Digital Nomad Visa vs Non-Lucrative Visa

Maintained by Senne Bels, Founder, Transita

If you're choosing between these two, the question usually comes down to whether you have active remote income or passive income to rely on. Spain's Digital Nomad Visa is built for people earning money through work. The Non-Lucrative Visa is for those with savings, investments, or other passive income streams. Your income type determines which one fits.

1. 01

   Income type

   Pick Ley de Startups (Art. 74-78)

   Pick Digital Nomad if you earn active income from remote work or freelancing.

   Pick NLV

   Pick Non-Lucrative if you have €28,800+ yearly passive income with no work plans.

2. 02

   Work eligibility in Spain

   Pick Ley de Startups (Art. 74-78)

   Pick Digital Nomad if you want to work remotely for non-Spanish companies.

   Pick NLV

   Pick Non-Lucrative if you cannot or don't plan to work in Spain at all.

3. 03

   Visa validity period

   Pick Ley de Startups (Art. 74-78)

   Pick Digital Nomad for a 3-year visa reducing renewal hassle.

   Pick NLV

   Pick Non-Lucrative if you prefer shorter 1-year terms with more flexibility.

4. 04

   Education and experience required

   Pick Ley de Startups (Art. 74-78)

   Pick Digital Nomad if you have a bachelor's degree and 3+ years work experience.

   Pick NLV

   Pick Non-Lucrative if you only have high school education or no work history.

5. 05

   Tax benefits

   Pick Ley de Startups (Art. 74-78)

   Pick Digital Nomad if you want Spain's 24% flat tax on Spanish-source income.

   Pick NLV

   Pick Non-Lucrative if tax incentives aren't a factor in your decision.

Is the Digital Nomad Visa or the Non-Lucrative Visa faster to get?

They are similar: the Ley de Startups (Art. 74-78) takes about 1–2 months and the NLV about 1–3 months. Neither has a decisive speed advantage, the completeness of your application matters more than the visa you pick.

Which costs more, the Ley de Startups (Art. 74-78) or the NLV?

The Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV) costs more, about $130 in official fees, versus $80 for the Digital Nomad Visa (Ley de Startups (Art. 74-78)). Both figures are government fees only and exclude legal, translation, and relocation costs.

Can I get permanent residency with the Digital Nomad Visa or the Non-Lucrative Visa?

The Ley de Startups (Art. 74-78) leads to permanent residency in roughly 5 years, while the NLV leads to permanent residency in roughly 5 years. If long-term settlement is the goal, weight the route with the clearer PR pathway more heavily.

Do I need a job offer for the Ley de Startups (Art. 74-78) or the NLV?

No. Neither the Ley de Startups (Art. 74-78) nor the NLV requires a job offer to apply. Both assess you on your own profile (points, qualifications, or funds) rather than employer sponsorship.