Moving to Spain: every visa & residency route in 2026
There are 3 ways to move to Spain legally as of 2026 — spanning digital nomad, retirement and ancestry routes. Here's every one, what it actually requires, and where it leads.
All 3 routes checked against official government sources · July 2026 · how we verify
Every route, side by side
| Route | Type | Requirement | Leads to |
|---|---|---|---|
| Digital Nomad Visa (Startups Law) | Digital nomad | $3,050/mo income | Citizenship in ~10 yrs |
| Non-Lucrative Visa | Retirement | $2,600/mo income | Citizenship in ~10 yrs |
| Ibero-American 2-Year Residency Route | Ancestry | Nationals of Latin American countries, Portugal, Andorra, the Philippines, or Equatorial Guinea (heritage/nationality-based fast track, not pure bloodline) | Citizenship in ~2 yrs |
Digital nomad route to Spain
Compare digital nomad visas across every country →
$3,050/mo income
Driven by a $3,050/mo income bar and annual renewal.
~€2,850/mo (200% of minimum wage). Renewable to 5 years then PR; citizenship after 10 (2 for Ibero-American nationals). Beckham-regime flat 24% tax option.
Official source →Retirement route to Spain
Compare retirement & passive-income visas across every country →
$2,600/mo income
Driven by a $2,600/mo income bar and annual renewal.
~€2,400/mo passive income (+€600/mo per dependent); no working. PR after 5 years, citizenship after 10 (2 for Ibero-Americans). 183+ days/yr makes you a Spanish tax resident.
Official source →Ancestry route to Spain
Compare citizenship & residency by descent across every country →
Nationals of Latin American countries, Portugal, Andorra, the Philippines, or Equatorial Guinea (heritage/nationality-based fast track, not pure bloodline)
Modest by comparison: proof of descent rather than money.
EUR 104.05 (tasa 026, modelo 790); the ministry notes the amount can be revised by the annual budget law. On timing: the law gives one year to decide, and if that year passes with no decision the application counts as REFUSED by administrative silence rather than still pending. Fee source (checked 2026-08) →
Not a zero-residence descent route: citizens of Ibero-American nations can naturalise after just 2 years of legal residence in Spain (vs the standard 10). Requires actually residing in Spain for those 2 years plus basic Spanish-language and civics (DELE A2 + CCSE) exams. Spain permits dual citizenship with these countries. Included as the practical heritage route after the Sephardic law closed.
Official source →Next steps: the money side
Set up your finances before and after you move.
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Moving to Spain: FAQ
How many ways are there to move to Spain?
This dataset tracks 3 residency or visa routes into Spain as of 2026, across digital nomad, retirement, ancestry pathways. Each has its own income, investment, or heritage requirement.
Does Spain have a digital nomad visa?
Yes — the Digital Nomad Visa (Startups Law) lets remote workers live in Spain. It requires about $3,050/month in income, and it can lead to permanent residency. ~€2,850/mo (200% of minimum wage). Renewable to 5 years then PR; citizenship after 10 (2 for Ibero-American nationals). Beckham-regime flat 24% tax option.
What's the lowest-income way to get residency in Spain?
The most accessible income-based route is the Non-Lucrative Visa at roughly $2,600/month. Requirements reset annually and move with exchange rates, so confirm the current figure with the official source before you apply.
Can I get Spain citizenship by descent?
Nationals of Latin American countries, Portugal, Andorra, the Philippines, or Equatorial Guinea (heritage/nationality-based fast track, not pure bloodline) Not a zero-residence descent route: citizens of Ibero-American nations can naturalise after just 2 years of legal residence in Spain (vs the standard 10). Requires actually residing in Spain for those 2 years plus basic Spanish-language and civics (DELE A2 + CCSE) exams. Spain permits dual citizenship with these countries. Included as the practical heritage route after the Sephardic law closed.
Does moving to Spain lead to a second passport?
Yes — at least one route to Spain has a defined path to citizenship. The exact timeline and physical-presence rules vary by program; check each route's official source below.
Spain, compared
Visas, cost, and healthcare side by side with the alternatives people weigh.
