In brief
Spain is the fourth-largest economy in the eurozone, with an output mix weighted toward services (tourism, retail, financial services), construction, and a notable automotive and renewable-energy manufacturing base. Regional autonomy is meaningful: the seventeen Autonomous Communities control significant areas of taxation, healthcare, and education, producing material per-region variation that the headline country data hides (Catalonia and Madrid concentrate roughly 40% of GDP between them). Official languages are Spanish plus Catalan, Galician, and Basque in their respective regions.
For international workers the two most-cited instruments are the Digital Nomad Visa (DNV) — introduced under the 2023 Startups Law for remote workers earning foreign income — and the Special Tax Regime for Inbound Workers, universally known as the "Beckham Law", which offers a flat 24% non-resident income-tax rate on Spanish-source earnings up to €600,000 for six years. The Startups Law also created a Highly Qualified Professional route and expanded the Entrepreneur / Startup Visa framework. The long-standing Non-Lucrative Visa remains the default for self-funded retirees and passive-income movers.
Spain's Golden Visa (Residence by Investment via real estate) was closed to new applicants in April 2025 as part of the Housing Law reforms, following a policy trajectory already established by Portugal and Ireland. Asylum policy and labour-market reforms under the Sánchez coalition have moved more quietly than in the Netherlands, but annual changes to the minimum interprofessional salary (SMI) have flow-through effects on many residence-permit income thresholds pegged to it.
Labour market
Labour market
Headline labour-market figures for Spain, drawn from national statistical offices and ILO-modelled estimates. Figures update as each source publishes new periods.
Unemployment
10.4%
% · 2025 · World Bank
Youth unemployment
24.7%
% ages 15-24 · 2025 · World Bank
Employment-to-population
52.8%
% ages 15+ · 2025 · World Bank
Labour-force participation
59.0%
% ages 15+ · 2025 · World Bank
Female participation
54.4%
% females 15+ · 2025 · World Bank
Labour force
24,486,385
people · 2025 · World Bank
Definitions: employment-to-population ratio is the proportion of the working-age population (15+) that is employed. Labour-force participation rate is the proportion of the working-age population that is either employed or actively job-seeking. Youth unemployment refers to the 15–24 cohort.
Source: World Bank Open Data (ILO-modelled estimates and national-account sources).
Demographics
Demographics
Spain has a population of 48,848,840, of which 80% live in urban areas. People aged 65 and over make up 21.1% of the population against a fertility rate of 1.10 births per woman — well below the 2.1 replacement rate.
48,848,840World Bank · 2024Population
80.3%World Bank · 2024Urban share
21.1%World Bank · 2024Aged 65+
83.9 yrsWorld Bank · 2024Life expectancy
1.10World Bank · 2024Fertility rate
Official languages are Spanish, Catalan, Galician, Basque. The country's demographic profile, like most of western Europe, is aging — the 65-plus share is roughly double what it was in the 1970s and still climbing. Net migration is the main source of population growth.
Sources: World Bank Open Data ↗ · UN Population Division ↗
Sources: World Bank Open Data · United Nations Population Division · national statistical office.
Visa & immigration
Visa & immigration
Not legal advice. Every figure below links to its official government source. Rules change; verify the specific threshold, processing time, and eligibility for your case before applying.
Digital Nomad Visa (DNV)
Non-EEA remote workers employed by or contracting with companies outside Spain.
€2,368 minimum salary threshold · 12 months initial · path to permanent · 3–8 weeks processing
Introduced under the 2023 Startups Law (Ley 28/2022). For remote employees and self-employed contractors earning primarily non-Spanish-source income. 2025 income floor is 200% of SMI (≈€2,368/month); additional 75% SMI for a first family member and 25% SMI per further family member. Applicants must demonstrate three years' professional experience or a relevant degree. Visa lasts 1 year; residence-permit renewal gives up to 5 years and eligibility for the Beckham Law tax regime.
