Spain Digital Nomad Visa: Requirements, Income, and How to Apply

Spain has become one of Europe’s most popular destinations for remote workers, thanks to its Digital Nomad Visa, officially known as the International Teleworking Visa. Unlike a short-stay tourist or business trip, this is a long-stay national visa (Type D), allowing non-EU remote employees and freelancers to legally live in Spain while continuing to work for companies based outside the country.

This guide explains who qualifies, what the current income requirements are, what documents you’ll need, how much it costs, and how the application process works.

What Is the Spain Digital Nomad Visa?

The Spain Digital Nomad Visa was introduced under Spain’s Start-ups Law (Ley 28/2022), which came into effect in December 2022 to attract international remote talent, entrepreneurs, and skilled professionals. It falls under the category of national long-stay visas, distinct from the short-stay Schengen Type C visas used for tourism or business trips.

The visa is designed for two main groups:

• Remote employees working for a company based outside Spain
• Self-employed freelancers or contractors whose clients are primarily located outside Spain

Applicants who are self-employed are permitted to work with Spanish clients as well, but this Spanish-sourced work cannot exceed 20% of their total professional activity. Employees, on the other hand, must work exclusively for a company or companies located outside Spain.

Applications are processed by the Unidad de Grandes Empresas y Colectivos Estratégicos (UGE), a specialized unit under Spain’s Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration.

Key Benefits of the Digital Nomad Visa

• Live and work remotely in Spain while maintaining employment or client relationships abroad
• Initial visa validity of up to one year when applied for from outside Spain, or up to three years if the residence authorization is requested from within Spain
• Renewable for additional periods, allowing a total stay of up to five years, after which holders may become eligible for long-term residency
• Access to the Schengen Area for travel during the visa’s validity
• Eligible applicants may apply for Spain’s special non-resident tax regime (commonly known as the “Beckham Law”), which can offer a reduced flat tax rate on qualifying income for a limited number of years
• Family members – spouse or common-law partner, dependent children, and dependent parents — can apply for accompanying visas

Who Is Eligible?

To qualify for Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa, applicants generally need to meet the following conditions:

• Be a non-EU/EEA national (EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens don’t need this visa, as they already have the right to live and work in Spain)
• Work remotely using computer, telematic, or telecommunications equipment
• Be employed by a company located outside Spain, or be self-employed with clients primarily outside Spain
• Have worked for the employer or maintained the professional relationship for a minimum period before applying, in most cases at least three months
• Hold a university or postgraduate degree from a recognized institution, or demonstrate at least three years of relevant professional experience
• Meet the minimum income requirement (detailed below)
• Have a clean criminal record for the past five years in any country of previous residence
• Hold valid health insurance covering Spain, unless covered by Spain’s public healthcare system through a bilateral agreement

Income Requirements

Spain sets its Digital Nomad Visa income threshold as a percentage of the Spanish Minimum Interprofessional Salary (SMI). As of 2026, the requirement is:

• €2,849 per month (approximately €34,188 per year) for the main applicant, equal to 200% of the SMI
• An additional €1,068 per month for the first accompanying family member (75% of the SMI)
• An additional €356 per month for each further dependent family member (25% of the SMI)

For example, a family of three (main applicant plus two dependents) would need to demonstrate a combined income of roughly €4,273 per month before taxes. These figures are tied to Spain’s minimum wage and are typically adjusted each year, so it’s worth confirming the current threshold on the UGE’s official website before applying.

Income can be shown through payslips, employment contracts, bank statements, tax returns, or invoices, depending on whether you’re applying as an employee or a self-employed professional.

Required Documents

While specific requirements can vary slightly by consulate, a Digital Nomad Visa application generally includes:

• A completed and signed national visa application form
• A valid passport, with at least one year of remaining validity and at least two blank pages; passports issued more than 10 years ago are not accepted
• A recent passport-style photograph
• Proof of remote employment or self-employment, such as an employment contract, company registration documents, or client agreements showing work is performed for entities outside Spain
• Documentation proving the company has operated for at least one year, in many cases
• Proof of relevant qualifications, either a university/postgraduate degree or evidence of at least three years of professional experience
• Proof of income meeting the current threshold
• Health insurance valid in Spain
• A criminal background check from countries of residence over the past five years, apostilled or legalized as required
• Proof of accommodation in Spain
• For family members, documents proving the relationship, such as marriage or birth certificates, along with proof of financial dependency where applicable

Documents issued outside Spain generally need to be legalized or apostilled and accompanied by an official Spanish translation.

