As highlighted today in this EOS post, Spain has been ranked the No. 1 country in the world for digital nomads in the Global Digital Nomad Report 2025 by Global Citizen Solutions, scoring 99.67 out of 100 and topping a ranking of 64 countries.

This confirms what many remote workers are already experiencing: Spain combines a strong legal framework for international teleworkers, attractive tax options, good infrastructure and a very high quality of life. But to turn this potential into a real move, it is essential to understand how Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa actually works in practice.

Below is a clear overview of the main requirements and the most frequent problems applicants should avoid.

1. What Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa Is

The Spanish Digital Nomad Visa (officially, the visa and residence authorisation for international remote work under Law 14/2013 and the Startup Law) allows non-EU citizens to live in Spain while working remotely for foreign companies or clients.

Key ideas:

• You live in Spain.

• You work remotely.

• Your main economic activity remains outside Spain.

It is designed for:

• Employees of non-Spanish companies working fully remotely.

• Owners of foreign companies who manage them from Spain.

• Freelancers with clients mainly outside Spain.

In many cases it can be granted for up to three years (if applied for from within Spain) and is compatible with access to Spain’s special “Beckham” tax regime.

2. Core Eligibility Requirements (2025)

2.1. Type of work

You must be able to prove that:

• You work remotely using digital means.

• At least 80% of your income comes from non-Spanish sources; up to 20% may come from Spanish clients.

For employees:

• An employment contract with a foreign company that has operated for at least one year.

• A clear company letter confirming that your work is fully remote and authorising you to work from Spain.

For freelancers/self-employed:

• Stable contracts or service agreements with foreign clients.

• Documentation showing that your client base is mainly outside Spain.

2.2. Minimum income (financial means)

For 2025, the financial threshold is tied to 200% of Spain’s minimum wage (SMI). This translates approximately to:

• Main applicant: around 2,760–2,763 euros per month (about 33,100–33,150 euros per year).

• Spouse/partner: about 75% extra SMI (approximately 1,035 euros per month).

• Each additional dependent (usually children): about 25% extra SMI (approximately 345–350 euros per month).

Different sources round the figures slightly, but all agree on the structure:

• 200% SMI for the main applicant.

• 75% SMI for the first dependent.

• 25% SMI per additional dependent.

It is essential to show that this income is:

• Stable and recurring (not just a one-off).

• Traceable through payslips, invoices, contracts and bank statements.

2.3. Professional profile

You must meet at least one of these conditions:

• University degree (or equivalent higher education).

• Professional training from recognised business schools or similar.

• At least three years of professional experience in your field, properly documented.

2.4. Clean criminal record

Authorities require:

• Criminal record certificates from every country where you have lived in the last two years.

• Documents must be recent (typically issued within the last 90 days) and duly legalised/apostilled and translated when necessary.

2.5. Health insurance

You must have:

• Private health insurance with full coverage in Spain.

• No co-payments or deductibles (many travel policies or basic expat plans do not meet this standard).

2.6. Relationship with the company or clients

For employees:

• Usually at least three months’ prior employment with the company before applying.

For freelancers:

• Contracts that demonstrate an ongoing relationship and continuity of work (not just a single, short project).

In all cases, the foreign company should demonstrate at least one year of real, continuous activity.

3. Typical Problems and How to Avoid Them

Many refusals and delays do not come from “big” issues, but from technical mistakes. Here are some of the most common.

3.1. Income just on the edge (or not clearly documented)

Risk:

• Presenting income that is very close to the minimum required, with fluctuating figures, can lead the administration to doubt your financial stability.

How to avoid:

• Show a comfortable margin above the minimum where possible.

• Include several months of bank statements, invoices and payslips that clearly support your income.

• Ensure currency conversions are consistent and well explained.

3.2. Contracts that look temporary or fragile

Risk:

• Short-term, vague or trial contracts can make the relationship look unstable.

How to avoid:

• Provide contracts or letters that specify indefinite or long-term collaboration.

• For freelancers, include renewal clauses or proof of long-term client relationships.