Requirements
- Primary source of income from non-Spanish companies (Spanish work capped at 20% of total)
- Monthly income of at least 200% of SMI
- Degree from a recognised institution or 3+ years of relevant work experience
- Criminal-record certificate from country of origin
- Private health insurance covering Spain
Verified 2026-04-19 · Source:
Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores, UE y Cooperación ↗
· share your experience
Highly Qualified Professional (HQP) residence permit
Non-EEA professionals hired by Spanish companies for roles requiring recognised qualifications.
No salary floor · 36 months initial · path to permanent · 3–6 weeks processing
Streamlined route under the Startups Law for qualified professionals with a signed Spanish employment contract. Processed by the Large Companies Unit (UGE-CE) with typical 20-working-day decisions — significantly faster than the standard Work Permit route. No labour-market testing; replaces the older general "high-skilled worker" route.
Requirements
- Recognised higher-education qualification or equivalent professional experience
- Employment contract with a Spanish company
- Clean criminal record
- Application via UGE-CE (typically handled by employer)
Verified 2026-04-19 · Source:
Large Companies and Strategic Groups Unit (UGE-CE) ↗
· share your experience
Startup / Entrepreneur Visa
Non-EEA founders with an innovative business idea of strategic interest to Spain.
No salary floor · 36 months initial · path to permanent · 4–8 weeks processing
Pathway under the Startups Law (Ley 28/2022) for founders of innovative businesses of "special economic interest". Requires a positive report from ENISA (national innovation agency) on the business plan. Grants initial 3-year residence with 2-year renewal. Materially lower capital requirement than comparable European entrepreneur visas.
Requirements
- Innovative business plan with positive ENISA report
- Sufficient financial resources
- Private health insurance
- Clean criminal record
Verified 2026-04-19 · Source:
Ministerio de Inclusión, Seguridad Social y Migraciones ↗
· share your experience
Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV / Residencia No Lucrativa)
Self-funded non-EEA movers (retirees, passive-income earners) not working in Spain.
€2,400 minimum salary threshold · 12 months initial · path to permanent · 6–12 weeks processing
Long-standing residence route for applicants with sufficient passive income (pension, investment, rental) to support themselves without working in Spain. 2025 income floor: 400% of IPREM for the main applicant (≈€2,400/month) plus 100% IPREM per family member. Cannot work in Spain under this permit — the restriction is absolute. Valid 1 year initially, then 2-year renewals; path to permanent residence at 5 years.
Requirements
- Passive income of at least 400% IPREM per month (main applicant)
- Additional 100% IPREM per dependant
- Private health insurance covering Spain
- Criminal-record certificate from country of origin
- No work permitted in Spain
Verified 2026-04-19 · Source:
Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores, UE y Cooperación ↗
· share your experience
Work Visa (Cuenta Ajena)
Non-EEA workers hired for standard employment in Spain.
No salary floor · 12 months initial · path to permanent · 12–24 weeks processing
The traditional work-and-residence route for non-EEA workers with a Spanish employment contract. Subject to the "national employment situation" (Situación Nacional de Empleo) test unless the occupation is on the Shortage Occupations List. Generally slower and with more friction than the Highly Qualified Professional route under the Startups Law.
Requirements
- Employment contract with a Spanish employer
- Either role on the Shortage Occupations List or positive labour-market test
- Qualifications appropriate to the role
- Clean criminal record
Verified 2026-04-19 · Source:
Ministerio de Inclusión, Seguridad Social y Migraciones ↗
· share your experience
Intra-Company Transfer (Traslado Intraempresarial)
Managers, specialists, or trainees transferred from a non-EEA branch of a multinational.
No salary floor · 36 months initial · 3–8 weeks processing
EU-harmonised permit for managers, specialists, and trainees moving from a non-EEA branch to a Spanish entity of the same multinational. Managed by UGE-CE with fast-track processing. Maximum 3 years for managers and specialists, 1 year for trainees. Intra-EU mobility permitted during the posting.
Requirements
- 3 months prior employment with the foreign branch (managers/specialists)
- Transfer to a Spanish branch of the same multinational
- Managerial, specialist, or trainee role
- Application via UGE-CE
Verified 2026-04-19 · Source:
Large Companies and Strategic Groups Unit (UGE-CE) ↗
· share your experience
Primary sources cited per row; every figure links to the issuing authority.