Want to live abroad without giving up your remote job?
Digital nomad visas are becoming one of the easiest ways for Indian remote workers, freelancers, software developers, designers and online entrepreneurs to legally live in another country while earning income from abroad.
But there is an important catch: digital nomad visas are generally not designed for someone earning ₹1 lakh a month. Many countries have fairly high income thresholds.
Here are 10 countries Indians can investigate in 2026.
🇪🇸 1. Spain — One of Europe’s Best Digital Nomad Visas
Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa allows eligible foreign professionals to live in Spain while working remotely for companies or clients outside Spain.
You generally need either a suitable university qualification or at least three years of professional experience in your field. The Spanish consular guidance also allows the applicant’s spouse/partner and dependent family members to accompany them.
The financial requirement is significant: the main applicant must demonstrate at least 200% of Spain’s monthly minimum wage, with additional financial means required for accompanying family members.
Best for: Software developers, designers, consultants, freelancers and remote employees.
Family: ✅ Spouse can accompany.
Income difficulty: 🔴 High
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🇵🇹 2. Portugal — A Popular European Remote-Work Option
Portugal offers residence routes for remote workers and independent professionals.
For the digital-nomad route, applicants working remotely for an overseas employer or clients need to demonstrate average monthly income over the previous three months equivalent to four Portuguese minimum wages. Portugal’s government lists the requirement in its immigration framework.
Portugal’s 2026 minimum monthly wage is €920, which means four minimum wages would correspond to €3,680/month under that calculation.
So Portugal is attractive, but it isn’t necessarily an easy option for someone earning ₹1–2 lakh/month.
Best for: Remote workers, freelancers and entrepreneurs.
Income difficulty: 🔴 High
🇲🇾 3. Malaysia — One of the Most Interesting Asian Options
Malaysia’s DE Rantau Nomad Pass is particularly interesting for technology professionals.
The program covers both tech and non-tech digital professionals, including software engineers, cloud professionals, cybersecurity, AI/ML, digital marketing and digital creative professionals.
The current program lists an annual income requirement of more than US$24,000. The pass allows a stay of 3–12 months, renewable for another 12 months, and dependants such as a spouse can accompany the main applicant.
That’s approximately US$2,000+ per month, making Malaysia considerably more accessible than some European digital-nomad programs.
Best for: IT professionals and remote workers.
Spouse: ✅
Income difficulty: 🟢/🟡 Moderate
🇯🇵 4. Japan — Digital Nomad Visa
Yes, Japan has a digital-nomad residence status.
But there is a catch that surprises many Indians.
Japan requires the applicant to have annual income of at least ¥10 million. The stay is for up to six months and cannot be renewed under that status; the spouse or child can accompany the digital nomad subject to the applicable requirements.
At current exchange rates, ¥10 million is roughly ₹55–60 lakh/year, depending on the exchange rate.
So Japan is an excellent option for a high-earning remote professional — but not a practical digital-nomad route for someone earning ₹1–2 lakh/month.
Best for: High-income remote professionals.
Income difficulty: 🔴 Very high
🇰🇷 5. South Korea — Workation Visa
South Korea formally introduced its digital-nomad/workation visa after a pilot period.
The route is designed for overseas business owners and employees of international companies who can work remotely and generally have at least one year of experience in the same industry. It also allows accompanying family members.
South Korea’s Ministry of Justice announced in July 2026 that the digital-nomad visa had become a formal program and that the stay period could reach three years, with income requirements being adjusted, including special reductions for younger applicants living outside the capital region.
This makes South Korea particularly interesting for experienced technology professionals.
Best for: Tech professionals, international-company employees and business owners.
Family: ✅
Income difficulty: 🟡/🔴 Depends on circumstances
🇦🇪 6. UAE — Virtual Work Residence Visa
The UAE offers a one-year virtual work residence visa for people employed by companies outside the UAE.
The official UAE government portal states that applicants must provide proof of overseas employment and a salary certificate showing a minimum salary of US$3,500/month. Health insurance and a medical fitness test are also required.
That’s approximately ₹3 lakh/month or more, depending on exchange rates.
The advantage is that the UAE can be particularly attractive for professionals who want to remain relatively close to India while building an international career.
Best for: High-income remote employees and entrepreneurs.
Income difficulty: 🔴 High
🇹🇭 7. Thailand — Destination Thailand Visa (DTV)
Thailand’s Destination Thailand Visa is one of the most talked-about long-stay options for remote workers.
The DTV is valid for five years, and eligible applicants can stay for extended periods under the visa’s conditions. Thailand specifically includes remote workers, freelancers and digital nomads among the target groups.
The official requirement includes financial evidence of at least 500,000 THB and appropriate employment/remote-work or professional evidence.
Thailand also allows the spouse and children under 20 of a DTV holder to apply as dependants, with proof of relationship such as a marriage certificate.
Best for: Remote workers and freelancers.
Family: ✅
Income difficulty: 🟡 Moderate, but substantial savings are required.
🇪🇪 8. Estonia — Digital Nomad Visa
Estonia has a dedicated digital-nomad visa for people working remotely.
It is particularly attractive to technology professionals because of Estonia’s digital infrastructure and business environment.
