Switching from Non Lucrative Spain Visa to a Digital Nomad Visa Spain

Last Updated on March 18, 2026 by Bruno Bianchi

Question

Non lucrative Spain visa modification to Digital Nomad visa Spain: I know it’s so early in this process, but has anyone talked to an attorney about modifying from non lucrative Spain visa to the digital nomad visa Spain? As promised, we don’t work, but would really like the option under the digital nomad visa…..but it seems you have to have an existing online arrangement. Both my husband and I could easily arrange some online work, but we haven’t worked since July because we came here on the NLV. It’s kind of a catch 22.

Just wondering if anyone has already addressed this issue. Wondering if we can even modify under these circumstances. Digital Nomad is attractive as it also still seems to qualify for residency which we need for citizenship. It would be a good package for us, just wondering if it’s even possible.

Answers

These are the answers of some Facebook group members:

“Ok so two things:
1) theres no problem with you already being here—you can apply from within Spain as long as you’re not here irregularly. What people are getting confused on there is the tax breaks/incentives; those you won’t qualify for because you’ve lived in Spain within the past 5 years. But that does not mean you can’t apply & get the visa still, you’ll just pay higher taxes than the 15% they’re offering to non-previous residents.
2) unfortunately the issue you’re gonna run into is that under the NLV, you are not allowed to work. But the digital nomad visa/residencia requires that you have a standing relationship either with your employer or clients (if self employed) for at least 3 months before applying. Thus, in order to qualify for the digital nomad one, you’d be violating the terms of your non lucrative Spain visa, and I don’t think that would be approved.”

“So I went to the Balcells webinar earlier today and I asked them if you can switch from an NLV if you have a contract in hand. They said yes, but you don’t get the tax incentives associated with the visa. If that is the case, then I’d be glad to take that option.”

“Personally, I don’t think you can switch because how can you be in a regular situation and at the same time prove you have been working for at least 3 months prior to Digital Nomad visa Spain application, as thats a violation of your non lucrative Spain visa conditions?”

“Have to wait for all the details but possibly some of the conditions would rule out switching from non lucrative Spain visa for example the requirement to have been working remotely for one year immediately prior to applying would seemingly rule out NLV holders as you can’t work remotely and hold the NLV or not having held residency at any point in the previous 5 years!”

“It is possible. You can transition from one to the other given that u are in a regular position. This is confirmed from the UGE/ the organism dealing with this applications in Madrid. Im preparing one for a client.”

“There’s controversy around the fact that many people are working under a non lucrative Spain visa and can provide a contract to fulfill the requirements of the Digital Nomad visa Spain. In case you were working remotely for a non-Spanish company under the Spanish Non Lucrative Visa, then (and still in theory) it would be feasible switching from NLV to DNV as long as you comply with the Spanish Digital Nomad visa requirements.”

Bruno Bianchi CEO & Spain Immigration Expert

Bruno Bianchi is the founder and CEO of Spainguru, Spain's largest expat immigration community with 150,000+ members. Since 2014 he has helped thousands of people relocate to Spain through expert guides, webinars and vetted professional services covering visas, residency, taxes and life in Spain.

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