What types of income count towards the Spain DNV threshold?

Qualifying income includes: salary from an employment contract with a non-Spanish employer; self-employed revenue (net of deductible expenses); regular dividend income (with caveats — must be demonstrably regular and sustainable); and rental income from investment properties (with caveats). Combinations of income types can be used together. What does NOT count: one-off payments, capital gains, inheritance, loans, or irregular lump sums.

How do I evidence my income for the Spain Digital Nomad Visa?

The evidence required depends on your employment type. Employed applicants should provide: 3–6 months of payslips, an employment contract, and bank statements showing salary receipt. Self-employed applicants should provide: 6 months of client invoices, tax returns where available, and bank statements showing income. All evidence must be translated into Spanish by a sworn translator if it is in another language.

Does the income requirement increase if I include family members on my DNV?

Yes. For each dependant family member added to your application (spouse, children), you must demonstrate an additional 75% of the SMI per person — approximately €1,069 per additional family member in 2026. So a couple applying together would need to show €2,849 + €1,069 = €3,918/month. A family of four would need approximately €2,849 + (3 × €1,069) = €6,056/month.

DNV eligibility

Do you earn enough for Spain's Digital Nomad Visa?

The Spain Digital Nomad Visa requires a minimum monthly income of €2,849 — exactly 200% of the 2026 Spanish Minimum Wage. Here's what counts, how to evidence it, and a calculator to check your figures.

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€2,849

minimum monthly income (single applicant)

200%

of the 2026 Spanish Minimum Wage (SMI)

+€1,069

per additional family member (75% SMI each)

3–6

months of income evidence typically required

What qualifies as income

What counts towards the €2,849 threshold

Not all income types qualify equally. The UGE is looking for regular, demonstrably sustainable income from remote work or business activity. Here is what is generally accepted — and what is not.

Qualifying income types

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Salary from employed role — employment contract with a non-Spanish employer showing gross monthly salary at or above €2,849.
✓
Self-employed revenue (net) — income after deductible business expenses from freelance or consultant work. Must be evidenced with invoices and bank statements. The 20% Spanish client rule applies to self-employed income.
✓
Regular dividend income — dividends from business ownership can count, but must be demonstrably regular and sustainable. Sporadic dividends are unlikely to satisfy reviewers on their own.
✓
Rental income — income from investment properties may be included, with caveats. It must be regular and evidenced with tenancy agreements and bank deposits.
✓
Combined sources — you can combine multiple income streams (e.g. part-time salary + freelance revenue) to reach the threshold, provided each is evidenced separately.

What does not count

✗
One-off payments or bonuses — a single large payment does not demonstrate ongoing monthly income.
✗
Capital gains — profit from selling investments, shares, or property does not qualify as regular income for DNV purposes.
✗
Inheritance — inherited funds are not regular income.
✗
Loans or credit — borrowed funds do not constitute qualifying income regardless of how they appear in bank statements.
✗
Sporadic project fees — irregular project-based payments without a pattern of recurring income are unlikely to satisfy reviewers.

Family members

Income thresholds with dependants

If you are including a spouse, partner, or children on your DNV application, the income requirement increases by 75% of the SMI (approximately €1,069 in 2026) for each additional person. The table below shows the total required for different family sizes.

Applicant(s)	Calculation	Monthly minimum
Single applicant	200% SMI	€2,849
Applicant + spouse / partner	200% SMI + 75% SMI	€3,918
Applicant + spouse + 1 child	200% SMI + 2 × 75% SMI	€4,987
Applicant + spouse + 2 children	200% SMI + 3 × 75% SMI	€6,056

Figures based on 200% SMI = €2,849 and 75% SMI = €1,069 for 2026. The SMI is reviewed annually; figures may change for future applications.

Income check tool

Calculate your income eligibility

Enter your monthly income and your family size to see whether you meet the current DNV income threshold. This is a guide tool — your case manager will assess your full documentation.

Income eligibility calculator

Based on the 2026 SMI. Figures are indicative — official thresholds are confirmed by the UGE at the time of application.

Your monthly income (€)

Family size (applicants)

📊

Enter your income above to check

Your result will appear here once you enter a monthly income figure.

Documentation

How to evidence your income

The specific evidence required depends on whether you are employed or self-employed. Below are the standard document sets for each route. All non-Spanish documents must be officially translated by a sworn translator (traductor jurado).

Employed applicants

Remote employees

Employment contract showing employer based outside Spain and salary ≥ €2,849/month
3–6 months of recent payslips
3–6 months of bank statements showing salary receipt
Employer letter confirming remote working arrangement and current salary
If contract is not in Spanish: sworn translation required

Self-employed applicants

Freelancers & autónomos

6 months of client invoices demonstrating regular income above threshold
Client contracts or letters of engagement (where available)
6 months of bank statements showing invoice payments received
Last 1–2 years of tax returns, if available (helpful but not always mandatory)
Evidence that Spanish client income is under 20% of total

Dividend income

Company dividends

Company accounts or profit statements showing regular dividend payments
Bank statements showing dividend receipt over 6+ months
Shareholder agreement or company documentation confirming your ownership
Evidence of ongoing company trading (not a dormant vehicle)

Combined income sources

Mixing income types

Full evidence set for each income stream as above
A summary letter or declaration showing combined monthly total
Bank statements where all income visibly lands in a single or clearly linked accounts
Be prepared for the UGE to assess each component individually

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The 20% Spanish income rule for self-employed applicants

If you are self-employed, a maximum of 20% of your total income may come from Spanish clients or employers. If you exceed this limit, you do not qualify for the DNV. When calculating your income to demonstrate the €2,849 minimum, be aware that Spanish-sourced income counts toward the total but must stay within the 20% cap. Your case manager will help you present this correctly.

Common questions

Income requirement FAQ

What is the minimum income for Spain's Digital Nomad Visa in 2026?

The minimum income for the Spain Digital Nomad Visa in 2026 is €2,849 per month, which equals 200% of the Spanish Minimum Wage (SMI) for 2026. This is the baseline for a single applicant with no dependants. For each additional family member included on the application, you must add 75% of the SMI (approximately €1,069) per person.

Can I combine different income sources to meet the DNV threshold?

Yes, in most cases you can combine income sources to reach the €2,849/month threshold. For example, a salary from part-time employment plus regular dividends from a business could be combined. However, each income source must be evidenced separately and the UGE reviewers will assess whether the income is genuinely regular and sustainable. Speak to your case manager about how to present combined income effectively.

Does the income figure need to be in euros, or can it be in another currency?

The threshold is assessed in euros, but your income does not need to be paid in euros. Income in GBP, USD, or other currencies will be converted to euros for assessment purposes. Your bank statements and payslips will show the foreign currency amounts, and the conversion will be assessed at prevailing rates. If your income is in a volatile currency, be aware that exchange rate fluctuations could affect whether you meet the threshold at the time of assessment.

What if my income drops below €2,849 during my permit period?

The €2,849/month income requirement is primarily assessed at the time of application and again at renewal. A temporary dip below the threshold during your permit period does not automatically cancel your visa. However, you must be able to demonstrate income at or above the threshold at renewal. If you anticipate a sustained period of lower income, seek advice on how to document and present your situation in advance of your renewal date.

Is the income threshold net or gross?

For employed applicants, the income threshold is generally assessed on gross monthly salary as shown on payslips. For self-employed applicants, the UGE typically looks at net income after deductible business expenses, as this reflects actual earnings. However, practice can vary — your case manager at Platinum Legal Spain will advise on how to present your specific income figures most clearly and compliantly.