Digital Nomad Visa
Visado para Nómadas Digitales
Introduced in January 2023 under Spain's Startups Law (Ley de Startups), the Digital Nomad Visa allows remote workers and freelancers to live in Spain while working for companies based outside of Spain. The visa is valid for up to one year initially and can be renewed for up to five years. Holders benefit from a special tax regime (Beckham Law) allowing them to pay a flat 24% income tax rate on Spanish-sourced income for up to four years, rather than the standard progressive rates.
This guide is based on official Spanish government requirements. This is informational content, not legal advice.
9
Required Docs
9
Steps
Approximately 20 business days from a Spanish consulate
Processing
Consular visa fee: ~€80
Main Fee
Eligibility Requirements
- Be a non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizen (EU citizens don't need this visa)
- Work remotely for a company established outside of Spain, or be a freelancer with clients predominantly (at least 80%) outside Spain
- Have at least one year of professional relationship with the employer, or demonstrate at least 3 months of prior client relationships as a freelancer
- Hold a university degree or equivalent professional qualification, or demonstrate at least 3 years of professional experience
- Earn at least 200% of Spain's minimum interprofessional wage (SMI) — approximately €2,850/month or €34,200/year as of 2026. This threshold is adjusted annually with the SMI
- No criminal record in Spain or countries of residence in the past 5 years
- Have valid health insurance covering Spain with no co-pays (private insurance required)
- Not be an irregular resident in Spain
Document Checklist
Loading checklist...
Step-by-Step Application Process
Gather and prepare documents
Collect all required documents. Get criminal record certificates apostilled and translated by a sworn translator (traductor jurado). Ensure your health insurance meets Spanish requirements.
Apply at the Spanish Consulate or online
If applying from outside Spain, submit your application at the Spanish consulate in your country of residence. If already in Spain on a legal stay (tourist visa), you can apply directly at the Unidad de Grandes Empresas y Colectivos Estratégicos (UGE-CE) office.
Pay the visa fee
Pay the consular visa fee (approximately €80) at the time of application. Additional fees may apply for document processing.
Attend biometric appointment
Provide fingerprints and photos at the consulate. Some consulates combine this with the application submission.
Wait for processing
Processing typically takes 20 business days from the consulate, though it can vary. The UGE-CE in Spain processes applications faster (around 20 days).
Receive visa and travel to Spain
Once approved, collect your visa from the consulate. You typically have 90 days to enter Spain.
Processing Time
Approximately 20 business days from a Spanish consulate. Applications made directly at the UGE-CE in Spain may be processed in as few as 20 days.
Costs
- Consular visa fee: ~€80
- TIE card fee: ~€16–€21 (Tasa 790 modelo 012)
- Sworn translations: €30–€80 per document
- Apostille fees: varies by country (typically €5–€50 per document)
- Health insurance: €50–€200/month depending on coverage
- Legal assistance (optional but recommended): €500–€2,000
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Insufficient income proof
The minimum income threshold is 200% of Spain's SMI (approximately €2,850/month or €34,200/year as of 2026, adjusted annually). Applicants often provide bank statements that don't clearly show regular monthly income meeting this threshold. Ensure your statements cover at least 3–6 months.
Health insurance that doesn't meet requirements
Travel insurance or insurance with co-pays is not accepted. You need a full private health insurance policy from a provider operating in Spain with no co-payments (sin copagos).
Documents not properly apostilled or translated
All foreign documents must be apostilled (Hague Apostille) and translated by a sworn translator registered in Spain. Regular translations are not accepted.
Applying with less than 80% international clients (freelancers)
Freelancers must demonstrate that at least 80% of their income comes from clients outside Spain. Having too many Spanish clients can disqualify you.
Missing the TIE application deadline
You must apply for your TIE card within 30 days of arriving in Spain. Missing this deadline can cause complications with your legal status.
Tips & Advice
- ✓Consider applying from within Spain if you're already there on a tourist visa (90 days). The UGE-CE office in Madrid processes applications directly and often faster than consulates.
- ✓The Beckham Law tax regime can save you significant money — instead of progressive rates up to 47%, you pay a flat 24% on income up to €600,000. Make sure to apply within the 6-month window.
- ✓Popular health insurance providers among digital nomads in Spain include Sanitas, Mapfre, Adeslas, and Asisa. Plans without co-pays (sin copagos) start around €80–€150/month.
- ✓Barcelona and Valencia are the most popular cities for digital nomads, but cities like Málaga, Alicante, and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria offer lower costs of living and growing nomad communities.
- ✓Join online communities like the Spain Digital Nomad Visa Facebook group or r/SpainExpats on Reddit for up-to-date experiences and tips from recent applicants.
Official Sources
- UGE-CE — Unidad de Grandes Empresas
- Sede Electrónica — Immigration Procedures
- Ministry of Inclusion — International Mobility
- TIE Appointment (Sede Policía)
Information verified against official sources. Always confirm current requirements directly.
Not sure if this is the right visa for you?
Take our quick quiz to get a personalized recommendation.