The short version
- Malta grants a longer initial stay (12 months vs 6), and it is renewable.
- Tax treatment differs: Argentina — territorial taxation; Malta — special tax regime. Tax outcomes depend heavily on personal circumstances.
| Criteria | Argentina DNV | Malta NRP |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum income / month | No fixed threshold | €3,500 |
| Income basis | Mixed (salary, freelance or savings) | Mixed (salary, freelance or savings) |
| Initial duration | 6 months | 1 year (better) |
| Renewable | Yes | Yes |
| Maximum total stay | 1 year | 4 years |
| Path to permanent residence | No | No |
| Path to citizenship | No | No |
| Family inclusion | No | Yes (better) |
| Working for local clients | Not allowed | Not allowed |
| Tax treatment | Territorial taxation | Special tax regime (Nomad Residence Permits (Income Tax) Rules (S.L. 123.210)) |
| Health insurance | Unclear | Required (explicit), min. €100,000 |
| Insurance duration required | — | Full visa period |
| Application fee | — | ≈ €300 |
| Where to apply | Online, Embassy / consulate | Online, Embassy / consulate |
| Processing time | 2–3 weeks | 6 weeks |
Green values mark the objectively better number in that row.
Full guide
Argentina DNV →
Requirements, application steps, insurance and sources.
Full guide
Malta NRP →
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.
Sources
- Official gazette Dirección Nacional de Migraciones — Disposición 758/2022 (Boletín Oficial) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Government Obtener una residencia transitoria como Nómada Digital (Migraciones) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Government Eligibility — Nomad Residence Permit (Residency Malta Agency) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Government Tax — Nomad Residence Permit (Residency Malta Agency) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Official gazette S.L. 123.210 Nomad Residence Permits (Income Tax) Rules (Laws of Malta) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15