Spain digital nomad visa 2026: requirements and how to apply

The Spain digital nomad visa is called, in the law, the international teleworking visa. It is for non-EU nationals who work remotely for companies based outside Spain. The visa lasts up to one year; after that you can move to a residence authorisation of up to three years. This guide covers what the law requires, what consulates add in practice, and the mistakes that sink applications. It is written mainly for US citizens, UK citizens who are not covered by the Withdrawal Agreement, and other non-EU remote workers.

Two quick notes on who this is for:

• EU, EEA and Swiss citizens do not need it. If that is you, see our guide to the green NIE (CUE).
• British citizens who already lived in Spain before 31 December 2020 hold a TIE under the Withdrawal Agreement. This visa is for people moving now.

Where it comes from

The visa was created by Law 28/2022 of 21 December (the “Startups Law”), which added a chapter to Law 14/2013 (articles 74 bis to 74 quinquies). The general immigration procedures sit in the Regulation (Royal Decree 1155/2024), but the specific teleworking conditions stay in Law 14/2013. A joint instruction of 30 March 2023 from the Foreign Ministry and the Migration authorities develops the details; most applicants meet it through consulate information sheets.

Who qualifies

Article 74 bis sets the basics:

• You are a national of a country outside the EU/EEA/Switzerland.
• You work remotely, using only IT and telecommunication systems, for companies located outside Spain.
• You are a qualified professional: a graduate or postgraduate of a recognised university, vocational school or business school, or you have three years of professional experience.

Employees and freelancers are treated differently:

Situation	What the law allows
Employee of a foreign company	Work only for companies located outside Spain
Freelancer / self-employed	May also work for a Spanish company, as long as that work is no more than 20 % of your total professional activity

A freelancer whose main client is Spanish does not fit this visa.

Specific requirements (article 74 ter)

On top of the general requirements you must show:

1. The company or group has had real, continuous activity for at least one year.
2. The job can be done remotely.
3. If you are an employee: an employment relationship of at least the last three months, plus proof that the employer allows remote work.
4. If you are a freelancer: a commercial relationship with one or more non-Spanish companies for at least the last three months, plus documents on the terms of your remote work.

You cannot build a file on a contract signed last week. The authorities want to see remote work that already exists.

How much money

The law gives no figure: it says income thresholds are tied to Spain’s minimum wage (SMI). Consulate information (2023) gives these monthly thresholds:

Who	Monthly threshold
Applicant	200 % of the SMI
First family member	75 % of the SMI (consulate says “family unit of two”; confirm whether it adds to the 200 %)
Each additional member	25 % of the SMI

These percentages come from consulate pages, not from the text of the instruction, which we could not read in full. Ask your consulate for the current figure before you gather documents.

Two routes

Route 1 · Visa at a consulate

If you live abroad, you apply at the Spanish consulate for your place of residence. The visa lasts up to one year (or the work period, if shorter) and is enough to live and work remotely in Spain during that time.

Typical documents (they vary by consulate):

• Passport valid for at least one year.
• Employer certificate showing your length of service and permission to work remotely from Spain; or contracts if you are self-employed.
• Commercial-registry certificate proving the company has operated for a year.
• Proof of income.
• Degree, or proof of three years of experience.
• Criminal record certificate, apostilled or legalised and, if not in Spanish, with a sworn translation. See our criminal record and apostille guide and the guide to sworn translation.
• Health insurance from an insurer authorised in Spain.
• A declaration on Social Security obligations.

Route 2 · Residence authorisation if you are already in Spain

If you are in Spain legally (for example as a student) you can apply directly for the teleworking residence authorisation, without a visa. According to consulate information, the application goes to the UGECE unit of the Ministry of Inclusion, which aims to decide in about twenty days. That is the Administration’s target, not a guarantee.

“Legally” is the key word. Overstaying a tourist stay is not the same thing.

Duration and extensions

Title	Maximum validity	Extension
Teleworking visa	1 year	You can apply for the residence authorisation within the 60 calendar days before it expires
Teleworking residence authorisation	3 years	Renewable for 2-year periods while the conditions remain

Family

The visa allows joint applications with family members, and the income thresholds rise per person. The law does not list which relatives qualify here; consulate information mentions spouse or partner and children. Civil documents (birth and marriage certificates) usually need an apostille and sworn translation, which lengthens the file.

Common mistakes

• A Spanish client who weighs too much. Over 20 % for a company in Spain takes a freelancer out.
• A contract that is too recent. Three months of prior relationship are required.
• An employer letter that says nothing about working from Spain.
• Mixing it up with the non-lucrative visa. That one forbids working. We compare them here.
• Foreign documents with no apostille or translation.
• Planning around a timeline. Consulate times vary; do not book your move on a date.

What this guide does not cover

Tax. Working from Spain can make you tax resident (the general rule is more than 183 days in a calendar year), with consequences that depend on your home country and income. That is a question for a tax adviser. We only cover the immigration side.

FAQ

Can an EU citizen apply?

No. The visa is for non-EU nationals only.

Can I work for Spanish clients?

Employees, no: only for companies outside Spain. Freelancers may do up to 20 % of their professional work for a company located in Spain.

Do I need a degree?

Not necessarily. The law accepts either a qualifying degree or three years of professional experience.

How long does it last?

The visa up to one year; the residence authorisation up to three years, renewable for two.

Can I apply from inside Spain?

Yes, if you are in Spain legally. No prior visa is needed.

What is the fee?

We could not verify the current amount from an official source, so we do not quote one. Check with your consulate or with us.

Official sources

• Law 28/2022 (BOE)
• Royal Decree 1155/2024, Immigration Regulation (BOE)
• Spanish Consulate in Moscow: teleworking visa information
• Spanish Consulate in Sydney: teleworking visas and authorisations

Does your case fit?

It depends on your contract, your country and your consulate. At Extranjería Palma we review your documents before you file anything. See our visa services or tell us about your case.