However, the financial requirement is high. Estonia’s official long-stay visa information lists a teleworking financial requirement of €132 per day, which works out to approximately €3,960 per month.
This makes Estonia much more suitable for established remote professionals than someone earning ₹1–2 lakh/month.
Best for: High-income tech workers.
Income difficulty: 🔴 High
🇭🇷 9. Croatia — Digital Nomad Temporary Stay
Croatia offers temporary residence for digital nomads working remotely for employers or businesses outside Croatia.
The program can provide temporary residence for a substantial period, but the financial threshold is now relatively high.
Croatia’s official immigration information requires proof of sufficient regular financial resources for digital nomads, so this isn’t a low-income route. It makes more sense once your international income has increased.
Best for: Established remote professionals.
Income difficulty: 🔴 High
🇭🇺 10. Hungary — White Card
Hungary’s White Card is a residence route for digital nomads who maintain an employment or business relationship outside Hungary.
The current Hungarian immigration authority requirement is €3,000 net monthly income, maintained for the relevant period.
The benefit is that Hungary can offer a relatively affordable European base compared with some Western European capitals.
Best for: Higher-income remote workers.
Income difficulty: 🔴 High
💰 Can Someone Earning ₹1–2 Lakh Actually Use These Visas?
This is the most important part of the article.
Let’s say you earn:
₹1.35 lakh/month
That’s around ₹16.2 lakh/year before any bonuses.
You would not qualify for many digital-nomad programs purely on that income.
For example:
| Country | Approx. requirement | Fit for ₹1–2L/month |
|---|---|---|
| 🇲🇾 Malaysia | >US$24K/year | 🟢/🟡 |
| 🇹🇭 Thailand | 500K THB financial proof | 🟡 |
| 🇪🇸 Spain | 200% minimum wage | 🔴 |
| 🇵🇹 Portugal | 4× minimum wage = ~€3,680/month | 🔴 |
| 🇯🇵 Japan | ¥10M/year | 🔴 |
| 🇦🇪 UAE | US$3,500/month | 🔴 |
| 🇭🇺 Hungary | €3,000 net/month | 🔴 |
| 🇪🇪 Estonia | ~€3,960/month | 🔴 |
The key lesson is:
Digital nomad visas are not automatically “easy visas.”
Many countries replace a traditional job offer with a requirement that you already earn a relatively high foreign income.
🏆 Which Digital Nomad Visa Is Best for Indians?
🥇 Malaysia 🇲🇾
Probably the most interesting option for a technology professional earning around the lower end of the international remote-work spectrum.
The DE Rantau program explicitly includes software, AI, cloud, cybersecurity and other digital professions.
🥈 Thailand 🇹🇭
Excellent lifestyle and a five-year DTV, but you need the required financial evidence.
🥉 Spain 🇪🇸
One of the best European options once your remote income is high enough, especially for someone moving with a spouse.
4️⃣ Portugal 🇵🇹
Very attractive for long-term European living, but the income threshold is substantial.
5️⃣ South Korea 🇰🇷
An interesting technology-focused Asian option, particularly after its digital-nomad program was formalized in 2026.
⚠️ Digital Nomad Visa vs Work Visa
Don’t confuse these two.
Work visa
You:
Find job → employer sponsors/assists → work permit → move
Your salary in India may be irrelevant to the financial threshold if the new job satisfies the immigration rules.
Digital Nomad Visa
You:
Already have foreign remote income → prove income → residence abroad
This is why someone earning ₹1.35 lakh/month might have a difficult time with a Spanish digital-nomad visa but could potentially move to Germany through a qualifying job offer.
👩❤️👨 Can You Take Your Wife?
This is another major difference between countries.
Some programs explicitly allow family members.
For example:
🇪🇸 Spain: spouse/partner and dependent family members can qualify.
🇲🇾 Malaysia: spouse and children can accompany the main DE Rantau holder.
🇹🇭 Thailand: spouse and children under 20 can apply as DTV dependants, with proof of family relationship.
🇯🇵 Japan: spouse/child status exists for accompanying family under the digital-nomad framework.
So if you’re planning to move abroad as a couple, check the family provisions before choosing a country.
🌍 Final Ranking for Indian Remote Workers
Best overall for a lower-income remote professional
🇲🇾 Malaysia
Best long-stay Asian option
🇹🇭 Thailand
Best European option for high-income remote workers
🇪🇸 Spain
Best European lifestyle option
🇵🇹 Portugal
Best technology-focused Asian option
🇰🇷 South Korea
Best for very high earners
🇯🇵 Japan / UAE / Estonia
The Reality in 2026
The biggest misconception about digital nomad visas is:
“I work online, therefore I can move anywhere.”
Unfortunately, that’s not how it works.
Most countries want to see:
Remote employment + stable income + professional experience + health insurance + clean immigration history + financial capacity.
And for a couple, the financial requirement can increase further.
For an Indian professional earning ₹1–2 lakh/month, I’d personally investigate Malaysia first, Thailand second, and then focus on increasing international/remote income before targeting Spain or Portugal.
For a skilled professional who can secure an overseas job, however, a work visa can be much easier than a digital-nomad visa.