Two independent studies released on 9 January 2026 crowned Spain as the world’s premier destination for remote workers, thanks to its Digital Nomad Visa (DNV), infrastructure and quality of life. The Global Digital Nomad Visa Index gave Spain a near-perfect 99.67 score, while Savills’ Executive Nomad Index placed Málaga, Palma de Mallorca and Barcelona in the global top 10 cities. (idealista.com)
Introduced under the 2022 Start-up Law, the DNV allows non-EU professionals earning at least 200 % of Spain’s minimum wage (roughly €2,700 per month in 2026) to live and work in the country for up to three years, with a three-year renewal. Applicants may allocate up to 20 % of their income to Spanish clients and can opt into the six-year "Beckham Law" flat 24 % tax regime.
For professionals who’d rather not navigate the paperwork alone, VisaHQ offers an end-to-end service that assembles the necessary documentation, schedules appointments and tracks consular decisions. Their Spain portal (https://www.visahq.com/spain/) provides up-to-date checklists and fees, helping digital nomads—and the HR teams supporting them—secure the right visa swiftly and accurately.
![Spain tops 2025 global rankings as best country for Digital Nomads]()
Analysts say Spain’s first-place finish reflects a rare mix of affordable housing outside Madrid/Barcelona, extensive fibre-optic coverage, plentiful co-working hubs and flight connectivity. For employers, the visa offers a compliant pathway to base distributed teams in the EU’s fourth-largest economy without triggering local payroll obligations beyond social-security registration.
However, rising popularity is driving processing volumes up 40 % year-on-year, extending average approval times to six weeks. Income thresholds also climbed in line with the 2026 SMI update, meaning borderline applicants must show stronger bank balances.
Global-mobility managers should update cost-of-living allowances for Málaga and Valencia — both seeing double-digit rent growth — and remind staff that DNV holders remain tax residents of Spain after the first 183 days, despite the preferential rate.
Introduced under the 2022 Start-up Law, the DNV allows non-EU professionals earning at least 200 % of Spain’s minimum wage (roughly €2,700 per month in 2026) to live and work in the country for up to three years, with a three-year renewal. Applicants may allocate up to 20 % of their income to Spanish clients and can opt into the six-year "Beckham Law" flat 24 % tax regime.
For professionals who’d rather not navigate the paperwork alone, VisaHQ offers an end-to-end service that assembles the necessary documentation, schedules appointments and tracks consular decisions. Their Spain portal (https://www.visahq.com/spain/) provides up-to-date checklists and fees, helping digital nomads—and the HR teams supporting them—secure the right visa swiftly and accurately.
Analysts say Spain’s first-place finish reflects a rare mix of affordable housing outside Madrid/Barcelona, extensive fibre-optic coverage, plentiful co-working hubs and flight connectivity. For employers, the visa offers a compliant pathway to base distributed teams in the EU’s fourth-largest economy without triggering local payroll obligations beyond social-security registration.
However, rising popularity is driving processing volumes up 40 % year-on-year, extending average approval times to six weeks. Income thresholds also climbed in line with the 2026 SMI update, meaning borderline applicants must show stronger bank balances.
Global-mobility managers should update cost-of-living allowances for Málaga and Valencia — both seeing double-digit rent growth — and remind staff that DNV holders remain tax residents of Spain after the first 183 days, despite the preferential rate.
