Meridian · Freshness tracker

What's changed.

Dated updates to visa, tax, residency, citizenship, housing, and labour policy across every country tracked. Every entry cites its primary source and the date we last verified it.

Subscribe via RSS ↗ · 7 entries shown

Country All countriesAQAntarcticaAUAustraliaBRBrazilCACanadaCNChina (Mainland)EGEgyptFRFranceDEGermanyHKHong KongIEIrelandITItalyJPJapanMXMexicoMAMoroccoNLNetherlandsNZNew ZealandPTPortugalSGSingaporeZASouth AfricaKRSouth KoreaESSpainAEUnited Arab EmiratesGBUnited KingdomUSUnited States
Category All categoriesVisa & immigrationResidencyCitizenshipTaxationLabourHousingHealthcareOther
In force 20 May 2025
In force Visa & immigration

Arraigo de segunda oportunidad (second-chance rootedness) created

The 2025 Reglamento introduced a new "arraigo de segunda oportunidad" path: third-country nationals who previously held legal residence for at least two years but lost it may regularise on demonstrating current Spanish ties and integration. The reform package is expected to regularise around 300,000 people per year over three years.

Who it affects: Former long-term residents who lost legal status; irregular residents who previously held status.

Boletín Oficial del Estado ↗ · Ministerio de Inclusión, Seguridad Social y Migraciones ↗ · verified 2026-04-21

In force 20 May 2025
In force Visa & immigration

New Reglamento de Extranjería (Real Decreto 1155/2024) enters force

Real Decreto 1155/2024, approved by the Consejo de Ministros on 19 November 2024 and in force from 20 May 2025, replaces the 2011 Reglamento de Extranjería. Notable changes: simplified arraigo (rootedness) routes, new arraigo for re-entry, reduced documentation requirements, and an overhaul of the student-to-work transition. Transitional rules apply for pending cases.

Who it affects: All third-country nationals applying for residence or status change in Spain.

Boletín Oficial del Estado ↗ · Ministerio de Inclusión, Seguridad Social y Migraciones ↗ · Portal de Inmigración — Extranjería ↗ · verified 2026-04-21

In force 1 Jan 2025
In force Visa & immigration

Digital Nomad Visa income threshold rises with 2025 SMI

Because the Spanish Digital Nomad Visa income threshold is set at 200% of the SMI, the 2025 SMI increase raised the monthly minimum income benchmark for applicants to approximately €2,763 (gross, for a principal applicant), with incremental additions for accompanying family members. Applicants should verify current figures on the consular website.

Who it affects: Remote workers applying for the Digital Nomad Visa from 2025.

Portal de Inmigración — Extranjería ↗ · Ministerio de Inclusión, Seguridad Social y Migraciones ↗ · verified 2026-04-21

In force 1 Jan 2025
In force Visa & immigration

US W-2 employees confirmed eligible for Digital Nomad Visa

Consular practice in 2025 confirmed that US W-2 employees (employees on US payroll) can qualify for the Digital Nomad Visa, clarifying an ambiguity from the original 2023 Startups Law that had caused inconsistent consular decisions. Eligibility requires the employer to provide documentation authorising remote work from Spain and evidence of social-security compliance.

Who it affects: US remote workers employed through standard W-2 arrangements with US companies.

Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores, UE y Cooperación ↗ · Ministerio de Inclusión, Seguridad Social y Migraciones ↗ · verified 2026-04-19

In force 1 Jan 2023
In force Visa & immigration

UGE-CE fast-track for HQP/startup/ICT applications established

The Large Companies and Strategic Groups Unit (UGE-CE) was formalised as the specialist processing unit for Highly Qualified Professional, Startup, and Intra-Company Transfer applications under the Startups Law. Typical processing: 20 working days, vastly faster than the standard Work Visa pathway. Reduced administrative friction has been material to the Startups Law's adoption.

Who it affects: Employers hiring into the HQP, Startup Visa, and ICT routes.

Large Companies and Strategic Groups Unit (UGE-CE) ↗ · Ministerio de Inclusión, Seguridad Social y Migraciones ↗ · verified 2026-04-19

In force 1 Jan 2023
In force Visa & immigration

Startups Law creates Digital Nomad Visa and expanded Beckham access

Ley 28/2022 de fomento del ecosistema de las empresas emergentes (the "Startups Law") came into force on 1 January 2023, introducing the International Teleworker Visa (the Digital Nomad Visa) for remote workers earning a minimum income benchmark (200% of the SMI), and extended Beckham-regime eligibility to remote employees, certain entrepreneurs, and highly qualified self-employed workers.

Who it affects: Remote workers with non-Spanish employers; entrepreneurs and self-employed highly qualified workers.

Boletín Oficial del Estado ↗ · Ministerio de Inclusión, Seguridad Social y Migraciones ↗ · Gobierno de España — La Moncloa ↗ · verified 2026-04-21

In force 1 Jan 2023
In force Visa & immigration

Startups Law (Ley 28/2022) enters force — DNV and HQP introduced

Ley 28/2022 de fomento del ecosistema de empresas emergentes ("Startups Law") entered force on 1 January 2023. Created the Digital Nomad Visa (DNV) for remote workers and expanded the Highly Qualified Professional (HQP) route. The law also expanded the Beckham Law tax regime to include holders of the DNV and shortened the pre-relocation non-residency requirement from 10 to 5 years.

Who it affects: Remote workers, qualified international hires, and founders considering Spain.

BOE — Boletín Oficial del Estado (Spanish Official Gazette) ↗ · La Moncloa — Spanish Government ↗ · Ministerio de Inclusión, Seguridad Social y Migraciones ↗ · verified 2026-04-19