Spain digital nomad visa 2026: what's changed and what you need to know
Spain's digital nomad visa has been one of Europe's most popular routes for remote workers since it launched under the Startup Act in late 2022. But if you're planning to apply in 2026, you need to know that the goalposts have shifted – not dramatically, but enough to catch people out.
On 17 February 2026, Spain's Council of Ministers approved Royal Decree 126/2026, raising the minimum interprofessional salary (SMI) by 3.1% to EUR 1,221 per month across 14 payments. That might sound like domestic Spanish news, but it has a direct knock-on effect for every digital nomad visa applicant – because the income threshold is pegged to the SMI.
Here's what that means in practice, along with everything else you need to know about applying for Spain's DNV this year.
The 2026 income requirements
The digital nomad visa requires applicants to demonstrate a minimum monthly income of 200% of the SMI. With the February increase, that means:
| Applicant type | Monthly income required (2026) |
|---|---|
| Single applicant | EUR 2,849 |
| With one dependent | EUR 3,765 (add 75% of SMI) |
| Each additional dependent | Add EUR 305 (25% of SMI) |
| Family of three (example) | EUR 4,273 |
These figures are up from EUR 2,763 for a single applicant in 2025. It's not a huge jump, but if you were right on the borderline last year, you'll want to double-check your numbers before applying.
Income can be demonstrated through employment contracts, recent payslips, or bank statements. The key is consistency -- immigration authorities want to see stable, verifiable income, not a one-off windfall.
Who can apply
The Spain digital nomad visa is available to non-EU and non-EEA citizens. That includes citizens of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and most other countries outside the European Economic Area.
As of 2026, both employed remote workers and freelancers or independent contractors are eligible. If you're employed, your employer needs to provide written authorisation for remote work and must have been operating for at least 12 months. Approvals remain case-by-case.
For freelancers, there's an important restriction: a maximum of 20% of your total income can come from Spanish clients. At least 80% must be from sources outside Spain.
What's getting stricter, and why
The most significant change in 2026 isn't a single new rule, it's a tightening of enforcement across the board.
Spanish authorities have been dealing with a growing number of fraud cases – people applying for the digital nomad visa who don't genuinely meet the requirements, or who fail to register properly with Spanish social security after arrival. The result is that the system is becoming more structured and more carefully scrutinised.
In practice, this means:
Renewal processes are tightening. You need to demonstrate that you've actually been living in Spain – at least six months per year – and that your income and work situation haven't materially changed.
Documentation is being checked more carefully. Incomplete or inconsistent applications are more likely to be rejected outright rather than queried.
Social security registration matters. If you're required to register with the Spanish social security system and haven't done so, expect problems at renewal.
This isn't cause for panic, but it is a good reason to get professional advice before applying, and to take the administrative requirements seriously from day one.
Application process and timeline
The application process hasn't fundamentally changed, but it's worth walking through because the documentation requirements are specific.
Documents you'll need
Valid passport with at least one year remaining and two blank pages
Completed national visa application form
Two recent passport photographs
Work contract or employer authorisation letter confirming remote work arrangement
Proof that your employer or company has been operational for 12+ months
Income documentation – payslips, contracts, or bank statements
Proof of qualifications – a university degree, professional certificate, or evidence of three or more years of relevant experience
Private health insurance with coverage equivalent to Spain's public system, including zero co-payments and zero deductibles
Criminal record certificates from every country where you've lived in the past two years, apostilled and translated into Spanish
Family relationship documents, if applying with dependents
Where and how to apply
There are two routes:
From outside Spain (consulate application): Book an appointment at your local Spanish embassy or consulate, submit documents in person, and expect your passport to be retained during processing. Processing takes 15 to 45 days. The initial visa is valid for one year.
From inside Spain (if you're visa-exempt): If your nationality allows you to enter Spain without a visa, you can apply directly through the Unidad de Grandes Empresas y Colectivos Estrategicos (UGE-CE). Processing takes around 20 working days. The initial authorisation is valid for three years — a significant advantage.
After arrival, you'll need to apply for your NIE (tax identification number) and TIE (physical residence card) at your local foreigners' office. The TIE typically takes 30 to 45 days to issue, but getting appointments has proved VERY challenging in many regions lately.
Costs
Application fees are modest – between EUR 80 and EUR 100, depending on your nationality and reciprocity agreements. The real costs are in document preparation:
| Item | Approximate cost |
|---|---|
| Application fee | EUR 80 -- 100 |
| Criminal record certificate | EUR 15 -- 95 (varies by country) |
| Apostille per document | EUR 20 -- 60 |
| Sworn translation per document | EUR 30 -- 100 |
| TIE residence card | EUR 15 -- 20 |
| Total estimate (single, self-managed) | EUR 300 -- 700 |
Budget higher if you use an immigration lawyer, which – given the tightening enforcement – may be worth the investment.
Tax implications and the Beckham Law
This is where the Spain digital nomad visa gets genuinely interesting.
