed-case success rate
- 80+ experts and lawyers
- 29 Schengen countries you can move in
- HQ in Portugal
Since 2025, more Americans have been looking seriously at a European base, whether for work flexibility, family, or a longer-term plan B. All four routes below lead to legal residence in Europe. They differ on who qualifies, how fast a card arrives, and what the tax and citizenship picture looks like once you land. This page is general information, not legal or tax advice; confirm your own position with a qualified adviser before you file.
The four routes at a glance
| Minimum income | Government fees | Processing time | Tax regime (brief) | Path to PR / citizenship | Family | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spain Digital Nomad Visa | €2,849/month (200% of SMI, about €34,188/year) | About €70 to €100 (UGE-CE application fee) plus a small TIE card fee | About 20 working days at the UGE-CE (positive silence applies); roughly 2 to 2.5 months end to end | Beckham Law: 24% flat on Spanish-source income, for employees or administrators, not freelance autónomos | Permanent residence after 5 years; a long standard naturalisation track, shorter for Ibero-American nationals | Spouse and children can be included; +€1,068/month for the first family member |
| Portugal Digital Nomad Visa (D8) | €3,680/month, plus €11,040 in savings | €110 consular visa + €307.20 AIMA permit fee (€351.10 for the permanent tier) | Consular visa 30 to 60 days; AIMA permit realistically 9 to 18 months in Lisbon/Porto, 5 to 9 via regional offices (90-day legal target) | IFICI: 20% flat on qualifying Portuguese employment income for 10 years, plus foreign-income exemptions | Permanent residence after 5 years; citizenship after 10 years (7 for EU and CPLP nationals), counted from your residence-card date | Spouse, minor children and dependent parents on the same file |
| Italy Digital Nomad Visa | €24,789.93/year (three times the €8,263.31 healthcare-exemption threshold) | Consular visa and permesso di soggiorno fees apply; confirm the current amounts with your consulate | Consular visa 30 to 60 days; Questura permit appointment within 2 to 3 months of arrival | Impatriate regime may apply: a partial income exemption for up to 5 years, assessed case by case | EU long-term residence after 5 years; standard naturalisation after 10 years | Spouse and dependent children under 18 via family reunification; spouses may work locally |
| Netherlands DAFT (US nationals only) | No income floor; €4,500 kept as business equity | IND application and residence-card fees apply | IND decision, typically within a few months | Dutch tax applies on residence; expat rulings built for employees generally do not fit DAFT self-employment | Permanent residence and naturalisation broadly after 5 years | Partner and children can accompany the main applicant |
Figures reflect our July 2026 verification. For the two-way deep dives, read Spain DNV vs Portugal D8 and Portugal D2 vs D8. Prices for our service are quoted per route on each programme page.
The three routes we handle
Spain Digital Nomad Visa
For remote workers, freelancers and founders earning from non-Spanish clients or employers, with income of at least €2,849/month and a degree or 3 years of relevant experience. Filed from inside Spain, it grants a 3-year card fast, in about 20 working days.
Portugal Digital Nomad Visa (D8)
For remote workers with stable foreign income of at least €3,680/month plus €11,040 in savings. Slower through AIMA, but strong on tax (IFICI 20%) and with the clearest citizenship clock: 10 years, or 7 for EU and CPLP nationals.
Italy Digital Nomad Visa
For highly qualified remote workers and self-employed professionals earning at least €24,789.93/year. Enabled by the implementing decree of 29 February 2024 (published 4 April 2024) and genuinely operational only in 2026: a 12-month renewable permit with family included.
Netherlands DAFT, for context
The Dutch-American Friendship Treaty (DAFT) is a residence route open only to US nationals who set up as self-employed or run a business in the Netherlands. It asks for no minimum income, only €4,500 kept as business equity, which makes it one of the lowest capital bars in Europe for an American founder or freelancer. It suits self-employment rather than salaried work. We include DAFT here so you can compare honestly; Relovisa does not currently offer a DAFT service, so there is nothing to book from us on this one.
Not a US citizen?
The Spain, Portugal and Italy routes above are open to any non-EU nationality on the same income and document rules; only the Netherlands DAFT is US-specific. What changes with your passport is the practical layer: consulate appointment availability, document legalisation chains, and how you evidence funds. Nigerian citizens can start with our dedicated guide, which EU visa fits a Nigerian citizen. Russian speakers will find key pages and guides in Russian across the site.
