The main difference: can you work
The regulation (Real Decreto 1155/2024, art. 61) defines no lucrativa as residence "sin realizar actividades laborales o profesionales", that is, "without carrying out employment or professional activity". The official FAQ of the Unidad de Grandes Empresas y Colectivos Estratégicos (UGE, the Large Companies and Strategic Groups Unit) says this directly: "la autorización de residencia temporal no lucrativa no autoriza a trabajar", "the no lucrativa residence permit does not allow you to work". It also says that working without the right permit is a breach under the foreigners law. Remote work for a Russian employer on a no lucrativa permit is not covered by this permit.
The digital nomad permit works the other way round and is set out in Ley 14/2013 (art. 74 bis). It is a permit for working at a distance "mediante el uso exclusivo de medios y sistemas informáticos, telemáticos y de telecomunicación", "exclusively by means of computer, telematic and telecommunication tools". An employee under an employment contract can work only for a company outside Spain. A person who provides professional services can also work for a Spanish company, but for no more than 20% of their total professional activity.
Money: what you must show and how much
For no lucrativa you must prove funds to live on without working: each month 400% of the IPREM (the public income indicator) for the applicant and 100% of the IPREM for each family member they bring (RD 1155/2024, art. 62). The amount is calculated for the whole term of the permit. You can prove it by any acceptable means: savings, property, regular income. Check the current IPREM in euros in official sources on the date you apply. It is not given here.
For the nomad the logic is different. The law ties income thresholds to the minimum wage, the SMI (Ley 14/2013, additional provision 20). The percentage is given by the official UGE FAQ: income "provenientes del trabajo", that is, coming from work, of 200% of the SMI a month for the applicant. For a family of two (the applicant and one family member), at least 75% of the SMI is required in addition to that amount, plus 25% of the SMI for each further member: the add-ons are added to the applicant's amount and do not replace it (our conclusion). No rule states the euro amount. The Joint Instruction of the Directorate-General for Spaniards Abroad and the Directorate-General for Migration (29-30 March 2023), point tercero 1.a), speaks of the "cantidad que represente mensualmente el 200% del SMI", the amount that represents 200% of the SMI monthly. The SMI for 2026 was set by Real Decreto 126/2026 at €1,221 a month, which is €17,094 a year over 14 payments (checked on 7 October 2026 against the BOE). As a planning guide, count on an average of €2,849 gross a month: €34,188 a year, which is 200% of the annual SMI. Family add-ons use the same base: 75% is €1,068 and 25% is €356. Some Spanish consulates state a lower figure, calculated on the monthly SMI of €1,221: €2,442 (and €916 and €305 per family member). For planning it is better to take the larger base (our conclusion). Amounts are gross. A nomad is not only an employee: the 14 payments do not apply, so the annual sum is divided by 12, and immigration assesses the real ability to earn income, not compliance with labour law. Income can be proven by any means, through an individual assessment: contracts, payslips or invoices, and a bank certificate covering the three months before the application. You cannot compare the IPREM and SMI percentages directly: they are different indicators.
The source of the money also differs. With no lucrativa, what matters is simply that you have the funds. With the nomad permit, the income must come from work. If it is below the threshold, according to UGE materials the difference can be covered by savings proved with bank certificates for the whole term of the permit.
How to apply and for how long
A first no lucrativa permit is obtained only through a consulate: the applicant files a visa application, which also serves as the permit application (RD 1155/2024, art. 63). The authority decides within a month, and silence means refusal. The first permit is issued for one year (art. 61). You apply for renewal two months before expiry, and you can also apply within three months after (art. 64). The renewed permit is valid for two years, and if there is no answer within three months, the application is treated as granted. At renewal they check that you lived in Spain for more than 183 days a year, your insurance, and the schooling of your children.
The nomad gets a teleworking visa for up to a year (Ley 14/2013, art. 74 quater). A person already lawfully in Spain can apply for the permit itself (art. 74 quinquies): it is issued for up to three years, and renewal is in periods of two years. The conditions are: a diploma from a recognised university or school, vocational training, or at least three years of experience; a company that has carried out real activity for at least a year; and an employment or business relationship with it for at least three months before you apply (art. 74 ter). Once work starts, you need to register with Seguridad Social (the social security system): the official UGE FAQ states that it is mandatory. More on the route: nomad residence and teleworker.
What they have in common
Both permits require health insurance, no criminal record and payment of the fee. After you receive the permit, you must keep meeting the conditions on which it was issued and report changes to the UGE within 30 days (Ley 14/2013, additional provision 7). If the conditions stop being met, the permit can be terminated, with reasons given and after the party has been heard.
Tax does not depend on the type of card. Residence is determined by days and centre of interests (art. 9 of the IRPF law), and it needs to be checked separately both for a no lucrativa holder and for a nomad: Tax residence in Spain.
How to choose
If you live on savings, investment income or a pension and do not plan to work in Spain, no lucrativa suits you. Be ready for the fact that your residence must be real: for renewal you need more than 183 days a year.
If you work as an employee for a company outside Spain, or have clients abroad, and you have a diploma or three years of experience, the nomad permit suits you. Your work in Spain stays remote.
If you plan to work for a Spanish employer or run a business in Spain, neither of the two will suit you, and you need a different route: general regime. There is one exception, and a limited one: a professional on the nomad permit can take a Spanish company as a client within 20% of their activity.
If you now hold a no lucrativa permit and remote work has come up, that is not a reason to start working on the old permit. The official UGE FAQ answers a similar question in the negative: no lucrativa does not allow work, so remote work done earlier cannot be counted as a basis for the teleworking permit. How this is resolved in your case depends on your documents and the dates.
Frequently asked questions
Can I work remotely for a Russian company on no lucrativa?
No. The permit is issued for residence without employment or professional activity. The teleworker permit under Ley 14/2013 is designed for remote work.
Can I get a nomad permit without a diploma?
The law allows two grounds: a diploma from a recognised university, vocational school or business school, or professional experience of at least three years (Ley 14/2013, art. 74 bis). Proof of experience depends on the form of work.
Can I apply for the nomad permit while already in Spain?
The law allows this for those who are in Spain lawfully (art. 74 quinquies). Those abroad need a visa.
For how long are the permits issued?
No lucrativa: one year, then renewal for two years. Teleworking: a permit for up to three years, renewal for two years each time. A teleworking visa is issued for up to a year.
What happens if my income falls below the threshold or the conditions change?
You must report the change to the UGE within 30 days, and on a check the permit can be terminated by a reasoned decision after a hearing (Ley 14/2013, additional provision 7).
How are family members counted?
With no lucrativa, 100% of the IPREM is added to the 400% for each family member. With the nomad permit, 75% of the SMI for the first family member and another 25% of the SMI for each further member are added to the applicant's amount (200% of the SMI) (our conclusion; the euro calculation is above).
If you need clarity on your situation
The basic package is AUTO PACK 29€, the extended one is Full Pro 149€ (prices on Pricing). You can ask a quick question on WhatsApp +34743071481. More on no lucrativa: No lucrativa.