Spain vs Malta: which digital nomad visa fits you?
Spain Digital Nomad Visa and Malta Nomad Residence Permit, side by side. Every figure comes from the official government source, with the date we last checked it.
- Income
- Spain is lower
- Family
- Spain: Yes · Malta: Yes
- Renewable
- Spain: Not confirmed · Malta: Yes
| SpainDigital Nomad Visa | MaltaNomad Residence Permit | |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum income | ≈ $3,196/mo€2,849 / month | ≈ $3,926/mo€42,000 / 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 | €42,000 gross per year (€32,400 for applications filed before 1 April 2024) |
| Stay | Consular visa valid 1 year; you can then apply in Spain for a residence permit (from 60 days before the visa expires) | 1 year |
| Renewable | Not confirmed | Yes |
| Family | Yes | Yes |
| Fees | €73.26 for initial residence-permit applications filed in Spain (paid online); consular visa fees vary by nationality | €300 non-refundable application fee per person + €100 residence card per person |
| Official source | inclusion.gob.es ↗Verified, checked Oct 27, 2026 | nomad.residencymalta.gov.mt ↗Verified, checked Oct 27, 2026 |
USD figures are approximate (FX Oct 20, 2026). The official currency figure is what the authority applies.
Key differences
- Spain’s bar is lower: €2,849 a month gross (200% of the 2026 minimum wage, about €34,188 a year). Malta asks for €42,000 gross a year (€3,500 a month), guaranteed for at least 5 months from the day you apply and shown in your last 3 months of bank statements.
- 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). Malta gives a 1-year permit, renewable at Residency Malta’s discretion if you spent at least 5 months (cumulative) of the last 12 in Malta.
- Who can apply: Spain asks for a degree or 3 years’ experience and an employer active for 1+ year, and freelancers may bill Spanish clients for up to 20% of their work. Malta takes employees of foreign employers, partners or shareholders of foreign companies, and freelancers with foreign clients, but not people serving a foreign company’s Maltese subsidiary.
- Both let family come: Spain adds 75% of the minimum wage for the first family member and 25% for each extra one. Malta charges €300 per person plus €100 for the residence card and asks for comprehensive health insurance of at least €100,000 (travel insurance isn’t accepted). Spain requires Social Security registration right after approval.
Quick answers
Which needs less income, Spain or Malta?
Spain Digital Nomad Visa has the lower bar: about $3,196 a month, versus about $3,926 for Malta Nomad Residence Permit (a gap of roughly $730 a month at exchange rates of 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 27, 2026). Malta Nomad Residence Permit: €42,000 gross per year (€32,400 for applications filed before 1 April 2024) (nomad.residencymalta.gov.mt, checked Oct 27, 2026).
Which lets you stay longer, Spain or Malta?
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. Malta Nomad Residence Permit: 1 year. Renewable at Residency Malta’s discretion if you still meet the criteria. Apply 2 to 3 months before the permit expires, with bank statements showing you lived in Malta for at least 5 months (cumulative) in the last 12.
Can I bring my family on the Spain or Malta visa?
Spain Digital Nomad Visa: yes, family members can be included. Malta Nomad Residence Permit: yes, family members can be included.
How much do the Spain and Malta visas cost?
Spain Digital Nomad Visa: €73.26 for initial residence-permit applications filed in Spain (paid online); consular visa fees vary by nationality. Malta Nomad Residence Permit: €300 non-refundable application fee per person + €100 residence card per person.
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
Malta Nomad Residence Permit
For employees of a foreign-registered employer, partners/shareholders of a foreign-registered company, or freelancers with foreign clients; people serving a foreign company’s Maltese subsidiary are not eligible. Income must be guaranteed for at least 5 months (cumulative) from the day of application and shown in the last 3 months’ bank statements. Spouse/partner and children can be included in the application. Fully comprehensive health insurance with at least €100,000 cover (travel insurance is not accepted) covering the EU incl. Malta and the UK, for one full year. Must work for an employer/clients outside Malta. The residencymalta.gov.mt HTML pages show a captcha to automated readers, so the eligibility and FAQ text was read via a search-engine copy of the official pages; the official application checklist PDF was read directly.
Sources: nomad.residencymalta.gov.mt · nomad.residencymalta.gov.mt · nomad.residencymalta.gov.mt · nomad.residencymalta.gov.mt
Not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the issuing authority before you apply. How we verify
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