Two honest routes to living in Spain
Spain remains one of the most popular destinations for families looking to live in Europe — for the climate, the schools, the healthcare, and the relaxed pace of life. And since Spain ended its “Golden Visa” investment route in April 2025, the two routes that matter most for non-EU families are the Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV) and the Digital Nomad Visa (DNV). Neither requires you to buy property or make an investment. The right one for you comes down to a single question: will you work while living in Spain?
The Non-Lucrative Visa: live on your income
The NLV is for people who can support themselves without working — retirees, the financially independent, and those living on pensions, investments, rentals, or savings. In 2026 you’ll need to show roughly €2,400 per month (about €28,800 a year), plus around €600 per month for each family member you bring.
The key rule to understand: the NLV does not allow any work — and that includes remote work for a company outside Spain. If you’ll keep earning online, this is the wrong visa, and applying on it anyway can put your residency at risk. The visa is first issued for one year, then renewed in two-year blocks (a “1+2+2” pattern). After five years of legal residence you can apply for permanent residency, and after ten you can apply for Spanish citizenship.
The Digital Nomad Visa: live in Spain, keep working
Introduced under Spain’s 2023 Startup Law, the DNV is built for remote workers and freelancers earning from outside Spain. Freelancers need at least 80% of their income from non-Spanish clients. The income requirement is higher — around €2,760+ per month (roughly €34,188 a year), with extra amounts for family members.
The DNV has two real advantages over the NLV. First, you can apply from within Spain and receive a residence permit valid for up to three years (versus one year on the NLV). Second, you may be able to use the “Beckham Law” tax regime, which can cap your income-tax rate at a flat 24% for several years. There’s also a powerful family benefit: a child born in Spain to legal residents can apply for Spanish nationality after just one year of legal residence.
Side by side
| — | Non-Lucrative Visa | Digital Nomad Visa |
|---|---|---|
| Work in Spain? | No | Yes (remotely, for non-Spanish clients) |
| Income (2026) | ~€2,400/mo | ~€2,760+/mo |
| First permit | 1 year (then 2+2) | Up to 3 years |
| Tax | Standard rates | Beckham flat-tax option |
| Citizenship | After 10 years | After 10 years |
Both routes bring your whole family, give your children access to free public schooling, and lead to permanent residency at five years. Both also make you a Spanish tax resident if you spend more than 183 days a year in the country — so proper tax advice matters.
Which should you choose?
If you’re retired or financially independent and won’t work, the Non-Lucrative Visa is your route. If you work remotely or freelance for clients abroad, the Digital Nomad Visa lets you live in Spain without giving up your income — and usually with a longer first permit and a better tax position. If you’re genuinely unsure, that’s exactly what a free assessment is for.