Spain’s popular Digital Nomad Visa (DNV) – the fast-track residence permit that lets non-EU remote workers live in Spain for up to five years – just became more expensive. In an order published in the Official State Gazette late on 5 December and confirmed by the Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration over the weekend, the government aligned the DNV’s financial test with the 2025 minimum wage (Salario Mínimo Interprofesional, SMI). Because the SMI has risen to €1,381.50 (in 12 payments), the visa now requires applicants to prove monthly earnings of at least 200 % of that amount – €2,763, or roughly €33,156 a year.
The ministry also updated the dependants’ rules. A spouse or registered partner now adds 75 % of the SMI (€1,036 a month) and each additional child 25 % (€345). Officials say the higher bar keeps the programme in line with domestic wage policy and addresses criticism that the scheme was undercutting local salaries while fuelling gentrification in tech-heavy hubs such as Barcelona, Valencia and Málaga.
For applicants who need help navigating these revised thresholds, VisaHQ can simplify the entire filing process. Through its dedicated Spain page (https://www.visahq.com/spain/) the service offers real-time eligibility checks, document preparation tools and knowledgeable support staff, making it easier for digital nomads and their families to meet the stricter income requirements and avoid delays.
![Spain Raises Digital Nomad Visa Income Threshold to €2,763 a Month]()
Since launching in 2023, the DNV has attracted more than 32,000 primary applicants, according to government figures, with U.S. nationals leading the pack, followed by digital professionals from the U.K., Argentina and India. Real-estate agencies report that demand for medium-term rentals jumped 18 % in inner-city Barcelona in 2024, a trend local authorities partly blame on the influx of high-earning remote workers. The new income floor, officials argue, should narrow the gap between local and expat purchasing power without dampening Spain’s appeal for truly mobile talent.
For mobility managers the change is immediate: applications filed on or after 7 December 2025 must meet the new thresholds. Companies that cover housing or pay allowances should double-check that salary certificates still clear the higher bar once benefits-in-kind are deducted. Immigration lawyers also advise reviewing employee bank statements to ensure that the headline figures are net of currency-conversion fees – a common audit point in Madrid’s Unidad de Grandes Empresas.
Looking ahead, experts expect the income requirement to continue tracking the SMI, which is traditionally reviewed early each year after negotiations with trade unions and employers. If Spain hits its target of raising the minimum wage to 60 % of average national pay by 2027, another hike for the DNV could come as soon as January 2027. Remote-work hubs are therefore urging would-be applicants to file sooner rather than later – or budget accordingly for future increases.
The ministry also updated the dependants’ rules. A spouse or registered partner now adds 75 % of the SMI (€1,036 a month) and each additional child 25 % (€345). Officials say the higher bar keeps the programme in line with domestic wage policy and addresses criticism that the scheme was undercutting local salaries while fuelling gentrification in tech-heavy hubs such as Barcelona, Valencia and Málaga.
For applicants who need help navigating these revised thresholds, VisaHQ can simplify the entire filing process. Through its dedicated Spain page (https://www.visahq.com/spain/) the service offers real-time eligibility checks, document preparation tools and knowledgeable support staff, making it easier for digital nomads and their families to meet the stricter income requirements and avoid delays.
Since launching in 2023, the DNV has attracted more than 32,000 primary applicants, according to government figures, with U.S. nationals leading the pack, followed by digital professionals from the U.K., Argentina and India. Real-estate agencies report that demand for medium-term rentals jumped 18 % in inner-city Barcelona in 2024, a trend local authorities partly blame on the influx of high-earning remote workers. The new income floor, officials argue, should narrow the gap between local and expat purchasing power without dampening Spain’s appeal for truly mobile talent.
For mobility managers the change is immediate: applications filed on or after 7 December 2025 must meet the new thresholds. Companies that cover housing or pay allowances should double-check that salary certificates still clear the higher bar once benefits-in-kind are deducted. Immigration lawyers also advise reviewing employee bank statements to ensure that the headline figures are net of currency-conversion fees – a common audit point in Madrid’s Unidad de Grandes Empresas.
Looking ahead, experts expect the income requirement to continue tracking the SMI, which is traditionally reviewed early each year after negotiations with trade unions and employers. If Spain hits its target of raising the minimum wage to 60 % of average national pay by 2027, another hike for the DNV could come as soon as January 2027. Remote-work hubs are therefore urging would-be applicants to file sooner rather than later – or budget accordingly for future increases.
