SMI 2026: What €1,221 Minimum Wage Means for Your Residency Permit
Spain's 2026 minimum wage increase affects Digital Nomad and Startup Visa income requirements. Learn the new thresholds and how to prepare.
What is SMI and Why It Matters for Visa Applicants
The Salario Mínimo Interprofesional (SMI) is Spain's national minimum wage, updated annually by the government. For visa applicants, SMI isn't just an economic indicator — it directly determines how much income you need to prove for residency permits.
Spanish immigration law ties income requirements to SMI percentages. When SMI increases, so do your required income thresholds. This affects:
- Digital Nomad Visa applicants
- Startup Visa (Entrepreneur) applicants
- Non-Lucrative Visa holders
- Family reunification cases
New 2026 Figures: €1,221 Monthly Minimum Wage
The Spanish government has announced the 2026 SMI at €1,221 per month (14 payments), representing a 3.1% increase from 2025's €1,184.
Key Numbers for 2026
- Monthly SMI: €1,221
- Annual SMI (14 payments): €17,094
- Annual SMI (12 payments equivalent): €14,652
Note: Spain pays 14 monthly salaries (including extra payments in July and December). Immigration calculations typically use the 14-payment figure divided by 12 for monthly requirements.
Impact on Digital Nomad Income Requirement
The Digital Nomad Visa requires proof of income at 200% of SMI. Here's what this means for 2026:
Monthly Income Calculation
Formula: SMI × 14 ÷ 12 × 2
- 2025: €1,184 × 14 ÷ 12 × 2 = €2,763/month
- 2026: €1,221 × 14 ÷ 12 × 2 = €2,849/month
This represents an increase of €86 per month or approximately €1,032 annually that you'll need to demonstrate.
Family Member Additions
For each family member (spouse, children, dependents):
- First dependent: +75% SMI = +€1,069/month (2026)
- Each additional dependent: +25% SMI = +€357/month (2026)
Example family of 4 (2026):
- Main applicant: €2,849
- Spouse: +€1,069
- Child 1: +€357
- Child 2: +€357
- Total required: €4,632/month
Impact on Startup Visa Savings Requirement
The Startup Visa (Entrepreneur Visa) requires proof of 200% SMI annual savings to cover your first year in Spain:
Savings Calculation
Formula: SMI × 14 × 2
- 2025: €1,184 × 14 × 2 = €33,152
- 2026: €1,221 × 14 × 2 = €34,188
This is the minimum bank balance you need to show at the time of application, representing an increase of €1,036 from 2025.
Action Items: What to Prepare Now
If you're planning to apply for a Spanish residency permit in 2026, here's what you should do:
- Update your income projections — Ensure your contracts or invoices reflect the new minimums
- Check bank statements — For Startup Visa, verify you have at least €34,188 readily available
- Review family calculations — If bringing dependents, recalculate total requirements
- Time your application — Applications submitted before the BOE publication may use 2025 figures
- Consult an expert — Immigration offices may interpret the transition period differently
Remember: proving income slightly above the minimum (10-20% buffer) is always recommended to account for exchange rate fluctuations and interpretation differences.