Spain Digital Nomad Visa 2026: Complete Guide

What Is Spain's Digital Nomad Visa?

Spain's Digital Nomad Visa — officially called the Visado para Teletrabajo (Telework Visa) — is a residence permit that allows non-EU remote workers to live and work legally in Spain while employed by companies outside the country.

Introduced under Ley 28/2022 (Spain's Start-Up Act), this visa launched in January 2023 and has since become one of Europe's most popular options for location-independent professionals.

The visa is designed for:

• Remote employees working for companies based outside Spain
• Freelancers and self-employed professionals with international clients
• Entrepreneurs running businesses registered outside Spain
• Digital nomads who want a legal base in Europe

Key Benefits

The Spain Digital Nomad Visa offers several advantages over tourist stays or other visa types:

• Legal residence — Work legally without the 90-day Schengen limit
• 24% flat tax rate — Through Spain's Beckham Law
• Schengen access — Travel freely across 27 European countries
• Family inclusion — Bring your spouse, children, and dependents
• Path to permanent residency — After 5 years of continuous residence
• Path to citizenship — After 10 years (or 2 years for Latin Americans, Filipinos, and Portuguese nationals)
• Healthcare access — Enroll in Spain's public healthcare system after 1 year
• No Spanish employer required — Work for any company outside Spain

Spain Digital Nomad Visa Requirements 2026

To qualify for Spain's digital nomad visa, you must meet several requirements related to income, employment, education, and personal circumstances.

Income Requirements

You must prove sufficient financial means to support yourself (and any dependents) during your stay in Spain.

You can prove your income through:

• Employment contracts showing salary
• Bank statements (last 3-6 months)
• Tax returns from your home country
• Client contracts and invoices (for freelancers)
• Accountant letter confirming annual earnings

Education and Experience Requirements

You must demonstrate professional qualifications through one of these paths:

• Bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited university, OR
• Minimum 3 years of professional experience in your field

For the experience route, you'll need documentation such as:

• Reference letters from previous employers
• LinkedIn profile showing work history
• Portfolio of professional work
• Professional certifications

Employment Requirements

Your work situation must meet these criteria:

• 3+ months with your current employer or clients before applying
• Company must be operating for 1+ year (for employees)
• Maximum 20% of income can come from Spanish companies or clients
• Work must be performed remotely — you cannot have a physical office in Spain that you're required to attend

Other Requirements

Beyond income and employment, you must also meet these criteria:

• Clean criminal record — No serious criminal convictions in the past 5 years in any country where you've resided
• No previous Spanish residency — You cannot have been a tax resident of Spain in the 5 years before applying
• Health insurance — Coverage with a Spanish-authorized insurer, minimum €30,000 coverage, valid for the full visa period
• No Schengen overstay — If applying from within Spain, you must be within your legal 90-day tourist stay

How to Apply: Step-by-Step Process

You can apply for Spain's digital nomad visa through two routes: from your home country via a Spanish consulate, or from within Spain if you're already there on a tourist visa.

Route 1: Applying from Your Home Country (Consulate Route)

This is the standard route for most applicants. Total timeline: 3-7 months.

1. Gather your documents (4-8 weeks) — Collect and prepare all required documents, including translations and apostilles where required.
2. Book a consulate appointment (1-8 weeks) — Wait times vary significantly by consulate. Some have appointments within days; others may have 6-8 week waits.
3. Attend your visa appointment (1 day) — Submit your application in person. You'll hand over your passport and documents, pay the fee, and have your photo and fingerprints taken.
4. Wait for processing (15-45 days) — The legal maximum is 10 working days, but actual processing typically takes 3-6 weeks.
5. Collect your visa (1 day) — Once approved, return to the consulate to collect your passport with the visa stamp. You have 30 days to enter Spain.
6. Enter Spain and apply for your TIE card (within 30 days) — After arriving, you must apply for your Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero (TIE) — your physical residence card.

Route 2: Applying from Within Spain (UGE Route)

If you're already in Spain on a tourist visa, you can apply directly through the Unidad de Grandes Empresas (UGE) without leaving the country. Total timeline: 2-3 months.

1. Enter Spain on a tourist visa — Non-EU citizens from many countries (including the US, UK, Canada, and Australia) can enter Spain for up to 90 days without a visa.
2. Gather your documents while in Spain — Same documents as the consulate route, but you can obtain some locally.
3. Submit your application to UGE online — Applications are submitted through Spain's digital immigration portal. No in-person appointment required for submission.
4. Wait for processing (20 business days) — The UGE typically processes applications within their stated timeframe.
5. Receive your 3-year residence permit — Unlike the consulate route (which gives you a 1-year visa), applying from within Spain grants you a 3-year residence permit directly.
6. Apply for your TIE card — Book an appointment, provide documents, wait for your card.

