Parastoo Legal Group
Spain's Digital Nomad Visa for Iranian Remote Workers
The threshold rose in 2026. Here is what Iranian professionals actually need to evidence.
If you earn your income remotely from companies outside Spain, the Digital Nomad route is usually a better fit than the Non-Lucrative Residency: it recognises what you earn rather than what you have saved, and it grants a longer initial authorisation. This guide covers the 2026 threshold set by the February minimum wage revision, the eligibility conditions, and the document chain that applies to Iranian applicants.
What This Permit Actually Is
Spain's Digital Nomad route — formally the authorisation for international teleworking — was created by the 2022 start-up legislation. It allows a non-EU national to live in Spain while working remotely for companies established outside Spain. For Iranian professionals working with foreign clients or employers, it is often a better fit than the Non-Lucrative route, because it recognises earned income rather than requiring accumulated wealth.
The 2026 Income Threshold Changed
The requirement is 200% of the Spanish minimum wage. Royal Decree 126/2026 of 18 February set the 2026 minimum wage at €1,221 per month across fourteen payments, an annual €17,094 and a rise of 3.1% over 2025.
Annualised across twelve months, the threshold for the main applicant is €2,849 per month, or €34,188 per year. A first accompanying family member adds €1,069 per month, and each further family member €356 per month.
This figure moves every year the minimum wage moves. Any guide still quoting €2,646 is working from the 2024 wage and will understate what you need to evidence.
Eligibility Beyond the Income
You need a genuine remote relationship with a non-Spanish company: either employment, or self-employment where the clear majority of your clients are outside Spain. The relationship must predate the application by at least three months, and the company should have been trading for at least a year. You must also hold a relevant degree or be able to evidence professional experience in the field.
Why the Route Taken Matters for Iranian Applicants
An application filed within Spain is resolved by the UGE, the large-companies unit, which decides in twenty working days and grants a three-year authorisation, renewable for two. A consular application is slower and structured differently.
For Iranian nationals the practical question is whether you can lawfully be in Spain to file. This is a planning decision that should be taken before any document is prepared, not after, and it is one of the first things we assess.
Iranian Documents: Consular Legalisation, Not Apostille
As with every Spanish immigration file originating in Iran, your criminal record certificate and civil documents require legalisation by the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs followed by the Consulate of Spain, and then sworn translation. Iranian documents are not validated by apostille for use in Spain. Budget realistic time for this chain.
The Tax Question You Should Ask Early
Holders of this authorisation who have not been Spanish tax residents in recent years may be able to apply for a special regime taxing Spanish-source employment income at a flat rate rather than the progressive scale. Eligibility is specific and the election is time-limited. It should be assessed alongside the immigration application, not afterwards, because the sequencing affects whether the option remains available.
How We Handle These Files
We are a Madrid-based immigration and global mobility firm with a Persian-speaking team and more than 400 approved residencies. We assess route and timing first, then build the file: income evidence that satisfies the UGE, the Iranian legalisation chain, insurance, and the tax position. Consultations are by video call or telephone.
Figures stated are those in force at the date of publication. Spanish immigration thresholds are tied to indicators revised annually. This article is general information, not legal advice on an individual case.