Spain Digital Nomad Visa 2026: Requirements & How to Apply

Who is eligible

The visa is for non-EU/EEA nationals who work remotely for companies located outside Spain, using computer and telecommunications systems. As of 19 July 2026, official sources state you must show a professional relationship with one or more non-Spanish companies for at least the last three months, and evidence that the work can continue remotely from Spain for at least one year. If you are an employee, your employer must be based outside Spain; if you are a freelancer, no more than 20% of your income may come from Spanish companies. Applicants also need either a degree from a recognised university or business school, or at least three years of professional experience in their field. Spouses and dependent children can be included.

Income requirement

The minimum income is tied to Spain's Salario Mínimo Interprofesional (SMI). As of 19 July 2026, official sources state applicants must earn at least 200% of the SMI. Spain raised the 2026 SMI to €1,221/month (paid in 14 instalments), so 200% works out to roughly €2,849/month (about €34,188/year, or ~US$3,100/month). Add about 75% of the SMI (~€1,068/month) for the first family member and 25% (~€356/month) for each additional dependant. Income is proven with employment or service contracts, recent payslips or invoices, and bank statements. Note that some consular pages may still display the previous year's SMI figures — always confirm the current threshold on the official source below.

Required documents

• Valid passport and completed national visa or residence-authorisation application form.
• Proof of income and remote-work relationship: contracts, payslips or invoices, and a letter from your employer/clients confirming remote work is permitted (relationship of at least 3 months).
• Proof of qualification: university/postgraduate degree or evidence of 3+ years' experience.
• Criminal-record certificate from countries of residence in the last five years, apostilled and translated, plus a declaration of no criminal record.
• Private health insurance with full coverage in Spain (or proof of Social Security registration).
• Proof of the company's registration/activity for at least one year, and fee payment receipt.

How to apply, step by step

1. Choose your route. Apply for the one-year telework visa at the Spanish consulate in your country of residence, or — if you are legally in Spain (for example on a tourist stamp) — apply directly for a three-year residence permit with the UGE-CE (Unidad de Grandes Empresas y Colectivos Estratégicos).
2. Gather and legalise documents. Get criminal-record certificates apostilled, translate documents into Spanish, and assemble income and company evidence.
3. Submit and attend. For the consulate route, submit the file and attend an in-person appointment; for the in-country route, file online with the UGE-CE. After approval, collect the visa or, in Spain, register for your NIE/TIE foreigner ID card.

Cost

Government fees are modest but change. The in-country UGE-CE residence application fee is around €73 per person (Modelo 790 code 038), while the consular visa fee is roughly €80–€90 and varies by nationality under reciprocity rules (for example, US citizens pay a higher rate). Budget for additional costs: apostilles, certified Spanish translations, private health insurance, and the TIE card fee once in Spain. These are estimates that change — confirm current figures with the official source before paying.

Processing time

As of 19 July 2026, official sources state the consulate has a legal decision period of about 10 business days after a complete submission, though in practice consulates can take several weeks. The in-country UGE-CE route has a legal deadline of 20 business days, and silence is generally treated as approval. Timelines vary with document completeness and caseload, so treat any figure as an estimate rather than a guarantee.

Tax implications (overview)

Spending more than 183 days in Spain in a calendar year generally makes you a Spanish tax resident, liable on worldwide income at progressive rates (roughly 19%–47%). However, telework-visa holders who have not been Spanish tax residents in the prior five years may elect the special non-resident regime known as the "Beckham Law" by filing Form 149 within six months of registering with Social Security. Under it, Spanish-source employment income is taxed at a flat 24% (up to €600,000) and most foreign-source income is exempt, for up to six years. Eligibility conditions apply, so confirm your situation with a licensed tax advisor.

Official source

Always confirm the current rules directly with the issuing authority:

Ministry of Foreign Affairs (exteriores.gob.es)  ↗

Link opens the official government page. We last checked our figures against it on 19 July 2026.