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
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
~€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
~€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)
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 →Planning a move to Spain?
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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.