Digital nomad or non-lucrative residence: which to choose

If you want to settle in Spain without a job offer from a local company, the two most used routes are the digital nomad residence and the non-lucrative residence. They are alike in that both let you enter and live in the country legally, but they respond to very different situations: one is designed for those who work remotely and the other for those who live off their income without working. Choosing wrongly can mean a refusal, so it is worth understanding the differences well before filing anything. In this comparison we review the income required, taxes, processing and the profile that fits each one.

The underlying difference: are you going to work or not?

The key that decides almost everything is whether you are going to keep working once in Spain. The digital nomad residence is conceived for those who work remotely for companies or clients located outside Spain, that is, for those who earn active income from their professional activity. The non-lucrative residence, on the other hand, does not allow you to work: it requires proving your own passive financial means (income, pensions, dividends, savings) sufficient to support yourself without carrying out any employment or professional activity.

In other words: if your plan is to keep invoicing your clients in another country from Valencia or Málaga, your route is the digital nomad one. If what you want is to retire on the coast or live off your investments without working, the non-lucrative one fits. Confusing them is the most common mistake.

Income and financial means required

Both routes ask you to prove solvency, but with different calculation bases and nature:

• Digital nomad: you must show income of around 2.763 €/mes, equivalent to 200 % of the minimum interprofessional wage (SMI) in 2025. This is active income, from your remote work.
• Non-lucrative: you must prove your own, passive means of at least 400 % of the monthly IPREM (around 2.400 €/mes), plus an additional 100 % of the IPREM for each family member who accompanies you.

These are approximate figures and are updated every year (the SMI and the IPREM are reviewed periodically), so always confirm the amount in force at the time of applying. The essential difference is not only the amount, but the type of money: for the non-lucrative route it is not enough to show a salary from work, because precisely you cannot work; they have to be resources that do not depend on an employment activity.

Taxes: the tax advantage of the digital nomad

Here there is a difference that can weigh heavily on your pocket. The digital nomad residence gives access to the special tax regime known as the "Beckham Law" (the IRPF posted workers regime), which allows you to be taxed at a reduced flat rate on employment income for several years, instead of being taxed on worldwide income like an ordinary resident. For someone with high income, it is usually advantageous.

The non-lucrative residence does not give access to that regime: whoever resides under it is taxed as a normal tax resident if they stay more than 183 days a year in Spain, that is, on their worldwide income. If your decision is strongly driven by the tax bill, this point is decisive and worth assessing with an adviser before choosing.

How and where each one is processed

The procedure also differs, and this affects the timeframes:

• Digital nomad: it is processed by the Large Companies and Strategic Groups Unit (UGE-CE), with positive administrative silence and an indicative resolution of about 20 days. It is one of the quickest routes in the system.
• Non-lucrative: it is applied for at the Spanish consulate in the country of origin or residence, and is resolved by the corresponding Immigration Office. The procedure is that of the general regime and is usually slower.

The positive silence of the digital nomad route is a relevant guarantee: if the Administration does not resolve on time, it is deemed granted. With the non-lucrative route you do not have that advantage.

What they have in common

Despite their differences, the two routes share two important advantages. First, both allow you to bring your family (spouse or partner, children and dependent ascendants, as the case may be), so you do not have to choose between settling yourself or reuniting your loved ones. Second, both give access to long-term residence over time, which lets you consolidate your situation in Spain in the medium term. Neither of them is, therefore, a dead end: both fit into a stable life plan.

So, which one suits you?

The practical rule is simple:

• Choose the digital nomad route if you work remotely for companies or clients outside Spain. You will have active income, fast processing with positive silence and the chance to opt for the Beckham Law.
• Choose the non-lucrative route if you live off income, pensions or savings and are not going to work. It is the natural route for retirees, people living off investments or anyone taking a sabbatical funded by their assets.

When in doubt, ask yourself a single question: am I going to keep generating income from my work while I live in Spain? If the answer is yes, your path is the digital nomad residence; if it is no, the non-lucrative one. From there, check that you meet the specific financial requirements and prepare the documentation carefully, because most refusals come from an insufficient or poorly justified proof of means.

Frequently asked questions

Can I work with the non-lucrative residence?

No. The non-lucrative residence does not allow you to work either as an employee or self-employed. You must prove sufficient own, passive financial means (at least 400 % of the monthly IPREM, plus 100 % of the IPREM per family member) to support yourself without carrying out any employment activity.

Does the digital nomad route allow opting for the Beckham Law?

Yes. The digital nomad residence gives access to the special regime for posted workers (the "Beckham Law"), which allows you to be taxed at a reduced flat rate on employment income. The non-lucrative one, by contrast, is taxed as an ordinary tax resident on worldwide income.

How much money do I need for each one?

For the digital nomad route, income of about 2.763 €/mes (200 % of the SMI in 2025). For the non-lucrative route, passive means of around 2.400 €/mes (400 % of the IPREM), plus 100 % of the IPREM for each family member. These are approximate figures that are updated every year.

Which one is resolved sooner?

The digital nomad one is usually faster: it is processed by the UGE-CE with positive silence and an indicative resolution of about 20 days. The non-lucrative one is applied for at the consulate, resolved by the Immigration Office and follows the pace of the general regime, normally slower.

Can I bring my family with either of the two?

Yes. Both routes allow you to bring your family (spouse or partner, children and, where applicable, dependent ascendants) and both give access over time to long-term residence.

This information is for guidance only and the rules and amounts change frequently; always confirm the requirements and the amounts in force in the official sources or with a professional before starting your application.