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Head to head

Germany vs Japan: the digital nomad visas compared

Partially verified Last verified June 10, 2026 Reviewed by Henry van de Vorming

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: Germany — standard resident taxation; Japan — foreign income exempt. Tax outcomes depend heavily on personal circumstances.
Side-by-side comparison of the Germany Freelance and the Japan DN.
Criteria Germany Freelance Japan DN
Minimum income / month No fixed threshold €4,500
Income basis Freelance income Mixed (salary, freelance or savings)
Initial duration 3 years (better) 6 months
Renewable Yes (better) No
Maximum total stay No fixed limit 6 months
Path to permanent residence Yes (better) No
Path to citizenship Yes No
Family inclusion Yes Yes
Working for local clients Allowed Not allowed
Tax treatment Standard resident taxation Foreign income exempt
Health insurance Required (explicit) Required (explicit), min. €53,999
Insurance duration required Full visa period Full visa period
Application fee ≈ €100 ≈ €16.20 (better)
Where to apply Embassy / consulate, In country Embassy / consulate, In country
Processing time — 1 weeks

Green values mark the objectively better number in that row.

Full guide

Germany Freelance →

Requirements, application steps, insurance and sources.

Full guide

Japan DN →

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 Germany → Insurance for Japan →

Sources