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Head to head

Italy vs Montenegro: the digital nomad visas compared

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

The short version

  • Montenegro has the lower entry bar: €1,800 per month versus €2,065.83 for Italy.
  • Montenegro grants a longer initial stay (24 months vs 12), and it is renewable.
  • Only Italy offers a direct path to permanent residence on this permit.
  • Tax treatment differs: Italy — standard resident taxation; Montenegro — foreign income exempt. Tax outcomes depend heavily on personal circumstances.
Side-by-side comparison of the Italy DNV and the Montenegro DNV.
Criteria Italy DNV Montenegro DNV
Minimum income / month €2,065.83 €1,800 (better)
Income basis Mixed (salary, freelance or savings) Mixed (salary, freelance or savings)
Initial duration 1 year 2 years (better)
Renewable Yes Yes
Maximum total stay No fixed limit 4 years
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 (Digital-nomad foreign-income exemption (Personal Income Tax Law; commonly cited as Art. 32d))
Health insurance Required (explicit), min. €30,000 Required (explicit), min. €30,000
Insurance duration required Full visa period Full visa period
Application fee ≈ €116 ≈ €47 (better)
Where to apply Embassy / consulate In country, Embassy / consulate
Processing time 4–18 weeks 6–8 weeks

Green values mark the objectively better number in that row.

Full guide

Italy DNV →

Requirements, application steps, insurance and sources.

Full guide

Montenegro 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 Italy → Insurance for Montenegro →

Sources