Spain has become one of the most attractive destinations for remote workers. Its quality of life, climate, international connections and access to the Schengen Area encourage an increasing number of professionals to settle in the country without giving up their employment or business activities abroad.

Spain offers a specific residence permit for international remote workers, commonly known as the Digital Nomad Visa. This guide explains who can apply, the main requirements and how the application process works.

What is Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa?

It is an immigration route for non-EU citizens who wish to live in Spain while working remotely for companies or clients mainly located outside the country.

The work must be performed remotely through the exclusive use of computer, telecommunication or digital communication systems.

Citizens of the European Union, the European Economic Area and Switzerland do not need this visa. However, if they plan to remain in Spain for more than three months, they must register as EU residents.

Who can apply?

There are two main types of applicants:

• Employees hired by a company located outside Spain.
• Self-employed professionals or business owners who provide services to one or more foreign companies or clients.

Employees may only work for companies located outside Spain.

Self-employed professionals may also work with Spanish clients, provided that this work does not represent more than 20% of their total professional activity.

Main requirements

1. Have an existing relationship with the company or clients

The foreign company must demonstrate that it has been carrying out a genuine and continuous business activity for at least one year.

The applicant must also prove that they have maintained an employment or professional relationship with the foreign company or clients for at least three months before submitting the application.

2. Prove that the work can be performed remotely

It is not enough for the contract to simply permit remote work. The nature of the applicant’s duties must be compatible with a fully remote working arrangement.

The application should therefore include documents explaining:

• The applicant’s specific duties.
• The digital tools used to perform the work.
• How the applicant communicates with the company or clients.
• Why the role does not require a physical presence.
• The company’s express authorisation to work remotely from Spain.

A generic job description may lead to additional document requests or even a refusal, even when the employment contract refers to remote work.

3. Have sufficient qualifications or professional experience

The applicant must meet at least one of the following conditions:

• Hold a graduate or postgraduate degree from a recognised university.
• Hold a recognised vocational qualification.
• Have completed studies at a recognised business school.
• Demonstrate at least three years of professional experience related to the activity.

4. Have sufficient income

The main applicant must demonstrate financial resources of at least €34,200 per year, equivalent to €2,850 per month.

Applicants travelling with family members must demonstrate additional resources:

• An additional 75% of Spain’s minimum wage for the first family member.
• An additional 25% of Spain’s minimum wage for each further family member.

These amounts are linked to Spain’s statutory minimum wage and may change when it is updated. The applicable thresholds should therefore be checked before submitting the application.

5. Have Social Security coverage

This is often one of the most complex parts of the application.

Depending on the applicant’s country of origin and working arrangement, the requirement may be met through:

• A certificate of coverage issued under an international Social Security agreement.
• Registration of the foreign employer with the Spanish Social Security system.
• Registration of the applicant as self-employed in Spain, where applicable.

Private health insurance does not automatically replace the Social Security obligations arising from employment or professional activity.

6. Meet the general immigration requirements

Applicants will also need to provide documents including:

• A valid passport.
• Criminal record certificates from the relevant countries.
• Health insurance, where required.
• A declaration confirming the absence of criminal records in other countries.
• Proof of payment of the applicable administrative fees.
• Foreign documents that have been legalised or apostilled and, where necessary, translated by a sworn translator.

Should you apply from Spain or from abroad?

There are two possible routes.

Applying from abroad

Applicants may apply for an international remote working visa through the Spanish consulate responsible for their place of residence.

The visa may be granted for a maximum period of one year, unless the expected working period is shorter.

Applying from Spain

Anyone who is legally present in Spain may apply directly for a residence permit through the Large Companies and Strategic Groups Unit, known as the UGE.

This permit may be granted for up to three years and subsequently renewed for periods of two years, provided that the relevant conditions continue to be met.

For many applicants, applying directly from Spain may be more convenient, particularly because of the longer initial duration of the permit. However, applicants must ensure that they remain legally in Spain and that their documents are ready before their authorised stay expires.

How long does the process take?

Residence applications submitted to the UGE have a statutory processing period of 20 working days.

If no express decision is issued within this period, the application is considered approved through positive administrative silence. However, if the authorities request additional documents, the processing period may be suspended until the applicant responds.

Once the residence permit has been approved, applicants whose authorisation is valid for more than six months must apply for a Foreigner Identity Card, known as the TIE.

Can family members be included?

Yes. The following family members may apply together with the main applicant or at a later date:

• A spouse.
• A registered partner or a partner in a duly proven stable relationship.
• Children under 18.
• Adult children who remain financially dependent and have not formed their own family unit.
• Dependent parents.

Authorised family members are permitted to live and work in Spain.

How are digital nomads taxed?

Obtaining immigration residency does not automatically determine the applicant’s tax position.

A person may become a Spanish tax resident if, among other circumstances, they spend more than 183 days in Spain during a calendar year or if Spain is the main centre of their economic activities or interests.

Some remote workers may qualify for the special tax regime for workers relocating to Spain, commonly known as the Beckham Law. However, this regime does not apply automatically. The applicant’s working arrangement, relationship with the company, previous tax residence and compliance with the applicable deadlines must all be considered.

It is therefore advisable to review the tax implications before relocating, rather than after starting to work from Spain

Common mistakes when applying

The most frequent problems include:

• Failing to explain why the activity can be performed entirely online.
• Providing a remote work authorisation that is too generic.
• Failing to prove the required length of the employment or professional relationship.
• Confusing private health insurance with Social Security coverage.
• Submitting documents without an apostille, legalisation or sworn translation.
• Failing to provide sufficient evidence of professional experience.
• Calculating the minimum income requirement using an outdated amount.
• Entering Spain as a tourist without allowing enough time to prepare the application.

Is Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa worth applying for?

For professionals who already work regularly for a foreign company or international clients, this authorisation offers an attractive route to living legally in Spain.

It allows applicants to obtain residency for up to three years when applying from Spain, include eligible family members and travel within the Schengen Area. The period of legal residence may also count towards long-term residence and, where the applicable conditions are met, Spanish citizenship.

However, approval depends on presenting consistent evidence regarding the applicant’s work, qualifications, financial resources and Social Security coverage. It is not enough to show that the applicant works using a computer: the documentation must demonstrate that the activity legally qualifies as international remote work.

Would you like to know whether you qualify?

At Nomadis Legal, we assess your personal, professional and tax circumstances before beginning the application process. We help you prepare the required documents, coordinate the necessary certificates and submit your application to the relevant authority.

Every case is different. An initial assessment makes it possible to identify potential issues and choose the most suitable route before travelling or submitting an application.

Book a consultation with our team and we will assess your case individually.