A feature in The Economic Times on 23 February highlights Spain’s emergence as the world’s top destination for digital nomads, fuelled by a 40 percent year-on-year increase in applications—many from India. The article cites Ministry of Inclusion data showing a 94 percent approval rate and more than 32,000 active digital-nomad residence cards.
Spain’s visa, launched in 2023 and updated in January 2026, allows remote workers earning at least €2,800 per month to live and work legally for up to five years, with a pathway to permanent residency. Indians are drawn by the favourable “Beckham Rule” expat tax regime (a flat 24 percent on Spanish-source income up to €600,000) and by competitive living costs in cities such as Valencia (€1,400–1,800 monthly for a single professional) compared with Bengaluru or Mumbai.
Processing pressure is rising, however. Consulates in Mumbai and Delhi report appointment slots filling three months ahead, while the Interior Ministry is reportedly considering raising the income threshold to €3,200 later in 2026. Relocation advisers therefore recommend that eligible applicants submit dossiers in Q1–Q2 to lock in current requirements.
![Indian Professionals Drive Surging Demand for Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa]()
To navigate these tightening timelines, many prospective nomads are turning to VisaHQ for streamlined support. Through its Spain portal (https://www.visahq.com/spain/), the service walks applicants through document preparation, appointment booking and status tracking, reducing the risk of delays or rejections.
For Spanish employers, the boom presents opportunities and risks. Companies can legally hire remote talent already in Spain on a digital-nomad permit, but payroll teams must ensure compliance with Spain’s social-security rules if contractors cross the threshold into employee status. Coworking providers in Barcelona and Málaga are ramping up desk capacity by 20 percent ahead of the summer peak.
The trend underscores Spain’s strategy to attract high-skilled, location-independent workers in the post-pandemic economy—and signals growing competition for housing in popular urban hubs.
Spain’s visa, launched in 2023 and updated in January 2026, allows remote workers earning at least €2,800 per month to live and work legally for up to five years, with a pathway to permanent residency. Indians are drawn by the favourable “Beckham Rule” expat tax regime (a flat 24 percent on Spanish-source income up to €600,000) and by competitive living costs in cities such as Valencia (€1,400–1,800 monthly for a single professional) compared with Bengaluru or Mumbai.
Processing pressure is rising, however. Consulates in Mumbai and Delhi report appointment slots filling three months ahead, while the Interior Ministry is reportedly considering raising the income threshold to €3,200 later in 2026. Relocation advisers therefore recommend that eligible applicants submit dossiers in Q1–Q2 to lock in current requirements.
To navigate these tightening timelines, many prospective nomads are turning to VisaHQ for streamlined support. Through its Spain portal (https://www.visahq.com/spain/), the service walks applicants through document preparation, appointment booking and status tracking, reducing the risk of delays or rejections.
For Spanish employers, the boom presents opportunities and risks. Companies can legally hire remote talent already in Spain on a digital-nomad permit, but payroll teams must ensure compliance with Spain’s social-security rules if contractors cross the threshold into employee status. Coworking providers in Barcelona and Málaga are ramping up desk capacity by 20 percent ahead of the summer peak.
The trend underscores Spain’s strategy to attract high-skilled, location-independent workers in the post-pandemic economy—and signals growing competition for housing in popular urban hubs.
