View the full digital nomad guide for Spain
Spain
Madrid
Spain ends automatic permit loss for absences over 183 days
The Spanish Supreme Court ruled that immigration authorities cannot deny residency renewals for non-lucrative or digital nomad permits based solely on time spent abroad. This decision effectively eliminates the mandatory six-month stay requirement previously needed to maintain legal status.
200,000 Britons in Spain risk 90 day limit breaches under EES rules
British residents in Spain continue to navigate post-Brexit residency requirements and the transition from green certificates to TIE biometric cards. While most have secured status, new arrivals must now meet stricter third-country national income and healthcare thresholds.
Portugal uses Eurodac and ESP to track non-EU travelers at Schengen borders
The EU has activated the first phase of the new Eurodac system and the European Search Portal to modernize border data infrastructure. These interoperable IT systems allow authorities to instantly verify biometric data and track entry/exit history for all non-EU travelers across the Schengen Area.
Spain court sentences resident to 15 months for harassing foreign owners
A Malaga court sentenced a local resident for the continuous degrading treatment and xenophobic insults directed at foreign bar owners. This ruling reinforces legal protections for expats and foreign business owners facing discrimination or harassment in Spain.
The small print in the limited validity ETIAS for humanitarian emergencies
The European Union has introduced a restricted ETIAS version for travelers with humanitarian needs or urgent obligations. This authorization is valid for a maximum of 90 days and only permits entry into the specific countries listed on the application.
EU confirms ETIAS will start in the last quarter for 60 nations
The European Union confirmed that the ETIAS pre-travel authorization system for visa-free nationals is now scheduled to go live in late 2026. Travelers from over 60 countries will eventually need this digital permit to enter the Schengen Area for short stays.
EU extends detention to 30 months for irregular stays in Portugal
The EU approved a new Return Regulation allowing for deportation centers outside the bloc and tougher entry bans for those without legal status. While targeting irregular migration, the law expands police powers to verify residency documents for all foreign residents across the Schengen Area.
Spain taxes remote workers at 24% under the Beckham Law regime
Expats and digital nomads in Spain can access a flat 24% tax rate on income up to €600,000 under the special expat tax regime. The annual filing window for these tax returns runs from April 6 through June 30 each year.
EU Single Digital Booking regulation grants tourists 50% refund for rail delays
On 2026-05-13, the European Commission proposed EU-wide rules to make cross-border rail travel easier, including single-ticket booking across multiple operators and stronger protection for missed connections. This matters for travelers and nomads using rail networks across Europe because it would reduce fragmentation and improve refunds, rerouting, and compensation.
EU Pact on Migration and Asylum starts applying 10 laws on June 12
The European Commission said the Pact on Migration and Asylum is on track for full application on 2026-06-12, with key border screening and procedure systems now largely in place. Travelers, expats, and digital nomads entering or moving within the EU should expect further operational changes at external borders as member states finish implementation.
EU gives travelers 14 days for cash refunds under revised directive
The updated EU Package Travel Directive took effect on 2026-05-27, strengthening refund, voucher, and insolvency-protection rules for package travellers across the EU. Nomads and expats who book package trips in Europe should note clearer complaint deadlines and better protections if an organiser becomes insolvent.
Spain's EES biometric border checks have been live since April 10
Travelers entering Spain now face mandatory facial and fingerprint scans under the EU’s new Entry/Exit System. Digital nomads and expats should expect longer queues at Schengen borders and the replacement of physical passport stamps with digital tracking.
EU demands Spain extend 19% tax exemption to non-resident owners
The European Commission is taking action against Spain for tax rules that prevent non-residents from claiming exemptions on primary residence sales. If Spain complies, foreign property owners and expats moving abroad could see significantly lower tax burdens on real estate transactions.
Spain grants 1 year work permits to 500,000 undocumented foreigners
A new extraordinary regularisation law allows non-EU foreigners who arrived in Spain before the end of 2025 to apply for legal residence and work permits. Applicants must submit their files before the June 30 deadline to transition from irregular status to legal residency.
Explaining Spain’s Updated Income Requirements for Digital Nomads
On April 7, 2026, reports confirmed that Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa (visado de residencia para teletrabajo) income threshold automatically increased due to the 2026 rise in the national minimum wage (Salario Mínimo Interprofesional/SMI). Single applicants must now prove at least €2,849 in monthly foreign-sourced income (200% of the updated SMI); the first dependent adds €916 and each additional dependent adds €305. This adjustment is benchmarked directly to the SMI via consular guidelines and affects new or pending applications.
