Spain
Spain Digital Nomad Visa
Spain’s Startup Law digital nomad route in 2026 targets remote workers and freelancers whose clients or employers are mainly outside Spain, with published income multiples tied to the SMI (minimum wage).
Key requirements
Income thresholds are published in euros as a multiple of Spain’s SMI and depend on dependents. Treat USD figures here as a rough planning anchor only.
- Minimum income (model)~$3,000 / month (model)
- SavingsNot modeled as required
- Accepted income typesRemote salary, Freelance income
- Remote work allowedYes
- Local employment allowedNo
- Health insuranceUsually required
- Criminal record checkUsually required
- Accommodation proofUsually required
- Bank accountUsually required
- Processing (rough)Months (varies)
Citizenship & nationality
Spain’s digital nomad visa is aimed at non-EU/EEA remote workers in the Startup Law framework, while EU citizens already use free movement and do not need this visa to live in Spain. In 2026 consulates still differ on how strictly they interpret “% of work for non-Spanish clients.”
- •If you are not an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen, you normally apply from your country of legal residence and may need apostilled police certificates from every country you lived in recently.
- •UK, US, Canadian, and Latin American applicants are common in 2026 queues — expect appointment scarcity in large consular districts.
- •Sanctions, security flags, or prior removals from the Schengen area can block approval even when income is strong — disclose issues early with counsel.
- •Family members can usually be included with extra income multiples and dependency proof.
Check the Spanish consulate that has jurisdiction over your residence (not only citizenship) for 2026 appointment rules and translated-document requirements.
How our tool models it
Broad nationality access (in our model)
We do not model specific exclusions for this pathway yet. Always confirm with official guidance.
Best for
- •Remote workers who want a clear digital-nomad-style pathway
- •Remote employment or freelance income from outside the host country
- •People planning longer stays and clearer residency footprints
Long-term path
- Permanent residence: Yes
- Citizenship: Limited / case-by-case
After initial approval, renewals hinge on still meeting income rules and tax-residency realities — Spain may treat you as tax-resident if you stay beyond six months even when working “remotely.”
Practical difficulty
medium
Indicative only — depends on documents, timing, and policy updates.
Medium reflects consulate variance and the need for clean contracts, invoices, or employer letters proving non-Spain work concentration.
Last reviewed (content freshness): 2026-04-16
Visa rules can change. Always verify details with official immigration sources before applying.