Reviewed by Jane Katkova, Founder & Licensed CICC ConsultantSpain has set its minimum wage for 2026, and with it the income requirement for the digital nomad visa. Real Decreto 126/2026 of 18 February was published in the Boletín Oficial del Estado on 19 February 2026 (BOE-A-2026-3815). It fixes the salario mínimo interprofesional (SMI) at €1,221 a month in 14 payments, €40.70 a day, or €17,094 a year. The previous annual figure was €16,576.
Spain's golden visa was abolished on 3 April 2025 under Organic Law 1/2025 and has not been replaced. The digital nomad visa and the non-lucrative visa are the two routes most US and Canadian applicants now use, and each is tied to a different index.
Digital nomad visa income requirement for 2026
The international teleworker permit created by the Startup Law requires income of 200% of SMI for the main applicant. On the 2026 SMI that is €34,188 a year, or about €2,849 a month.
| Applicant | Rule | 2026 amount (published guidance) |
|---|---|---|
| Main applicant | 200% of SMI | about €2,849 a month |
| First dependant | plus 75% of SMI | about €916 a month |
| Each further dependant | plus 25% of SMI | about €305 a month |
The dependant amounts above are calculated on the €1,221 monthly figure. Some offices calculate on the annual SMI spread over 12 months, which gives higher dependant amounts, so the exact sum should be confirmed with the consulate or the Unidad de Grandes Empresas (UGE) handling the file. The updated threshold applies to new applications and to renewals processed after the decree entered into force.
Non-lucrative visa: IPREM figure unchanged
The non-lucrative visa is tied to IPREM, not SMI. Passive means of 400% of IPREM are required for the main applicant, about €28,800 a year, plus 100% of IPREM (about €7,200) for each dependant. The minimum wage decree does not alter these figures.
What this means for applicants
For US and Canadian citizens working remotely for employers or clients outside Spain, and for US and Canadian residents on other passports in the same position, the requirement is now about €34,188 a year for a single applicant. A family of three needs to evidence roughly €4,070 a month on the published dependant figures. Income is assessed from employment contracts or client agreements and bank statements, so check that the documents you will file show the 2026 amount with a margin, particularly if you are paid in US or Canadian dollars and the exchange rate moves.
Both Spanish routes require you to live in Spain, and Spanish tax residence generally follows; neither is an investment route. Applicants who want EU residence without relocating should compare Spain with the investment programmes on our European residence pages, including the Portugal golden visa. Our Spain residence page sets out both visas in full.
To assess which Spanish or alternative route fits your income and family, book a consultation.