Country comparisons
Germany vs Netherlands
A side-by-side comparison of Germany and Netherlands for digital nomads and movers. Every figure is an estimate pulled from the country pages below, confirm it with the official source before you act.
Side by side
| Germany | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Digital nomad visa | No | No |
| Income requirement | No statutory minimum for the Freiberufler / self-employment residence permit (means-tested by the local authority); the 2026 Visa Handbook shows an interim ~EUR 1,200/mo figure. No dedicated nomad visa yet. | No nomad visa. Non-EU: self-employed residence permit (points test). US citizens: DAFT treaty, ~4,500 EUR kept in the business. No fixed income floor. |
| Tax residency | Resident via Wohnsitz (home available) or 183+ days/yr; worldwide income, progressive to 45%. | Residency by facts/circumstances (centre of life), not a day count; residents taxed on worldwide income; 30% expat ruling drops to 27% in 2027. |
| Cost of living | Moderate | High |
| Currency | EUR | EUR |
| Healthcare | Foreigners staying long-term must hold German health insurance through a Krankenkasse, which is a legal condition of the residence permit. | Once you are resident or working, Dutch law generally requires you to take out Dutch basic health insurance (basisverzekering) from a private insurer. |
| Driving | Foreign licences are generally accepted for about six months after taking up residence, after which a German licence is required; an International Driving Permit or certified translation can be needed depending on the issuing country. | A foreign licence works for short visits, ideally carried with an International Driving Permit, but once resident you may drive on it for only about 185 days before needing a Dutch licence. |
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Digital-Nomad Visa Checker
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Tax-Residency Reality Checker
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Cost-of-Relocation Calculator
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