How much does a Spain work visa cost?

Government fees are about $90 for the Work & Residence Permit (USD equivalents; fees can differ by nationality). Translations, medicals, and courier costs come on top.

How long does a Spain visa take to process?

Typical processing is 3–12 weeks for the Digital Nomad Visa, 4–16 weeks for the Non-Lucrative Visa, and 8–20 weeks for the Work & Residence Permit, plus the time needed to gather documents.

Can I move to Spain without a job offer?

Yes. The Digital Nomad Visa and Non-Lucrative Visa do not require a job offer from an employer in Spain.

What income do I need for a Spain visa?

Minimum income is about $32,000–$39,700 a year for the Digital Nomad Visa and $32,000–$33,400 a year for the Non-Lucrative Visa (USD equivalents of thresholds set in local currency).

Which Spain visas lead to permanent residency?

The Digital Nomad Visa, Non-Lucrative Visa, and Work & Residence Permit offer a path to permanent residency after the qualifying period.

🇪🇸 Spain visas: requirements, costs, and processing times

Last verified: September 6, 2026

We track 3 Spain visa routes: Digital Nomad Visa, Non-Lucrative Visa, and Work & Residence Permit. Each is verified against the official government source for Brazilians, British citizens, and Americans.

Compare Spain visa costs and processing times

Visa	Gov. fee	Processing	Min. income	Job offer
Digital Nomad Visanomad	$90–$915	3–12 weeks	$32,000–$39,700/year	Not required
Non-Lucrative Visaretirement	$150–$655	4–16 weeks	$32,000–$33,400/year	Not required
Work & Residence Permitwork	$90	8–20 weeks	—	Required

Amounts are approximate US dollar equivalents. A range means the figure differs by nationality.

Spain visa types

Digital Nomad Visa

nomad

For Americans who work remotely for employers or clients outside Spain. The 2026 threshold is EUR 2,849 a month — 200% of the Spanish minimum wage — plus EUR 1,068 for your first family member and EUR 356 for each additional one. No more than 20% of your income may come from Spanish clients, and you need either a degree or three years of relevant experience, plus evidence your employer has traded for at least a year. Applying from a US consulate gets you a one-year visa; applying from inside Spain during a legal 90-day tourist stay gets a three-year permit directly, which is usually the better move. Note the threshold rose in 2026 with the minimum wage, while the non-lucrative visa's did not — compare both before assuming this is the right route.

Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV)

retirement

The passive-income route, popular with American retirees and people living on investments. You need EUR 2,400 a month — 400% of the IPREM — plus EUR 600 for each family member. Because Spain passed no national budget for 2026 the IPREM rolled over unchanged, so unlike the digital nomad visa this threshold did not rise, making the NLV comparatively more accessible this year. The catch is absolute and frequently misunderstood: the NLV prohibits all work, including remote work for a US employer. If you intend to keep working you need the digital nomad visa instead, and getting this wrong can mean losing your residency. It does count toward permanent residence after five years and citizenship after ten.

Work & Residence Permit

work

The employer-sponsored route. Your Spanish employer applies for the combined work and residence authorisation, and the role must normally appear on the Catálogo de Ocupaciones de Difícil Cobertura — the shortage occupation catalogue — or survive a labour market test showing no suitable EU candidate was available. Brazilians can enter Spain visa-free for 90 days as tourists, but that does not permit work, and relying on an overstay to claim arraigo later is a poor plan when proper routes exist. As with every Spanish residence route, the prize is the same: two years of legal residence opens naturalisation for Brazilian nationals under the Ibero-American provision.

Spain visa guides by nationality

Not sure which Spain visa fits?

Answer 6 questions and see every visa you qualify for — free.

Check my eligibility

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Spain work visa cost?: Government fees are about $90 for the Work & Residence Permit (USD equivalents; fees can differ by nationality). Translations, medicals, and courier costs come on top.
How long does a Spain visa take to process?: Typical processing is 3–12 weeks for the Digital Nomad Visa, 4–16 weeks for the Non-Lucrative Visa, and 8–20 weeks for the Work & Residence Permit, plus the time needed to gather documents.
Can I move to Spain without a job offer?: Yes. The Digital Nomad Visa and Non-Lucrative Visa do not require a job offer from an employer in Spain.
What income do I need for a Spain visa?: Minimum income is about $32,000–$39,700 a year for the Digital Nomad Visa and $32,000–$33,400 a year for the Non-Lucrative Visa (USD equivalents of thresholds set in local currency).
Which Spain visas lead to permanent residency?: The Digital Nomad Visa, Non-Lucrative Visa, and Work & Residence Permit offer a path to permanent residency after the qualifying period.

Always confirm requirements with the official government source linked on each visa page. This guide is general information, not legal advice. Browse visas for other countries.