Japan, in the numbers that decide it
What life costs
high confidence- One-bed flat, city
- €850/mo
- Three-bed home
- €1,650/mo
- Groceries, one person
- €280/mo
- Utilities
- €120/mo
- What a local salary buys
- 118/100
Ways in
- Lowest income floor of any route
- €135/mo
How long it takes
- Fastest route on paper
- 在留資格「研究」 (Researcher Residence Status) — 10 days
- Routes that publish a wait
- 5 of 17 tracked
Moving with family
- Family & reunification routes
- 2
- Healthcare system
- universal public
Day-to-day life
high confidence- Healthcare
- 88/100
- Climate
- 84/100
- English in daily life
- Very Low (EF EPI 73)
- Internet speed
- 140 Mbps
- Overall quality-of-life score
- 186
Tax, in practice
high confidence- Real rate at €90k
- 12.0%
- Take-home per month at €90k
- €6,600
- VAT
- 10%
- How it is structured
- progressive
- Special regimes still open
- Charitable contributions credit
Japan offers 15 distinct visa pathways for skilled workers and migrants in 2026. Located in Eastern Asia, processing times range from 1–7 months. The country scores a quality of life index of 9/10 and a safety score of 10/10. Monthly living costs for a single person range from €1,250–€1,930 depending on the city. The primary language is Japanese with English friendliness rated 3/10. Permanent residency timelines range from 10 to 15 years depending on the visa stream. Top-scoring professions for immigration include Software Engineer (7.5/10), AI Engineer (7.5/10), Hotel Manager (7.2/10). Overall migration friendliness is rated 4/10. Figures as of H2 2026 (official sources, last re-check).
Visa Programs
| Program | Min Income | Min Savings | Language | Processing | Path to PR | Citizenship |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Designated activities (Future Creation Individual, Spouse or Child of Future Creation Individual) (J-Find) | — | €1,082 | — | — | — | — |
| Journalist (報道) Status of Residence | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Special Highly Skilled Professional (J-Skip) | €9,018/mo | — | — | 4 weeks | 1 year | — |
| Specified Skilled Worker (i) | — | — | A2 | — | — | — |
| Specified Skilled Worker (ii) Status of Residence | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Startup Visa | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Status of Residence of “Designated Activities” (for Digital Nomad / Spouse or child of Digital Nomad) | €4,509/mo | — | — | — | — | — |
| Trainee (研修) | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Working Holiday | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 在留資格「介護」 | — | — | B2 | — | — | — |
| 在留資格「研究」 (Researcher Residence Status) | — | — | — | 4 weeks | — | — |
| 家族滞在（Dependent） | — | — | — | 4 weeks | — | — |
| 技能実習 (Technical Intern Training) | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 留学 | — | — | — | 4 weeks | — | — |
| 経営・管理（Business Manager） | — | €161,761 | — | 13 weeks | — | — |
| 高度専門職（高度人材ポイント制） | — | — | — | — | 1 year | — |
Financial Requirements
€1,082 minimum savings
€9,018/mo minimum income
€4,509/mo minimum income
€161,761 minimum savings
Reality Check
Would you actually qualify?
The reality check above is the general picture. Get your own honest verdict — which visas you qualify for, and your real blockers — in a free 3-minute assessment.
Get Your Free Verdict →Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Assuming English is sufficient for daily life — even in Tokyo, most landlords, government offices, local shops, and healthcare providers operate in Japanese only.
- Not calculating HSP points before applying — the calculation is public and self-service. Know your score before you commit to the process.
- Underestimating housing move-in costs — budget 4-6 months of rent for key money, deposits, agency fees, and guarantor company fees upfront.
- Leaving Japan without settling residence tax (juuminzei) — this tax is billed the year after you earn income. Departing mid-year without appointing a tax representative creates problems.
- Choosing a traditional Japanese company expecting Western work culture — research the specific company culture, not just the role.
- Not registering at city hall within 14 days of moving — this triggers NHI, pension, and My Number card enrollment. Delaying creates cascading bureaucratic problems.
Insider Tips
- The HSP visa's 80-point PR track is the fastest in the world for skilled workers. If you are within striking distance of 80 points, consider: getting a JLPT N2 certificate (+10 points) or N1 (+15 points) before applying, or negotiating a higher starting salary.
