Spain has launched a Digital Nomad Visa that allows non‑EU remote workers to live in the country while continuing to work for employers or clients based abroad. The program sets specific income, employment, and residency conditions, offers a pathway to a five‑year residence permit, and includes tax incentives for qualifying applicants.
Who can apply
- Nationality: Non‑EU citizens.
- Employment: Remote workers employed by a single foreign company, freelancers with multiple foreign clients, or self‑employed individuals whose income comes from abroad.
- Income source: No more than 20 % of the applicant’s annual income may be derived from a Spanish company.
- Work history: Must have worked for the current client(s) for at least three months before applying, and the employer(s) must have been operational for at least one year.
- Experience & qualifications: Minimum three years of professional experience and proof of a university degree or professional certificate.
Residency restrictions
- Applicants must not have been legal residents of Spain (i.e., holding any official residence permit) during the five years preceding the application.
- Time spent in Spain on a tourist visa does not affect eligibility.
Financial requirements
- Minimum income: €2,334 per month (≈ €28,000 per year). The amount is tied to Spain’s minimum wage and may be adjusted in the future.
- Proof of funds: Bank statements and the employment contract must demonstrate the required income.
Additional documentation
- Employment contract stating that the role can be performed remotely.
- Criminal record certificates from every country where the applicant has legally resided in the past five years (no minimum stay period required).
- Health insurance: Private or international coverage valid in Spain; public Spanish health insurance may become available later.
- Legalisation and translation: Documents may need an apostille (Spain is a Hague Convention member) and a certified Spanish translation, depending on the consulate.
Visa validity and renewal
- Initial period: 12 months, or the length of the employment contract if shorter.
- Renewal: Up to a total of five years, provided the holder spends at least six months per year in Spain. This residency period automatically makes the holder a Spanish tax resident.
- Family: Dependents can be added; required income increases proportionally.
Benefits
- EU mobility: The residence card grants travel throughout the Schengen Area.
- Tax incentives: For the first five years, qualifying income up to €600,000 is taxed at a reduced 24 % rate. Income above that threshold is taxed at the standard Spanish rates.
- No passive‑income requirement: Unlike Portugal’s Golden Visa, the Spanish visa accepts ongoing salary income.
Key cautions
- Permanent establishment risk: If the applicant’s own company is managed from Spain, it may create a taxable permanent establishment, negating the visa’s benefits.
- Company age: The foreign employer(s) must have been operating for at least one year before the visa application; there is limited time to set up a new offshore company solely for this purpose.
- Tax residency: The six‑month stay requirement means the holder will be subject to Spanish tax obligations, including worldwide income reporting.
Application timeline
- Processing time typically ranges from 15 to 45 days.
- Applications can be submitted either at a Spanish consulate abroad or directly in Spain, depending on convenience.
Overall, Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa offers a relatively straightforward route for remote professionals to reside in the country, provided they meet the income, employment, and residency criteria and are prepared to handle the associated tax and legal obligations.
