Digital Nomad Visa Rules: Can I Stay in Spain if I Lose My Job?

Losing a client while living in Spain on the Digital Nomad Visa can feel stressful, but it does not have to put your residency at risk. There are a few concrete steps you can take to stay compliant with the terms of your visa while you get back on your feet.

1. Find a New Client as Quickly as Possible
The most straightforward path is to replace the lost income source as soon as you can, ideally within 30 days. The Digital Nomad Visa is built around the concept of active remote work, so getting a new contract in place quickly is the cleanest way to stay in good standing.

2. Keep Up Your Social Security Payments
Even during a gap in work, you need to continue making your Spanish Social Security contributions. This is one of the most important things the UGE (Unidad de Grandes Empresas, the authority that handles Digital Nomad Visa renewals) will review when it comes time to renew your permit. A lapse in payments can raise serious red flags, so keeping those contributions current is non-negotiable regardless of whether you are actively earning.

3. Maintain the Financial Requirement on an Annual Basis
The Digital Nomad Visa requires you to meet a minimum income threshold, but the good news is that this is evaluated as an annual average rather than a strict month-by-month requirement. If you have a slower month or a gap between clients, what matters is that your total income over the course of the year averages out to meet the visa's financial requirements. A short dry spell, managed carefully, does not automatically disqualify you.

The key takeaway is that losing a client is not the end of the road. Stay on top of your Social Security payments, move quickly to secure new work, and keep an eye on your yearly income average. If you have questions about your specific situation, it is always worth getting in touch with a professional who can review the details with you.