Spain vs Italy: which digital nomad visa fits you?

Spain Digital Nomad Visa and Italy Digital Nomad Visa, side by side. Every figure comes from the official government source, with the date we last checked it.

Income: Italy is lower
Family: Spain: Yes · Italy: Not confirmed
Renewable: Spain: Not confirmed · Italy: Not confirmed

	SpainDigital Nomad Visa	ItalyDigital Nomad Visa
Minimum income	≈ $3,196/mo€2,849 / month	≈ $2,384/mo€25,500 / year
Official rule	€2,849 gross per month (€34,188/yr): 200% of Spain's 2026 minimum wage (SMI €17,094/yr). Some consulates calculate it on the 14-payment monthly SMI (€1,221), which gives €2,442/month, so plan for the higher figure	At least 3× the minimum level for health-cost exemption (3 × €8,500 per year, i.e. ≥ €25,500/yr)
Stay	Consular visa valid 1 year; you can then apply in Spain for a residence permit (from 60 days before the visa expires)	Not confirmed
Renewable	Not confirmed	Not confirmed
Family	Yes	Not confirmed
Fees	€73.26 for initial residence-permit applications filed in Spain (paid online); consular visa fees vary by nationality	€116 consular fee at the Paris consulate (cash, exact amount); varies by consulate
Processing	Not stated	Up to 120 days for digital nomads (30–90 days for remote employees), per Italian consulates
Official source	inclusion.gob.es ↗Verified, checked Oct 21, 2026	amblavalletta.esteri.it ↗Verified, checked Oct 20, 2026

USD figures are approximate (FX Oct 20, 2026). The official currency figure is what the authority applies.

Key differences

Italy’s bar is lower on paper: at least €25,500 a year (3× the health-cost exemption level, about €2,125 a month) against Spain’s €2,849 a month gross (200% of the minimum wage). Remote employees in Italy must also earn at least the ISTAT average gross salary.
Both want qualified people: Spain asks for a degree or 3 years’ experience and an employer active for 1+ year; Italy asks for a degree or equivalent experience plus 6+ months of prior remote work.
Spain issues a 1-year consular visa, then you apply inside Spain for a residence permit (from 60 days before the visa expires, €73.26). In Italy you apply for the residence permit at the Questura within 8 working days of arrival.
Italian consulates say a decision can take up to 120 days for digital nomads, and Italy asks for health insurance covering Italy plus a registered lease or deed. Spain requires Social Security registration right after approval and lets freelancers bill Spanish clients for up to 20% of their work.

Quick answers

Which needs less income, Spain or Italy?

Italy Digital Nomad Visa has the lower bar: about $2,384 a month, versus about $3,196 for Spain Digital Nomad Visa (a gap of roughly $812 a month at exchange rates of Oct 20, 2026). Italy Digital Nomad Visa: At least 3× the minimum level for health-cost exemption (3 × €8,500 per year, i.e. ≥ €25,500/yr) (amblavalletta.esteri.it, checked Oct 20, 2026). Spain Digital Nomad Visa: €2,849 gross per month (€34,188/yr): 200% of Spain's 2026 minimum wage (SMI €17,094/yr). Some consulates calculate it on the 14-payment monthly SMI (€1,221), which gives €2,442/month, so plan for the higher figure (inclusion.gob.es, checked Oct 21, 2026).

Which lets you stay longer, Spain or Italy?

Spain Digital Nomad Visa: The consular visa is valid for 1 year. From 60 days before it expires, you can apply from inside Spain for a residence permit (initial in-Spain applications cost €73.26, paid online). Register with Spanish Social Security right after approval: skipping it can get the permit revoked. Italy Digital Nomad Visa: not confirmed.

Can I bring my family on the Spain or Italy visa?

Spain Digital Nomad Visa: yes, family members can be included. Italy Digital Nomad Visa: not confirmed on the official page we checked.

How much do the Spain and Italy visas cost?

Spain Digital Nomad Visa: €73.26 for initial residence-permit applications filed in Spain (paid online); consular visa fees vary by nationality. Italy Digital Nomad Visa: €116 consular fee at the Paris consulate (cash, exact amount); varies by consulate.

Full official notes

Spain Digital Nomad Visa

Family: +75% of SMI for the first family member (about €1,068/month on the annual basis) and +25% (about €356/month) for each additional one. Degree or 3 years' experience; employer active 1+ year. Freelancers qualify with a 3+ month contract with a foreign company and may bill Spanish clients for up to 20% of their work. Spanish Social Security registration is mandatory right after approval (self-employed must join RETA), and skipping it can get the permit revoked. Amounts are gross, before taxes.

Sources: inclusion.gob.es · inclusion.gob.es · boe.es · sepe.es

Italy Digital Nomad Visa

Highly-qualified workers only (degree or equivalent experience); 6+ months prior remote-work experience. Remote employees also need salary ≥ ISTAT average gross. Health insurance covering Italy for the whole stay and proof of accommodation (registered lease or deed) required. Consulates say processing can take up to 120 days for digital nomads (30–90 days for remote employees). After arrival, apply for the residence permit at the Questura within 8 working days.

Sources: amblavalletta.esteri.it · consparigi.esteri.it

Not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the issuing authority before you apply. How we verify