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Moving to Spain in 2026: find the route that fits your situation
Not everyone moving to Spain is a remote worker. Retirees, students, families and people living on savings all face the same paperwork. Pick your situation below and see the visa, the money you need to show, and what happens after you arrive.
Start with your situation
Five common ways people move to Spain. Open the one that describes you.
Usual route
Digital Nomad Visa (DNV)
Money you must show
€2,849/month for a solo applicant in 2026, plus €949 for a partner and €317 per dependent.
- Maximum 20% of your income may come from Spanish clients or employers.
- Three-year residence permit when applied for from inside Spain.
- Access to the Beckham regime with a 24% flat tax rate for up to six years.
- Family members can be included in the same application.
What everyone has to do after arriving
Whichever visa you use, these six steps are the same.
NIE and TIE
Your foreigner identity number and physical residence card. Nearly every other step depends on having them.
Empadronamiento
Registering at your town hall. Needed for health care, school places, and most administrative steps.
Spanish bank account
Most banks accept a passport and NIE. Some require proof of address or an initial deposit.
Health cover
Private insurance for most visa types, or the convenio especial once you are registered locally.
Tax residence
183 days in a calendar year makes you tax resident. Plan the timing before you move, not after.
Choosing a city
Rent, climate, commute and community vary hugely between Madrid, Valencia, Málaga and the north.
Free tools to plan the move
All free, no account needed.
Prefer one document?
The Move to Spain Starter Kit puts it all in one PDF
Visa routes compared, document checklists, NIE, TIE and padron walkthroughs, banking, healthcare, housing, taxes in plain language, and your first 90 days mapped. One-time purchase, yours to keep.
Common questions
Which visa is right for me if I work remotely but earn under the DNV threshold?
The Non-Lucrative Visa is often suggested, but it does not permit work, and many consulates reject applicants who plan to keep working remotely. The safer path is to raise documented income to the DNV level, or to look at a student route while you build your income.
Do I have to speak Spanish to move?
No language requirement applies to the DNV, NLV or student visa. Spanish becomes important for daily administration, health care appointments and eventually for citizenship after the required residence period.
Can I apply from inside Spain?
The Digital Nomad Visa can be applied for in Spain while on a legal tourist stay, which gives a three-year permit. The NLV, student and family routes are normally started at the Spanish consulate in your country of residence.
How long does the whole process take?
Gathering documents, apostilles and sworn translations usually takes longer than the decision itself. Plan two to four months for preparation, then 20 working days for the DNV decision or one to three months for consulate routes.
Work remotely? The Digital Nomad Visa is usually the strongest route
It allows work, covers your family, gives three years at once, and unlocks a 24% flat tax rate. Check your eligibility in two minutes, or stay current with the monthly briefing.