How to choose
By income
Spain has the lowest bar (€2,849/month) and Portugal the highest headline floor (€3,680/month plus savings). Italy is set as an annual figure (€24,789.93/year). The Netherlands DAFT has no income floor at all, only a €4,500 business-equity minimum.
By tax situation
If you can be paid as an employee, Spain's Beckham Law (24% flat on Spanish-source income) is attractive. Genuinely foreign-managed income often fits Portugal's IFICI better. Italy's impatriate regime is case by case. US citizens keep filing US taxes wherever they live.
By speed of the move
Spain's DNV, filed from inside Spain via the UGE-CE, is decided in about 20 working days and is usually the fastest to a card. Portugal and Italy start at a consulate; Portugal's AIMA stage is the slowest part of any of these routes.
By citizenship horizon
Portugal has the clearest clock: 10 years, or 7 for EU and CPLP nationals, from your card date. Spain and Italy run long standard tracks (Spain is shorter for Ibero-American nationals). All four reach permanent residence at around 5 years, so this rarely decides it.
How we work
One expert, from start to status
A single dedicated consultant runs your case from the first call to your residence card. You are not handed between departments.
A transparent price range
We separate our service fee from government fees and from any salary or investment. You get the full end-to-end number for your chosen route on the call, before you commit.
Honest timelines
We quote the realistic wait, including the AIMA reality in Portugal, not just the legal target. If a route does not fit you, we say so.
A consultancy, not a law firm
7,000+ cases and 80+ experts and lawyers behind every file. We prepare and manage the application; we never guarantee a visa outcome, because no one honestly can.
Let your personal case manager and lawyer handle all the paperwork
No more dealing with bureaucracy, we take care of every detail.
1. Understand Your Immigration Options
During a consultation, our expert evaluates your profile and outlines pathways, helping you make an informed decision.
2. Tailored Strategy for Approval
Lawyer analyzes your case, identifies challenges, and creates a step-by-step roadmap to maximize success.
3. Complete Document Preparation
With minimal input from you, we handle certificates, translations, and applications.
4. Smooth Application Process
Your manager schedules appointments, ensures compliance, communicates with authorities, and tracks progress.
5. Bureaucratic Tasks Solved
We handle finding housing, tax registrations, and residence permits, eliminating paperwork stress.
One call, one clear recommendation.
Tell us your income, your family situation, and how fast you want to move. We tell you which of these routes fits, quote the end-to-end cost, and give you honest timelines. The €40 consultation secures a dedicated expert.
About “Relovisa Advisors”
Relovisa is a premium full-service immigration consultancy (HQ Portugal, "Made in Portugal"). It is not a law firm: it works with licensed immigration lawyers and tax advisors per jurisdiction. Relovisa delivers EU/UK/US residency and citizenship to founders, skilled professionals, investors, and remote workers, handling the paperwork end-to-end. Distinctive: its own Portuguese EOR/payroll entity, packaged with the Portugal D3 and Spain DNV routes, plus deep specialist depth on the France Talent (Passeport Talent) innovative-project route, including DRIEETS dossiers and the no-incubator route with two letters of support.
99.2%
Average success rate
99.2% of clients get their visas and residence permits
7000+
Cases · 30+ countries
Clients across North America, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and the CIS
80+
Experts and lawyers
Professionals from around the world
8 years
Average experience
In immigration law & consulting
Our team, lawyers and partners
Our legal experts and professionals take care of everything, from document preparation to final approval, with 24/7 support, so you don't have to worry about a thing.
Olia Nemirovski
COO
10+ years specialist in client and partner relations, driving innovation through deep customer understanding.
Evgenia
Immigration lawyer
Licensed lawyer with deep knowledge of UK immigration law, she excels as a case manager for Talent Visas with 99.8% success rate.
Vladimir
Immigration consultant
Over three years of project management experience in German work immigration processes.
Daniela
Immigration Lawyer
Her expertise includes legal representation in court proceedings, expedited solutions for delayed residence processes, and all visa programs.
Petra
Immigration consultant
Specializes in D visas: Digital Nomad, D7, D2, D3, etc. She has experience working with various types of income.
