--- title: "Moving to Spain 2026: visas, requirements and tax" url: https://settleanywhere.com/countries/spain/ lang: en updated: 2026-10-12 --- The Alhambra glowing at dawn below the Sierra Nevada, Granada # Moving to Spain 20 ways to move to Spain in our guide: 6 working holiday visas, 1 nomad / remote-work visa, 1 pay-to-stay route, 2 business / startup routes, 5 work visas, 2 student visas, 1 route by nationality or ancestry, 2 spouse visas. Remote workers: [Digital nomad visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/spain/international-telework-visa/), €2,442+ a month ≈ $2,730. Checked against official sources on 12 October 2026. **Nomad visa: income needed:** **€2,442+ a month ≈ $2,730** Digital nomad visa **Longest first stay:** **5 years** Spouse of a citizen Spain offers a range of routes for non-EU newcomers, from remote work to study, business and retirement. Visas and tax are separate. Remote workers with non-Spanish employers or clients Young Australians and Canadians on working holiday schemes People who can live on their own means without working in Spain Entrepreneurs starting an innovative business Highly qualified employees and graduates of prestigious institutions ## Working holiday · 6 ### Working Holiday - [Argentina](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/spain/working-holiday-argentina/) - [Australia](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/spain/working-holiday-australia/) - [Canada](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/spain/working-holiday-canada/) - [Japan](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/spain/working-holiday-japan/) - [New Zealand](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/spain/working-holiday-new-zealand/) - [Korea](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/spain/working-holiday-south-korea/) ## Nomad / Remote work · 1 ### [Digital nomad visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/spain/international-telework-visa/) **Income needed:** €2,442+ a month ≈ $2,730 Stay 3 yrs, renewable Can work: limited Needs health cover [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/spain/international-telework-visa/) ## Retire or live on savings · 1 ### [Non-lucrative visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/spain/nonlucrative-residence/) **Income needed:** €2,400+ a month ≈ $2,680 Stay 1 yr, renewable Can't work Needs health cover Retirement [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/spain/nonlucrative-residence/) ## Business / Startup · 2 ### [Entrepreneur visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/spain/entrepreneur-visa/) **First stay:** 3 yrs Needs health cover [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/spain/entrepreneur-visa/) ### [Self-employed permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/spain/self-employed-residence/) **First stay:** 1 yr [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/spain/self-employed-residence/) ## Work · 5 - [EU Blue Card **Income needed:** from €33k a year ≈ $37k](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/spain/eu-blue-card/) - [Highly qualified worker **Income needed:** €41k+ a year ≈ $46k](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/spain/highly-qualified-visa/) - [Employee visa **First stay:** 1 yr](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/spain/employee-visa/) - [Intra-company transfer **First stay:** 3 yrs](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/spain/ict-residence/) - [Researcher permit **First stay:** 3 yrs](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/spain/researcher-residence/) ## Student · 2 ### [Internship permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/spain/internship-residence/) **First stay:** 1 yr Needs health cover [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/spain/internship-residence/) ### [Student visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/spain/study-visa/) Can work: yes Needs health cover [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/spain/study-visa/) ## For your nationality or ancestry · 1 Open only to citizens of certain countries or to people with family roots here. Unlike free movement, each needs an application. ### [Spanish nationality by descent and option](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/spain/citizenship-by-descent-and-option/) [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/spain/citizenship-by-descent-and-option/) ## Spouse visas · 2 For people married to, or in a partnership with, a citizen or permanent resident. ### [Spouse of a resident](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/spain/family-reunification/) **Income needed:** €900+ a month ≈ $1,010 Can work: yes Needs health cover [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/spain/family-reunification/) ### [Spouse of a citizen](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/spain/spouse-of-citizen/) **First stay:** 5 yrs [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/spain/spouse-of-citizen/) **Free movement and visa-free stays · 2** - **[EU free movement](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/spain/free-movement-eu/)** · Lets