Spain digital nomad visa: requirements, income and how to apply
A practical guide to Spain's digital nomad visa: who qualifies, the minimum income, the documents you need and how long it takes.
Spain's digital nomad visa is a residence permit for people who work remotely for companies or clients based outside Spain. It was created by Law 28/2022, known as the Startups Law.
Who can apply
You can apply if you are a non-EU citizen working remotely, either as an employee of a foreign company or as a freelancer whose clients are mostly outside Spain.
- Employees: your employer must have been trading for at least one year and must authorise remote work in writing.
- Freelancers: you may invoice Spanish clients, but no more than 20% of your income.
- Track record: a working relationship of at least three months with the payer is normally required.
Minimum income
The financial requirement is based on the Spanish minimum wage (SMI). Applicants must show 200% of the SMI, roughly 2,760 EUR gross per month in 2026 at the current SMI level. Each family member adds more: 75% of the SMI for the first dependant and 25% for each additional one.
Always check the current year's SMI before filing, since it is revised annually.
Documents you will usually need
- Valid passport with at least one year left.
- Apostilled criminal record certificate from every country you lived in over the past two years.
- Private health insurance with full coverage in Spain, no co-payments and no waiting periods.
- Employment contract or client contracts, plus a remote-work authorisation letter.
- Proof of income: payslips, invoices and recent bank statements.
- A university degree or evidence of three years of professional experience in the field.
Timelines and duration
You can apply abroad at a consulate for an initial one-year visa, or from inside Spain if you are legally present, for a three-year permit renewable for two more. In-country applications are handled online by the UGE (Large Companies and Strategic Groups Unit), with a legal decision window of 20 working days and positive administrative silence.
Tax: the Beckham regime
Visa holders may opt into the special expatriate tax regime, known as the Beckham Law, which applies a flat 24% rate on employment income up to 600,000 EUR per year for six tax years. You must apply within six months of registering with Social Security, and it is not automatic. Talk to a tax adviser first, because it does not always beat standard income tax.
FAQ
Can I work for Spanish clients? Yes, but Spanish-sourced income cannot exceed 20% of your total.
Can my family come? Yes. A spouse or registered partner and dependent children can apply at the same time, with extra income requirements.
Does it count towards citizenship? Time on this permit counts as legal residence, so it adds up towards citizenship by residency under the general rules.
At Zabel we believe paperwork is easier with a tribe: there are Zabelers in the community who have already been through this process and share what worked and what did not.