Spain is increasing financial requirements for the Digital Nomad Visa and non-work residence permit from 2026, and is also moving to a digital application system. Find out what will change and who will be affected

Spain is preparing important changes to its migration policy and visa regime, which will come into effect from January 1, 2026, which will be part of a broader transformation of the immigration system aimed at modernizing processes, adapting to market realities and increasing the requirements for the financial capacity of applicants.

What exactly will change for expats in Spain in 2026 is described in this article.

Planning to move to Europe or apply for a residence permit? Migration legislation is changing rapidly, and even a minor error in the documents can cost months of waiting or refusal.

Consultation with a migration lawyer will help you assess your chances, choose the optimal type of visa and prepare for filing without risks.

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New financial requirements for Digital Nomad Visa in Spain

One of the most discussed changes will be the updated income requirements for the Digital Nomad Visa program - a visa for digital nomads. According to the draft changes, which are actively discussed by experts and migration consultants:

- For a single applicant, the minimum confirmed income should be around €2,760 per month;

- For spouses/partners, an additional approximately +75% of the basic income is required (≈ €2,000);

- For each child - an additional +25% (≈ €700 per month).

These requirements are related to Spain's desire to ensure that foreigners who receive this type of residence permit can really live and provide for their family independently without becoming a burden on the state social system.

Non-Legitimate Residence Permit – 400% IPREM Requirement

For those planning to move on a non-legitimate visa (most often the so-called non-lucrative residence permit), there is a requirement to prove financial capacity at a level of at least 400% IPREM per year (over €30,000) plus health insurance and sufficient funds for family members.

IPREM (Indicador Público de Renta de Efectos Múltiples) is the official government income indicator in Spain, which is used to calculate the financial resource requirements for various visa programs.

Transition to a new digital document submission system

In addition, the Spanish government plans to fully transition to a digital platform for submitting and extending visa and immigration documents, which means that:

- Fully online applications without the need to submit in person at consulates;

- Faster document verification;

- Convenient mechanism for extending a residence permit through the user's online account.

This step is aimed at reducing the bureaucratic burden, speeding up processes and reducing queues at immigration departments.

A new approach to the Digital Nomad Visa

The Digital Nomad Visa program, which has become very popular among freelancers and remote workers, will undergo changes not only in terms of income:

- The requirements for documentary evidence of income stability and the duration of cooperation with foreign clients/companies are increasing;

- Additional documents confirming the applicant's professional activity and seriousness of intentions are likely to appear;

- Control will be strengthened to ensure that the applicant is really working remotely, and not using a visa for long-term tourism.

A mechanism for mandatory or voluntary tax registration is also being considered, which may affect the status of a tax resident in Spain.

Citizenship rules remain unchanged

Despite changes in entry rules, financial thresholds and the digitalization of processes, the conditions for obtaining Spanish citizenship remain unchanged:

- Most foreigners must have lived legally in the country for at least 10 years before applying for citizenship;

- For some categories (such as citizens of Latin American countries or refugees), shortened deadlines may apply in accordance with current legislation.

General trend of Spanish migration policy

Spain continues to modernize its migration policy, combining the desire to attract talent and workers with the requirement to ensure social sustainability and economic responsibility. It is planned to simplify some legalization paths, digitalization tools, as well as review immigration processes through the prism of their efficiency and compliance with modern challenges.

Changes to Spain's visa and immigration rules from 2026 are not a one-time innovation, but part of a broad reform of migration policy. The main ones are:

- increasing financial requirements for the Digital Nomad Visa;

- stricter criteria for residents without the right to work;

- digitalization of the processes of submitting and extending documents;

- preservation of the current conditions for obtaining citizenship.

Such changes should be taken into account by anyone planning to move to Spain or who has already started the legalization process. Adapting to the new requirements will help avoid mistakes and speed up the path to legal residence and future citizenship.

Changes to Spain's migration rules from 2026 directly affect the Digital Nomad Visa and the residence permit without the right to work - especially regarding income and family applications.

A migration lawyer will help you calculate the financial thresholds specifically for your situation, check your documents and prepare for the new requirements in advance.

Book a consultation now so you don't miss the opportunity to legally move to Spain.

Reminder! A visa to search for work in Spain gives foreigners up to 12 months to stay legally, search for vacancies or start their own business. We have already talked about the main advantages of the visa, popular sectors and cities for employment, practical tips for finding a job and the procedure for converting a visa after receiving an offer.

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