Can I work remotely on Spain's Non-Lucrative Visa?

No. The Non-Lucrative Visa allows no work of any kind, remote work for a U.S. employer included. If you will keep working, the Digital Nomad Visa is the one built for that.

Can a retiree use the Digital Nomad Visa?

No. The Digital Nomad Visa needs current work for a company or clients outside Spain. Someone living on savings, Social Security or a pension applies for the Non-Lucrative Visa.

The Digital Nomad Visa filed inside Spain has a legal deadline of 20 business days and gives a three-year permit. The Non-Lucrative Visa is filed at your consulate, usually decided in two to six weeks, and gives one year, then two-year renewals.

Tools · Both visas

Which Spain visa is yours?

Most Americans who move to Spain use one of two visas. The Digital Nomad Visa is for people who keep working remotely. The Non-Lucrative Visa is for people who stop. Four questions tell you which one fits, and the money line for your household on each.

Your plan

Ley 28/2022 · RD 1155/2024

Will you work while you live in Spain?

Yes, remotelyFor an employer or clients outside Spain. Yes, for a company in SpainA Spanish employer, or mostly Spanish clients. NoI will live on savings, Social Security, a pension or investments.

Your work today Three months or more with this employer or these clientsand the company has existed for at least a year A university degree, or three years of experience in the field

Gross income from that work before tax

$/ month

Savings you can reach bank, brokerage, money market

Passive income Social Security, pension, dividends, rent

$/ month

Who moves with you

Family membersspouse or partner, children 0

Your visa

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Answer the first question to see which visa fits.

A first orientation. The free assessment asks what I would ask on a call, and I reply in writing within 24 hours.

The two visas side by side

Compared	Digital Nomad Visa	Non-Lucrative Visa
Work	Remote work for a company or clients outside Spain	None at all, remote included
Money	Income from that work, monthly	Savings or passive income for the year
Where you apply	Inside Spain, before the UGE, or at a consulate	In person at your consulate in the U.S.
Decision	20 business days in Spain	Usually two to six weeks
First permit	Three years from Spain	One year, then two-year renewals
Tax	Spanish resident; the Beckham regime can apply	Spanish resident on worldwide income, no Beckham
My fee	$2,400 flat	$2,400 flat

Not legal advice. A planning tool. The lines use the 2026 figures and a planning exchange rate; your consulate or the UGE reads them in euros on the day.