English 
Français The short version
- Malta has the lower entry bar: €3,500 per month versus €4,213 for Latvia.
| Criteria | Latvia DNV | Malta NRP |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum income / month | €4,213 | €3,500 (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 | 2 years | 4 years |
| Path to permanent residence | No | No |
| Path to citizenship | No | No |
| Family inclusion | Yes | Yes |
| Working for local clients | Not allowed | Not allowed |
| Tax treatment | Special tax regime (Optional 15% PIT for OECD digital-nomad-visa holders) | Special tax regime (Nomad Residence Permits (Income Tax) Rules (S.L. 123.210)) |
| Health insurance | Required (explicit), min. €42,600 | Required (explicit), min. €100,000 |
| Insurance duration required | Full visa period | Full visa period |
| Application fee | ≈ €90 (better) | ≈ €300 |
| Where to apply | Embassy / consulate | Online, Embassy / consulate |
| Processing time | — | 6 weeks |
Green values mark the objectively better number in that row.
Full guide
Latvia DNV →
Requirements, application steps, insurance and sources.
Full guide
Malta NRP →
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
- Government Obtaining a long-stay visa for remote work — Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (PMLP) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Government PMLP — State fees for issuance of a visa (category D: EUR 90) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Government Eligibility — Nomad Residence Permit (Residency Malta Agency) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Government Tax — Nomad Residence Permit (Residency Malta Agency) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Official gazette S.L. 123.210 Nomad Residence Permits (Income Tax) Rules (Laws of Malta) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15