Spain has been one of the most attractive destinations for remote working professionals since 2023. The updated Digital Nomad Visa (Digital Nomad Visa – DNV) as of 2026 stands out in Europe with both quality of life and tax advantages. However, the requirements are strict, the documents are detailed, and the income criteria change every year.
What is the Spain Digital Nomad Visa? 2026 Perspective
The Spain Digital Nomad Visa was introduced under the Startups Law that came into effect in January 2023, and since then, approximately 28,000 non-EU residents have moved to the country through this program.[4]
This visa allows non-EU remote workers and freelancers to have legal residence in Spain. Its main features include:
- Initial approval for 3 years of residence, followed by the possibility of 2 years extension (total of 5 years).[13]
- Right to apply for Spain’s special “Beckham” tax regime: For the first 5 years, a favorable tax rate of around 15% on the first €600,000 of income (significantly lower than the general system).[4]
- A strong tool for long-term permanent residence and optimizing tax residency.
As of 2026, income requirements have increased. Therefore, when planning your application, you should consider not only the cost of living but also the official income threshold.
Who Can Apply for the Spain Digital Nomad Visa in 2026?
Citizenship and Residence Requirements
To apply, you must meet the following basic eligibility criteria:[1][2]
- You must be a non-EU citizen.
- You must not be illegally residing in Spain.
- You must not have been a tax resident in Spain in the last 5 years.[1]
Employment and Work Model
The Spain Digital Nomad Visa targets professionals who are already employed; it is not a “job-seeking visa.” You must meet the following conditions:[1][2][4]
- You must have been working for your current employer for at least 3 months before the application date or have regular professional clients.
- The company/entities you are associated with or your clients must have been operational for at least 1 year.
- Remote work must be the norm: You are expected to document that you can perform your tasks solely using computers and telecommunications systems.[2]
Geographical Source of Income (80/20 Rule)
One of the most critical conditions of the program is the geographical distribution of your income:
- At least 80% of your total income must be paid by employers or clients outside of Spain.[4]
- You cannot earn more than 20% of your income from Spanish clients.[1]
This rule ensures that the visa remains focused on “remote working foreign professionals.” You should clearly structure your income portfolio according to these ratios.
Education and Professional Experience
The applicant must prove their professional competence. You must have one of the following:[1]
- A bachelor’s or master’s degree, or
- At least 3 years of professional experience in your field.
Proving this criterion is easier in professions that can be performed remotely, such as technology, software, digital marketing, finance, and design.
Criminal Record and Clean Certificate
Security screening is one of the most common areas leading to application rejections. You need to prepare the following:[1][2][8]
- A criminal record/clean certificate from each country you have resided in for the last 5 years.
- The documents must be certified with a Hague Apostille and translated into Spanish by a sworn translator.[8]
- The validity of these documents is generally limited to 3–6 months; documents obtained too early may become invalid if the process takes longer.[8]
2026 Income Requirements: How Much Should You Earn?
Income Threshold Based on Updated SMI
The income requirement for the Spain Digital Nomad Visa is tied to the level of Minimum Professional Salary (SMI) in Spain and is updated annually. The minimum income levels set for 2026 are as follows:[2][4][9]
- Single Applicant: Monthly €2,368 (annual €28,416) – 200% of SMI.[2]
- First Family Member (spouse or dependent child): Additional monthly €888 – 75% of SMI.[2]
- Each Additional Family Member: Additional monthly €196 – 25% of SMI.[2]
These figures represent an increase of approximately €270–473 compared to previous years.[4] Therefore, applicants who were borderline in 2024–2025 will require additional income or stronger financial proof in 2026.
How to Prove Your Income?
You must prove your financial capability not only by “declaration” but also with official documents:[7]
- Bank statements (usually the last 6 months)
- Pay stubs (signed by the employer for remote workers)
- For freelancers, income declarations and regular invoice records
- Employment contracts or long-term service contracts
If your income is in foreign currency, it will be converted to euros at the official rate at the time of application. Showing a regular and predictable cash flow in your bank statements reduces the risk perception of the visa officer.
Required Documents: 2026 Checklist
Identity and Basic Documents
- Passport: Scanned copies of all pages, including blank pages.[1][6]
- Biometric photo: White background, compliant with Spain’s photo criteria.
- NIE number: Foreign identification number to be obtained before or during the application process.
Employment and Work Relationship Documents
- Employment contract or commercial contract (freelance/company contracts).[1][6]
- A telework authorization letter from your employer or main client (must indicate that tasks can be performed entirely/mostly remotely).
- Document proving that the company/entity you work for or your client has been operational for at least 1 year (trade registry, tax registration, etc.).[1][2]
Financial Documents
- The above-mentioned income proof documents.
- Bank statements for the last 6 months.[7]
- Additional documents showing that you have sufficient financial resources (savings accounts, investment accounts, etc.).
