English 
Français The short version
- Germany grants a longer initial stay (36 months vs 6), and it is renewable.
- Only Germany offers a direct path to permanent residence on this permit.
- Tax treatment differs: Curacao — foreign income exempt; Germany — standard resident taxation. Tax outcomes depend heavily on personal circumstances.
| Criteria | Curacao @HOME | Germany Freelance |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum income / month | No fixed threshold | No fixed threshold |
| Income basis | Mixed (salary, freelance or savings) | Freelance income |
| Initial duration | 6 months | 3 years (better) |
| Renewable | Yes | Yes |
| Maximum total stay | 1 year | No fixed limit |
| Path to permanent residence | No | Yes (better) |
| Path to citizenship | No | Yes |
| Family inclusion | Yes | Yes |
| Working for local clients | Not allowed | Allowed |
| Tax treatment | Foreign income exempt | Standard resident taxation |
| Health insurance | Required (explicit) | Required (explicit) |
| Insurance duration required | Full visa period | Full visa period |
| Application fee | ≈ €255 | ≈ €100 (better) |
| Where to apply | Online, In country | Embassy / consulate, In country |
| Processing time | 2 weeks | — |
Green values mark the objectively better number in that row.
Full guide
Curacao @HOME →
Requirements, application steps, insurance and sources.
Full guide
Germany Freelance →
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 FAQ — At Home in Curaçao (official program site) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Government At Home in Curaçao FAQ — fees (ANG 535 / ~USD 294), processing ~2 weeks (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Government At Home in Curaçao FAQ — 'You will not be required to pay Curaçao Income Tax'; remote workers do not become residents (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Government At Home in Curaçao FAQ — valid international travel insurance (incl. COVID-19) and medical insurance prerequisite (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Government At Home in Curaçao — official program homepage (three target groups: remote workers, hibernators, investors) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Government Remote Workers — Curaçao Visitors (official tourism board): documents required, NAF 535 fee, up to 6 months (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Government Basisverzekering ziektekosten (BVZ) — SVB Curaçao (public basic health insurance, residents only) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Media Curacao Launches Long-Term Stay Program — Caribbean Journal (launch dated 11 Feb 2021) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Law firm How to Apply for the Curaçao Digital Nomad Visa — Temporary Stay Permit, no residency, 6+6 months (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Media XE — USD→EUR conversion (1 USD ≈ 0.86 EUR, 15 June 2026) used to derive the ~EUR 255 fee (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Media Curaçao Health Insurance for Expats — public (BVZ) vs private access (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Government Visa for freelance business — Make it in Germany (Federal Government) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Government Visa for self-employed business — Make it in Germany (fees, health insurance) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Official gazette Residence Act (AufenthG) §21 — official English translation (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15