If your visado para nómada digital — Digital Nomad Visa expires in 2026, the renewal process has changed since you applied. Income thresholds are higher, bank statement scrutiny is real, and UGE — Unidad de Grandes Empresas (Large Companies Unit) offices are reporting six-week backlogs (as of February 2026).

We covered the renewal reality three weeks ago, when the first 3+2 wave started landing. Since then, readers have written in with specific questions: what the actual numbers are for families, how backed up the appointment system is, and what paperwork trips people up. This is the practical checklist version.

The DNV income requirement is pegged to Spain's SMI — Salario Mínimo Interprofesional (minimum wage). When the visa launched, the threshold was roughly €2,520/month. Today it is €3,024/month, calculated as 200% of the projected 2026 minimum wage.

That is the solo applicant number. For families, it adds up fast:

A family of four now needs approximately €4,914/month in qualifying income. That is nearly €59,000 annually, proven through documentation, not declared.

(This also affects your tax residency status once you hit 183 days.)

The UGE has now processed thousands of DNV applications. They know what to look for.

Bank statements are the battleground. Your contract or invoices show what you should earn. Your bank statements show what actually arrived. If your contract says €4,000/month but your Spanish account shows €2,500 in deposits, expect questions. (The non-resident account transition matters if you are still banking abroad.)

Lump sums do not count. One large transfer covering your annual income does not satisfy the monthly threshold. Renewal officers want to see consistent deposits over the past year.

Health insurance requirements have tightened. Your policy must come from a Spain-authorized insurer, cover the full territory without copays for basic services, and include repatriation coverage. Policies accepted in 2023 may not meet current standards. Verify with your insurer before filing. (The healthcare guide covers what policies actually work.)

Your padrón — municipal registration must be current. Gaps in registration, or addresses that do not match your TIE — Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero (foreigner ID card), create complications. If you moved and did not update your padrón, fix it before applying. (The padrón unlocks more than you think.)

You can apply starting 60 days before your permit expires, and up to 90 days after. Sounds wide. It is not.

Current UGE processing: approximately six weeks (reported February 2026). Apply on the day your permit expires and you may wait six weeks in legal limbo. Your permit remains technically valid while renewal is pending, but try explaining that to a landlord, bank, or employer.

The 90-day grace period is not a safety net. Applying after expiration signals to the officer that you were not organized. It invites additional scrutiny.

Appointments are backed up. The UGE offices in Madrid and Barcelona handle most DNV renewals. Booking a cita previa — prior appointment in February for a March expiration may already be tight.

Assuming your gestor — administrative agent handled it. They may have helped with your initial application. Renewal is a separate process. Confirm who is responsible and what documentation they need from you.

Using old income thresholds. The €2,520/month figure from 2023 still appears in many online guides. The current threshold is €3,024/month for the primary applicant.

Submitting inconsistent addresses. Your TIE address, padrón registration, bank statements, and rental contract should all match. Inconsistencies slow processing.

Waiting for the "right" time. There is no quiet season for UGE appointments. If your permit expires between March and August 2026, start now.

Renewing in 2026? Reply with your expiration month. We are tracking the timeline and will share what we learn.

Two phrases for your renewal appointment:

"Vengo a renovar mi visado de nómada digital." — I am here to renew my digital nomad visa.

"¿Cuánto tarda el proceso de renovación?" — How long does the renewal process take?

We built something you've been asking for.

WaypointSur Community is now live on Facebook. Private group, approval required.

It's not another expat forum. No property listings, no retirement chat, no sunset photos. This is specifically for remote professionals, business owners, and executives building real working lives on the Costa del Sol.

The newsletter goes one direction. The group goes both.

Ask questions. Share what worked. Find other professionals in your situation. We're in there too. And we're listening.

Join WaypointSur Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/waypointsucommunity

(Not on Facebook? Nothing changes. The newsletter keeps coming. This is an addition, not a replacement.)

The visa gave you three years. The renewal earns you two more. Do not lose them to paperwork.

Go deeper: The DNV is one path to Spanish residency for remote workers, but not the only one. The non-lucrative visa, Beckham Law, and standard residency routes each have different requirements. If your situation has changed since 2023, the full framework is here.

→ Spanish residency for remote workers: The complete guide for 2026

See you on the paseo — A. and the fully documented WaypointSur team

PS: Know someone whose DNV expires this year? Forward this before they discover the backlog the hard way.