English 
Français The short version
- Malta has the lower entry bar: €3,500 per month versus €3,855 for Barbados.
- Tax treatment differs: Barbados — foreign income exempt; Malta — special tax regime. Tax outcomes depend heavily on personal circumstances.
| Criteria | Barbados Welcome Stamp | Malta NRP |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum income / month | €3,855 | €3,500 (better) |
| Income basis | Savings accepted | Mixed (salary, freelance or savings) |
| Initial duration | 1 year | 1 year |
| Renewable | Yes | Yes |
| Maximum total stay | No fixed limit | 4 years |
| Path to permanent residence | No | No |
| Path to citizenship | No | No |
| Family inclusion | Yes | Yes |
| Working for local clients | Not allowed | Not allowed |
| Tax treatment | Foreign income exempt (Remote Employment Act, 2020-23 (Welcome Stamp non-resident treatment)) | Special tax regime (Nomad Residence Permits (Income Tax) Rules (S.L. 123.210)) |
| Health insurance | Required (explicit) | Required (explicit), min. €100,000 |
| Insurance duration required | Full visa period | Full visa period |
| Application fee | ≈ €1,850 | ≈ €300 (better) |
| Where to apply | Online | Online, Embassy / consulate |
| Processing time | 1–2 weeks | 6 weeks |
Green values mark the objectively better number in that row.
Full guide
Barbados Welcome Stamp →
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
- Government Explore the 12-Month Barbados Welcome Stamp — Visit Barbados (official portal; barbadoswelcomestamp.bb redirects here) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Government Barbados Welcome Stamp Programme — Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Government Update on Welcome Stamp Programme — Government Information Service (GIS) Barbados (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Government Welcome Stamp — The Process (Government of Barbados) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Law firm 12-Month Barbados Welcome Stamp Overview — PwC Barbados (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Media Escape the Remote Tax Trap — Welcome Stamp non-resident tax treatment, Business Barbados (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Government Am I entitled to free treatment? — Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Barbados (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Media Barbados Digital Nomad Visa (Welcome Stamp): Requirements, Cost & How to Apply — Citizen Remote (states travel insurance not accepted) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Media Barbados Welcome Stamp Hits New Highs, Extended to 2026 (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