The most common mistake people make when planning a move is starting with the apartment, school, or “how to relocate with a pet,” before choosing the legal route. But your visa or residence type determines everything else: whether you can work, how long you can stay, what your family can do, and what your next steps will look like.

In 2025, important changes to Spain’s immigration rules came into force and clarified the requirements for different residence types. That’s why in 2026 it matters more than ever to choose not the “most popular” option, but the one that matches your real lifestyle.

Below is a simple scenario-based guide. Find the sentence that sounds like you—and you’ll see the route that fits.

1) “I want to live in Spain on savings or passive income”

Visa type: Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV) — residence without the right to work.

This is the classic path for people who want to live in Spain without working and can prove financial independence.

Best for:

• retirees, or anyone living off passive income (rent, dividends) and substantial savings.

Key rules:

• Working is strictly not allowed, including remote work for foreign companies (this was clearly закреплено in the 2025 legal changes).
• Finances: you must prove roughly from €29,000 per year for one person (linked to the IPREM indicator). The requirement increases for each additional family member.
• Important nuance: you must be in Spain at least 183 days per year to renew your residence (in 2026, this is a legal requirement, not just a recommendation).
• Where to apply: through the Spanish consulate in your country.

Quick test:
If you plan to work even “a little bit” remotely—NLV is not the right route for you.

2) “I work remotely for a company outside Spain”

Visa type: Digital Nomad Visa (DNV) — Spain’s digital nomad route.

This option is designed for people whose work is not tied to the Spanish labor market.

Best for:

• remote employees of non-Spanish companies;
• freelancers with clients outside Spain.

Key rules:

• at least 80% of your income must come from clients or an employer outside Spain;
• Finances: the minimum income threshold in 2025–2026 is around €33,000 per year for the main applicant;
• Advantages: if you apply from within Spain (for example, while you are in Spain as a tourist), you can receive a residence permit for 3 years;
• your spouse can obtain the right to work in Spain for local employers, which is a major benefit for many families.

Quick test:
If most of your income comes from Spain, this route becomes difficult—because the “outside Spain” income requirement is central.

3) “I have EU roots or close family ties in Spain”

Residence route: EU citizen residence or family member of a Spanish/EU citizen.

This is often the most straightforward and least bureaucratic path.

Best for:

• you or your spouse holds an EU passport; or
• you are a family member of a Spanish citizen.

What to expect:

• typically faster and simpler than NLV or DNV;
• you still need to register within the first 3 months and show funds or employment plus health coverage, but requirements are generally softer;
• since 2025, a new and even more simplified regulation applies for relatives of Spanish citizens.

4) “I want to study—and maybe stay”

Visa type: Student Visa.

This can be a solid route in 2026, but the details matter.

Important to know:

• since 2025, rules became stricter: if you are coming “just to learn Spanish,” you cannot apply from within Spain, bring your family, or easily switch to a work status;
• the strongest option is higher education (Bachelor’s / Master’s). University students can still apply from within Spain, bring family members, and have the right to part-time work.

5) “I’m an expert, investor, or entrepreneur”

Specialized residence options:

If your situation doesn’t fit the standard routes, one of these may apply:

• Highly Qualified Professional: for top managers and highly paid specialists hired by a Spanish company.
• Entrepreneur Visa: for startups with an innovative or technological character.
• Self-employed (Autónomo): for those who want to open a small business in Spain (for example, a café or workshop). This requires a very strong, detailed business plan.
• Intracompany Transfer: if your international company transfers you to its Spanish office.

What to forget about in 2026

• The Golden Visa (real estate investment). This program was fully cancelled in 2025. Buying property no longer gives you an automatic right to residency.
• The 90/180 rule. This is not a relocation path. It is a tourist regime that allows you to stay in Spain no more than 90 days in any 180-day period.

A simple principle to choose correctly

Always pick the route that:

1. fits your documents, and
2. fits the way you actually plan to live.

If you intend to work—even remotely—NLV is not for you. If you plan to live on savings and not work, you may not need the Digital Nomad route. If you have an EU passport or close family ties, that is often the most direct option.

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Choosing the right residence permit is the foundation. Once your legal route matches your real lifestyle—work, family plans, and timelines—the rest of the move becomes much easier.

Docsinside is an online platform that helps you apply for (or renew) your Spanish residence permit in a clear, structured way. It guides you step by step through the process, provides practical templates and checklists, and gives you a secure personal account where you can upload and organize your documents in one place.

If you’d like support along the way, you can start with a free consultation to confirm the best route for your situation and choose the level of help you need—from guided self-submission to full legal support. If you want to get started, email us at hello@docsinside.com.