Which visa or residence permit do I need to live in Spain?

Yes. If you are an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen you can live and work freely in Spain. If you are a non-EU national working remotely for a company or clients outside Spain, the Digital Nomad Visa (Arts. 61–62 Law 14/2013, as amended by Law 28/2022) is designed for your profile. It requires demonstrating minimum income equivalent to 200% of the Spanish SMI (€2,442/month in 2026) and that your work is performed remotely. Up to 20% of income may come from Spanish sources without compromising the permit.

The Digital Nomad Visa is regulated by Arts. 61–62 of Law 14/2013 (as amended by the Startups Law 28/2022). It allows non-EU nationals to reside in Spain while working remotely for employers or clients not based in Spain. Key requirements include: minimum income of €2,442/month (200% SMI 2026), an employment contract with a foreign company or freelance activity serving foreign clients, private health insurance with Spain-wide coverage, and an apostilled criminal record certificate. See the full service page for detailed requirements and documentation.

The Non-Lucrative Residence Visa (Arts. 60–63 RD 1155/2024) is the route for retirees, rentiers and those with passive income who will not work in Spain. It requires demonstrating passive income equivalent to 400% of the IPREM (€2,400/month for the main applicant in 2026, IPREM 2026 = €600/month), private health insurance and a clean criminal record. It does not authorise work in Spain. Applications are submitted using form EX-01 at the Spanish consulate in the applicant's country of residence.

No. Citizens of the European Union, European Economic Area and Switzerland have the right to live and work in Spain without a visa, thanks to free movement rights. If planning to stay more than 3 months, they should register at the Central Registry of Foreign Nationals (Registro Central de Extranjeros) and obtain an EU citizen registration certificate. There is no income threshold or proof-of-means requirement for EU nationals.

The Spain Golden Visa (investor residence permit for real estate investment) was abolished for new applications by Organic Law 1/2025, effective 3 April 2025. No new Golden Visa applications can be submitted from that date. Permits already granted remain valid until expiry. Alternatives exist for investors depending on their profile — see the investor residence alternatives page.

The Beckham Law (Art. 93 LIRPF) is not a visa but a special tax regime for individuals who relocate their tax residence to Spain for professional reasons. It allows paying a flat 24% rate on Spanish-source income for the first 6 years of tax residence instead of the standard progressive rates (up to 47%). It is particularly advantageous for digital nomads and highly qualified professionals with significant foreign-source income. The election must be made within 6 months of Social Security registration or commencement of activity in Spain.