Is the digital nomad visa income requirement gross or net?

Gross. The figure is compared with your gross salary or freelance income.

What is the minimum wage in Spain used for the nomad visa calculation?

The SMI. For 2026 it is €1,221 a month in 14 payments, €17,094 a year.

Is my income too close to the minimum?

If you are within a few percent of €2,849/month (single applicant), currency moves or an irregular month can push you under. Add evidence such as savings or a longer income history, and get the file reviewed.

Can my spouse's income count?

The main applicant must meet the remote-work requirements. Whether a partner's income can top up the household figure is decided case by case; check with the consulate or UGE before relying on it.

What is the income requirement for the Spain digital nomad visa in 2026?

Updated 2026-11-12 · Spain nomad visa guide · Not legal advice

For 2026, a single applicant needs gross income of about €2,849 a month (€34,188 a year), which is 200% of Spain's minimum wage (SMI). Each family member raises the bar: +75% of the SMI (about €1,068/month) for the first and +25% (about €356/month) for each additional one.

Approximate gross monthly income needed in 2026 (SMI €17,094/year divided by 12)
Household	Monthly (approx.)	How it's calculated
Applicant alone	€2,849	200% of SMI
Applicant + partner	€3,917	200% + 75%
Applicant + partner + 1 child	€4,274	200% + 75% + 25%
Applicant + partner + 2 children	€4,630	200% + 75% + 2 × 25%

Why the number changes every year

The threshold is a percentage of Spain's minimum wage (Salario Mínimo Interprofesional, SMI), which the government sets by royal decree. For 2026 it is €1,221 a month in 14 payments (€17,094 a year), set by Real Decreto 126/2026. When the SMI rises, the nomad visa threshold rises with it, so figures from 2024 or 2025 articles are out of date.

Some consulates quote the threshold using the 14-payment monthly SMI instead of dividing the annual figure by 12, which gives a slightly lower number. Plan for the higher figure and check your consulate's checklist or the UGE page.

What counts as income

Salary from your remote employer (payslips plus the employment contract).
Freelance income from your clients (contracts, invoices and the bank statements that show payment).
The figure is assessed on gross income. Irregular freelance months are judged on the overall picture, so a buffer above the minimum helps.
If you are close to the line, savings may support your file, but they do not replace the requirement to show remote-work income. Ask for a review before filing.

Converting from dollars

The threshold is in euros. If you are paid in USD, the officer converts at the exchange rate on the day they assess your file. Leave room for currency swings; being a few euros over the line on a strong-dollar day is a risk.

Quick answers

Is the digital nomad visa income requirement gross or net?: Gross. The figure is compared with your gross salary or freelance income.
What is the minimum wage in Spain used for the nomad visa calculation?: The SMI. For 2026 it is €1,221 a month in 14 payments, €17,094 a year.
Is my income too close to the minimum?: If you are within a few percent of €2,849/month (single applicant), currency moves or an irregular month can push you under. Add evidence such as savings or a longer income history, and get the file reviewed.
Can my spouse's income count?: The main applicant must meet the remote-work requirements. Whether a partner's income can top up the household figure is decided case by case; check with the consulate or UGE before relying on it.

What to do next

Enter your monthly income and household size and we'll compare it with the current threshold.

Check my income now

Sources

Checked: 2026-11-12. Rules change; confirm current values on the official pages above before you file.