English 
Français The short version
- Ecuador has the lower entry bar: €1,245 per month versus €3,500 for Malta.
- Ecuador grants a longer initial stay (24 months vs 12), and it is renewable.
- Only Ecuador offers a direct path to permanent residence on this permit.
| Criteria | Ecuador Visa Nómada (Rentista) | Malta NRP |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum income / month | €1,245 (better) | €3,500 |
| Income basis | Salary / employment contract | Mixed (salary, freelance or savings) |
| Initial duration | 2 years (better) | 1 year |
| Renewable | Yes | Yes |
| Maximum total stay | No fixed limit | 4 years |
| Path to permanent residence | Yes (better) | No |
| Path to citizenship | Via permanent residence | No |
| Family inclusion | Yes | Yes |
| Working for local clients | Not allowed | Not allowed |
| Tax treatment | Special tax regime (Residencia fiscal temporal (temporary tax-residency regime for new residents)) | 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 | ≈ €276 (better) | ≈ €300 |
| Where to apply | Embassy / consulate, In country, Online | Online, Embassy / consulate |
| Processing time | 1–16 weeks | 6 weeks |
Green values mark the objectively better number in that row.
Full guide
Ecuador Visa Nómada (Rentista) →
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 Concesion de visa de residencia temporal rentista para trabajo remoto (Visa Nomada) - Guia Oficial de Tramites y Servicios (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Government gob.ec - Visa Nomada: income (3 SBU/mes o 36 SBU/ano), fees (USD 50 + USD 270), duration (hasta 2 anos), dependent surcharge (USD 250/mes), insurance requirement, discounts (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Government Ministerio del Trabajo - Salario Basico Unificado 2026 fijado en USD 482 (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Law firm Ecuador fija el Salario Basico Unificado para 2026 en USD 482 (Acuerdo Ministerial MDT-2025-195) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Law firm Ecuador: Temporary Residence Visa for Digital Nomads Available - Fragomen (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Law firm Residencia temporal rentista para trabajo remoto (Visa Nomada) - Sperber & Alvarez (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- International organisation Ecuador - Individual - Residence (183-day test, temporary tax-residency regime, Jan 2024, 5-year term) - PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Law firm Expat Tax Guide for Ecuador - worldwide income for tax residents, 0-37% rates (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Media Ecuador Permanent Residency: Eligible After 21 Months - EcuaPass (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Media IESS Healthcare for Expats in Ecuador: Enrollment, Costs & Coverage - EcuaPass (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Media How to get an Ecuador digital nomad visa: A complete 2026 guide (income USD 1,446, PR path) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Media USD to EUR exchange rate history 2026 (0.8612 on 2026-06-15) (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