Required Documents Checklist

Prepare these documents for your application:

Identity and status:

• Valid passport (minimum 1 year validity)
• Passport-sized photos (recent, white background)
• Completed visa application form (EX-01 for in-Spain, national form for consulates)
• Criminal record certificate (apostilled and translated)

Employment and income:

• Employment contract OR client contracts (for freelancers)
• Bank statements (last 3-6 months)
• Tax returns from your home country
• Letter from employer confirming remote work arrangement
• Company registration documents (proving 1+ year operation)

Qualifications:

• University degree (apostilled and translated) OR
• Reference letters proving 3+ years professional experience

Insurance and healthcare:

• Health insurance policy with Spanish-authorized insurer
• Coverage must include medical care and repatriation
• Minimum €30,000 coverage

Processing Time: What to Expect

Official processing times are often optimistic. Here's what actually happens:

Costs and Fees Breakdown

Here's what you'll pay for Spain's digital nomad visa:

Government Fees

Additional Costs

Total Cost Estimate by Country

These estimates include visa fees, document preparation, and 3 months of health insurance. They don't include travel to Spain or living expenses.

Tax Benefits: The 24% Beckham Law Advantage

One of the most attractive features of Spain's digital nomad visa is access to the Beckham Law — a special tax regime that dramatically reduces your tax burden.

How the Beckham Law Works

The Beckham Law (officially Régimen Especial de Trabajadores Desplazados) was originally created to attract high-earning professionals like footballers to Spain. Since 2023, digital nomad visa holders are explicitly eligible.

Under the Beckham Law:

• 24% flat tax on income up to €600,000/year (vs. Spain's progressive rates of up to 47%)
• 45% tax on income above €600,000/year
• 6 years of benefits — the year you become tax resident plus the following 5 years
• Only Spanish-source income taxed — foreign assets and income outside Spain are generally not taxed

Tax Savings Comparison

Here's how much you could save under the Beckham Law vs. standard Spanish tax rates:

The higher your income, the greater your savings. At €200,000/year, you could save €22,000-37,000 annually compared to standard rates.

Who Qualifies for the Beckham Law

To claim the Beckham Law benefits, you must:

• Not have been a Spanish tax resident in the previous 5 years
• Move to Spain due to an employment contract or as a company director
• Apply within 6 months of registering with Spanish Social Security
• Perform work that generates taxable income in Spain

How to Apply for the Beckham Law

1. Obtain your NIE (foreigner identification number)
2. Register with Spanish Social Security as an employed or self-employed worker
3. Submit Form 149 to the Spanish Tax Agency (AEAT) within 6 months
4. Receive confirmation of your special tax status

Consider hiring a Spanish tax advisor (gestor fiscal) to handle this process. Fees typically range from €200-500 for the Beckham Law application.

Spain vs Portugal vs Italy: Digital Nomad Visa Comparison

Considering other European options? Here's how Spain compares:

Which Should You Choose?

Choose Spain if:

• You want the largest expat community and best infrastructure
• You prefer a straightforward tax system (24% flat)
• You value faster processing times
• You want the option to work with some Spanish clients (up to 20%)

Choose Portugal if:

• You want the fastest path to EU citizenship (5 years)
• You prefer a lower cost of living
• You prioritize lifestyle over tax benefits (NHR ended in 2023)

Choose Italy if:

• You want a low flat tax rate (5-15% under regime forfettario)
• You're drawn to Italian culture and lifestyle
• You don't need long-term residency (max 2 years initially)

Visa Validity and Renewal Pathway

Understanding the timeline from initial visa to permanent residency:

Initial Visa: Year 1 (or Years 1-3)

From consulate: Your first visa is valid for 12 months. You must enter Spain before it expires and apply for your TIE card within 30 days of arrival.

From within Spain: If you apply through the UGE while in Spain, you receive a 3-year residence permit directly, skipping the 1-year visa stage.

