Kingdom of Spain · digital nomad
Digital Nomad Visa (Spain)
Residence permit for remote workers and international freelancers under the Startup Law (Ley de Startups).
Last reviewed:
Overview
Spain's Digital Nomad Visa (Visado de teletrabajador de carácter internacional) was introduced by the Startup Law in December 2022. It allows non-EEA nationals to live in Spain while working remotely for companies outside Spain, or as freelancers with predominantly non-Spanish clients (typically 80%+ non-Spanish income).
Processing time
UGE-CE decisions typically 20 working days; consulate 1–3 months.
See source window: 3 weeks – 6 weeks →Government fees
Visa application fee varies by consulate; residence permit and TIE fees additional.
Typical duration
Initial 1-year consular visa, extendable to 3-year residence permit, then renewable for further 2 years; counts toward permanent residence after 5 years.
Primary source
Ministerio — International teleworking residence · Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migrations
Link last verified:
Eligibility
Typical criteria
Remote work for a company based outside Spain, or freelance activity where at most 20% of income derives from Spanish clients.
Employment relationship or professional contract of at least 3 months' standing with the foreign company.
University degree or at least 3 years of relevant experience.
Minimum income at roughly 200% of the Spanish minimum wage (SMI); higher uplifts for family.
Private health insurance covering Spain.
Common blockers
Too high a share of Spanish-client income (above 20%).
Qualifications not matching degree-or-experience requirement.
Income below 200% SMI for principal applicant, or insufficient for dependants.
Typical evidence
Employment contract or freelance contracts.
Letter from employer confirming remote-work authorisation.
Recent payslips and tax records.
Degree certificate or evidence of 3+ years experience.
NIE and health insurance.
Application pathway
Step 1
Decide consular vs. in-country route
Apply at a Spanish consulate for a 1-year visa then extend; or enter on tourist status and apply to UGE-CE for the 3-year residence permit directly (faster in practice).
Step 2
Prepare evidence package
Employer letter, contract, qualifications, income, insurance, clean criminal record.
Step 3
Submit application
To Spanish consulate or, in-country, to UGE-CE via the online Mercurio system.
Step 4
Receive approval and obtain TIE
Book TIE appointment (fingerprints) at a Spanish police station.
Step 5
Renew and progress to long-term residence
After 5 years of lawful residence, apply for permanent residence.
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Frequently asked questions
How much income do I need for the Spanish Digital Nomad Visa?
Roughly 200% of the Spanish minimum wage (SMI) for the principal applicant, with uplifts of approximately 75% for a spouse/first dependant and smaller uplifts for further dependants. Exact figures update annually with the SMI.
Is the Spain DNV tax-favourable?
Qualifying applicants can apply for the Beckham-style special expats regime (Régimen especial aplicable a trabajadores desplazados a territorio español under Article 93 LIRPF), which flat-taxes non-Spanish-source income at 24% for the first €600k and exempts most overseas income for 6 years. Tax advice from a Spanish asesor fiscal is essential.
Need tailored advice?
We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.
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