International remote workers
Digital Nomad Visa in Spain
Live legally in Spain while working remotely for companies or clients located mainly outside Spain. Get legal assistance to review your eligibility, prepare your documentation and submit your Digital Nomad Visa or residence application.
International teleworking residence
What is the Digital Nomad Visa in Spain?
Spain’s international teleworking regime allows qualifying third-country nationals to reside in Spain while carrying out employment or professional activity remotely for companies located outside Spanish territory.
The immigration route is regulated by Law 14/2013 and is designed for professionals whose activity can be performed remotely through computer, telematic and telecommunications systems.
Employees and self-employed professionals can both potentially qualify, although the conditions concerning clients, companies and professional relationships are different.
Who can apply?
Who may qualify for Spain’s Digital Nomad residence?
The route is aimed at qualified international professionals who carry out remote employment or professional activity connected mainly with businesses outside Spain.
Remote employees
Employees of companies located outside Spain whose work can be carried out remotely from Spanish territory.
Freelancers & independent professionals
Self-employed professionals who provide remote services to one or more companies or clients primarily located outside Spain.
Qualified professionals
Applicants may qualify through recognised university, postgraduate, vocational or business-school studies, or through at least three years of professional experience.
Requirements
Main requirements for the Digital Nomad Visa in Spain
Eligibility should be assessed as a whole. The exact evidence required depends on whether you are an employee or an independent professional and on your personal circumstances.
Foreign company activity
The company or group of companies connected with the applicant must demonstrate real and continuous activity for at least one year.
Remote-working capability
The applicant must demonstrate that the employment or professional activity can genuinely be performed remotely.
Prior professional relationship
The employment or commercial relationship with the foreign company or companies generally must have existed for at least the three months preceding the application.
Professional qualification
Applicants must meet the applicable qualification requirement through recognised studies or at least three years of professional experience.
Financial resources
The applicant must demonstrate sufficient financial means under the economic thresholds applicable to the international teleworking residence regime.
Social Security compliance
The application must address the applicable Spanish Social Security or international social-security coordination requirements according to the applicant’s situation.
Health coverage
The applicant must meet the applicable healthcare or social-security coverage requirements for residence in Spain.
General immigration requirements
Passport validity, criminal-record requirements and the other general conditions established for residence under Law 14/2013 must also be satisfied.
Employee or freelancer?
Different rules apply depending on how you work remotely
Working under an employment relationship
Employees applying under the international teleworking regime must work remotely for a company located outside Spain.
Freelancers and self-employed applicants
Independent professionals may provide services to foreign companies and can have limited professional activity with companies located in Spain.
Visa and residence
How long can a Digital Nomad permit last?
The duration and application route depend in part on whether you apply from outside Spain or while you are already legally in Spain.
Up to 1 year visa
Applicants outside Spain may apply for an international teleworking visa, generally valid for up to one year unless the work period is shorter.
Up to 3 years residence
Applicants who are legally in Spain may apply for an international teleworking residence authorisation valid for up to three years, unless a shorter period applies.
2-year renewals
The authorisation can generally be renewed for periods of two years while the conditions that generated the right continue to be met.
Documentation
Documents commonly involved in a Digital Nomad application
Documentation varies according to the applicant’s nationality, employment status, professional activity and family circumstances.
Identity & background
Passport documentation and, where required, criminal-record and other personal documentation supporting the application.
Company evidence
Documentation demonstrating the existence, activity and continuity of the foreign company or companies connected with the applicant.
Employment or contracts
Employment contracts, commercial agreements, client relationships and evidence concerning the terms of remote professional activity.
Remote work authorisation
Evidence demonstrating that the applicant’s activity can be carried out remotely and, where applicable, that the employer authorises remote work from Spain.
Qualifications or experience
University, postgraduate, vocational or business-school qualifications, or documentation supporting the required professional experience.
Financial documentation
Evidence demonstrating the financial means required for the applicant and, where applicable, accompanying family members.
Social Security
Documentation addressing the applicable Spanish or international social-security obligations connected with the remote activity.
Foreign documents
Documents issued abroad may require apostille or legalisation and, where applicable, official translation before being used in Spain.
Application route
Apply from abroad or from within Spain
Apply from outside Spain
Applicants who are not resident in Spain and intend to move to Spain to work remotely can apply for the corresponding international teleworking visa through the appropriate Spanish consular route.
Apply while legally in Spain
Third-country nationals who are legally in Spain may be able to apply directly for an international teleworking residence authorisation through the Unidad de Grandes Empresas y Colectivos Estratégicos.
Family residence
Your family may be able to move to Spain with you.
Family members can be included or may apply in connection with the principal applicant when the applicable legal requirements are met.
Digital Nomad Visa with family
Bring qualifying family members to Spain
Spain’s international mobility regime allows qualifying family members to apply in connection with the principal Digital Nomad applicant.
How it works
Digital Nomad application process
Eligibility review
Review your employment or professional structure, company history, income, qualifications and intended activity from Spain.
Document preparation
Identify the corporate, professional, financial and personal documents required for the application.
Application submission
Prepare and submit the visa or residence application through the procedure applicable to your circumstances.
Residence formalities
After approval, complete the applicable residence, identification and TIE formalities in Spain where required.
Immigration lawyer
Direct legal assistance with your Digital Nomad application
Your case is reviewed according to your actual professional structure, documentation and immigration situation rather than through a generic checklist.
How we can help
Prepare a stronger and better organised application
Digital Nomad applications often involve immigration, corporate, professional, Social Security and foreign-document issues. Reviewing these elements before submission can reduce avoidable inconsistencies.
Related immigration services
Other routes for living and working in Spain
Frequently asked questions
Digital Nomad Visa Spain: common questions
The route is intended for qualifying third-country nationals who perform employment or professional activity remotely for companies mainly located outside Spain and meet the applicable professional, financial and documentary requirements.
Yes. Remote employees may qualify when they work for a company located outside Spain, the relationship meets the applicable requirements and the employer permits the activity to be performed remotely from Spain.
Yes. Independent professionals may qualify when they can demonstrate the required professional relationships with companies or clients outside Spain and satisfy the remaining legal conditions.
For independent professional activity, work for a company located in Spain may be permitted provided that it does not exceed 20% of the applicant’s total professional activity. Different rules apply to employees.
The relevant employment or professional relationship generally must have existed for at least the three months preceding the application, together with evidence concerning the future remote activity.
The applicable rules require evidence of real and continuous activity for at least one year by the company or group of companies with which the applicant maintains the employment or professional relationship.
Applicants who are legally in Spain may be able to apply directly for the international teleworking residence authorisation, subject to meeting the applicable requirements.
A residence authorisation applied for from Spain may have a maximum validity of three years unless the relevant work period is shorter. Renewals may be granted for periods of two years while the qualifying conditions continue.
Qualifying family members may apply in connection with the principal applicant when the applicable family, financial and documentary requirements are satisfied.
Not necessarily. The law allows applicants to qualify through certain recognised studies or through at least three years of professional experience.
Planning to work remotely from Spain?
Schedule an online consultation to review your employment or professional structure, assess your eligibility and identify the documents and next steps for your Digital Nomad application.