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Head to head

Norway vs Serbia: the digital nomad visas compared

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

The short version

  • Serbia has the lower entry bar: €500 per month versus €2,453 for Norway.
Side-by-side comparison of the Norway Self-employed permit (+ Svalbard route) and the Serbia Temp. residence (no DNV).
Criteria Norway Self-employed permit (+ Svalbard route) Serbia Temp. residence (no DNV)
Minimum income / month €2,453 €500 (better)
Income basis Freelance income 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 Via permanent residence 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 in practice Required (explicit)
Insurance duration required Full visa period Full visa period
Application fee ≈ €570 ≈ €190 (better)
Where to apply Embassy / consulate, In country, Online Online, In country
Processing time 8–24 weeks 2–9 weeks

Green values mark the objectively better number in that row.

Full guide

Norway Self-employed permit (+ Svalbard route) →

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.

Insurance for Norway → Insurance for Serbia →

Sources