Income Requirements for Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa (2026 Update)

Spain’s minimum wage (Salario Mínimo Interprofesional or SMI) serves as the benchmark for financial requirements for the Digital Nomad Visa (DNV). Following the 3.1% increase approved for 2026, the new base monthly SMI is set at €1,221 (in 14 payments).

For Digital Nomad applicants, the required monthly income is set at 200% of the SMI. Based on these updated figures, here is the breakdown of the minimum monthly income you must demonstrate:

2026 Monthly Income Requirements

Household Composition	Monthly Requirement
Main Applicant (200% SMI)	€2,849 – €2,850
+ 1st Dependent (+75% SMI)	+ €1,068 (Total: ~€3,918)
+ Each Additional Dependent (+25% SMI)	+ €356 per person

Note: These figures represent the baseline. We recommend demonstrating a slight surplus (e.g., €3,000+ for a single applicant) to account for currency fluctuations and ensure a smoother approval process with the UGE.

Bridging the Gap with Savings

If your monthly contract income falls slightly short of these thresholds, you have the option to supplement your application with verified savings.

• How it works: You can use your savings to cover the difference between your actual income and the required threshold.
• The Calculation: The amount of savings must cover the entire duration of the residency permit (typically 3 years for in-Spain applications).
  • Formula: (Required Monthly Amount - Your Actual Income) × 36 months = Required Savings Amount
• Flexibility: These savings can be held in any bank and in any currency, provided they are accessible and documented via clear, official bank statements.

Key Considerations for Your Application

1. Salary Consistency: While a 10–15% margin of flexibility is sometimes tolerated by the Unidad de Grandes Empresas (UGE), your primary contract income should ideally cover the main applicant’s requirement to maintain the highest chance of a quick, hurdle-free approval.
2. Documentation: Ensure you provide clear, official statements for both your income (contracts, payslips) and your savings (official bank statements) for the last three months prior to application.
3. Income Source: Remember that while you may work for Spanish clients, at least 80% of your total income must originate from companies or clients based outside of Spain.

If you are planning your relocation, it is highly recommended to perform a thorough audit of your income documentation against these 2026 thresholds before submission to ensure your file meets current UGE standards.