Kingdom of Spain
Kingdom of Spain visa salary thresholds
Spain's Startup Law routes peg income floors to SMI (minimum wage) and IPREM. The Digital Nomad Visa requires 200% of SMI; the Highly Qualified Professional permit requires 150%; passive-income routes require 400% IPREM.
Last checked 1 June 2026. Every figure is mapped to a primary government source and re-verified over time; recorded changes appear in the changelog.
What salary do you need for a skilled-work visa in Spain?
The main skilled-work salary floor in Kingdom of Spain is €34,188 / year (Digital Nomad Visa — remote-work income), effective 1 January 2026. Occupation-specific going rates may bind higher.
Verified against UGE-CE — Digital Nomad Visa on 1 June 2026.
Threshold table
| Route | Amount | ~USD | In force since | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Digital Nomad Visa — remote-work income Minimum gross annual remote-work income at 200% of the Spanish SMI. The 2026 SMI is €1,221/month × 14 payments = €17,094/yr (RD 126/2026); 200% = €34,188 gross p.a. | €34,188 / year | $36,900 | 2026-01-01 | UGE-CE — Digital Nomad Visa |
Highly Qualified Professional (Startup Law) Minimum salary for the Highly Qualified Professional route under Law 14/2013 / Startup Law 28/2022 (indicative — operationally assessed at 150% of the relevant sector collective agreement floor). | €40,000 / year | $43,000 | 2023-01-01 | UGE-CE — Highly Qualified Professional |
Non-lucrative Visa — passive-income minimum Minimum annual passive income for the Non-lucrative Visa at 400% of the IPREM. Spouse and each child add 100% of IPREM. | €28,800 / year | $31,000 | 2026-01-01 | Ministerio de Inclusión — Non-lucrative Visa |
How often this changes
SMI and IPREM are revised each January and occasionally mid-year. The 200% SMI floor for Digital Nomad applicants is the most volatile figure because SMI has risen every year since 2019 (€1,221/month for 2026 → €34,188 floor). IPREM has been frozen since 2023, so the Non-lucrative figure is stable.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum salary to qualify for a work visa in Spain?
Spain's Startup Law routes peg income floors to SMI (minimum wage) and IPREM. The Digital Nomad Visa requires 200% of SMI; the Highly Qualified Professional permit requires 150%; passive-income routes require 400% IPREM.
How often do Spain salary thresholds change?
SMI and IPREM are revised each January and occasionally mid-year. The 200% SMI floor for Digital Nomad applicants is the most volatile figure because SMI has risen every year since 2019 (€1,221/month for 2026 → €34,188 floor). IPREM has been frozen since 2023, so the Non-lucrative figure is stable.
Does meeting the headline threshold guarantee approval?
No. Headline floors are one of several criteria. Most jurisdictions also apply an occupation-specific going rate, character and health checks, and — for sponsored routes — employer/sponsor compliance. Failing any one of these can lead to refusal even where salary is above the threshold.
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Reviewed by Sam Parks, Editor and lead researcher.