Skip to content

Head to head

Latvia vs South Korea: the digital nomad visas compared

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

The short version

  • South Korea has the lower entry bar: €4,030 per month versus €4,213 for Latvia.
  • Tax treatment differs: Latvia — special tax regime; South Korea — standard resident taxation. Tax outcomes depend heavily on personal circumstances.
Side-by-side comparison of the Latvia DNV and the South Korea F-1-D Workation.
Criteria Latvia DNV South Korea F-1-D Workation
Minimum income / month €4,213 €4,030 (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 2 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) Standard resident taxation
Health insurance Required (explicit), min. €42,600 Required (explicit), min. €70,000
Insurance duration required Full visa period Full visa period
Application fee ≈ €90 ≈ €40 (better)
Where to apply Embassy / consulate Embassy / consulate, In country
Processing time — 3–4 weeks

Green values mark the objectively better number in that row.

Full guide

Latvia DNV →

Requirements, application steps, insurance and sources.

Full guide

South Korea F-1-D Workation →

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 Latvia → Insurance for South Korea →

Sources