Spain Digital Nomad Visa: A Guide for Remote Workers and Freelancers (2026)

Spain has become an increasingly attractive destination for people who can work remotely. Alongside its climate and lifestyle, Spain now offers a specific immigration route for non-EU nationals who want to live in the country while continuing to work remotely for businesses based predominantly outside Spain.

The Digital Nomad Visa, formally known as the visa or residence authorisation for an International Teleworker (Teletrabajador de Carácter Internacional), was introduced under Spain’s Start-up Law and is governed by Law 14/2013. It provides a route for eligible employees, freelancers and other remote professionals to live and work legally in Spain.

Who can apply for Spain's Digital Nomad Visa?

The route is aimed principally at non-EU, non-EEA and non-Swiss nationals who work remotely using computer, telecommunications or similar technology for a business or businesses located outside Spain. EU citizens and those who benefit from equivalent free movement rights do not need to rely on this route.

There are two main categories of applicants:

Employees

An employee may work remotely from Spain for a company located outside Spain. Under the rules governing this route, an employee cannot use the Digital Nomad Visa to take ordinary employment with a Spanish company.

Self-employed professionals and freelancers

A self-employed applicant may provide professional services to businesses outside Spain. Unlike employees, they may also undertake some work for Spanish businesses, provided that this does not exceed 20% of their total professional activity.

This distinction is important because the supporting documentation and Social Security arrangements may differ depending on whether the applicant is employed or self-employed.

What are the main eligibility requirements?

Applicants must satisfy both the general immigration requirements and the specific requirements applying to international remote workers.

1. Qualifications or professional experience

The applicant must normally demonstrate that they are a qualified professional. This can be established through an undergraduate or postgraduate qualification from a recognised university, relevant professional or vocational training, or qualifications from a recognised business school.

Alternatively, the applicant can normally qualify by demonstrating at least three years of relevant professional experience.

2. The overseas business must be established

The foreign company or group of companies for which the applicant works must have been carrying on a real and continuous business activity for at least one year.

Evidence may include an official company registration certificate or equivalent evidence from the country where the business is established.

3. The applicant must already have an established working relationship

The relationship cannot ordinarily be created immediately before the visa application.

An employee must demonstrate an employment relationship with the overseas company for at least the three months immediately preceding the application.

A self-employed professional must similarly demonstrate a commercial or professional relationship with one or more overseas businesses for at least the previous three months.

4. The work must genuinely be capable of being performed remotely

The applicant must demonstrate that their employment or professional activity can be performed remotely from Spain.

For employees, the overseas employer will normally need to provide a letter expressly confirming that the employee is authorised to work from Spain. The Spanish authorities’ current guidance states that this letter should address matters including the applicant's position, duties, salary and confirmation that the role can be carried out through remote means.

How much do you need to earn?

Applicants must demonstrate sufficient financial resources to support themselves and any accompanying family members.

The principal applicant must demonstrate income or financial resources equivalent to at least 200% of Spain's monthly Minimum Interprofessional Wage (SMI).

Spain's SMI for 2026 is €1,221 per month, meaning that the principal applicant should currently be able to demonstrate at least:

€2,442 per month

For accompanying family members, the additional requirements are:

• First family member: an additional 75% of the SMI – approximately €915.75 per month

• Each further family member: an additional 25% of the SMI – approximately €305.25 per month

  
  

The relevant figures are gross amounts before deductions such as tax and Social Security contributions.

For example, an applicant relocating with their spouse would therefore normally need to demonstrate approximately €3,357.75 per month.

The authorities may consider salary or professional income as well as qualifying savings or other liquid resources where the applicant’s regular income does not by itself meet the required threshold. Current guidance refers, amongst other evidence, to recent payslips or invoices and bank evidence demonstrating receipt of the relevant income.

What documents are required?

The precise document list will depend on the applicant’s circumstances and whether the application is made through a Spanish Consulate or from within Spain. However, an application will commonly involve documents such as:

• a valid passport;

• the relevant application forms;

• an employment contract or evidence of a professional relationship;

• confirmation from the overseas employer or client permitting remote work from Spain;

• evidence that the overseas business has operated for at least one year;

• evidence of the applicant’s three-month employment or professional relationship;

• recent payslips or invoices;

• bank evidence showing receipt of income;

• CV and evidence of qualifications or professional experience;

• criminal record documentation;

• evidence of appropriate health insurance or healthcare entitlement;

• evidence addressing the applicable Social Security arrangements; and

• where family members are applying, appropriate marriage, partnership, birth or dependency evidence.

