Americans who want to live in Spain usually end up comparing the digital nomad visa and the non-lucrative visa. They are designed for different people, and picking the wrong one is expensive. An independent Spanish immigration lawyer confirms which one fits you.
Last verified: October 12, 2026
If you earn a salary or client income from remote work, the digital nomad visa is the permit designed for you. If you are retired, living off investments or taking a break from work, the non-lucrative visa may fit. Practitioners report that the non-lucrative visa does not allow remote work.
The digital nomad column comes from the official FAQ and consulate pages we read on 12 October 2026. Parts of the non-lucrative column rely on practitioner sources.
| Topic | Digital nomad visa | Non-lucrative visa (confirm with your lawyer) |
|---|---|---|
| Who it is for | Qualified professionals working remotely for companies outside Spain | People with enough means to live in Spain without working there |
| Remote work | Allowed, for foreign companies; self-employed may serve Spanish clients up to 20% | Reported not to allow work, including remote work |
| Income test | 200% of the minimum wage per month (EUR 2,442 for one person in 2026) | Commonly cited as 400% of the IPREM index, about EUR 2,400 per month |
| Employer and qualifications | Company with 1 year of activity, relationship of 3 months, degree or 3 years of experience | Not applicable |
| Social Security | Mandatory | Private health insurance is the usual route |
| Switching inside Spain | Residence authorisation can be requested inside Spain | The official FAQ says non-lucrative residents cannot convert to the telework authorisation in Spain |
The non-lucrative permit cannot be converted into the telework authorisation inside Spain, so the first choice matters. As a first filter: employees of a foreign company that allows them to work from Spain, and freelancers or founders with clients mostly outside Spain, usually point to the digital nomad visa. Retirees and people living on savings may fit the non-lucrative visa. For other situations, your lawyer can point you to the right route.
If remote work is how you earn your living, take the short eligibility check below. Arx Capital Group is not a law firm; your lawyer contracts with you and bills you directly.
Practitioners report that the non-lucrative visa does not allow work, including remote work, and consulates apply that view. If you earn income from remote work, ask a lawyer before choosing it.
They test different things: remote-work conditions and monthly income for the digital nomad visa, and means to live without working for the non-lucrative visa. The right one is the one you actually qualify for.
The official UGE FAQ says non-lucrative residents cannot convert to the telework authorisation in Spain, so plan the choice from the beginning.
For a single applicant they are in a similar range: EUR 2,442 per month for the digital nomad visa and a figure near EUR 2,400 commonly cited for the non-lucrative visa. The tests differ, so confirm both with a lawyer.
Time on a legal residence permit generally counts toward long-term residence, which normally requires five years.