- For tech workers: Tokyo's English-friendly tech employers include Mercari, SmartNews, LINE, Rakuten (official English language policy), Amazon Japan, Google Japan, and Indeed Japan. These companies handle visa sponsorship routinely.
- UR (Urban Renaissance Agency) apartments do not require key money, guarantors, or agency fees — they are the most foreigner-friendly housing option with massive savings on move-in costs.
- Get your My Number card as early as possible — it is increasingly required for banking, tax filing, and government services. The application process takes 1-2 months.
- Healthcare tip: AMDA International Medical Information Center (03-5285-8088) provides free multilingual medical consultation and can help locate English-speaking doctors in your area.
- Fukuoka is designated a National Strategic Special Zone for startups — if you are an entrepreneur, this city offers incentives and a 35% lower cost of living than Tokyo.
Who Qualifies?
Best visa: Highly Skilled Professional Visa (HSP) — most tech workers with a degree and 3+ years of experience can reach 70+ points easily
Japan's tech sector is actively recruiting foreign engineers, particularly in Tokyo. Software engineers, data scientists, AI/ML specialists, and cybersecurity professionals are in strong demand. English-language workplaces exist at Mercari, Rakuten, SmartNews, LINE, and international companies' Japan offices. Salaries: JPY 5-10M for mid-level (EUR 30,500-61,000), JPY 10-20M+ for senior/principal roles at top firms.
Best visa: Engineer/Specialist visa (for researchers) or specific medical visas
Japan does not recognize most foreign medical licenses. Practicing medicine requires passing the Japanese National Medical Exam — conducted entirely in Japanese. Nursing requires Japanese language certification and passing Japanese licensing exams. Research positions at universities and hospitals are more accessible, particularly for PhD holders.
Best visa: Specified Skilled Worker visa (Tokutei Gino)
Japan's Specified Skilled Worker visa (SSW) covers 14 sectors including construction, manufacturing, food service, and agriculture. Requires passing sector-specific skills tests (administered in Japanese in most cases) and Japanese Language Proficiency Test N4. Pay is often low compared to other destinations.
Best visa: Digital Nomad Visa (if earning JPY 10M+/year) or tourist visa for short stays
Japan's Digital Nomad Visa launched in 2024 but the JPY 10M income requirement (~EUR 61,000/year) is steep. It is best suited for high-earning remote workers who want a legal 6-month stay. Below that income threshold, there is no legal remote work visa for Japan. Working remotely on a tourist visa is technically not permitted.
Best visa: No dedicated retiree visa — limited options
Japan has no retiree visa. Options for retirees are very limited: family reunion (if married to a Japanese national), designated activities visa (discretionary), or cultural activities visa (if genuinely studying traditional Japanese arts). Unlike Thailand or Portugal, Japan has no structured pathway for foreign retirees without family connections.
Best visa: Business Manager Visa (Keiei Kanri)
The Business Manager visa requires: a physical office in Japan, minimum JPY 5 million capital investment (~EUR 30,500) or hiring 2+ full-time employees, and a viable business plan. The visa is 1 year initially, renewable. It provides a path to PR (10 years standard, or faster via HSP conversion if the business is profitable enough).
Cost of Living
Salary Data (Annual, EUR)
| Profession | Junior (Gross / Net) | Mid (Gross / Net) | Senior (Gross / Net) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | €28,000 / €22,000 | €44,000 / €33,000 | €68,000 / €48,000 |
| Nurse | €22,000 / €17,600 | €30,000 / €23,400 | €40,000 / €30,000 |
| Teacher | €20,000 / €16,000 | €30,000 / €23,400 | €42,000 / €31,500 |
| Marketing Manager | €26,000 / €20,600 | €42,000 / €31,500 | €62,000 / €44,000 |
| Graphic Designer | €20,000 / €16,000 | €30,000 / €23,400 | €44,000 / €33,000 |
| Mechanical Engineer | €26,000 / €20,600 | €40,000 / €30,000 | €60,000 / €42,000 |
| Accountant | €24,000 / €19,000 | €38,000 / €28,500 | €56,000 / €40,000 |
| Data Analyst | €25,000 / €19,800 | €40,000 / €30,000 | €58,000 / €41,000 |
| Architect | €24,000 / €19,000 | €38,000 / €28,500 | €55,000 / €39,000 |
| Chef | €18,000 / €14,400 | €26,000 / €20,400 | €38,000 / €28,500 |
Converted from JPY at approximately JPY 163 = EUR 1. Net reflects Japanese income tax (5-45% progressive), residence tax (~10%), and social insurance contributions (~15% employee share including health insurance and pension).
