The short version
- Turkey has the lower entry bar: €2,584 per month versus €5,310 for Romania.
- Tax treatment differs: Romania — foreign income exempt; Turkey — standard resident taxation. Tax outcomes depend heavily on personal circumstances.
| Criteria | Romania Digital Nomad Visa (DNV) | Turkey DNV |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum income / month | €5,310 | €2,584 (better) |
| Income basis | Salary / employment contract | Salary / employment contract |
| Initial duration | 1 year | 1 year |
| Renewable | Yes | Yes |
| Maximum total stay | 3 years | No fixed limit |
| Path to permanent residence | Indirect (switch required) | Indirect (switch required) |
| Path to citizenship | Via permanent residence | Via permanent residence |
| Family inclusion | No | Yes (better) |
| Working for local clients | Not allowed | Not allowed |
| Tax treatment | Foreign income exempt (Digital nomad tax exemption (Law no. 69/2023)) | Standard resident taxation |
| Health insurance | Required (explicit), min. €30,000 | Required in practice |
| Insurance duration required | Full visa period | Full visa period |
| Application fee | ≈ €120 | — |
| Where to apply | Embassy / consulate, Online | Online, Embassy / consulate, In country |
| Processing time | 2–9 weeks | 4–12 weeks |
Green values mark the objectively better number in that row.
Full guide
Romania Digital Nomad Visa (DNV) →
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 IGI (General Inspectorate for Immigration) — Long-stay visa for other purposes (incl. digital nomads): insurance EUR 30,000, residence 1 year, 30-day decision (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Government IGI — Informare privind viza de lunga sedere pentru alte scopuri: '...cel putin trei ori castigul salarial mediu brut lunar din Romania' (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- International organisation EU Immigration Portal — Romania long-term visa: fee EUR 120, residence 1 year, decision within 60 days (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Law firm Noerr — Romania: Tax exemptions for digital nomads (Law 69/2023, Official Gazette 265/30-Mar-2023, 183-day rule) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Media Romania Experience — Romania salaries 2026 (INS avg gross monthly wage ~RON 9,272, Feb 2026) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Media Exchange-Rates.org — EUR/RON ~5.236 (June 2026), basis for income EUR conversion (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Law firm Romanian Law Office — Romania Digital Nomad Visa (Law 22/2022) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Media Romania Experience — Digital Nomad Visa full guide 2026 (income ~EUR 5,600, EUR 30,000 insurance, ~36-month total) (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