Non-Lucrative Visa vs Digital Nomad Visa: which fits?
Last reviewed: 2026-11-04. Not legal advice. Official body: Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (exteriores.gob.es) · Ministry of Inclusion (migration).
The choice is mostly about one question: will you work, and for whom?
| Digital Nomad Visa | Non-Lucrative Visa | |
|---|---|---|
| Work | Remote work for companies outside Spain. Freelancers may serve a Spanish company up to 20% of their activity. | No work or professional activity in Spain. |
| Money rule | 200% of the SMI per month, plus 75% / 25% for family | 400% of the IPREM per month, plus 100% per family member |
| Holder, 2026 figures | 2.442 to 2.849 EUR per month (two readings) | 2.400 EUR per month (if IPREM is 600) |
| Family of two | 3.357,75 to 3.917,38 EUR per month | 3.000 EUR per month |
| What the money must show | Income or funds tied to the remote work; individual analysis | Means for the whole stay, or a periodic income source: total = monthly amount x months |
| Other conditions | Degree or 3 years of experience; 3 months with the foreign company; company active 1 year; health insurance (no travel insurance) | Health insurance; clean record; fee |
| Validity | Visa up to 1 year; residence up to 3 years; renewal 2 years | Initial authorisation 1 year |
How to decide
- You have a remote job or clients abroad and a documented history with them: the Digital Nomad Visa fits, and its income bar is similar or lower.
- You live on savings, investments or a pension and do not plan to work: the Non-Lucrative Visa fits.
- You want to mix both (some remote income and passive income): the non-lucrative route forbids working, so keep the activity out of Spain or choose the nomad route. This is a legal question for an adviser.
Compute both for your household: Nomad calculator · Non-Lucrative calculator.
Sources
- Joint instruction of 30 March 2023 (published by the Spanish consulate in Moscow) and Ley 28/2022, new Chapter V bis (arts. 74 bis to 74 quinquies of Ley 14/2013)
- Real Decreto 1155/2024 (Reglamento de Extranjeria), arts. 60-63
- Ministerio de Inclusion: non-lucrative residence sheet (updated May 2025)
The IPREM value for 2026 is assumed at 600 EUR (set for 2023 by Ley 31/2022, disposicion adicional 90 (IPREM 2023)); confirm with your consulate.