The short version
- Serbia has the lower entry bar: €500 per month versus €2,065.83 for Italy.
| Criteria | Italy DNV | Serbia Temp. residence (no DNV) |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum income / month | €2,065.83 | €500 (better) |
| Income basis | Mixed (salary, freelance or savings) | Mixed (salary, freelance or savings) |
| Initial duration | 1 year | 1 year |
| Renewable | Yes | Yes |
| Maximum total stay | No fixed limit | 3 years |
| Path to permanent residence | Yes | Yes |
| Path to citizenship | Yes | Via permanent residence |
| Family inclusion | Yes | Yes |
| Working for local clients | Allowed | Limited |
| Tax treatment | Standard resident taxation | Standard resident taxation (Flat-rate entrepreneur (preduzetnik pausalac) regime commonly used by remote workers; otherwise standard personal income tax) |
| Health insurance | Required (explicit), min. €30,000 | Required (explicit) |
| Insurance duration required | Full visa period | Full visa period |
| Application fee | ≈ €116 (better) | ≈ €190 |
| Where to apply | Embassy / consulate | Online, In country |
| 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
Serbia Temp. residence (no 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.
Sources
- Official gazette Ministero dell'Interno - Decreto 29 febbraio 2024 (GU Serie Generale n. 79 del 04-04-2024) - landing page (renders metadata only; full text via GU issue PDF) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-10
- Official gazette Gazzetta Ufficiale n. 79/2024 pp. 5-8 - full text of the 29 Feb 2024 digital-nomad decree (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-10
- Embassy Consulate General of Italy in New York - Digital Nomad / Remote Worker Visa (EUR 24,789 income; EUR 30,000/USD 50,000 insurance) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-10
- Government Sistema Tessera Sanitaria (MEF) - Esenzioni da reddito (base level EUR 8,263.31 re-confirmed) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-10
- Embassy Consulate General of Italy in Los Angeles - Digital Nomad / Remote Worker Visa (EUR 30,000/USD 50,000 insurance incl. repatriation; qualification options) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-10
- Embassy Consulate General of Italy in Paris - Visto per nomadi digitali e lavoratori da remoto (EUR 116 fee cash, 30/120-day processing) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-10
- Embassy Embassy of Italy in Singapore - Digital Nomads and Remote Workers (EUR 116 equivalent fee, 90/120-day processing, ~EUR 8,500 rounded base) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-10
- Embassy Consulate General of Italy in Toronto - Digital Nomad and Remote Worker National Visa (45-90 business days; biometrics since 11 Jan 2025) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-10
- Embassy Embassy of Italy in Pristina - Digital Nomad and Remote Worker Visa (rounded base EUR 8,500 -> EUR 25,500/year) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-10
- Government Agenzia delle Entrate - Residenza fiscale: regole generali per persone fisiche (183/184-day rule incl. mere physical presence; page updated 13 Jan 2026) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-10
- Government Portale Integrazione Migranti (Ministry of Labour) - Nomadi digitali e lavoratori da remoto: le regole (codice fiscale, partita IVA, INPS framework) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-10
- Government Ministero della Salute - Iscrizione dei cittadini stranieri al SSN (voluntary enrollment for permits >3 months against annual lump-sum contribution; no amount stated) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-10
- Government Temporary residence — Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Serbia (MUP) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Government Temporary Residence — Welcome to Serbia (official government portal) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Government Permanent Residence — Welcome to Serbia (official government portal) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Government Digital nomads in Serbia — Welcome to Serbia (promotional government page; no formal DNV rules) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- International organisation Serbia — Individual Residence, PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries (183-day rule, centre of vital/business interests) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Law firm Serbia: Work/Residence Permit Changes (single permit, 3-year max, 3-year PR qualifying period) — Fragomen (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Law firm Serbia Minimum Wage 2025: RSD 308/h net, ~RSD 53,592/month — NNRoad (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- International organisation Serbia: minimum wage increase for 2025 (net RSD 308/h benchmark) — EPSU (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Law firm Residence Permit in Serbia (2026): requirements, costs (~RSD 22,000 fee), process — Immigrate to Serbia (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Law firm Serbia for Digital Nomads: 2026 Guide (self-employment route, 90-day visa-free, processing time) — Relocation Serbia (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15