Digital Nomad Visa Spain: Income & Requirements

Thinking about working remotely from sunny Europe? Spain’s digital nomad visa (officially the Visado para Teletrabajo de Carácter Internacional) allows non-EU remote workers and freelancers to live legally in Spain while keeping their international jobs and income.

Backed by the Startup Act (Law 28/2022), the Spain digital nomad visa requirements are designed for global professionals seeking flexibility, safety, and a lower cost of living. Whether you are curious about the Spain digital nomad visa income requirements, family eligibility, or pathways to residency (and even fast-tracked citizenship for eligible nationalities), this complete guide covers everything you need to know before moving.

Planning your move to Europe? Also check out Portugal’s Remote Work Visa.

Who can apply for the Spanish Digital Nomad Visa?

This visa is indicated for professionals from outside the European Union who want to work remotely from Spain for companies located abroad:

• Professionals who have, for at least 3 months, a subordinate work contract for a non-Spanish company that has existed for at least 1 year;
  
• Self-employed professionals , freelancers, and independent workers who provide services for companies abroad, as long as they can prove that the employment relationship can be exercised remotely.

According to the law, self-employed digital nomads are not prohibited from working for Spanish companies. However, they must dedicate at least 80% of their professional activities to companies located outside the country.

Also, in Spain, unlike the Portuguese Remote Work Visa , freelance workers must be paid as individuals. They cannot be paid through a legal entity created by the professional himself.

What are the financial requirements for the Digital Nomad Visa?

To qualify for the remote work visa in Spain, applicants must demonstrate a minimum monthly average income equivalent to 200% of the Spanish Minimum Interprofessional Wage (Sueldo Mínimo Interprofesional – SMI). The current required baseline is €2,849/month.

See below how to calculate this amount.

Required Income for the Main Applicant

1. Minimum Income Requirement:
   • The SMI is set at €17,094 per year, distributed across 14 payments (standard in Spain). This equates to €1,221 per month.
   • However, since most countries outside Spain evaluate earnings across 12 monthly payments, the adjusted monthly SMI baseline is €1,424.50.
   • Based on this, the minimum income required for the primary applicant is calculated as follows:
     €1,221.00 x 14 payments / 12 months x 200% = €2,849.00/month.
     
2. Important Notes:
   • This amount (€2,849.00 per month) applies only to the main applicant.
   • If you plan to bring family members, additional financial requirements will apply. Check the specific amounts below for more details.

Note: The SMI is frequently adjusted, so ensure you verify the latest figures before applying.

Are family members also eligible for Digital Nomad Spain?

Family reunification is also provided for in the case of the Spain Digital Nomad Visa. The family members that can be included in the visa application are:

• Spouses or partners (stable union proven for more than 2 years);
• Minor children or stepchildren;
• Children or stepchildren with disabilities or under responsibility, provided they cannot provide for their own needs due to their health condition;
• Parents or in-laws over 80 years old, according to the New Spanish Immigration Regulation, as long as they are dependents and there are justified reasons to authorize their residence in Spain.

Note that adult children can only be included in exceptional cases, when they have some kind of disability or health problem that prevents them from living alone.

Learn more about the Italy Digital Nomad Visa.

Financial Requirements for Regrouped

In addition to the 200% of the SMI required for the main visa applicant, you must add to this amount another 75% of the SMI for the first family member to be reunited. From the third member onwards, consider 25% of the SMI.

Therefore, the minimum monthly requirement will be:

• Main Applicant (200% of the SMI)
• First family member reunited (75% of the SMI)
• Other regrouped family members (25% of the SMI)

Is it necessary to have money deposited in a Spanish bank?

This is a common—and controversial—question! Unlike the Spanish Retirement Visa (known as the Non-Lucrative Visa), the remote work visa does not legally require the applicant to have the equivalent of an annual income deposited in a bank account.

However, it is always highly recommended to have at least 20% of this total amount in a bank. And it doesn’t need to be a Spanish bank (although it is preferable if it is).

Therefore, to reiterate: it is not mandatory to have the amount in the bank, but having it increases the chances of your visa being approved.

Nonetheless, it is important to note that not having savings does not make the application unfeasible.

