Skip to content

Head to head

Iceland vs Taiwan: the digital nomad visas compared

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

The short version

  • Taiwan has the lower entry bar: €4,400 per month versus €6,935 for Iceland.
  • Taiwan grants a longer initial stay (36 months vs 6), and it is renewable.
  • Only Taiwan offers a direct path to permanent residence on this permit.
  • Tax treatment differs: Iceland — unclear — verify individually; Taiwan — special tax regime. Tax outcomes depend heavily on personal circumstances.
Side-by-side comparison of the Iceland Remote Work Long-Term Visa and the Taiwan Gold Card.
Criteria Iceland Remote Work Long-Term Visa Taiwan Gold Card
Minimum income / month €6,935 €4,400 (better)
Income basis Salary / employment contract Salary / employment contract
Initial duration 6 months 3 years (better)
Renewable No Yes (better)
Maximum total stay 6 months No fixed limit
Path to permanent residence No Yes (better)
Path to citizenship No Via permanent residence
Family inclusion Yes Yes
Working for local clients Not allowed Allowed
Tax treatment Unclear — verify individually Special tax regime (Tax incentives for foreign special professionals (Art. 20, Act for the Recruitment and Employment of Foreign Professionals))
Health insurance Required (explicit) Required in practice
Insurance duration required Full visa period Full visa period
Application fee ≈ €85 (better) ≈ €157
Where to apply In country Online, Embassy / consulate, In country
Processing time 2–4 weeks 4–12 weeks

Green values mark the objectively better number in that row.

Full guide

Iceland Remote Work Long-Term Visa →

Requirements, application steps, insurance and sources.

Full guide

Taiwan Gold Card →

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 Iceland → Insurance for Taiwan →

Sources