Qualifying DNV holders can elect to use the special expat tax regime, colloquially known as the Beckham Law. This was originally designed to attract top football talent, but it now applies to a much broader range of international workers – including digital nomads, so long as they have appropriate employment contracts.
Under this regime:
You pay a flat 24% tax rate on Spanish-sourced employment income up to EUR 600,000 per year
Income above EUR 600,000 is taxed at 47%
Foreign-sourced income is generally not taxed in Spain
The regime lasts for the year of arrival plus five additional years – six years total (BUT see A1 coverage, below, from UK)
You must apply within six months of registering with Spanish social security or starting qualifying employment
The tax advantages can be substantial, particularly if most of your income comes from outside Spain. But the rules are precise and the application window is tight. Get professional tax advice before making elections – this isn't something to figure out retrospectively.
Spain maintains double taxation treaties with over 90 countries, including the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and all EU member states. These help prevent being taxed twice on the same income, but they don't eliminate reporting obligations in both jurisdictions.
If you're a freelancer
Self-employed digital nomads do not usually qualify for the Beckham Law regime and are subject to Spain's standard progressive income tax rates and mandatory social security contributions as an autonomo. The social security landscape is currently in flux -- Spain is transitioning to a contribution system based on actual income brackets, which affects what you'll pay monthly.
Renewals and the path to residency
The digital nomad visa can be renewed in two-year increments, up to a maximum of five years. After five years of legal residence, you become eligible for long-term residency. After ten years, you can apply for Spanish citizenship -- though timelines and requirements vary by nationality.
To renew successfully, you must demonstrate that you've spent at least six months of each year in Spain. Absences exceeding six consecutive months may disqualify you from renewal and could affect your long-term residency eligibility.
Given the stricter enforcement environment in 2026, keep good records of your time in Spain. Utility bills, healthcare visits, and tax filings all help establish your presence.
Social security and the A1 certificate question
One area that trips up a lot of digital nomad visa holders is social security coordination. If you're moving from another EU or EEA country – or from a country with a bilateral social security agreement – you may have an A1 certificate proving you're covered by your home country's social security system.
The A1 is a portable document, and while it's valid, it exempts you from Spanish social security contributions. But A1 certificates have expiry dates, and when yours runs out, you'll need to either obtain a new one or register with the Spanish system.
This matters because failure to register with Spanish social security when required has been flagged as one of the issues driving the current enforcement crackdown. Don't let it lapse without a plan. It can mean transitioning from employment with a foreign company to self-employment in Spain, with full responsibilty for autonomo taxation and social security
Family applications
Spouses, registered partners, and dependent children can apply alongside you as accompanying family members. They receive residence permits aligned with your authorisation period.
The income thresholds increase with dependents -- 75% of the SMI for the first dependent and 25% for each additional one. All family members need their own documentation, including criminal record certificates for adults.
What else is happening in Spain for remote workers in 2026
Beyond the DNV itself, a few other developments are worth knowing about:
Climate permit law: Spain has introduced a new provision allowing employees up to four paid days off when severe weather prevents travel to work. Where the role allows, employers may implement remote working as an alternative. Given recent extreme weather events in Spain, this is practical rather than theoretical.
Golden Visa eliminated: Spain's investor visa programme was closed to new applicants in 2025. The digital nomad visa is now the primary route for non-EU remote workers.
EU directives coming: Spain must transpose the EU Pay Transparency Directive by June 2026 and the Platform Work Directive by December 2026. A mandatory digital time-tracking law is also expected. These won't directly affect most DNV holders, but they signal the direction of travel for Spanish employment regulation.
37.5-hour work week: Still stalled after being defeated in parliament in September 2025. No revised legislation has been reintroduced, but unions continue to push.
Is Spain still worth it?
Despite the higher income threshold and stricter enforcement, Spain remains one of the most attractive digital nomad visa destinations in Europe. The combination of the Beckham Law tax regime, relatively low cost of living outside the most expensive cities, excellent infrastructure, and a genuine quality of life is hard to beat.
The tightening of requirements isn't necessarily bad news, either. It weeds out bad-faith applications and makes the system more sustainable, ultimately benefiting legitimate applicants who plan to make Spain their home.
Just go in with your eyes open, your documents in order, and ideally a good immigration lawyer and tax advisor in your corner. Spain rewards those who do their homework.
This article is for informational purposes and does not constitute legal or tax advice. Requirements and thresholds may change. Always consult a qualified immigration lawyer and tax advisor for guidance specific to your situation.
Last updated: February 2026
Sources:
Royal Decree 126/2026 (BOE, 18 February 2026)
Spain Startup Act (Ley 28/2022, de 21 de diciembre)
SpainGuru: Spain Digital Nomad Visa income increase 2026
The Local (Spain): Financial requirements for Spain's Digital Nomad Visa in 2026
Citizen Remote: Spain Digital Nomad Visa guide