- Home
- Blog
- Legislation
- Your Complete Guide to Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa
Your Complete Guide to Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa
Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa is the ultimate mix of remote work freedom and the European dream. It’s no surprise that since its launch in 2023, it has quickly become one of the most popular ways to move to Spain.
Living in Spain as a digital nomad is an exciting experience, but it also offers sustainability. From significant tax advantages and a perfect internet connection to an excellent climate, Spain offers the perfect environment for remote workers. The numbers back this up: Spain ranked top for digital nomad visas in the 2025 Digital Nomad Visa Index and topped the Global Citizen Solutions report with a near-perfect score of 99.67.
But is the digital nomad lifestyle in Spain really easy to have? What do the tax benefits mean in practice? In this guide, we explain all aspects of the digital nomad visa in Spain and prepare you for this adventure step by step.
What You Need to Know About the Spanish Digital Nomad Visa
The Digital Nomad Visa (Spain’s remote work visa) grants non-EU citizens the right to live in Spain. Spain’s digital nomad visa process is easy and often concludes within 20 days.
Spain Digital Nomad Visa Requirements
We can categorize the requirements for Spain’s visa for remote workers into three main groups:
1. Professional and Career Profile
The fundamental logic behind the visa is that your income must be sourced externally, without burdening the Spanish economy. Therefore, you must prove that your current job can be performed entirely remotely and that you can work remotely from Spain.
If you are a salaried employee, your company must be located outside of Spain and have been in operation for at least 1 year. Additionally, you must have been working remotely for this company for the last 3 months.
If you are a freelancer (self-employed), you must have a commercial relationship with at least one company outside of Spain. You may accept clients within Spain, but this income cannot exceed 20% of your total earnings.
2. Spain Digital Nomad Visa Income Requirements
The minimum monthly income required to apply for Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa is calculated based on the IPREM (Public Indicator of Income of Multiple Effects).
- For individual applications, you must declare an income equivalent to 200% of the monthly IPREM value, which amounts to a net monthly income of €2,762.
- If applying with a spouse or partner, an additional 75% of the IPREM is required. This brings the total monthly income requirement for a two-person household to €3,798.
- For each additional child, you are expected to show an additional income of 25% of the IPREM, or €345.33 per month.
3. Personal Requirements
Finally, you must meet the following criteria to apply for a Spanish residency permit for digital nomads:
- Clean Criminal Record: You must submit a current criminal record certificate, issued within the last 90 days.
- Health Insurance: You must have a comprehensive health insurance policy valid for the entire duration of your stay in Spain.
- Qualifications: To prove you are qualified for the job, you must present either 3 years of relevant work experience or a degree from a recognized educational institution.
How to Apply for a Digital Nomad Visa in Spain?
For standard cases, the Spain digital nomad visa application is quite simple. However, if you have unique circumstances, seeking professional assistance is recommended.
1. Preparation Phase: Documents Required for Spain Digital Nomad Visa
Required Spain digital nomad visa documents are as follows:
- Application form
- Copy of your passport
- Criminal record certificate
- Current employment contract and documents verifying working conditions
- Proof of financial means (income documents and bank statements)
- Proof of accommodation in Spain (rental agreement, title deed, etc.)
- Health insurance
2. Digital Nomad Visa Application Process
The application process for a digital nomad visa for Spain varies according to your current location:
If applying from within Spain, you can use the UGE online portal. This method grants you a 3-year residence permit directly.
If applying from outside of Spain, you must visit the Spanish consulate in your home country. Initially, you will receive a 1-year visa. After entering Spain, you can convert this visa into a 3-year residence permit.
Applications are typically processed within 20 days.
3. Approval & Entry
Once your application is approved, you must enter Spain within 90 days. Afterwards, you must book an online appointment at a local police station (Comisaría) within 1 month to provide your fingerprints. Your TIE (residence card) is usually delivered 1 month after this appointment.
Digital Nomad Visa Application Fees & Additional Costs (2025)
Spain's digital nomad visa cost depends on the country of application, the relevant Spanish institutions, and your citizenship status. The scope of your file and the number of dependents applying with you are also determining factors.
