Spain's Digital Nomad Visa, two years in: what works and what to avoid

Spain's Digital Nomad Visa launched in January 2023 under the Startups Law. The 20-working-day decision through the UGE made it instantly attractive. Two years and a few dozen filings later, the contours of what gets approved and what gets stuck are clear.

The income test, in practice

The headline number is roughly €2,762/month gross (200% of SMI). That figure has crept up annually with the minimum-wage adjustment, so verify the current month before applying. What matters more than the absolute number is the consistency: three months of consistent payslips at or above threshold sails through. Lumpy invoice income — common for freelance consultants — gets flagged. Annualise it and present a 12-month average with bank statements as backup.

The 80% foreign-client rule

This is where most rejections come from. The DNV requires that at least 80% of your income come from non-Spanish clients. If you bill any Spanish clients at all during the visa period, the maths can swing against you fast. Best practice: stop billing Spanish entities at least 6 months before applying, and prepare a written breakdown of your client roster by country.

Beckham Law eligibility

Most DNV holders qualify for the Beckham Law tax regime — a flat 24% on Spanish-source income up to €600,000 for six tax years, with foreign income largely exempt. You must not have been a Spanish tax resident in the prior five years. Apply for Beckham Law within six months of becoming a tax resident; the form is Modelo 149 to the AEAT.

Family inclusion

Spouse and minor children are included on the same DNV application — no separate filing. The income threshold rises with each dependant: roughly +75% of SMI for the first dependant, then +25% for each additional. Plan for €4,000/month gross if applying as a family of three.

The 1-year vs. 3-year question

Filing at a Spanish consulate abroad yields a 1-year DNV. Filing inside Spain on a tourist entry yields a 3-year TIE card directly. The 3-year route is preferred when timing allows — fewer renewals, lower lifetime fees. We routinely advise clients to enter Spain as tourists and file the DNV from inside the country.