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Head to head

Italy vs Romania: the digital nomad visas compared

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

The short version

  • Italy has the lower entry bar: €2,065.83 per month versus €5,310 for Romania.
  • Only Italy offers a direct path to permanent residence on this permit.
  • Tax treatment differs: Italy — standard resident taxation; Romania — foreign income exempt. Tax outcomes depend heavily on personal circumstances.
Side-by-side comparison of the Italy DNV and the Romania Digital Nomad Visa (DNV).
Criteria Italy DNV Romania Digital Nomad Visa (DNV)
Minimum income / month €2,065.83 (better) €5,310
Income basis Mixed (salary, freelance or savings) Salary / employment contract
Initial duration 1 year 1 year
Renewable Yes Yes
Maximum total stay No fixed limit 3 years
Path to permanent residence Yes (better) Indirect (switch required)
Path to citizenship Yes Via permanent residence
Family inclusion Yes (better) No
Working for local clients Allowed Not allowed
Tax treatment Standard resident taxation Foreign income exempt (Digital nomad tax exemption (Law no. 69/2023))
Health insurance Required (explicit), min. €30,000 Required (explicit), min. €30,000
Insurance duration required Full visa period Full visa period
Application fee ≈ €116 (better) ≈ €120
Where to apply Embassy / consulate Embassy / consulate, Online
Processing time 4–18 weeks 2–9 weeks

Green values mark the objectively better number in that row.

Full guide

Italy DNV →

Requirements, application steps, insurance and sources.

Full guide

Romania Digital Nomad Visa (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 Romania →

Sources