VISAS AND TAXES

SPANISH RESIDENCY SIMPLIFIED/ VISA TYPES

Can you work? Yes, remotely for non-Spanish citizens

Income Source Allowed: Foreign salary/business + pensions

Typical Use: People keeping US jobs/business abroad.

The DNV is designed for remote workers and freelancers whose main clients or employer are outside of Spain. In some cases limited Spanish-source income may be allowed under specific rules.

Key Points: You need to show you earn about $3,315 per month remotely in 2026 (this amount can change because it’s tied to Spain’s minimum wage).

You must have legal permission to work remotely from Spain. The application is often processed fairly quickly — around 30 days — but this is not guaranteed and depends on the specific office handling it.

Can you work? No work at all (even remote).

Income Source Allowed: Passive income only, (pension/investments)

Typical Use: Fully retired, no active business

The most popular visa among our community. The NLV is designed for non-EU/EEA citizens and allows you to live in Spain on passive income (pensions, investments, rental income) or sufficient savings without working locally. For tax purposes, treatment of foreign-sourced income depends on whether you become a Spanish tax resident and on applicable tax treaties, so always confirm your specific situation with a tax advisor.

Key points: For non-EU/EEA citizens only. Income requirement is tied to Spain’s IPREM (Public Income Indicator) benchmark — approximately $2800 /month for a single applicant in 2026 with higher amounts for dependents. Sufficient savings can also qualify.

Figures here are indicative — always confirm your consulate’s current threshold.

For those enrolling in Spanish universities or language programs. Opens doors to full-time education with a regulated part-time work allowance (up to 20 hours/week alongside studies; holiday rules and employer obligations can vary, so always check the latest regulations).

Spain will treat you as a tax resident once you spend 183 days a year there. US social security can be paid while abroad; the US-Spain tax treaty and totalization rules help avoid double social security contributions. You will need a US/Spain cross-border tax advisor to help structure for you. (Recommendations are available). Once you’re a Spanish tax resident, you must declare your worldwide income to Spain’s tax authority (Agencia Tributaria) and potentially pay tax on the net value of your assets via the wealth tax and solidarity tax, this includes employment income, self-employment income, rental income from property anywhere in the world, investment income (dividends, interest), capital gains, and pensions. If you’re not a tax resident, you only pay tax on income sourced from Spain (generally at a 24% flat rate for non-EU passport holders, with slightly better rates for EU nationals).