Marilia
Immigration Attorney
Lawyer with 4 years experience works with global mobility processes for self-employed individuals through D8, D2, or IT workers through D3/Blue Card.
Thiago
Immigration Attorney
Relocated more than 300 high-qualified professionals to Portugal since 2018. Currently holding 100% success in lawsuits against AIMA (200+).
Vladislav
Tax Advisor
A licensed tax consultant with thousands of cases handled worldwide, from EU countries to Hong Kong and the USA. Specializes in finding solutions in the most unique and challenging situations.
Thomas
Tax Advisor
Thomas specializes in crypto business consultancy, with notable projects including market research for Bit2Me, a major Southern European cryptocurrency exchange.
Reviewed by the Relovisa immigration team. Published 2026-07.
Sources: BOE (Spain), Ley 14/2013 and 2026 SMI (Real Decreto 126/2026) , Diario da Republica (Portugal), Lei 23/2007 and Lei Organica 1/2026 , Gazzetta Ufficiale (Italy), interministerial decree of 29 February 2024 , AIMA fee table (effective 1 March 2026)
FAQs
Do I need a visa to buy property in Spain, Portugal or Italy?
No. Buying a home in Spain, Portugal or Italy does not require any visa, and owning property does not by itself grant residence. If you want to live there, you still need a residence route such as the Spanish Digital Nomad Visa, the Portuguese D8, or the Italian Digital Nomad Visa. Property can support an application, for example as proof of accommodation, but it is not a substitute for a residence permit.
Which of these visas is approved fastest?
Spain's Digital Nomad Visa is usually the fastest to a residence card: filed from inside Spain through the UGE-CE, it is decided in about 20 working days, with positive administrative silence if the deadline passes. Portugal's D8 and Italy's DNV both start with a consular visa (roughly 30 to 60 days) and then an in-country step; Portugal's AIMA permit stage is the slowest, realistically 9 to 18 months in Lisbon or Porto. We never promise a decision, but if speed to a card is your priority, Spain is the clear front-runner.
What happens with my US taxes if I become a European resident?
US citizens and green-card holders file US taxes on worldwide income wherever they live, so moving to Europe does not end your US filing obligations. Mechanisms such as the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion, the Foreign Tax Credit and the relevant tax treaty are designed to reduce double taxation, and each country here has its own regime (Spain's Beckham Law, Portugal's IFICI, Italy's impatriate rules). This is general information, not tax advice: model your own position with a US cross-border tax adviser before you move or file. We are an immigration consultancy, not tax or legal advisers.
Can I bring my family on these visas?
Yes. All four routes allow close family to join. Spain adds a defined income top-up for each family member (the first is +€1,068/month); Portugal's D8 lets a spouse, minor children and dependent parents apply on the same file; Italy covers a spouse and dependent children under 18, and spouses can work locally; the Netherlands DAFT allows a partner and children to accompany the main applicant. Income and document requirements scale with family size.
I am a US citizen: is the Netherlands DAFT an option?
Possibly. The Dutch-American Friendship Treaty (DAFT) is open only to US nationals who set up as self-employed or run a business in the Netherlands, with a minimum of €4,500 kept as business equity and no salary floor. It is a real route to Dutch residence, but it is self-employment based, so it suits founders and freelancers rather than employees. Relovisa does not currently offer a DAFT service; we include it here so American readers can weigh it honestly against the Spanish, Portuguese and Italian routes we do handle.
Which route reaches EU citizenship soonest?
All four lead to permanent or long-term residence after about five years. On citizenship, Portugal is 10 years (7 for EU and CPLP nationals), counted from your residence-card date under the reform in force from 19 May 2026; Italy runs a standard track of about ten years; Spain is among the EU's longest, though shorter for nationals of Ibero-American countries; the Netherlands is broadly five years for many applicants. For most Americans the naturalisation horizon is long everywhere and rarely decides the choice. We never guarantee any outcome.
I am not a US citizen: does this comparison apply to me?
Mostly, yes. The Spanish, Portuguese and Italian routes are open to any non-EU nationality on the same income and document rules; only the Netherlands DAFT is limited to US nationals. Your passport mainly changes the practical layer: which consulate you file at, how quickly appointments come up, and how you legalise your documents. Nigerian citizens can start with our dedicated chooser guide.