Skip to content

Head to head

Albania vs Hungary: the digital nomad visas compared

Low confidence Last verified June 15, 2026 Reviewed by Henry van de Vorming

The short version

  • Only Albania offers a direct path to permanent residence on this permit.
  • Tax treatment differs: Albania — special tax regime; Hungary — standard resident taxation. Tax outcomes depend heavily on personal circumstances.
Side-by-side comparison of the Albania Unique Permit (Digital Nomad) and the Hungary White Card.
Criteria Albania Unique Permit (Digital Nomad) Hungary White Card
Minimum income / month No fixed threshold €3,000
Income basis Salary / employment contract Mixed (salary, freelance or savings)
Initial duration 1 year 1 year
Renewable Yes Yes
Maximum total stay 5 years 2 years
Path to permanent residence Yes (better) No
Path to citizenship Via permanent residence No
Family inclusion Yes (better) No
Working for local clients Not allowed Not allowed
Tax treatment Special tax regime (12-month digital-nomad non-residence exemption (Law 25/2022, as amended; PE protection reinforced by Law 36/2023)) Standard resident taxation
Health insurance Required (explicit), min. €30,000 Required (explicit)
Insurance duration required Full visa period Full visa period
Application fee ≈ €45 (better) ≈ €110
Where to apply Online, Embassy / consulate, In country Embassy / consulate, Online, In country
Processing time 4–12 weeks 3 weeks

Green values mark the objectively better number in that row.

Full guide

Albania Unique Permit (Digital Nomad) →

Requirements, application steps, insurance and sources.

Full guide

Hungary White Card →

Requirements, application steps, insurance and sources.

Don't forget insurance

Both programs have their own health-insurance rules — we match plans against each one's published requirement, with the evidence shown.

Insurance for Albania → Insurance for Hungary →

Sources