you live here Open to 31 passports: [Austria](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/austria/), [Belgium](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/belgium/), [Bulgaria](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/bulgaria/), [Croatia](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/croatia/), [Cyprus](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/cyprus/), [Czechia](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/czechia/), [Denmark](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/denmark/), [Estonia](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/estonia/), [Finland](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/finland/), [France](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/france/), [Germany](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/germany/), [Greece](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/greece/), [Hungary](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/hungary/), [Iceland](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/iceland/), [Ireland](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/ireland/), [Italy](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/italy/), [Latvia](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/latvia/), [Liechtenstein](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/liechtenstein/), [Lithuania](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/lithuania/), [Luxembourg](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/luxembourg/), [Malta](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/malta/), [Netherlands](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/netherlands/), [Norway](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/norway/), [Poland](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/poland/), [Portugal](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/portugal/), [Romania](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/romania/), [Slovakia](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/slovakia/), [Slovenia](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/slovenia/), [Spain](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/spain/), [Sweden](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/sweden/), [Switzerland](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/switzerland/). - **[Free movement by treaty](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/spain/free-movement-andorra/)** · Lets you live here Open to 1 passport: [Andorra](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/andorra/). [Where each passport can live without a visa →](https://settleanywhere.com/passports/) ## Tax If you become Spanish tax resident, you are taxed on worldwide income. Under this regime, work income and qualifying entrepreneurial income are treated as Spanish-source even if earned abroad, with a limited foreign tax credit. Otherwise, residents pay personal income tax on worldwide income, with savings income taxed on a separate scale. Special regime ### [Special regime for workers, entrepreneurs and teleworkers relocated to Spain (Beckham regime, Art. 93 LIRPF)](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/spain/tax/#tax-es-art93-inpatriates) 24% tax Foreign-source income: Beckham regime (6 years) **Details** - Limit: €600k/yr ≈ $670k Optional regime taxing Spanish-source income under non-resident rules: 24% up to EUR600,000 (≈ $670,000) and 47% above, for the year of arrival plus five years. Foreign-source income outside the qualifying work and entrepreneurial income is not taxed in Spain under this regime. #### Taxed on Tax calculated under Spanish nonresident-income-tax rules for opted-in individuals who become Spanish tax resident through a qualifying move. AEAT treats all work income and qualifying entrepreneurial-activity income earned during the regime as Spanish-source, even when activity is performed abroad, subject to the before-move/after-regime timing exception. Base A (dividends, interest and capital gains) uses a separate savings scale; other income is generally base B. A limited foreign tax credit may apply to qualifying foreign-earned employment/entrepreneurial income, with statutory cap. #### Who it applies to - Individual must become Spanish tax resident because of the move, not have been resident in Spain in the five tax periods before it, and elect the regime on form 149. - The move (in the first year of application or the year before) must result from one of: an employment contract in Spain (including remote work for a foreign employer under the international teleworking visa), becoming a director of an entity, an entrepreneurial activity recognised under Art. 70 of Ley 14/2013, or a highly qualified professional serving start-ups or doing R&D&I work with more than 40% of business, professional and work income from it. - The individual must not earn income through a permanent establishment in Spain (except in the entrepreneur and highly qualified professional cases). - The regime applies in the tax period of the change of residence and the following five tax periods, while the