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Italy vs Portugal in 2026: Is Italy the Next Digital Nomad Hotspot?

Rafael Di Furia - Not Your Average Globetrotter

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Digital nomad life in Europe is starting to look different in 2026. Portugal’s updated required income, paired with a cost of living that keeps creeping higher and higher, is making a lot of people rethink what has been many nomads’ top European destination, whether they’re looking at the Portugal digital nomad visa or the D8 visa. Lisbon prices are starting to feel less like a bargain and more like what you might expect in Europe’s cities with the highest cost of living. When the gap between what you need to earn and what you can realistically spend starts to shrink, the idea of living in Italy as a digital nomad in 2026 begins to feel less like a fantasy and more like something worth taking seriously, even for people who never would have put Italy at the top of their list before. More remote workers are running the same comparison right now: Italy vs Portugal, Rome vs Lisbon, and which digital nomad visa makes sense in 2026, and it’s no longer just a vibe conversation, it’s a numbers and lifestyle conversation where the differences start to show up fast. In this episode of Not Your Average Globetrotter hosted by Rafael Di Furia, you’ll hear how Italy’s digital nomad visa stacks up against Portugal’s options in 2026, and why Italy may be worth a serious look right now.

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9 Comments

@jdeng1989 8 months ago

I might be thinking about this wrong, but it seems to me that both of these countries need to figure out a stable and consistent visa plan so they can generate tax revenue. Their populations are shrinking from declining birth rates, and more retirees exist than workers. They need money now.

If I were a digital nomad, I would just use 90-day tourist visas and pop into England every 3 months to reset the clock. You don’t need to be on the public health system to see a private doctor (cash is king). Pharmacists can address daily ills over the counter, and if you have a big medical issue you’re going back to your home country anyway to get support from family.

As always, thanks for the perspective Rafael. Btw, the Trento valley is where I want to be. 😊

@hiker3654 8 months ago

As a dual citizen, add me to this statistic. I'm moving to Italy in the Spring of 2026 as a digital nomad. I'm nervous, excited and ready!

@soniaanthony4047 8 months ago

Hi, I am very interested in Italy as I am in the process of working on getting the digital nomad visa.

@PaulRoss-t1p 8 months ago

Wplease can you tell me what you mean when you say Free lancer ??

@scramble8800 6 months ago

The point about Italy’s trains vs. Portugal’s affordable Ubers is so practical. Getting stuck with a €150 taxi bill in Italy definitely hurts! If you're a digital nomad who hates driving, which country’s infrastructure felt more supportive for your day-to-day life?

@celticwarrior777 5 months ago (edited)

Your still in portugal

Italy is beautiful id chose that over portugal anyday.
Its surviving. Everywhere has hiked prices for rent.even cluntries that were do cheap. Because of expats and vacationefs its hiked everything

@mr2390-l7s 7 months ago (edited)

I have been living in Italy for over 2 years, and it is really underdeveloped in terms of many aspects DN like - coworking spaces - do no exist nearly, no WiFi in most of cafes - actually the cafeterias are even not prepared for people to spend there time - they are mostly for espresso/brioche and go, small tables and owners do not like people to stay there working. In bigger cities like Milan (where I lived) - very few events or meetups, nearly nothing (if you compare to places like Lisbon Barcelona, zero!) But! - I agree that this may change as the Italian mid-size cities like Bologna are much more affordable than mentioned Lisbon, Barcelona etc. Rome.. hmm, this is different story, I would not compare it to Lisbon as the quality of life in Rome is much much lower than in Lisbon. Other aspects that DNs like: gyms very bad quality, no drop in system, year or months subscriptions only. No bolt, uber etc. taxis are super expensive.

@jPuma817 8 months ago

Portugal had the advantage with the 5 year residency to Citzenship, but now its 10 years, same as Italy, Both have terrible bureaucracy, Italy's might be worst, Standard Italian is easier to learn vs Portugal Portuguese, both getting more expensive housing, food is good for both, but with the lower income requirement , I think Italy wins