The “cheapest digital nomad visa” question usually means the lowest government application fee. On that measure, a handful of countries charge little or nothing. But the fee is almost never your biggest expense, so this guide ranks the fees and explains the costs that actually add up.
Cheapest digital nomad visas by government fee
| Country | Visa | Government fee |
|---|---|---|
| Mauritius | Premium Visa | Free |
| Georgia | Remotely from Georgia / visa-free | Free |
| Cape Verde | Remote Working Program | EUR 20 |
| Seychelles | Workcation Permit | EUR 45 |
| Cyprus | Digital Nomad Visa | EUR 70 + EUR 70 registration |
| Estonia | Digital Nomad Visa | ~EUR 80-100 |
| Spain | Telework Visa | ~EUR 80-100 |
| Hungary | White Card | ~EUR 60-100 |
See the full, sortable list on the cheapest visas ranking.
The costs that dwarf the fee
A low headline fee can hide a far higher real cost:
- Income or savings bar. Indonesia’s E33G has a modest IDR 7,000,000 fee but needs USD 60,000/year. Japan’s visa fee is tiny but the income bar is ~USD 67,000/year.
- Health insurance. Most visas require comprehensive cover for the whole stay — often EUR 30,000+ in coverage.
- Document legalisation. Apostilles and certified translations of your criminal record and contracts add up quickly.
- Professional help. Many applicants use a lawyer or relocation agent, especially for Spain, Portugal and Brazil.
Cheap fee and low income bar
If you want genuinely budget-friendly, look for a low fee and a low income requirement together. Mauritius (free fee, USD 1,500/month) and Cape Verde (EUR 20, ~EUR 1,500 balance) are strong examples. Compare against the lowest income requirements ranking.
Fees and thresholds change and vary by nationality. This is general information, not legal or tax advice — verify on the official government source before applying.