conditions continue. - Spouse and children under 25 (or any age if disabled), or the parent where there is no marriage, can elect too if they also become resident and their combined taxable base is lower than the principal taxpayer's. #### Exclusions - Not automatic with a digital-nomad or other visa; tax election, residence and activity conditions are separate. - Dividends, interest and capital gains (Art. 25.1.f TRLIRNR income) use the separate savings scale in Art. 93.2.e: 19% up to EUR 6,000, (≈ $6,700) 21% to EUR 50,000, (≈ $55,900) 23% to EUR 200,000, (≈ $223,000) 27% to EUR 300,000 (≈ $335,000) and 30% above (30% from tax year 2025 under Ley 7/2024). The 24%/47% scale applies to the rest of the base. - Non-business urban real estate in Spain may generate imputed rental income even when used as the taxpayer's habitual home (TEAC unification criterion of 17 July 2025). - Qualifying employment and entrepreneurial income earned during the regime is treated as Spanish-source even when the work is done abroad, apart from income from activity before the move or after the regime ends. #### Limits - EUR 600,000 a year (≈ $670,000) · General part of the base: 24% up to this amount and 47% above (Art. 93.2.e.1); withholding on employment income is 24%, and 47% on pay from one payer above EUR 600,000 (≈ $670,000). - EUR 300,000 a year (≈ $335,000) · Savings part of the base: 19% to EUR 6,000, (≈ $6,700) 21% to EUR 50,000, (≈ $55,900) 23% to EUR 200,000, (≈ $223,000) 27% to this amount and 30% above (Art. 93.2.e.2). #### Days in the country - More than 183 days in calendar year · Spanish tax residence if more than 183 days in Spain in the calendar year (Art. 9 LIRPF), subject to centre-of-interests rules. #### Tax residence Applicant must become Spanish tax resident because of the move and not have been resident in the prior five tax periods; election is filed on form 149 and lasts the arrival year plus five. Participants are treated as non-residents for double tax treaty purposes and are taxed in Spain only on Spanish-source income, with qualifying work and entrepreneurial income deemed Spanish-source. #### Visas Independent tax election; a telework visa can be a qualifying circumstance but does not confer the regime. #### Other taxes Spanish social security, VAT and business registration are separate. Participants are subject to Wealth Tax on a limited (Spanish-situated assets) basis. Non-business urban property in Spain gives imputed rental income even if it is the main home (TEAC criterion of 17 July 2025). A foreign tax credit for qualifying work and entrepreneurial income earned abroad is capped at 30% of the related tax charge. Checked against official sources on 11 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/) [Full page →](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/spain/tax/) Standard rules ### [Spanish personal income tax (IRPF) for residents](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/spain/tax/#tax-es-irpf-ordinary) Worldwide income **Details** - Who: A person is resident if present more than 183 days in the calendar year - Limit: €6,000/yr ≈ $6,700 Residents are taxed on worldwide income, including foreign-source income. Savings income (interest, dividends, gains) is taxed at 19% to 30% combining the state and regional portions; the general scale has a state portion of 9.5% to 24.5% plus a regional portion. #### Taxed on Worldwide income of tax residents, split into a general base (work, business, rental) and a savings base (interest, dividends, capital gains). #### Who it applies to - A person is resident if present more than 183 days in the calendar year, or if the main base of their activities or economic interests is in Spain. - Residence is presumed when the non-separated spouse and dependent minor children live habitually in Spain. #### Exclusions - Sporadic absences count towards the 183 days unless tax residence in another country is proven. #### Limits - EUR 6,000 a year (≈ $6,700) · Savings scale: 19% up to this amount (state 9.5% plus regional 9.5%). - EUR 50,000 a year (≈ $55,900) · Savings scale: 21% from 6,000 up to this amount. - EUR 200,000 a year (≈ $223,000) · Savings scale: 23% from 50,000 up to this amount. - EUR 300,000 a year (≈ $335,000) · Savings scale: 27% from 200,000 up to this amount, and 30% above it. - EUR 12,450 a year (≈ $13,900) · State general scale: 9.5% up to this amount, then 12% to 20,200, 15% to 35,200, 18.5% to 60,000, 22.5% to 300,000 and 24.5% above; each region adds its own scale. #### Days in the country - More than 183 days in calendar year · Presence in Spanish territory; sporadic absences count unless tax residence in another country is proven. #### Tax residence Art. 9 of the IRPF law sets residence by presence of more than 183 days or by the centre of economic interests, with the family presumption. #### Visas The visa type does not change ordinary IRPF; residents may opt into the Art. 93 regime when eligible. #### Other taxes Regional general-scale rates differ by autonomous community. Social security, VAT and wealth tax are separate. Checked against official sources on 11 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/) [Full