Spain Digital Nomad Visa 2026: New Income Requirements & SMI Changes

Status: Developing Story (Updated Dec 2025)

If you are planning to move to Spain in 2026, the price of admission is about to go up. Negotiations are currently underway to raise Spain’s Salario Mínimo Interprofesional (SMI), the benchmark figure used to calculate the financial requirement for the Digital Nomad Visa (DNV).

Unions are pushing for a 7.5% increase, a move that would push the minimum monthly income requirement for a single applicant dangerously close to €3,000 per month.

If your income is on the borderline, you need to act before January 1st. This guide explains the new projected numbers and the strategy to “lock in” the lower 2025 rate.

Table of contents

• The 2026 Projection: At a Glance
• Why the SMI Matters for Your Visa
• Projected Income Thresholds for Families
• Strategy: How to Lock in the 2025 Rate
• The Exchange Rate Risk (USD/GBP)
• FAQs

The 2026 Projection: At a Glance

The Spanish Digital Nomad Visa requires you to prove an income of 200% of the SMI. While the final figure will be published in the Official Gazette (BOE) in late December or January, current negotiations suggest a significant hike.

Here is the projected impact if the 7.5% proposal is accepted:

> Note: These figures are projections based on the 14-payment SMI calculation used by the UGE. The final numbers may vary slightly but the upward trend is confirmed.

Why the SMI Matters for Your Visa

Unlike the Non-Lucrative Visa (which uses the IPREM index), the Digital Nomad Visa is pegged to the Minimum Wage (SMI). The Spanish government raises the SMI almost every year to combat inflation.

• The Formula: 200% of SMI (calculated on 14 payments, divided by 12 months).
• The Reality: When the government helps local workers by raising the minimum wage, they inadvertently make it harder for international remote workers to qualify for the visa.

Projected Income Thresholds for Families

If you are moving with a spouse or children, the impact of the 2026 increase compounds.

• Spouse: +75% of SMI
• Child: +25% of SMI

> Key Takeaway: A family of four may soon need to prove nearly €58,000 in annual gross income to qualify.

Strategy: How to Lock in the 2025 Rate

The Immigration Office (UGE) assesses your financial solvency based on the SMI active at the moment of application.

This creates a critical window of opportunity:

1. Submit Before Jan 1st: If we submit your application electronically before the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve, your file is legally bound to the 2025 SMI.
2. The “Grace Period”: Often, the new SMI is not officially published until mid-January or even February, applied retroactively. However, relying on this administrative lag is risky. The safest route is to file in December.

The Exchange Rate Risk (USD/GBP)

If you earn in US Dollars or British Pounds, you face a double threat in 2026:

1. The Higher Euro Requirement: The bar is being raised by ~7.5%.
2. Currency Fluctuation: If the Euro strengthens against the Dollar, your income might suddenly drop below the threshold on the day of review.

Our Advice: We always recommend a 10% safety buffer above the minimum requirement. With the 2026 increase, that “safe zone” is moving significantly higher.

FAQs

What if I already have my visa? Does this affect renewal? No. If you already hold the visa, this increase does not affect you until you apply for your renewal. At renewal time, you will be assessed against the SMI active in that future year.

Is the 7.5% increase confirmed? Not yet. It is the proposal from the major unions (CCOO and UGT). Business associations are pushing for a lower rise (approx 3%). The final number will likely land somewhere in between, but an increase is guaranteed.

Does savings count toward this amount? Unlike the Non-Lucrative Visa, the DNV is primarily an income-based visa. While some case officers accept savings to bridge a small gap, you should not rely on savings to meet the core 200% SMI requirement.

Do not get priced out of Spain.

If your income is close to the current €2,763 threshold, waiting until 2026 could be a fatal mistake for your application.

We can fast-track your document review and aim for a December submission.

Book a Free Eligibility Check