What is the Spain Digital Nomad Visa?
The Spain Digital Nomad Visa (officially the International Teleworking Visa) was introduced in December 2022 under the Startup Act (Ley de Startups). It lets non-EU nationals live in Spain while working remotely for employers or clients based outside Spain.
Unlike Spain's employer-sponsored routes, it needs no local job offer — you qualify on your existing remote income of at least €2,849/month (200% of the Spanish minimum wage). No more than 20% of your income may come from Spanish clients. You can apply from a consulate abroad (1-year visa) or from within Spain in the first 3 months of a tourist stay (3-year residence permit).
The visa runs up to 5 consecutive years, after which permanent residence is possible. Holders may elect the Beckham Law tax regime — a flat 24% rate on income up to €600,000. If you actually want a job with a Spanish employer, see the Spain EU Blue Card instead. Considering Portugal too? Compare the Portugal D8.
Note: This information is for guidance only and does not constitute immigration advice. Requirements change — verify current figures at the official government source before applying.
Do you qualify?
You must meet three requirements. This is a self-sponsored route — you qualify through your own remote income, not through a Spanish employer.
You must earn at least €2,849/month (€34,188/year) — 200% of the Spanish minimum wage — from remote work for employers or clients established outside Spain. No more than 20% of your income may come from Spanish companies. Income is proven through contracts, payslips, invoices and bank statements.
If employed, you must have worked for your foreign employer for at least 3 months before applying, and the employer must authorise remote work from Spain and have traded for at least 1 year. If freelancing, you need an established relationship with clients outside Spain. You must also hold a university degree, professional certification, or at least 3 years of relevant experience.
A criminal record certificate covering the last 5 years, private health insurance with full coverage in Spain (no co-payments), and you must not be in Spain illegally at the time of application.
The 2026 income requirements
The threshold is pegged to 200% of Spain's minimum wage (SMI). For 2026, that works out to €2,849/month (€34,188/year). Figures are gross (pre-tax) remote income.
The Beckham Law advantage: Digital Nomad Visa holders can elect the Beckham Law (Régimen especial para trabajadores desplazados) — a flat 24% income tax on employment income up to €600,000, versus Spain's progressive rates up to 47%. It must be elected within 6 months of registering with Social Security and applies for up to 6 years; the election has conditions, so consult a Spanish tax advisor.
Watch the 14-payment trap: the SMI is expressed in 14 payments, so use the annual €34,188 figure rather than doubling a 12-payment monthly number — miscalculating this is a common cause of refusal.
What you need to apply
You apply either at a Spanish consulate abroad or, if already in Spain on a tourist entry, through the Large Companies Unit (UGE) within the first 3 months. No employer in Spain is involved.
If you do not have any of the documents below, read the FAQs section for further guidance.
Application timeline
From application to residence typically takes 4–10 weeks. Applying from within Spain (on a tourist entry) through the Large Companies Unit (UGE) is often faster and grants a 3-year permit directly, versus a 1-year visa from a consulate abroad.
Most common delay: the 20% Spanish-income rule and the income calculation. Applications are refused when more than 20% of income comes from Spanish clients, or when the threshold is miscalculated using 12 payments instead of the 14-payment annual figure.
Collect income evidence, employer authorisation, criminal record certificate (apostilled and translated), health insurance and qualification proof.
Handled by: you
From abroad, apply at the Spanish consulate for a 1-year visa. From within Spain (within 3 months of tourist entry), apply through the UGE electronic portal for a 3-year residence permit. Pay the application fee.
Handled by: you
UGE applications target 20 business days, and positive administrative silence applies — if the UGE does not decide within the period, the application is considered approved. Consular processing varies by location.
Handled by: the UGE or consulate
On approval, if abroad, travel to Spain. Register for a Foreign National Identity Card (TIE), obtain a NIE, and register with the municipal census (empadronamiento). Elect the Beckham Law regime within 6 months if beneficial.
Handled by: you
Frequently asked questions
Only partially. No more than 20% of your income may come from Spanish companies or clients — the visa is designed for remote work for employers and clients outside Spain. If you want to work mainly for a Spanish employer, you need an employer-sponsored route such as the Spain EU Blue Card.
Yes. Your spouse and dependent children can be included, with higher income thresholds (about €3,917/month with one dependent, plus ~€356/month per additional dependent). A major advantage: your dependants receive full Spanish working rights — they can work locally, start a business, or continue their own remote work with no restrictions.
The Beckham Law (Régimen especial para trabajadores desplazados) lets eligible new residents pay a flat 24% income tax on employment income up to €600,000, instead of Spain's progressive rates up to 47%. Digital Nomad Visa holders can elect it within 6 months of Social Security registration, and it applies for up to 6 years. It is one of the visa's biggest financial advantages, but the election has conditions — consult a Spanish tax advisor.
Budget €500–€1,000 for the main applicant. That covers the visa/residence fee, TIE card, criminal record apostille and translation, and health insurance (€50–€150/month). Costs are modest compared with relocating on an employer-sponsored route.
Yes — one of Spain's advantages. You can enter on a tourist entry (or visa-free, depending on nationality) and apply through the UGE within the first 3 months, which grants a 3-year residence permit directly rather than the 1-year consular visa. Note: you cannot switch from a Non-Lucrative Visa to the Digital Nomad Visa from inside Spain — that requires leaving and applying at a consulate.
Yes. The visa runs up to 5 consecutive years. After 5 years of continuous legal residence (no more than 10 months spent outside Spain), you can apply for permanent residence. Citizenship is possible after 10 years — or just 2 years for nationals of Latin American countries, the Philippines, Andorra, Equatorial Guinea and Portugal.
No. The Digital Nomad Visa is for remote work for companies outside Spain. For full-time employment with a Spanish employer, Spain has dedicated work visas — the Highly Qualified Professional visa, the EU Blue Card, and the General Work Visa. Every job listed on Workbeyond is from employers who sponsor international talent to work in Spain — use the filters to find roles that match your criteria.
Visa sponsored jobs in Spain
The Digital Nomad Visa is for remote income from outside Spain. If you would rather be employed locally, every job listed on Workbeyond is from employers who sponsor international talent to work in Spain. Use the filters to narrow by profession, city and seniority level.
New to the country? See the Spain destination guide.
Other visas you may qualify for
Spain's standard employer-sponsored work visa for non-EU nationals. Covers all occupations not restricted by Spanish immigration law. The employer must pass a labour market test or the role must appear on the Shortage Occupations List.
Spain's national fast-track route for senior professionals, managers, and specialists. Processed through the Large Companies Unit (UGE) in approximately 20 business days — no labour market test required.
Spain's EU Blue Card for highly qualified non-EU professionals. A lower salary threshold than most of Western Europe, no labour market test, and EU-wide mobility after 12–18 months.