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Head to head

Costa Rica vs Serbia: the digital nomad visas compared

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

The short version

  • Serbia has the lower entry bar: €500 per month versus €2,760 for Costa Rica.
  • Only Serbia offers a direct path to permanent residence on this permit.
  • Tax treatment differs: Costa Rica — foreign income exempt; Serbia — standard resident taxation. Tax outcomes depend heavily on personal circumstances.
Side-by-side comparison of the Costa Rica DNV and the Serbia Temp. residence (no DNV).
Criteria Costa Rica DNV Serbia Temp. residence (no DNV)
Minimum income / month €2,760 €500 (better)
Income basis Mixed (salary, freelance or savings) Mixed (salary, freelance or savings)
Initial duration 1 year 1 year
Renewable Yes Yes
Maximum total stay 2 years 3 years
Path to permanent residence No Yes (better)
Path to citizenship No Via permanent residence
Family inclusion Yes Yes
Working for local clients Not allowed Limited
Tax treatment Foreign income exempt (Ley 10008 incentivos fiscales) Standard resident taxation (Flat-rate entrepreneur (preduzetnik pausalac) regime commonly used by remote workers; otherwise standard personal income tax)
Health insurance Required (explicit), min. €46,000 Required (explicit)
Insurance duration required Full visa period Full visa period
Application fee ≈ €92 (better) ≈ €190
Where to apply Online, Embassy / consulate Online, In country
Processing time 2–3 weeks 2–9 weeks

Green values mark the objectively better number in that row.

Full guide

Costa Rica DNV →

Requirements, application steps, insurance and sources.

Full guide

Serbia Temp. residence (no DNV) →

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 Costa Rica → Insurance for Serbia →

Sources