The short version
- Norway has the lower entry bar: €2,453 per month versus €2,584 for Turkey.
- Only Norway offers a direct path to permanent residence on this permit.
| Criteria | Norway Self-employed permit (+ Svalbard route) | Turkey DNV |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum income / month | €2,453 (better) | €2,584 |
| Income basis | Freelance income | Salary / employment contract |
| Initial duration | 1 year | 1 year |
| Renewable | Yes | Yes |
| Maximum total stay | No fixed limit | No fixed limit |
| Path to permanent residence | Yes (better) | Indirect (switch required) |
| Path to citizenship | Via permanent residence | Via permanent residence |
| Family inclusion | Yes | Yes |
| Working for local clients | Allowed | Not allowed |
| Tax treatment | Standard resident taxation | Standard resident taxation |
| Health insurance | Required in practice | Required in practice |
| Insurance duration required | Full visa period | Full visa period |
| Application fee | ≈ €570 | — |
| Where to apply | Embassy / consulate, In country, Online | Online, Embassy / consulate, In country |
| Processing time | 8–24 weeks | 4–12 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
Turkey 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
- Government Want to apply: Work immigration — UDI (Norwegian Directorate of Immigration) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Government Fees — UDI (work residence permit for applicants over 18: NOK 6,300, incl. renewals) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Government Svalbard — visa and residence requirements — UDI (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Government Visas and immigration — Governor of Svalbard (Sysselmesteren) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Government Requirement to financially support yourself for permanent residence (NOK 341,373) — UDI (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Government Tax residence in Norway when moving to or from Norway (183/270-day rule) — Norwegian Tax Administration (Skatteetaten) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Law firm Norway — Individual — Residence — PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Law firm How to Obtain a Visa as a Self-Employed in Norway (NOK 325,400/yr, May 2025; own-business-only) — Reinholdt Advokatfirma AS (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Law firm Residence permits for self-employed persons in Norway — Sterk Law Firm (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Law firm Update of the Norwegian National Insurance basic amount (G) — NOK 130,160 → 136,549 from 1 May 2026 — DLA Piper (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- International organisation Moving or travelling to Svalbard — Info Norden (Nordic Council of Ministers) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Government The Norwegian welfare system — healthcare and welfare — City of Oslo (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Law firm Norway — Individual — Taxes on personal income (22% general + trinnskatt brackets) — PwC (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Government Application requirements for digital nomad visa and short-term residence — Digital Nomads goTürkiye (official government portal) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Government goTürkiye Digital Nomads — income requirement USD 3,000/month or USD 36,000/year, age 21-55, university degree, passport valid 6+ months (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Law firm EY Mobility/Immigration Alert (April 2024): Türkiye — New Digital Nomad Visa (eligibility, nationalities, two routes) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Law firm KPMG GMS Flash Alert 2024-188: Türkiye — Digital Nomad Visa Becomes Available (income, 34-country list, 5-step process, launch Sept 2024) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Law firm BAL Immigration News — Turkey Digital Nomad Visa Launched (Sept 2024 launch, ~36 countries, up-to-one-year stay via residence permit) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Law firm Istanbul Lawyer Firm — Digital Nomad Visa and Residence Permit in Turkey: Full Legal Guide (mandatory insurance for full permit period, family reunification, no Turkish-client work) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Law firm Istanbul Lawyer Firm — Tax Residency for Foreigners in Turkey (GVK Art. 4, 183-day / six-month rule, worldwide income) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Media USD to EUR exchange rate history 2026 (0.8612 on 15 Jun 2026, basis for EUR conversion of USD 3,000) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15