  
  

Applicants are generally required to provide a criminal record certificate covering the countries in which they have resided during the previous two years, together with a declaration concerning the absence of criminal convictions during the previous five years.

Documents not in Spanish may require an appropriate certified Spanish translation. It is therefore important to check the formal requirements before obtaining and submitting the documents.

Can you apply from the UK or from within Spain?

Potentially, either option may be available.

Applying from outside Spain

Someone living in the UK can apply for the Digital Nomad Visa through the Spanish Consular authorities.

The visa can be granted for a maximum period of one year, unless the intended period of remote work is shorter. The visa itself authorises the holder to live and work remotely from Spain during its validity.

Applying from within Spain

A person who is legally present in Spain can instead apply directly for an international teleworker residence authorisation.

This is particularly significant because the initial residence authorisation can be granted for up to three years, unless the period of the applicant’s work or professional activity is shorter.

UK government guidance also confirms that British nationals who are legally in Spain may apply for the remote worker residence route from within Spain, subject to meeting the Spanish requirements and applying while they remain lawfully present.

The best application route should therefore be considered before travelling, particularly where an applicant intends to enter Spain as a visitor and subsequently make an in-country application.

How long does a Digital Nomad application take?

Law 14/2013 provides comparatively short decision-making periods for these applications.

Applications for residence authorisation submitted electronically to Spain’s Large Companies and Strategic Groups Unit (UGE) have a statutory decision period of 20 days from submission.

Where a residence authorisation is granted for more than six months, the applicant must also arrange their Foreigner Identity Card (TIE) in Spain.

Can you bring your family?

Yes.

The Digital Nomad route allows qualifying family members to accompany or join the principal applicant. This can include:

• a spouse;

• an unmarried partner or person in an equivalent relationship;

• children under 18;

• adult children who remain financially dependent on the applicant and have not formed their own family unit; and

• dependent parents or other qualifying ascendants.

  
  

Family applications may be submitted at the same time as the principal applicant's application or subsequently.

Additional financial requirements apply where family members are included.

Can the Spanish Digital Nomad Visa lead to permanent residence?

Potentially, yes.

The Digital Nomad route grants residence, rather than simply permission to visit Spain. A person who has lived legally and continuously in Spain for five years may potentially qualify for Spanish long-term residence, subject to meeting the requirements in force at the time of application. Long-term residence allows a person to live and work in Spain indefinitely.

Applicants intending to use the Digital Nomad route as a pathway towards long-term residence should pay particular attention to time spent outside Spain. Under the current long-term residence rules, continuity can generally be maintained despite absences of up to six consecutive months, provided total absences do not exceed ten months during the relevant five-year period. Different allowances can apply where absences are connected with employment.

For someone considering Spain as a permanent rather than temporary move, maintaining accurate travel records from the beginning can therefore be important.

What about tax in Spain?

Immigration permission and tax residence are separate issues.

Moving to Spain can have significant implications for income tax, Social Security and the taxation of overseas income or assets. Spain also operates a special tax regime for certain workers, professionals, entrepreneurs and others who relocate to Spain, sometimes referred to as the impatriate or ‘Beckham Law’ regime.

Following reforms introduced by the Start-up Law, the regime can potentially apply to certain teleworkers, although eligibility depends on the applicant’s individual circumstances.

Anyone planning to spend a substantial part of the year in Spain should therefore obtain appropriate tax advice alongside their immigration advice rather than assuming that holding a Digital Nomad Visa determines their tax position.

Is the Spanish Digital Nomad Visa right for you?

The route can be particularly attractive to:

• UK-based employees whose employer permits them to work permanently or temporarily from Spain;

• freelancers with established overseas clients;

• consultants and other professionals whose work is performed predominantly online;

• directors or owners of overseas businesses who can demonstrate an appropriate professional relationship and genuine business activity; and

• families looking to relocate to Spain while maintaining income generated abroad.

  
  

However, what can initially appear to be a straightforward remote working visa can become more complicated when issues such as company structure, Social Security, professional status, income evidence, translations and family applications are considered.

Careful preparation before the application is submitted can therefore be particularly important.

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How Lace Law can help

If you are considering relocating from the United Kingdom or any other country to Spain under the Digital Nomad route, Lace Law can assist you in assessing your circumstances, identifying the documents required and preparing for the application process.

Every case is different. In particular, employees, company directors, shareholders and self-employed professionals may need to provide different evidence to establish their eligibility.

If you would like to discuss your circumstances and the options available to you, contact Lace Law today.