3.3. Wrong type of insurance

Risk:

• Submitting travel insurance or policies with co-pays, exclusions or insufficient coverage for Spain is a frequent ground for refusal.

How to avoid:

• Choose a policy that explicitly states full coverage in Spain and no co-payments, and provide the full policy wording or certificate.

3.4. Missing apostilles, legalisations or translations

Risk:

• Criminal records, certificates or contracts not properly legalised or translated can cause the file to be suspended or refused.

How to avoid:

• Check in advance which documents need apostille/legalisation.

• Use sworn translators where required.

• Pay attention to the 90-day validity window for criminal records.

3.5. Too much Spanish income or unclear client mix

Risk:

• If more than 20% of your revenue appears to come from Spanish sources, the administration may consider that your main economic activity is in Spain, which conflicts with the spirit of the visa.

How to avoid:

• Keep clear records distinguishing foreign and Spanish clients.

• If you have Spanish clients, make sure the percentages are clearly below 20% and explain this in your documentation.

3.6. Poor alignment between what you say and what your documents show

Risk:

• Inconsistencies between application forms, contracts, LinkedIn profiles, invoices and tax returns can raise doubts.

How to avoid:

• Review all documents as a whole.

• Ensure your role, employer name, dates and income figures are consistent everywhere.

4. Why This Matters Now

Spain’s position as the leading global destination for digital nomads is not just about lifestyle; it is also about legal clarity, tax opportunities and long-term integration possibilities.

For EOS readers, this combination of:

• Strong legal framework,

• Competitive financial and tax conditions,

• High quality of life,

makes Spain an especially interesting option – provided that the application is carefully prepared and the typical pitfalls are avoided.

If you have any questions, we are here to answer them. We have been applying for this type of visa since 2022 on behalf of digital nomads from all over the world.

One of the biggest worries for British and other non-EU retirees in Spain is:

“If I live in Spain on a Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV), can I use the public health system?”

After a few years, people start hearing totally different versions of the “rules”:

• “You’re never eligible, you haven’t paid into the system.”

• “After 5 years’ residency you can join.”

• “You need 10 years.”

• “You can join now if you pay a monthly fee.”

No wonder everyone is confused.

In this article I’ll explain, in plain English, how public healthcare access really works for NLV holders, especially long-term residents in Andalucía (Málaga, Costa del Sol, etc.).

1. NLV ≠ automatic access to public healthcare

The Non-Lucrative Visa is for people who live in Spain with sufficient resources but do not work in Spain and don’t pay into Spanish Social Security.

That means:

• Holding an NLV does not give you automatic entitlement to free public healthcare.

• This does not change automatically after 5 or 10 years.

So where does the confusion come from?

• The 5-year mark is relevant for long-term residence, not healthcare rights.

• There is no 10-year rule for healthcare access.

• But there is a way into the public system for people who haven’t paid in: the Convenio Especial.

If you want to refresh the basics of the visa itself, you can see our full guide to the Non-Lucrative Visa in Spain (requirements, renewals, etc.).

2. What is the Convenio Especial?

The Convenio Especial de prestación de asistencia sanitaria is a scheme that allows legal residents who haven’t contributed to Social Security to join the public health system by paying a monthly fee.

To qualify, you generally must:

• Be a legal resident in Spain (with a valid TIE).

• Be registered on your local padrón (town hall register).

• Not already have entitlement to Spanish public healthcare (for example, through employment, an S1 form, etc.).

Once accepted, you access the SNS (national health system) like any other resident in your region.

3. Costs in Andalucía (Málaga, Costa del Sol, etc.)

In Andalucía, the typical monthly fees for the Convenio Especial are approximately:

• Under 65: around 60 € / month

• 65 and over: around 157 € / month

(These figures can change over time, so always check the latest amounts when you apply.)

Once you’re in the system, you use healthcare in your area as any other insured resident would.

4. What is covered?

The Convenio Especial is not a “cut-down” version of public healthcare. It typically includes:

• GP (family doctor) and specialist care

• Emergency care

• Hospitalisation

• Chronic illness and ongoing treatment

• Medication with the usual co-pay system

• No exclusions for pre-existing conditions

For many long-term NLV residents, this is the first time they feel truly integrated into the Spanish healthcare system.

