This year, with the spread of remote work, the lifestyle of "digital nomads"—working and living abroad—is attracting attention. This article thoroughly analyzes overseas digital nomads for 2025, including lifestyle, country-by-country comparisons, information visas, and living costs.

Table of Contents

1. 5 Recommended Digital Nomad Visas Easy for Japanese People to Obtain (Latest 2026)

2. Realistic Comparison of Living Costs: Monthly Costs in an Era of Yen Depreciation and Inflation

3. Taxes and the "183-Day Rule" for Overseas Nomad Lifestyles

4. 3 Steps to Starting a Digital Nomad Lifestyle

5. Summary: Choosing the Best Digital Nomad Destination for You

Top 5 Recommended Digital Nomad Visas for Japanese People (Latest 2026 Edition)

1-1. Thailand "DTV (Destination Thailand Visa)"

Currently, the most talked-about visa among Japanese digital nomads is Thailand's DTV visa, which was newly established in the latter half of 2024 [1].

• Length of Stay: Up to 5 years (Maximum stay of 180 days per entry, extendable)

• Main Requirements: Bank balance certificate of 500,000 baht (approximately 2.1 million yen) or more, income from overseas (outside Thailand)

• Reasons for Recommendation: There is no monthly income requirement, and you can apply with just a "bank balance certificate," making it very easy to obtain even for freelancers and those preparing to start a business.

1-2. Portugal "D8 Visa (Digital Nomad Visa)"

Portugal enjoys unwavering popularity as a European nomad hub. The D8 visa, specifically for remote workers, has replaced the previous D7 visa. [2]

• Length of Stay: 1 year (renewable up to 5 years, with the possibility of applying for permanent residency afterward)

• Main Requirements: Monthly income of €3,680 (approximately 600,000 yen) or more (*4 times Portugal's minimum wage)

• Reasons for Recommendation: Allows free movement within the Schengen Area, and Lisbon boasts a huge nomad community. While the income requirement is high, it's an ideal stepping stone to relocating to the EU.

1-3. Estonia "Digital Nomad Visa"

Estonia is an IT-advanced country that introduced the world's first digital nomad visa.

• Length of stay: Up to 1 year

• Main requirements: Stable income of €3,504 (approximately 560,000 yen) or more per month

• Reasons for recommendation: It is well-suited to the "e-Residency" system, where most administrative procedures can be completed online, and is popular among engineers who want to expand their business in Europe.

1-4. Croatia "Digital Nomad Visa"

Croatia, located on the beautiful Adriatic Sea, is a hidden gem in Europe where the cost of living is relatively low.

• Length of Stay: Up to 1 year

• Main Requirements: Monthly income of approximately €2,500 (approximately 400,000 yen) or more

• Reason for Recommendation: Holders of the Digital Nomad Visa enjoy a significant tax benefit: exemption from income tax within Croatia.

1-5. Indonesia (Bali) "E33G Visa"

This visa is for long-term stays in Bali, a mecca for digital nomads.

• Length of Stay: Up to 1 year

• Main Requirements: Bank account balance of $2,000 (approximately 300,000 yen) or more

• Reason for Recommendation: Similar to Thailand's DTV, a balance

2. Realistic Cost of Living Comparison: Monthly Costs in an Era of a Weak Yen and Inflation

The idea that "prices are cheap overseas" is becoming a thing of the past. As of 2026, assuming an exchange rate of around 1 dollar = 150 yen, we compare the "realistic monthly cost of living (including rent, food, and communication costs)" of a Japanese digital nomad [3].

Chiang Mai (Thailand)

• Estimated monthly cost of living: Approximately 150,000 to 200,000 yen

• Internet environment: Very good

• Community characteristics: Many Japanese digital nomads, making information exchange easy. Cafes and co-working spaces are densely concentrated.