Spain Updates Digital Immigration Systems for Remote Workers
Spain is introducing a unified digital system to standardize immigration applications and reduce regional processing delays. This overhaul aims to simplify documentation requirements and provide more consistent outcomes for expats and foreign workers across all provinces.
Understanding Spain’s Streamlined Immigration Rules
Spain has approved a major immigration reform extending student visa validity for the full duration of studies and simplifying the 'arraigo' residency process. The update also introduces a specific residency category for family members of Spanish citizens and streamlines work permit renewals.
Spain’s Property Market Hits Record Highs
A 20% surge in secondary housing prices significantly increases the cost of purchasing property in major Spanish cities for foreign buyers.
Spain Caps Rent Increases at 2% Through 2027
Spain's emergency rent freeze and energy tax cut will help stabilize housing costs for digital nomads and long-term travelers living in the country.
Spain Airport Strikes Disrupt Easter Travel
Widespread ground staff strikes at 19 Spanish airports during the Easter peak will result in major baggage delays and flight schedule changes in a top nomad destination.
Understanding Spain’s Income Requirements for Digital Nomads
Spain has raised the minimum monthly income threshold for digital nomad visa applicants to €2,849 for individuals and €3,918 for those with one dependent. The update also introduces stricter scrutiny for business owners and tighter deadlines for social security registration after approval.
EES now replaces passport stamps at Schengen borders
The EU's new biometric Entry/Exit System (EES) will automate border controls across 29 Schengen countries, digitizing stay tracking and replacing physical passport stamps for non-EU travelers.
Madrid Updates Rules for Short-Term Rentals
New regulations allow residential buildings to ban tourist apartments by majority vote, likely reducing the supply and increasing the cost of short-term rentals in Madrid.
Spain Limits Rent Hikes for Existing Contracts
A 2% cap on annual rent increases in 'stressed zones' like Madrid and Malaga provides significant cost protection for long-term expats on older contracts.
Spain Updates Healthcare Access for Undocumented Residents
A new royal decree guarantees free public healthcare for undocumented migrants who can prove six months of residency in Spain. This policy shift reinforces Spain's commitment to universal health coverage and may impact those currently in the process of regularizing their residency status.
Spain Updates Income Requirements for Digital Nomad Visas
Following a 2026 increase to the national minimum wage, the financial threshold for Spain's Digital Nomad Visa has risen to €2,849 per month for individuals. Applicants must also demonstrate higher income levels if bringing family members, reflecting the updated SMI (Salario Mínimo Interprofesional) requirements.
Spain Rolls Out Massive Regularization Program
Spain will launch a mass regularization process in April 2026, allowing approximately 500,000 undocumented residents to apply for one-year residence and work permits. This initiative aims to integrate long-term residents into the formal economy and provides a pathway to legal status for those currently without valid papers.
Spain Updates Residency Pathways for Foreigners
The Spanish government has drafted new pathways for legal residency starting in 2026, including a transitional provision for asylum seekers and a new 'extraordinary arraigo' for those with work or family ties. These changes aim to simplify the transition to legal status and prevent overlapping immigration procedures.
Spain Penalizes Landlords for Rent Hikes on Renewal
New fiscal penalties for Spanish landlords who increase rent during contract renewals may help stabilize housing costs for long-term expats and nomads.
Spain Rolls Out Major Travel Flexibility for Temporary Residents
The Supreme Court has annulled the regulation that allowed authorities to cancel temporary residency permits if holders spent more than six months outside Spain in a single year. This ruling provides expats with significantly more travel flexibility, though they must still meet the original conditions of their residency to renew.
Spain Adjusts Income Requirements for Digital Nomads
Spain has updated the income requirements for its Digital Nomad Visa for 2026, setting the minimum monthly threshold at €2,849. The new rules also include a 75% income increase for the first dependent and stricter documentation standards for applicants.
Spain Updates Residency Rules for Half a Million People
The Spanish government has approved a decree to grant residence and work permits to approximately 500,000 undocumented individuals currently in the country. To qualify, applicants must have been residing in Spain before December 31, 2025, and maintain a clean criminal record.
Life After Spain's Golden Visa
The Spanish government has started the process to eliminate residency permits granted for property investments of €500,000 or more. This change targets foreign investors seeking residency through real estate, though other investment pathways and the Digital Nomad Visa currently remain unaffected.