Spain's Digital Nomad Visa: 2026 requirements & how to apply

Spain's Digital Nomad Visa lets you live in Spain while you keep working remotely for companies or clients based outside the country. If your income comes from a laptop, it is one of the most practical ways to move here. The rules are specific, though, and the income figures went up for 2026, so it pays to know exactly where you stand before you apply.

What is the Digital Nomad Visa?

Spain introduced the visa under its Startup Law in 2023. Officially it is the residence permit for international teleworkers. It exists for people who earn their living remotely and want to base themselves in Spain without changing how or where they work.

Two groups use it most. The first is employees on the payroll of a company outside Spain. The second is freelancers who invoice clients outside Spain. Freelancers can take on Spanish clients too, as long as that work stays under 20% of their total income.

Who qualifies?

To be eligible you generally need to show that:

• Your work is genuinely remote and tied to companies or clients based outside Spain.
• The company you work for, or your main clients, have been trading for at least a year.
• You have worked with that employer or those clients for at least three months before applying, on a contract that runs at least a year ahead.
• You hold a degree from a recognised university, or you have at least three years of experience in your line of work.
• You have a clean criminal record for the countries you have lived in over the last five years.
• You have full private health insurance with a company authorised to operate in Spain.

Income requirements for 2026

The income threshold is tied to Spain's minimum wage, known as the SMI, which rose for 2026. That pushed the numbers up from previous years, so use the current figures below rather than anything you saw in an older guide.

Two ways to apply

There are two routes, and the one you pick changes how long your first permit lasts.

1. From your home country

You apply at the Spanish consulate that covers where you live. This route usually gives a one-year visa, which you then convert to a longer residence permit once you are in Spain.

2. From inside Spain

If you are already in Spain legally, for example on a tourist entry, you can apply directly to the UGE, the unit that handles these permits. This route can grant a three-year permit up front and tends to be decided faster, often within about 20 working days.

Documents you will need

• A valid passport
• The application form and fee payment
• Employment or service contracts that show your work is remote
• Proof of income, such as payslips, invoices, and bank statements
• Proof of your degree or three years of experience
• A private health insurance certificate
• A criminal record certificate, apostilled and translated
• Proof the company or clients have been active for at least a year

How long it takes

The in-country UGE route is often resolved in around 20 working days. Consulate timelines vary by location and time of year. The part that catches people out is the preparation. Apostilles and sworn translations take time, so it is sensible to plan for a few weeks to a couple of months from your first document request to approval.

What the visa gives you

• The right to live in Spain and keep working for your foreign employer or clients
• The option to bring your spouse or partner and dependent children
• Visa-free travel across the Schengen Area
• A path toward long-term residency over time
• Possible access to a reduced tax rate for qualifying applicants, which is worth getting proper advice on

This article is general information and not legal advice. Spanish immigration rules and income thresholds change from year to year and can vary by consulate and by personal circumstances. Confirm the current requirements for your own case with a licensed immigration professional before you apply.