Cost of the Digital Nomad Visa

As of 2026, the official visa fee is €73.26 per applicant, paid under tasa 790-038. This fee applies to the main applicant and each accompanying family member included in the application. Some consulates accept payment by card or cash, so it’s worth confirming accepted payment methods with the consulate handling your application.

Keep in mind this is separate from any costs associated with document legalization, translation, health insurance, or professional advice you may choose to use during the process.

How to Apply for the Spain Digital Nomad Visa

Step 1: Confirm Your Eligibility

Review the eligibility criteria carefully, including your employment or freelance status, qualifications, and whether you meet the current income threshold for your family size.

Step 2: Decide Where to Apply

You can apply at the Spanish consulate in your country of residence before traveling, or, if you’re already legally in Spain on another visa (such as a tourist visa), you may apply directly for a residence authorization through the UGE without needing a prior visa. Applying from within Spain typically grants an initial permit valid for up to three years, while applying from abroad grants an initial visa valid for up to one year.

Step 3: Gather Your Documents

Collect all required paperwork, including proof of remote work, income documentation, qualifications, health insurance, and background checks. Have foreign documents apostilled and translated into Spanish where required.

Step 4: Submit Your Application

If applying from abroad, book an appointment at the relevant Spanish consulate and submit your documents in person. If applying from within Spain, submissions are generally made electronically through the UGE’s online portal, particularly if you or your representative hold a valid electronic certificate or Cl@ve system access.

Step 5: Wait for a Decision

Processing times can vary depending on the consulate or the UGE’s current workload. Because the Digital Nomad Visa is processed by a centralized, specialized unit, decisions are often faster than standard national visa applications, though applicants should still allow sufficient time before their intended move.

Step 6: Collect Your Visa and Complete Entry Formalities

Once approved, collect your visa and travel to Spain within its validity period. After arrival, you’ll typically need to obtain a Foreigner Identity Number (NIE) and register for residence formalities as instructed by Spanish authorities.

Step 7: Renew Before Expiry

If you wish to continue living in Spain beyond your initial visa period, apply for renewal before it expires, ensuring you still meet the current income threshold and other requirements at the time of renewal, not the threshold that applied when you first received the visa.

Digital Nomad Visa vs Other Spain Visa Types

• Digital Nomad Visa (Type D): For remote employees and freelancers working for companies or clients based outside Spain, allowing long-term residence.
• Business Visa (Type C): A short-stay visa for meetings, conferences, or professional trips lasting up to 90 days, with no residence rights.
• Work Visa: For those taking up direct employment with a Spanish employer, requiring employer-led sponsorship.
• National Student Visa: For long-term study, covering bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, and other academic or vocational programs exceeding 90 days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work for a Spanish company on a Digital Nomad Visa?

Employees generally cannot; the visa requires that your employer be located outside Spain. Self-employed applicants may work with Spanish clients, but this cannot exceed 20% of their total professional income.

How much income do I need for Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa in 2026?

The main applicant needs to show at least €2,849 per month, with an additional €1,068 per month for the first dependent family member and €356 per month for each additional dependent.

How long can I stay in Spain on this visa?

Initial validity is up to one year if applied for from abroad, or up to three years if applied for from within Spain. The visa can be renewed for a total stay of up to five years, after which permanent residency may become available.

Do I need a university degree to qualify?

Not necessarily. Applicants can qualify either with a university or postgraduate degree from a recognized institution, or by demonstrating at least three years of relevant professional experience in their field.

How much does the Digital Nomad Visa cost?

The official visa fee is €73.26 per applicant as of 2026, covering the main applicant and any accompanying family members included in the application.

Can my family join me on this visa?

Yes. Spouses or common-law partners, dependent children, and dependent parents can apply for accompanying visas alongside the main applicant, provided the required family relationship and dependency documentation is submitted.

What is the Beckham Law tax regime, and does it apply to Digital Nomad Visa holders?

Spain’s special non-resident tax regime, informally known as the Beckham Law, allows eligible new residents, including some Digital Nomad Visa holders, to be taxed at a reduced flat rate on qualifying income for a limited number of years, rather than under Spain’s standard progressive tax system. Eligibility and application must be confirmed with Spain’s tax authorities or a qualified tax advisor.

Do I need to apply from my home country, or can I apply while already in Spain?

Both options exist. You can apply at a Spanish consulate before traveling, or, if you’re already in Spain legally on another visa, such as a tourist visa, you can apply directly for a residence authorization through the UGE without leaving the country.