Moving to Spain
Requirements and documents for Iranians moving to Spain
Three main routes, remote work, financial means and study, with the documents and steps every Iranian applicant shares.
Key figures for 2026
October 2026 edition
€2,850
Minimum monthly income for the main Digital Nomad applicant
€28,800
Minimum yearly funds for the main non-lucrative applicant
€600
Minimum monthly means for the student visa
30 hours
Weekly cap on a student's part-time work
The three routes at a glance
This guide sets out the requirements and documents for Iranian applicants on the three main routes to Spain. The financial thresholds are calculated from two official Spanish indicators:
SMI (statutory minimum wage)
In 2026, €1,221 a month paid in 14 instalments, which is €17,094 a year (about €1,425 a month).
IPREM (public income indicator)
In 2026, €600 a month, which is €7,200 a year.
Digital Nomad
- Suited to
- Remote workers for companies or clients outside Spain
- Minimum means (main applicant)
- About €2,850 monthly income
- Each family member
- Spouse: about €1,070 a month; each child: about €356 a month
- Work in Spain
- Remote work for abroad; limited local work
- Other key condition
- Bachelor's degree or 3 years' experience
Non-lucrative (RNL)
- Suited to
- People with capital or passive income who do not intend to work
- Minimum means (main applicant)
- About €28,800 in funds a year
- Each family member
- About €7,200 per person
- Work in Spain
- None (in the first year)
- Other key condition
- Comprehensive private health insurance
Study
- Suited to
- Students on recognised university, language or training courses
- Minimum means (main applicant)
- About €600 a month (€7,200 a year)
- Each family member
- —
- Work in Spain
- Part-time, up to 30 hours a week
- Other key condition
- Firm admission to a full-time course
Visado para teletrabajo de carácter internacional – Digital Nomad
Digital Nomad / remote work visa
Suited to: People who work remotely for companies or clients outside Spain and want to live in Spain.
Income requirements
- Main applicant
- Monthly income of at least 200% of the Spanish minimum wage (SMI), about €2,850 a month or €34,200 a year.
- Spouse
- At least an extra 75% of the SMI, about €1,070 a month.
- Each child
- At least an extra 25% of the SMI, about €356 a month.
Example: for a family of three (applicant, spouse and one child), the income required is about €4,276 a month.
Work history and contract
- A work contract (employed or freelance) with companies outside Spain, in place for at least 3 months.
- Evidence that the employer or client allows you to work remotely from Spain.
Education and experience
- A relevant university degree (at least a bachelor's), or
- At least 3 years of provable professional experience in the same field.
Residencia No Lucrativa – RNL
Non-lucrative residence (financial means)
Suited to: People with enough capital or passive income who do not want to work in Spain, such as retirees or people living on rental income or dividends.
Financial means
- Main applicant
- A bank balance of at least 400% of the yearly IPREM, about €28,800.
- Each additional family member
- 100% of the yearly IPREM, about €7,200 per person.
- How to prove it
- Means are best shown through reputable bank accounts, or through dividends and a lease that can be relied on.
Example: for a family of three, about €43,200 in funds is required.
Health insurance
- Comprehensive private health insurance from an insurer authorised in Spain, with no excess or co-payment (Copago), for the whole first year.
Undertaking not to work
- A signed undertaking that the applicant will carry out no work or income-generating activity in Spain during the first year.
Estancia por Estudios
Student visa
Suited to: People who want to study on a recognised university, language or training course in Spain.
Admission and financial means
- Admission
- A formal, final letter of admission from a university, school or approved institution in Spain, for a full-time course (at least 20 hours a week).
- Living and housing costs
- At least 100% of the monthly IPREM, about €600 a month or €7,200 for a one-year course.
- Tuition
- Proof that the course fees have been paid in full or in part.
- Work
- Students may work part-time up to 30 hours a week, provided it does not clash with classes and study.
Documents and steps common to Iranian applicants
Whatever the visa, every Iranian applicant has to take their documents through the following steps.
Preparing your documents
- 1
Sworn translation
Every document must be translated into Spanish by an official translator.
- 2
Judiciary certification
The translations must be stamped by Iran's judiciary.
- 3
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The documents must be certified by Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- 4
Consular certification
Finally, the documents must be certified by the consular section of the Spanish Embassy in Tehran (chain legalisation).
General health and security documents
- Police certificate
- A certificate of no criminal record covering the last 5 years.
- Medical certificate
- A certificate showing no serious communicable disease, under the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005).
- Passport
- A valid passport with at least one year of validity.
Official sources for current conditions
Common questions about moving to Spain
What is the minimum income for Spain's Digital Nomad visa in 2026?
The main applicant needs a monthly income of at least 200% of the Spanish minimum wage (SMI), about €2,850 a month or €34,200 a year. About €1,070 a month is added for a spouse and about €356 a month for each child.
Do I need a university degree for Spain's Digital Nomad visa?
You need one of the two: a relevant university degree (at least a bachelor's), or at least 3 years of provable professional experience in the same field. Your contract with companies outside Spain must also have been in place for at least 3 months.
How much money do I need for Spain's non-lucrative residence?
The main applicant needs funds of at least 400% of the yearly IPREM, about €28,800, plus about €7,200 for each additional family member. For a family of three that is about €43,200.
Can I work in Spain on non-lucrative residence?
Not in the first year. The applicant signs an undertaking to carry out no work or income-generating activity in Spain during the first year.
How much do I need for a Spanish student visa, and how many hours can students work?
At least 100% of the monthly IPREM, about €600 a month or €7,200 for a one-year course, plus proof that the fees are paid in full or in part. Students may work part-time up to 30 hours a week if it does not clash with classes.
How are Iranian documents legalised for a Spanish visa?
By chain legalisation: a sworn translation into Spanish, the stamp of Iran's judiciary, certification by Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and finally certification by the consular section of the Spanish Embassy in Tehran.
