Since Brexit, moving to Spain has stopped being a matter of booking a one-way flight and finding a nice terrace. Most Britons now need a visa, and two routes do most of the heavy lifting: the digital nomad visa for people who want to keep working, and the non-lucrative visa for people who would rather not. Picking the wrong one is the first and most avoidable mistake, so here is how they compare.
The quick version
- Digital nomad visa: you keep working remotely for clients or an employer outside Spain.
- Non-lucrative visa: you live off savings, pensions or investment income, and you don't work at all.
That last bit is not a technicality. "Not working" means not working, so the occasional bit of freelance design on the side is off the table.
The digital nomad visa
This is built for people whose laptop is their office. You need to show you have been working remotely for a company or clients outside Spain for a while, and that you have the qualifications or experience to back it up. A small share of your income, up to around 20%, can come from Spanish clients.
The income bar is tied to Spain's minimum wage, at 200% of it. For 2026 that works out at roughly €2,849 a month for the main applicant, plus about €916 a month for a first dependant and around €305 for each one after that. Because the minimum wage tends to rise every year, so does the threshold, so check the current figure before you apply rather than relying on last year's blog post.
Two bonuses make it popular. You can usually apply from inside Spain if you are there legally, and you may be able to opt into Spain's special tax regime for new arrivals, which can make a real difference in the first few years.
The non-lucrative visa
This is the classic route for retirees and people living on investment income. You need roughly €2,400 a month (around €28,800 a year) for yourself, plus about €600 a month for each family member, all from sources outside Spanish employment. Savings in the bank can count, which is useful if your pension hasn't kicked in yet.
You will also need private health insurance with a Spanish provider, usually with no co-payments, plus a clean criminal record check and a medical certificate. Most people apply through the Spanish consulate in London, and appointments can be the slowest part of the whole process, so start early.
The catch is the residency side. To renew, you are expected to actually live in Spain for most of the year, and that brings you into the Spanish tax net on your worldwide income. Plenty of people find that out after they have moved, which is the expensive way round.
Which one fits?
Ask yourself one question: will you earn money while you are there?
- If yes, and the work comes from outside Spain, the digital nomad visa is the obvious choice.
- If no, and you have the savings or pension to live on, the non-lucrative visa is simpler.
- If you want to work for a Spanish employer or open a local business, neither fits, and you need a work permit or self-employment route instead.
Couples sometimes split the difference, with one partner on the digital nomad visa and the other included as a dependant. It can work well, but the paperwork needs to line up.
The paperwork reality
Whichever route you choose, expect official translations, apostilled documents and at least one moment where a form asks for something you have never heard of. None of it is difficult on its own, but it adds up, and a missing stamp can send you back to the start of the queue.
Next steps
Visa rules and income thresholds change, sometimes every January. If you want someone to check which route suits you and make sure the application is right first time, Expat Confidant can introduce you to a vetted Spanish immigration specialist.
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Check the latest requirements with the Spanish consulate or a qualified adviser before you apply.