First Renewal: Years 2-4 (or Years 4-5)

Before your initial permit expires, apply for renewal:

• Duration: 3 years (if you had a 1-year visa) or 2 years (if you had a 3-year permit)
• Timeline: Apply 60 days before expiry
• Requirements: Continued employment, income, and 183+ days/year in Spain
• Fee: €78.67

Path to Permanent Residency: After 5 Years

After 5 years of continuous legal residence, you can apply for permanent residency (residencia de larga duración):

• Requirement: Spent at least 183 days/year in Spain
• Benefits: No renewal required, can work for Spanish companies, can't be revoked due to unemployment
• Duration: Permanent (must renew card every 5 years, but status is permanent)

Path to Spanish Citizenship: After 10 Years

After 10 years of legal residence (including permanent residency), you can apply for Spanish citizenship:

• Standard timeline: 10 years of residence
• Accelerated timeline: 2 years for nationals of Latin American countries, Portugal, Philippines, Andorra, Equatorial Guinea, or those married to a Spanish citizen
• Requirements: Basic Spanish language test, civic knowledge test, renounce previous citizenship (with some exceptions)

Bringing Your Family

Spain's digital nomad visa allows you to include family members in your application or bring them later.

Eligible Family Members

• Spouse or registered partner (including same-sex partners)
• Children under 18
• Adult children who are financially dependent on you
• Dependent parents (in some cases)

Additional Income Requirements

Example: A family of four (2 adults, 2 children) needs €4,629/month total.

Family Members' Rights

Once in Spain on dependent visas, family members can:

• Live and travel freely in the Schengen Area
• Enroll in Spanish schools (children)
• Access healthcare through your insurance
• Apply for their own work permit after 1 year (if they wish to work locally)

Best Cities for Digital Nomads in Spain

Spain offers diverse options for digital nomads, from cosmopolitan cities to beach towns. Here are the top choices:

Barcelona

Best for: Creative professionals, tech workers, beach lovers

Cost of Living: €2,000-3,000/month

Pros: World-class food scene, beach access, strong tech community, excellent public transport, vibrant nightlife.

Cons: Higher cost than other Spanish cities, tourist crowds, Catalan bureaucracy.

Madrid

Best for: Business professionals, culture lovers, those wanting a "real Spanish" experience

Cost of Living: €1,800-2,800/month

Pros: Central location, excellent connections to rest of Spain/Europe, world-class museums, vibrant nightlife, more affordable than Barcelona.

Cons: No beach, extreme summer heat, less English spoken than Barcelona.

Valencia

Best for: Families, those seeking work-life balance, beach lovers on a budget

Cost of Living: €1,500-2,300/month

Pros: Best value major city, excellent beach, amazing weather, growing digital nomad community, City of Arts and Sciences.

Cons: Smaller job market if you need local work later, less international than Barcelona/Madrid.

Malaga

Best for: Beach-focused nomads, those who prefer smaller cities, year-round sun seekers

Cost of Living: €1,400-2,200/month

Pros: Best weather in mainland Spain, affordable, growing tech scene, easy access to rest of Andalusia.

Cons: Smaller city amenities, tourist-heavy in summer, fewer international flights than Barcelona/Madrid.

Seville

Best for: Culture enthusiasts, flamenco lovers, those seeking authentic Andalusian life

Cost of Living: €1,300-2,000/month

Pros: Most affordable major city, stunning architecture, authentic Spanish culture, excellent food, friendly locals.

Cons: Very hot summers (40 degrees Celsius or higher), smaller expat community, fewer coworking options.

Cost of Living Comparison

What If Your Visa Is Denied?

Visa denials happen, but they're not the end of the road. Here's what to do:

Common Rejection Reasons

• Insufficient income documentation — Bank statements don't clearly show €2,849+/month
• Employment doesn't qualify — Company less than 1 year old, or more than 20% Spanish income
• Missing documents — Incomplete application, missing translations or apostilles
• Criminal record issues — Undisclosed or serious convictions
• Previous immigration violations — Overstays or working illegally in Schengen area
• Health insurance doesn't meet requirements — Wrong provider or insufficient coverage

Appeal Process

If your application is denied, you have options:

Administrative appeal (recurso de alzada):

• File within 30 days of denial
• Submit to the Spanish Visa Department
• Include additional documentation addressing the reasons for denial
• Free to file

Judicial appeal (recurso contencioso-administrativo):

• File within 2 months of denial
• Submit to the High Court of Madrid
• Requires a lawyer
• Costs €500-2,000+

Reapplying

In most cases, it's faster to fix the issues and reapply rather than appeal:

• Address the specific reasons cited in your denial
• Gather stronger documentation
• Consider hiring an immigration lawyer for the second attempt
• Wait time before reapplying: none (you can reapply immediately)

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources: Ley 28/2022 (BOE-A-2022-21739), Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Spanish Tax Agency (AEAT), Spanish Social Security.