Downloadable Data
Official sources
Japan
- Status of Residence of “Designated Activities” (for Digital Nomad / Spouse or child of Digital Nomad) — moj.go.jp — last re-checked 2026-06-21
- 在留資格「介護」 — moj.go.jp — last re-checked 2026-06-24
- Specified Skilled Worker (i) — ssw.go.jp — last re-checked 2026-06-24
Figures are compiled from official government sources and re-checked on a rolling basis. Always confirm on the official page before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to speak Japanese to work in Japan?
Legally, no Japanese is required for the Highly Skilled Professional visa or the Engineer/Specialist visa. In practice, English-only work environments exist primarily at international tech companies in Tokyo (Mercari, Rakuten, Google Japan, Amazon Japan, etc.) and at English-teaching positions. For most other industries and cities, functional Japanese is expected. Beyond work, daily life is conducted in Japanese. Invest in learning Japanese before or immediately upon arrival.
How does Japan's points system work for PR?
The HSP visa uses a transparent points system. Points are awarded for: academic background (PhD = 30, Master's = 20, Bachelor's = 10), professional experience (10+ years = 20, down to 3+ years = 5), annual salary (JPY 10M+ = 40 points), age (under 30 = 15), and bonus items (JLPT N1 = 15 points, N2 = 10 points, degree from a ranked university). Score 70+ to qualify. Score 80+ for the 1-year PR fast track.
Can I get permanent residency in Japan in 1 year?
Permanent residency may be available depending on the visa stream; specific timelines are not published for the pathways currently tracked.
What is the minimum salary for a work visa in Japan?
There is no single fixed minimum. For the HSP visa, JPY 3 million/year (~EUR 18,300) is the practical floor. For the Engineer/Specialist visa, the salary must match what a Japanese national would earn for the same role. In practice, most work visa holders earn JPY 3-5 million/year at entry level (EUR 18,300-30,500). Tech roles often start at JPY 5-8 million (EUR 30,500-49,000).
Is Japan cheaper than Europe for immigrants?
Tokyo is comparable to mid-range European capitals — cheaper than London, Paris, or Zurich, but more expensive than or Prague. Osaka is roughly 20% cheaper than Tokyo, and Fukuoka is 35% cheaper. Rent is lower than equivalent Western cities, food is affordable and excellent, and healthcare is cheap under NHI (30% copay). However, upfront housing costs (4-6 months of rent) and some imported goods are expensive.
Can I bring my family to Japan on a work visa?
Yes. 15 pathways allow family members. Options include: Designated Activities (Digital Nomad, Spouse or Child of Digital Nomad), Designated activities (Future Creation Individual, Spouse or Child of Future Creation Individual) (J-Find), Special Highly Skilled Professional (J-Skip). Spouses may also be eligible to work depending on the visa type.
What is the Digital Nomad Visa for Japan?
Launched in 2024, Japan's Digital Nomad Visa allows remote workers earning JPY 10 million/year or more (~EUR 61,000) from non-Japanese sources to live in Japan for up to 6 months. No extensions or renewals. You must be a national of a country with a tax treaty with Japan. No path to PR or citizenship. Best suited for high-earning remote professionals who want a legal medium-term stay.
How hard is it to rent an apartment in Japan as a foreigner?
It is one of the most significant practical challenges. Many landlords refuse foreign tenants regardless of income. You will need: a guarantor company (0.5-1 month's rent), key money (1-2 months non-refundable), security deposit (1-2 months), and agency fees (1 month). Total move-in costs reach 4-6 months of rent. UR apartments (government-managed) require none of these extras and are the most foreigner-friendly option.
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