page →](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/spain/tax/) Checked against official sources on 11 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/) **Switch to later · 1** Work ### [Graduate job search](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/spain/graduate-job-search/) **First stay:** 2 yrs Can't work Needs health cover [Details](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/spain/graduate-job-search/) **Path to permanent residence · 1** - **Citizenship** · Spanish nationality of origin for children of Spaniards and option for children of a Spanish-born parent (Código Civil Articles 17 and 20) ## Arriving in Spain: first steps 1. Arrange private health insurance that meets the requirements for your route, such as no co-payment or coverage limit for non-lucrative residence. 2. Register your address with the local town hall (padrón) as soon as you have a place to live. 3. Open a Spanish bank account if you need to show means or set up regular payments. 4. Register with the tax office if you need to file taxes or elect the special regime. 5. Keep copies of your visa, insurance, and address registration for renewals and other procedures. ## Questions people ask ### Does Spain have a working holiday visa? Yes. Spain has 6 working holiday visas. [Working Holiday · Argentina](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/spain/working-holiday-argentina/) is for ages 18 to 35 and gives a first stay of 1 year. [Working Holiday · Australia](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/spain/working-holiday-australia/) is for ages 18 to 30 and gives a first stay of 1 year. [Working Holiday · Canada](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/spain/working-holiday-canada/) is for ages 18 to 35 and gives a first stay of 1 year. ### What is the Spain digital nomad visa income requirement in 2026? Spain has 1 nomad or remote-work visa. [Digital nomad visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/spain/international-telework-visa/) asks for an income of at least EUR 2,442 a month (≈ $2,730) and gives a first stay of 3 years that can be renewed. ### Can I retire or live in Spain on my savings or pension? Spain has 1 retirement or pay-to-stay route. [Non-lucrative visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/spain/nonlucrative-residence/) asks for an income of at least EUR 2,400 a month (≈ $2,680) and gives a first stay of 1 year that can be renewed. ### Can I move to Spain by starting a business? Spain has 2 business or startup routes. [Entrepreneur visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/spain/entrepreneur-visa/) gives a first stay of 3 years that can be renewed. [Self-employed permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/spain/self-employed-residence/) gives a first stay of 1 year that can be renewed. ### What work visas does Spain offer foreigners? Spain has 5 work visas. [Employee visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/spain/employee-visa/) gives a first stay of 1 year that can be renewed. [EU Blue Card](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/spain/eu-blue-card/) asks for a salary from EUR 33,085.09 a year (≈ $37,000) and gives a first stay of 3 years that can be renewed. [Highly qualified worker](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/spain/highly-qualified-visa/) asks for a salary of at least EUR 41,356.36 a year (≈ $46,200) and gives a first stay of 3 years that can be renewed. ### How do I get a student visa for Spain? Spain has 2 student visas. [Internship permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/spain/internship-residence/) gives a first stay of 1 year that can be renewed. There is also [Student visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/spain/study-visa/). ### Can my nationality or ancestry give me residence in Spain? Yes. Spain has 1 route by nationality or ancestry. It is [Spanish nationality by descent and option](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/spain/citizenship-by-descent-and-option/). ### Can I join my spouse or partner in Spain? Yes. Spain has 2 spouse visas. [Spouse of a resident](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/spain/family-reunification/) asks for an income of at least EUR 900 a month (≈ $1,010). [Spouse of a citizen](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/spain/spouse-of-citizen/) gives a first stay of 5 years that can be renewed. ## Compare with [🇵🇹 Portugal](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/) [🇬🇪 Georgia](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/georgia/) [🇮🇹 Italy](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/italy/) [🇬🇷 Greece](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/greece/) [🇩🇪 Germany](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/germany/) [🇫🇷 France](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/france/) [🇬🇧 United Kingdom](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/united-kingdom/) [🇳🇱 Netherlands](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/netherlands/) ≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated.