Transition to a digital nomad permit in Spain
27/09/2024 
Reading time: 7 min How to transition to a digital nomad residence permit in Spain
Already in Spain and wondering how to settle for the long term? You don't need a special entry visa to get the digital nomad residence permit — you can transition from almost any legal status. The simplest path is to enter on a Schengen visa (which doesn't even have to be issued by Spain) and then apply for the permit from inside the country. Here's who can transition, what documents you need and what it costs.
- From which statusany C or D visaPlus student or non-lucrative permits, and visa-free entrants.
- Income needed≈ €2,849/month200% SMI (2026), +75% spouse, +25% each extra family member.
- From a student/NLV permitno criminal-record certificateA simpler switch.
- Timeline≈ 2.5 months~1 month review, 10 days fingerprints, ~1 month for the card.
- Fees€73.26 + €16.08Per person; plus ~€300 sworn translation.
Which statuses can transition
You can move to the digital nomad permit from any type C or D visa that lets you stay in Spain — the Schengen visa doesn't have to be Spanish. If you're eligible for visa-free entry (e.g. a Ukrainian or Israeli passport), you can apply for the permit directly. You can also switch from a student residence permit or a non-lucrative one — and in those cases, without a criminal-record certificate. The whole process takes about 2.5 months: roughly a month to review the application, ten days for fingerprints, and another month for the card.
Income requirement (2026)
You must prove remote income tied to your employment relationship for at least three months before applying:
| Who | Minimum income |
|---|---|
| Main applicant | ≈ €2,849/month (200% SMI) |
| + spouse/partner | + ≈ €1,068/month (75% SMI) |
| + each additional family member | + ≈ €356/month (25% SMI) |
Figures track the minimum wage (SMI) and are revised yearly. How this income is then taxed — the flat 24% Beckham regime — is covered in taxes for digital nomads.
Documents you need
- MI-T application form in Spanish, confirming remote work intent.
- Passport with visa and copies of all pages. If you entered via another EU country without a Spanish stamp, get an "Entrada en España" declaration from the police.
- Proof of employment — a contract showing salary at the required level.
- Bank statements confirming payments under the contract for the last 3 months.
- Proof of experience — 3+ years in your field, or a diploma if it matches your work.
- Employer letter allowing remote work from Spain and stating your salary in euros.
- Proof the company has existed 1+ year (registry extract).
- Criminal-record certificate with apostille, from every country you spent 6+ months in over the last 2 years.
- Private health insurance valid in Spain — travel insurance won't do.
- Fee payment (receipt + form), and an A1 / departure Social Security certificate if your employer is EU-based or from a country with a social-security agreement.
Documents that aren't already in Spanish need a sworn translation (traducción jurada) or consular legalisation. Expect possible requests for extra information — keep the file flexible.
Where to apply and what it costs
The recommended route is applying from inside Spain via the immigration service portal (UGE-CE) — you'll need a Spanish digital signature (or a trusted person's). If you first need a type D visa, you apply at a Spanish consulate in your country of nationality or residence — though not all consulates accept these applications. Costs per person: €73.26 to process the application and €16.08 for the card, plus sworn translations of the main applicant's package at around €300 (more for complex languages). Once approved, see what to do next in my residence is approved — what's next.
Frequently asked questions
Official sources:
• Ley 28/2022 (Startup Law) — digital nomad permit
• UGE-CE — online application portal