5. Common myths (and what really happens)

Let’s clear up the most frequent myths we hear from NLV retirees:

“After five years we get healthcare automatically.”

❌ False.
Five years’ residence is important for long-term residence status, but it does not automatically give you public healthcare if you haven’t contributed.

“We must wait ten years.”

❌ False.
There is no 10-year rule for joining the public system via the Convenio Especial.

“We will never be eligible because we haven’t paid in.”

❌ Not correct.
The whole point of the Convenio Especial is to include legal residents who have not paid into Social Security.

“We can join now for under 200 € a month.”

✅ Largely true.
Most residents will fall into one of the two age bands mentioned above, so many can access Spanish public healthcare for less than 200 € per month, depending on age.

6. How the Convenio Especial fits into your NLV journey

When you first apply for the NLV, private medical insurance is mandatory. Many people are happy with this at the beginning.

Over time, however:

• Private policies often become more expensive with age.

• Some people worry about future exclusions or premium increases.

• Many want the stability of being inside the public health system.

A common strategy for NLV holders is:

1. Start with private insurance to obtain and renew the Non-Lucrative Visa.

2. As your residence becomes more stable, apply for the Convenio Especial to secure long-term public healthcare.

3. Combine private and public for a while if needed (e.g. keep private cover during the application process or for extra comfort).

4. Review the tax implications once you spend 183 days or more per year in Spain and become tax resident.

The key idea: your NLV journey doesn’t end with getting the visa. Over time, you can move towards long-term residence and stable public healthcare access.

7. How CostaLuz Lawyers can help NLV residents

At CostaLuz Lawyers we work daily with British and other non-EU retirees on the Costa del Sol and across Spain. For NLV holders, we typically help with:

✅ Residence & healthcare

• Reviewing your residency status and renewals.

• Checking your eligibility for the Convenio Especial.

• Preparing and submitting the application and documentation.

• Liaising with the regional health authority in Andalucía.

• Explaining how healthcare, residency category and tax residency fit together.

✅ Beyond healthcare: key areas for retirees

Most NLV residents ask for help with more than just healthcare. We also assist with:

• Initial NLV application and renewals
  We review requirements, prepare and check your documents, complete forms, design a strategy for your consulate and accompany you until approval and through renewals.

• Transition to long-term residence
  We analyse your years of residence and absences, prepare the file and plan a route that takes into account healthcare, tax residency and long-term stability.

• Tax advice for NLV residents
  We look at when you become a Spanish tax resident (183 days, centre of vital interests, main home), coordinate with advisers in your home country and try to reduce or avoid double taxation where possible.

• Safe property purchase in Spain
  Full legal support when buying property (coastal, rural, off-plan or resale): planning and land registry checks, reservation and deposit contracts, notary completion and registration.

• Wills and international estate planning
  We help you sign a Spanish will that works together with your will back home, and choose the applicable law to your estate. We also support your family later when they need to execute the will before Spanish notaries, banks and authorities.

• Preventive powers of attorney (poderes preventivos)
  These allow a trusted person to act for you in Spain if, one day, you cannot manage your affairs (healthcare, banking, property, administration). We help you set them up, update them and, later, help family members activate and use them.

• Changing your type of residence when life changes
  If your life project shifts and you want to move from an NLV to work, self-employment, a Digital Nomad Visa, or a family route, we study the alternatives and design the safest transition.

If you’re already living in Spain on a Non-Lucrative Visa and would like to review your residence, healthcare, tax, property and long-term planning, we can study your case and propose a clear, realistic plan tailored to your age, resources and long-term goals in Spain.

About the author

Written by:
María de Castro, Abogado no. 2745, Ilustre Colegio de Abogados de Cádiz.

CostaLuz Lawyers has supported international buyers and residents in Spain since 2006, including many members of the EyeOnSpain community, with clear guidance on visas, tax, property purchases and long-term planning.

Updated: 14 November 2025.