Average fees you can use as a baseline are:
- Application via UGE: €73.26
- Application via Consulate: €80 - €90 (can be significantly higher in some countries).
- Visa Renewal: €78.67
- Residence Card (TIE): €16 - €20
- Sworn Translation: €20 - €50 per page/document
- Notary and Legalization: €30 - €60 per page/document
- Apostille: €20 - €100
*Note: These figures represent 2025 averages. To avoid any surprises, we recommend getting in touch with TEKCE experts.
What Taxes Do Digital Nomads Pay in Spain? Are There Tax Benefits?
Normally, if you spend more than 183 days in Spain within a calendar year, you are considered a tax resident. In this case, your worldwide income is taxed progressively. If your annual income is below €12,450, you pay 19%; as your income increases, this rate reaches up to 47% for earnings over €300,000.
However, Spain offers a special tax regime for foreign workers known as the "Beckham Law." This provides you with three major financial benefits:
- Flat Tax Rate: You pay a flat tax rate of 24% on income up to €600,000 per year. For income exceeding this amount, the rate is 47%.
- Foreign Income Exemption: Only income generated in Spain is subject to tax. Income derived from outside is not taxed in Spain.
- Asset Declaration Exemption: Under the Beckham Law, assets held outside Spain are not subject to Wealth Tax. The Form 720 (declaration of foreign assets) obligation is also cleared.
Important Details and Conditions
- The Beckham Law is designed for employees of companies based outside Spain. Freelancers cannot benefit from this scheme.
- You must make an application within 6 months of entering Spain after your visa is approved.
- The tax reduction is valid for 6 years from the date of application. After this period, you will transition to the standard tax system.
How Long is the Digital Nomad Visa Valid? Is Extension Possible?
If you apply from outside Spain, you initially receive a 1-year visa. Once in the country, you can convert this into a 3-year residence card. If you enter as a tourist and apply from within Spain, you receive a 3-year residence permit directly. In either case, with your renewal rights, you can live in Spain under Digital Nomad status for a total of up to 5 years.
However, the Digital Nomad Visa should not be viewed merely as "Spanish residency for remote workers," as it is one of the most reliable and attractive pathways to European citizenship.
Spain’s immigration laws allow those who have resided in the country for 5 years to apply for a permanent residence visa. Furthermore, after living in Spain for 5 years with permanent residency (bringing your total time to 10 years), you become eligible to apply for Spanish citizenship.
Does the Digital Nomad Visa Offer Travel Benefits?
Yes, the Spain digital nomad visa benefits include free travel within the Schengen zone. However, to maintain this freedom, your main base of operations must remain in Spain. You can spend a maximum of 90 days out of every 180 days outside the country. Otherwise, you risk losing the validity of your residence permit or your right to renew it.
Key Points About the Digital Nomad Visa
If you meet the necessary conditions, obtaining a Digital Nomad Visa and becoming a remote worker in Spain is quite straightforward. However, there are crucial points to keep in mind.
Here are some of the critical nuances:
- Technically, it is possible to do business with local Spanish companies. However, income derived from within Spain must not exceed 20% of your total earnings.
- If your application is rejected, you have a legal period of 1 month to appeal the decision.
- If your income falls below the limit set for the Digital Nomad Visa, you can evaluate another residence permit in Spain, such as the Family Reunification Visa or Work Visa.
- If you are financially independent but not actively working remotely, the Non-Lucrative Residence Permit is a great alternative to enjoy the Spanish lifestyle without the employment requirement.
Importance of Expert Guidance During Your Application
Calculating your income ratios correctly and preparing the application file properly is essential for approval. TEKCE’s consulting team is ready to guide you through every step of this exciting journey.
Ready to start living in Spain as a digital nomad? Contact us today, and let our experts handle the paperwork while you plan your move!
If you have any questions about Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa, call us now or leave a comment below. We’ll get back to you shortly.






