← Wandrize
2026 · Source-verified
Spain Visa Requirements, Explained Plainly
Spain's main long-stay routes for non-EU nationals — the Digital Nomad Visa (DNV) and other residence options — with every figure checked against official BOE and exteriores.gob.es sources.
Independent guide, not legal advice · income figures adjust with the SMI — confirm current figures.
Rules change. Be the first to know.VisaDog watches Spain's visa rules daily and emails you the moment your route shifts.
Get VisaDog →What are the Spain Digital Nomad Visa requirements in 2026?
The DNV requires €2,849/month in income (200% of Spain's 2026 SMI), a qualifying degree or experience, Spanish-authorized health insurance, and a clean criminal record.
In detail, you need:
- Income: at least €2,849/month (200% of Spain's 2026 minimum wage, the SMI — this figure adjusts each year). Proof by salary contract, payslips, bank statements, or freelance invoices.
- Qualification: university or postgraduate degree, or 3+ years of professional experience in the field.
- Employer/contract: the company must have been operating for at least 1 year; your working relationship must be at least 3 months old.
- Health insurance: full private health insurance from an insurer authorised to operate in Spain (or public cover). Travel-style nomad policies often do not meet this — confirm with your insurer and consulate.
- Criminal record: no criminal record in your countries of residence for the last 2 years, with a declaration covering the last 5 years (apostilled background check).
- Remote work: for companies or clients based outside Spain. Freelancers may have Spanish clients up to 20% of income.
What is the Beckham Law — and can DNV holders use it?
The Beckham Law lets qualifying new residents pay a flat 24% tax on income up to €600,000 for six years — employed DNV holders generally qualify; self-employed (autónomo) generally do not.
| Rule | Detail |
|---|
| Rate | 24% flat on income up to €600,000/yr, for 6 years |
| Eligibility | Not a Spanish tax resident in the prior 5 years; apply within 6 months of starting your activity (Social Security registration) |
| Who qualifies | Employed DNV holders generally qualify; self-employed/autónomo generally do not |
| Source | Art. 93, Ley 35/2006 (BOE) — verified 21 June 2026 |
Always confirm with a Spanish tax adviser before applying for the Beckham Law exemption.
How long is the DNV and how do you apply?
A consulate application gives a 1-year visa; before it expires you can apply for a residence authorisation of up to 3 years in Spain if you still meet the conditions. Applying from within Spain via the UGE-CE can give a 3-year permit directly.
| Item | Detail |
|---|
| Consulate route | 1-year visa → apply in Spain (within 60 days before expiry) for up to 3-year authorisation if conditions still met; official decision ~10 working days at consulate (appointment waits vary) |
| In-country route | 3-year permit directly via UGE-CE (often faster); official decision ~20 working days |
| Renewal | Renewable in 2-year periods while you continue to meet the conditions |
| Insurance | Full private health insurance from a Spanish-authorised insurer (or public cover); confirm policy meets requirements with insurer/consulate |
| Family | Spouse and dependent children can be included |
Is the Spain Golden Visa still available?
No — Spain repealed its Golden Visa (investor residency) effective 3 April 2025. It is not available to new applicants.
The investor-residence articles of Ley 14/2013 were removed. Holders of existing valid permits may renew under transitional rules, but the route is closed to new entrants. Source: BOE (Ley 14/2013 art. 63, transitional provisions) — verified 21 June 2026.
Do EU/EEA/Swiss citizens need a visa for Spain?
No — EU, EEA, and Swiss nationals have free movement rights and do not need a visa to live and work in Spain.
EU/EEA/Swiss citizens register locally within three months of arrival. Obtain an EU registration certificate (which includes an NIE); the padrón is a separate local registration at your town hall. No fixed income or insurance threshold is imposed for registration itself, though non-working residents may need to show sufficient resources and health cover.
What about other Spain routes — Non-Lucrative, Student, Work, Family?
These routes exist under Spanish law, but their detailed requirements are being confirmed against official sources — we only publish figures once verified.
Routes currently being verified against BOE and exteriores.gob.es:
- Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV): for non-EU nationals with sufficient passive income/savings who will not work in Spain. Income threshold is IPREM-linked — details being confirmed.
- Student Visa (Visado de estudios): for non-EU students enrolled in a recognised Spanish program. Details being confirmed.
- Work Visa (cuenta ajena): employer-sponsored, for non-EU nationals with a Spanish job offer. Details being confirmed.
- Family Reunification (Reagrupación familiar): for family members of a legal Spanish resident. Details being confirmed.
- EU Family Member Card: for non-EU family members of an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen in Spain. Details being confirmed.
- Entrepreneur Visa (Ley 14/2013 / Startup Act): for founders launching an innovative business of economic interest in Spain. Details being confirmed.
- Long-term / Permanent Residency: typically after a qualifying continuous residence period. Details being confirmed.
Spain visa routes at a glance
The verified routes plus the routes currently being confirmed — each will have its own source-verified page.
Find out where you stand in 2 minutes
A free, independent check tells you which Spain visa you likely qualify for and what’s blocking you — your answers never leave your browser.
Check my readiness — free →
Spain's rules keep moving.The Golden Visa was axed, the SMI threshold shifts yearly. Get an alert the day yours moves.
Watch this route →Spanish immigration rules apply discretion and change — always confirm with the Spanish consulate, exteriores.gob.es, or a licensed adviser before applying. For EU and Schengen-related routes, rules may depend on nationality, residence location, consulate, and EU/EEA status. Short stays follow the Schengen 90/180 rule; long-stay and residency routes are Spain-specific national visas.
Sources (verified routes): Ley 14/2013 art. 74 bis (DNV, as amended by Startup Act Ley 28/2022) —
BOE; 2026 SMI —
BOE-A-2026-3815; Beckham Law —
Ley 35/2006 art. 93; Golden Visa repeal —
Ley 14/2013 art. 63;
exteriores.gob.es. Codex-verified 21 June 2026; corrections applied 22 June 2026 (criminal-record period, renewal, processing deadlines, Beckham timing, insurance wording, EU registration).