Bali (Indonesia)

• Estimated monthly living expenses: Approximately 180,000-250,000 yen

• Internet access: Varies by area

• Community characteristics: Many Western creators. Wellness-focused lifestyle including yoga and surfing.

Lisbon (Portugal)

• Estimated monthly living expenses: Approximately 350,000-450,000 yen

• Internet access: Good

• Community characteristics: Europe's largest nomad hub. Rising rents are a challenge, but safety and quality of life are top-notch.

Tallinn (Estonia)

• Estimated monthly living expenses: Approximately 250,000-300,000 yen

• Internet access: Excellent

• Community characteristics: Many engineers and entrepreneurs. Winters are harsh, but IT infrastructure is world-class.

💡One-point advice for nomads: Because rents are soaring in Europe (like Lisbon), the classic route for Japanese people is to start in Thailand (Chiang Mai) or Malaysia, where the cost of living is comparable to or slightly cheaper than a regional city in Japan, and get used to the nomadic lifestyle.

✈️ Before going abroad as a nomad, why not try it domestically first? If you're hesitant about going overseas right away, try experiencing a "location-independent work style" with a domestic workation first.
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3. Taxes and the "183-Day Rule" for Digital Nomads Abroad

One thing Japanese people working remotely abroad absolutely must know is how taxes are handled.

Differences between Residents and Non-Residents

Under Japanese tax law, if you spend more than half of the year (183 days) abroad and your primary place of residence is recognized as being overseas, you become a "non-resident" of Japan. As a non-resident, you are exempt from Japanese income tax and resident tax on income other than that generated in Japan (domestic source income).

Points to Note

• It's not as simple as "removing your resident registration = becoming a non-resident." Where you actually live is what matters.

• Even if you are exempt from Japanese taxes, you may still have tax obligations according to the tax laws of the country you are staying in (※Some countries, like Croatia, exempt nomad visa holders from taxes).

• International taxation is very complex, so if you are considering a long-term stay, be sure to consult with a tax accountant or the tax office before leaving the country.

4. Three Steps to Starting a Digital Nomad Lifestyle

Step 1: Establishing a Remote Work Environment

First, confirm whether your current job can be completed entirely remotely. If you are an employee, you will need to check with your HR department regarding security regulations for access from overseas and employment rules.

Step 2: Testing with a Domestic Workation

Instead of going abroad immediately, try a 1-2 week workation in Japan (such as Hokkaido or Okinawa). This will test whether you can manage yourself and maintain productivity even in an environment without time differences.

Step 3: Short-Term Stay with a Visa-Free (Tourist Visa)

Try staying for about a month in a country where Japanese citizens can enter without a visa, such as Thailand or Malaysia. The key to success is to check if the local internet environment, food, and climate suit you before proceeding with a full-fledged digital nomad visa application.

Summary: How to Choose the Best Digital Nomad Destination for You

In 2026, digital nomadism is no longer limited to a select few; it has become a well-established new career option.

• Freelancers/Aspiring Entrepreneurs → Thailand (DTV Visa) or Bali (applications accepted with bank statements)

• Stable High-Income Individuals → Portugal or Spain (gateways to the EU)

• IT/Engineers → Estonia (a digital nation)

First, narrow down your choices based on your income situation and ideal lifestyle.

＼Experience a "location-independent work style" domestically first!／ Why not start with a domestic workation as your first step towards becoming an overseas nomad? Workations allows you to easily search for hotels with workspaces and long-term stay facilities nationwide. 👉Find Recommended Workation Facilities and Areas

[References]

[1] タイ王国大使館. (2024). Destination Thailand Visa (DTV). https://fukuoka.thaiembassy.org/jp/page/dtvvisa
[2] Global Citizen Solutions. (2025). Portugal Digital Nomad Visa (D8). https://www.globalcitizensolutions.com/portugal-digital-nomad-visa/
[3] チェンマイタイム. (2026). 【2026年版】デジタルノマドにとってのチェンマイとは？. https://chiangmai-time.com/nomad/overview/