Skip to content

Head to head

Serbia vs Spain: the digital nomad visas compared

Partially verified Last verified June 10, 2026 Reviewed by Henry van de Vorming

The short version

  • Serbia has the lower entry bar: €500 per month versus €2,442 for Spain.
  • Spain grants a longer initial stay (36 months vs 12), and it is renewable.
  • Tax treatment differs: Serbia — standard resident taxation; Spain — special tax regime. Tax outcomes depend heavily on personal circumstances.
Side-by-side comparison of the Serbia Temp. residence (no DNV) and the Spain DNV.
Criteria Serbia Temp. residence (no DNV) Spain DNV
Minimum income / month €500 (better) €2,442
Income basis Mixed (salary, freelance or savings) Mixed (salary, freelance or savings)
Initial duration 1 year 3 years (better)
Renewable Yes Yes
Maximum total stay 3 years No fixed limit
Path to permanent residence Yes Yes
Path to citizenship Via permanent residence Yes
Family inclusion Yes Yes
Working for local clients Limited Limited
Tax treatment Standard resident taxation (Flat-rate entrepreneur (preduzetnik pausalac) regime commonly used by remote workers; otherwise standard personal income tax) Special tax regime (Régimen especial para trabajadores desplazados a territorio español (art. 93 LIRPF, 'Beckham regime') – optional)
Health insurance Required (explicit) Required (explicit)
Insurance duration required Full visa period Full visa period
Application fee ≈ €190 ≈ €73.26 (better)
Where to apply Online, In country Embassy / consulate, In country, Online
Processing time 2–9 weeks 2–4 weeks

Green values mark the objectively better number in that row.

Full guide

Serbia Temp. residence (no DNV) →

Requirements, application steps, insurance and sources.

Full guide

Spain 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 Serbia → Insurance for Spain →

Sources