Quick Facts
- Processing: 20 business days
- Duration: 3 years
- Apply From: Spain or consulate
- Family: Included
- Tax Benefits: Beckham Law eligible
Overview
Working remotely for a company abroad? Spain now has a visa made exactly for that. It came out of the Startup Law and lets remote workers stay legally while keeping their foreign jobs or international clients.
Here’s the deal: apply from within Spain as a tourist and walk away with a 3-year residence card. Or go through your local Spanish consulate and get a 1-year visa that converts later. Most people prefer applying from Spain—faster, longer permit.
Requirements
- Your company needs at least one year of operations
- You need three months of work history with them
- At least 80% of income must come from outside Spain
- Minimum income of 200% of SMI (approximately €2,763/month or €33,156/year for 2025)
- A degree helps, or three years of solid experience in your field
- Health insurance must be private, Spanish company, full coverage, zero copays
Application Process
Option 1: Apply from Spain — Enter as a tourist, submit your application, and receive a 3-year residence card. This is the preferred route for most applicants.
Option 2: Apply from consulate — Go through your local Spanish consulate and get a 1-year visa that converts to residence later.
Fast-track processing means 20 days to resolution. Don’t hear back? That’s actually good news—silence means approval.
Tax Benefits
Tax benefits here are significant. The Beckham Law kicks in:
- Flat 24% tax rate instead of the progressive scale that tops out near 47%
- Applies to Spanish income up to €600,000
- Lasts six years
- Wealth tax only on Spanish assets
- No Model 720 foreign asset reporting required
Family & Long-Term Benefits
Bring your family along on the same application. Spouse and children get residence and can work in Spain. Time on this visa counts toward permanent residency and citizenship down the road.
Our Services
Our lawyers handle the full process—document preparation, submission to the UGE (Large Companies and Strategic Sectors Unit), and follow-up until you have your TIE card in hand.
Ready to Apply?
Book a consultation with our immigration team.
Or Send Us a Message
Income Requirements 2026
The Digital Nomad Visa income threshold is tied to the SMI (Salario Mínimo Interprofesional), not IPREM. For 2026:
| Who | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Main applicant | €2,763 | €33,156 |
| + Spouse | +€1,036 | +€12,432 |
| + Each child | +€345 | +€4,140 |
A family of three (you, spouse, one child) needs around €4,144/month or €49,728/year. These figures update when the government adjusts the SMI, usually in January.
Cost Breakdown
What you’ll actually pay for the Digital Nomad Visa (fees as of 2026):
| Item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Government fee (visa) | €80 | Paid at consulate if applying abroad |
| Government fee (TIE card) | €16-20 | Modelo 790 code 012 |
| Health insurance | €50-150/month | Must be Spanish provider, zero copays |
| Criminal record apostille | €30-100 | Varies by country |
| Translations | €30-50/document | Sworn translation required |
Total out-of-pocket for a single applicant runs €300-500 in fees and documents. Add family members and costs scale up, though government fees stay reasonable.
Timeline: Application to TIE Card
Two paths, different timelines:
Applying from Spain (recommended)
- Document prep: 2-4 weeks (getting apostilles, translations, insurance)
- UGE processing: 20 business days (often faster)
- TIE appointment: 2-6 weeks wait for appointment
- TIE card production: 30-45 days after fingerprints
Total: 2-4 months from start to card in hand. You can stay and work legally while waiting.
Applying from consulate
- Document prep: 2-4 weeks
- Consulate appointment: Varies wildly (some cities: 2 weeks, others: 2 months)
- Visa processing: 10-30 days
- Travel to Spain + TIE: Same as above
Total: 3-5 months. The consulate appointment is usually the bottleneck.
Document Checklist
Gather these before you start:
- ☐ Passport (valid 1+ year, 2 blank pages)
- ☐ Employment contract or client contracts (showing remote work)
- ☐ Proof of 3+ months working for current employer/clients
- ☐ Company registration (showing 1+ year in business)
- ☐ Bank statements (3-6 months, showing income)
- ☐ Criminal record certificate (apostilled, translated)
- ☐ Degree OR proof of 3+ years professional experience
- ☐ Spanish health insurance policy
- ☐ Passport photos (white background)
- ☐ Proof of address in Spain (if applying from Spain)
Documents from abroad need apostille (Hague countries) or legalization (non-Hague). Everything not in Spanish needs sworn translation.
Renewal
Your first permit lasts 3 years. Renewal gives you another 2 years. After 5 years total, you can apply for permanent residency.
Renewal requirements are lighter: prove you’re still working remotely, still have income, still have insurance. The 80% foreign income rule still applies.
Start renewal 60 days before expiry. Don’t let it lapse or you’ll need to start over.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work for Spanish clients with the Digital Nomad Visa?
Up to 20% of your income can come from Spanish sources. Go above that and you’ll need a different permit. We see freelancers run into this when they pick up local clients after arriving.
What counts as proof of remote work?
Employment contract stating remote work is allowed, or client contracts for freelancers. The contract should show you can work from anywhere. Some applicants also include a letter from their employer confirming the remote arrangement.
Do I need to register as autonomo?
Not for foreign-source income. You’re taxed under the Beckham Law regime if you apply for it. Autonomo registration is for people billing Spanish clients or companies.
Can I enter Spain as a tourist and then apply?
Yes, this is the main advantage of the Spanish system. Enter on your tourist allowance (90 days for most nationalities), apply while here, and stay legally while it processes. Your tourist status converts to legal residence once approved.
What if my application is denied?
You can appeal within one month. Common denial reasons: insufficient income proof, company too new, or missing the 80% foreign income threshold. We review applications before submission to catch these issues early.