Health and Security Documents
- Private health insurance policy: A policy that offers coverage equivalent to the Spanish National Health System without copayments and waiting periods.[1][6]
- Criminal record/clean certificate: Apostilled and translated by a sworn translator.[1][2][8]
Other Documents
- Completed visa application form.
- Proof of payment of the visa fee (usually Form 790 038 payment receipt).
- Letter of intent: A professionally prepared text, usually by a lawyer, explaining your purpose of stay in Spain, your work model, and long-term plans.
- Social Security coverage document (if any) or a plan regarding RETA registration if you will register as a freelancer in Spain.
Application Methods: Through the Consulate or from Within Spain?
1. Application Through the Consulate (From Outside Spain)
If you live outside Spain, you generally apply through the Spanish Consulate in the country where you reside.[11] Key points:
- Appointment and document requirements may vary by consulate.
- Preliminary review is usually stricter; however, you do not need to go through an additional process for the residence card in Spain.
- Some sources indicate that the consulate route can take up to 3 years, but the document set is relatively more “simple.”[11] (Especially when considering renewal and permanent residence dimensions.)
2. Application From Within Spain (Transition from Tourist Status)
If you are in Spain with a legal tourist status, you can apply to the Immigration Office before your tourist visa or visa-free stay expires. Highlights of this method include:
- Results can generally be obtained faster; you apply as a residence permit.
- After approval, you need to obtain your residence card (TIE) within Spain.
- The document set may differ in some details compared to the consulate application, so it is important to check the practices of the Ofisina de Extranjería in your area.
Tax Advantages: Beckham Regime and Digital Nomads
The most attractive aspect of the Spain Digital Nomad Visa is the opportunity to benefit from the special tax regime (Beckham law).[4]
- The Beckham regime offers a favorable rate of approximately 15% on the first €600,000 of income for new residents who meet certain conditions for the first 5 years.
- Compared to the standard tax rate (which is quite aggressive in progressive and high brackets), it provides significant tax optimization for professionals.
- Transitioning to this regime requires a separate application and strategic planning; especially for digital nomads earning income from multiple countries, international tax planning becomes critical.
At this point, for professionals and companies with global income streams, it becomes important not only to obtain a visa but also to transition to the correct tax regime and structure the company model effectively.
Common Mistakes in the Spain Digital Nomad Visa Applications
The most common mistakes leading to rejections by applicants include:
- Incorrectly structuring income distribution: Exceeding 20% of income sourced from Spain.[1][4]
- Incomplete or incorrect translation: Criminal records that have not been apostilled or translated by a sworn translator.[8]
- Irregular income flow: Inconsistencies in bank transactions, unexplained cash inflows.
- Uncertainty of remote work authorization: Lack of clarity in job description and remote work conditions in the employer letter.[2]
- Overlapping document dates: Criminal record or bank statements exceeding validity at the time of application.
Professional Support with Corpenza: Not Just a Visa, but Structuring the Entire Framework
The Spain Digital Nomad Visa may appear to be just a residence permit on the surface; however, it intertwines with international tax planning, company formation, payroll/EOR, and even long-term investment residency or citizenship strategies.
As Corpenza, we offer end-to-end solutions for digital nomads and international teams in the following areas:
- Company formation, tax number, and legal representation processes in Spain and other EU countries,
- Establishment of payroll (salary) and EOR structures for remote working teams,
- Staff leasing and tax optimization with the posted worker model,
- Comparison and structuring of residence permits, golden visas, and investment citizenship options, especially in Spain and Europe,
- Compliance analysis and application strategy for special tax statuses like the Beckham regime.
For individual digital nomads as well as technology companies looking to distribute their teams to Spain or Europe, this visa is just the first step. With the right setup, you can optimize your employee costs and strengthen your global mobility strategy.
Conclusion: Is It Worth Moving to Spain as a Digital Nomad in 2026?
As of 2026, the increased income requirements and more intense document scrutiny transform the Spain Digital Nomad Visa from an “easy” route into an attractive opportunity for more professional remote workers.
If you have:
- A stable and documentable income,
- A strong portfolio of clients from outside Spain,
- A clean criminal record and regular financial records
Spain is an extremely strong option to establish a 5-year European base with both quality of life and tax advantages.
Before applying, it is critical to review the current criteria of your relevant consulate in Spain and, if possible, consult the consulate guide; then, obtain professional consultancy that will evaluate visa, tax, and company structuring dimensions together for a healthy process.
Disclaimer
This content is prepared for general informational purposes and does not constitute legal, financial, or tax advice. Regulations regarding the Spain Digital Nomad Visa, income thresholds, and document requirements may change over time. Always check current official sources (Spanish consulates, immigration authorities, and tax authorities) before applying and seek professional legal and financial advice for a situation-specific assessment. Corpenza does not accept responsibility for individual decisions made based on the information in this text.