Additional Requirements

There are other conditions or criteria that must be met/presented to apply for the remote work visa Spain:

1. Undergraduate or graduate diploma from a prestigious university college or prestigious business school. The candidate must have at least 3 years of professional experience in their current field of activity.
2. Letter from the foreign company, authorizing the work to be done from Spain. The document must describe the job profile, the main functions, and an express statement that it can be performed by telematic means. It is also important to state the salary amount to be received in euros, and the conditions under which the activity will be carried out remotely.
3. International medical insurance This insurance must be taken out with entities authorized to operate in Spain and have unlimited coverage (no waiting period). The insurance must cover the main applicant and his reunited family members;
4. Certificate of criminal background clean: Applicants cannot be in Spanish territory illegally, nor have a criminal record in Spain or in any country where they have resided in the last 5 years.
5. Medical certificate informing that the applicants have no serious illnesses, contagious or that represent a risk to Spanish national public health.

The complete and updated list of documents required for this visa can be accessed on the Oficina Nacional de Emprendimiento (National Entrepreneurship Office) website.

Can the Digital Nomad apply for Spanish Citizenship?

Remote workers who lives legally in Spain may also become eligible to apply for Spanish citizenship, provided they meet the minimum legal residence period required under Spanish law.

As a general rule, this period is 10 years, although it may be reduced in certain cases:

• 10 years of continuous legal residence in Spain (standard term);
• 5 years of continuous legal residence in Spain for refugees and stateless persons;
• 2 years of residence for nationals of Ibero-American countries (including Brazil and Latin American nations);
• 1 year of legal residence in certain situations, including foreigners married to Spanish citizens, people born in Spain, and certain children or grandchildren of Spanish nationals born abroad who were unable to acquire Spanish citizenship by option.

It is important to emphasize that in order to obtain Spanish citizenship and enjoy all of its advantages the candidate must take the general knowledge tests on Spanish culture and language, known as CCSE and DELE.

What are the benefits of being a Digital Nomad in Spain?

Among the main advantages of being a remote worker in Spain we can mention:

1. Authorization to Live and Work in Spain

The remote working visa grants the digital nomad legal authorization to work in Spanish territory, offering legal security and avoiding immigration problems.

2. Access to the European Space

With the remote working visa in Spain, the digital nomad also has access to free movement within the European area, allowing him to travel and work in other countries of the European Union without the need to apply for additional visas.

3. Cultural Experience

Spain is rich in cultural events, festivals, art exhibitions and live music. Living in the country is an opportunity to learn about new customs, languages and traditions, broadening both your personal and professional horizons.

4. Infrastructure and Quality of Life

Spain offers security, a great climate, a modern infrastructure, quality services, good public transportation, and healthcare. This standard of living is very attractive, facilitating professional activities and providing a favorable environment for personal well-being.

5. Large Community of Digital Nomads

Spain has become a popular destination for digital nomads, with a growing community of professionals with a similar lifestyle. In addition, its major cities already offer a variety of well-equipped coworking spaces, providing networking opportunities.

6. Internet Speed

Spain has excellent 4G coverage in most of the country, and some of the fastest Internet speeds in Europe. The Spanish fixed-band average is around 185Mbps. Spain ranks 9th in the Speedtest Global Index. This is more than double the speed of the UK, which is 75Mbps. At the European level, Spain is second only to Denmark!

7. Low Cost of Living

The digital nomad can enjoy an excellent quality of life with a low cost of living. Spain is still one of the countries with the lowest cost of living in Europe.

8. Strategic Location

Spain is a strategic point between Europe, Africa and America, making it a hub for international connections. Great for professionals who need to travel frequently for business.

Spain Digital Nomad Visa: Summary

✔️ For remote professionals from outside the EU.
✔️ Minimum income: €2,849/month (200% of the SMI 2026).
✔️ Higher education degree or 3 years of experience.
✔️ Health insurance, clean criminal record, and letter from a foreign company.
✔️ Family reunification allowed (additional income required).
✔️ Allows living in Spain and traveling within the Schengen Area.
✔️ Bank deposit not mandatory but recommended.

Need Help Applying for Your Remote Work Visa?

Spain is a highly attractive destination for digital nomads. If you meet the mentioned requirements and are considering applying for a Remote Working Visa, do not miss this opportunity. However, it is important to be aware that the visa application process can involve specific requirements and complex tax issues. That’s where Atlantic Bridge, a firm specializing in Global Moving, comes in. With its expertise in consulting for expatriates and digital nomads, Atlantic Bridge offers support in obtaining residence visas and in tax regularization in several European countries.

Our consultants are available to answer your questions and provide you with customized information. Don’t waste time! Click here to request a free evaluation with our specialists!