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Digital Nomad Visa Spain: Complete Guide 2025

14 min readLast updated: 2025-01-01

Quick Summary

What is it
Legal residence permit for remote workers employed by or contracting with companies outside Spain.
Who is it for
Non-EU remote workers with >€2,646/month income, >80% from outside Spain.
Requirements
Valid passport, remote work contract (min. 3 months old), income proof, health insurance, criminal record certificate
Estimated time
Up to 20 working days from application. Process from consulate can take longer.
Estimated cost
Consular fee varies by country. Permit fee in Spain approx. €16. Health insurance required separately.
Next step
Apply for TIE residence card within 30 days of arrival

Spain's Digital Nomad Visa — officially the "visa for international teleworkers" — was introduced by the 2023 Startup Law (Ley de Startups). It allows non-EU remote workers to live legally in Spain while working for companies based outside the country. Alongside residency rights, holders can access the Beckham Law special tax regime, capping income tax at 24% for up to six years.

Who this applies to

Non-EU nationals (and EU citizens already in Spain on other grounds) who work remotely for companies or clients based outside Spain. At least 80% of income must come from non-Spanish sources. Minimum income requirement: approx. €2,646/month (200% of minimum wage, 2025 figures).

Documents required

  • Valid passport (minimum 1 year remaining validity)(Required)
  • Remote work contract or proof of self-employment with a foreign company (minimum 3 months)(Required)
  • Last 3 months' pay slips or income declaration showing >€2,646/month(Required)
  • Bank statements (last 3 months) confirming income activity(Required)
  • Private health insurance with Spain coverage — no waiting period, no co-payment(Required)
  • Criminal record certificate from country of origin — apostilled and translated into Spanish(Required)
  • Recent biometric passport photo(Required)
  • National visa application form(Required)

Step-by-step process

  1. 1

    Confirm you meet the eligibility criteria

    You must: be a non-EU national (or already in Spain with a valid permit); have worked remotely for a non-Spanish company for at least 3 months; earn at least €2,646/month (2025 minimum wage × 200%); have 80%+ of income from outside Spain; have no criminal record in Spain or countries of residence in the past 5 years.

  2. 2

    Gather and prepare your documentation

    All foreign documents (criminal records, company registration, income proof) must be apostilled. Documents not in Spanish or English must be officially translated by a sworn translator (traductor jurado). Prepare three complete sets: original, certified copy, and simple copy. Start at least 2 months before your intended application date.

    Tip: If self-employed, you need tax declarations (last 2 years), bank statements and client contracts showing recurring income. The 80% non-Spain rule applies to self-employed income too.

  3. 3

    Apply at the consulate (from abroad) or UGE-CE (from Spain)

    From abroad: Apply at the Spanish Consulate in your country of residence. Book an appointment 4–8 weeks in advance. Resolution within 20 working days. From Spain (if you already have a valid permit): Apply at the UGE-CE (Unidad de Grandes Empresas y Colectivos Estrategicos) online. Resolution within 20 working days.

  4. 4

    After approval: first 30 days in Spain

    Within 30 days of arrival (or approval if already in Spain): (1) Complete the empadronamiento at your town hall. (2) Book appointment for your TIE residence card at the local police station. (3) Open a Spanish bank account. (4) Apply for the Beckham Law special tax regime using Form 149 — you have 6 months from starting work in Spain.

    Tip: The Beckham Law (Form 149) application deadline is 6 months from starting work in Spain — not from arrival. Submit it promptly to avoid losing this benefit.

  5. 5

    The Beckham Law tax advantage

    Digital Nomad Visa holders can elect to pay Spanish income tax at the non-resident flat rate of 24% on the first €600,000 of annual income, instead of the progressive resident rate (up to 47%). This applies for the first tax year and the following 5 (total 6 years). Apply via Form 149 to the Agencia Tributaria within 6 months of starting activity in Spain.

Common mistakes

  • Not proving that 80% of income comes from outside Spain — this is strictly enforced.
  • Submitting documents without apostille or without sworn translation into Spanish.
  • Missing the 6-month Beckham Law application window after starting work in Spain.
  • Not completing the empadronamiento within 30 days of arrival.
  • Choosing a health insurance policy with a waiting period or co-payments — these are not accepted.

Frequently asked questions

Can EU citizens apply for the Digital Nomad Visa?

EU citizens already have the right to live and work in Spain. The Digital Nomad Visa is designed for non-EU nationals. EU citizens working remotely for non-Spanish companies may instead be interested in registering as EU residents and exploring the Beckham Law separately.

What counts as a "company outside Spain"?

Any legally incorporated company registered outside Spain. You can work for multiple foreign clients or companies. At least 80% of your total income must come from non-Spanish sources.

How long is the Digital Nomad Visa valid?

The initial visa is valid for 1 year. It can then be renewed as a residence authorisation for periods of 2 years, up to a maximum of 5 years total. After 5 years you may qualify for long-term EU residence.

Can my family come with me?

Yes. Family members (spouse/partner, dependent children, dependent parents) can apply for family reunification authorisations alongside the main applicant.

Official sources

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Source and disclaimer

Based on official Spanish sources: BOE (Boletín Oficial del Estado), Ministerio del Interior, Agencia Tributaria and ministerial websites.

This is an administrative guide, not legal advice. Procedures and requirements change. Always verify with the relevant official authority before acting.