What is the Spain Digital Nomad Visa?

It is a Spanish visa and residence route, created under the Startups Law (Ley 28/2022), for people who work remotely for a company outside Spain or who are self employed with mostly non-Spanish clients. It lets you live in Spain while keeping your existing foreign-based income, without needing a Spanish employer. Official source: extranjeria.mites.gob.es, Digital Nomad Visa. Reviewed 17 July 2026.

How much income do I need for the Spain Digital Nomad Visa?

The rule is 200 per cent of Spain's Salario Minimo Interprofesional, the SMI, which Royal Decree 126/2026 set at 1,221 euros a month for 2026. Applying the multiple loosely points to roughly 2,400 to 3,000 euros a month, but public sources do not agree on one exact derived figure, so eMigr8 is not stating a single number here. Confirm the current derived amount with the consulate or UGE-CE before you rely on it. Official source: Royal Decree 126/2026; extranjeria.mites.gob.es, Digital Nomad Visa. Reviewed 17 July 2026.

Do I need a job offer or an employer in Spain?

No. The route is based on income you earn from outside Spain, whether as an employee of a foreign company or as a freelancer with mostly non-Spanish clients. You do not need a Spanish employer or a local job offer.

Can I apply for the Digital Nomad Visa from inside Spain?

Yes, if you are already legally present in Spain, for example on a valid short-stay visa, you can apply for the residence authorisation from inside the country with UGE-CE rather than through a consulate abroad. This route also gives you a longer initial period, up to three years rather than one. Official source: extranjeria.mites.gob.es, Digital Nomad Visa. Reviewed 17 July 2026.

How long does the Spain Digital Nomad Visa last?

It depends on where you applied. Applying at a consulate abroad gives an initial one-year visa. Applying from inside Spain gives an initial residence authorisation of up to three years. Both routes are renewable and count towards a total of up to five years of residence. Official source: extranjeria.mites.gob.es, Digital Nomad Visa. Reviewed 17 July 2026.

How long does the application take to process?

Applications made from inside Spain have a legally mandated resolution period of around 20 working days. Applications through a consulate abroad are more variable, commonly cited as roughly 15 to 45 days depending on the consulate. Official source: extranjeria.mites.gob.es, Digital Nomad Visa. Reviewed 17 July 2026.

Is there a special tax regime for digital nomads in Spain?

Yes, the Beckham Law regime (Article 93 of the Ley del IRPF) was extended by the 2023 Startups Law reform to cover Digital Nomad Visa holders, not just employer-transferred staff as before. It offers a flat 24 per cent tax on Spanish-sourced income up to 600,000 euros a year, with foreign-sourced income generally exempt, for the year of arrival plus five more years. You must not have been Spanish tax resident in the previous five years and must file Modelo 149 within six months of registering with Social Security. This is general information, not tax advice, so speak to a qualified adviser. Official source: extranjeria.mites.gob.es, Digital Nomad Visa; Ley del IRPF, Article 93. Reviewed 17 July 2026.

Can my family come with me?

Yes. Your spouse or unmarried partner and dependent children can apply alongside you under Spain's standard family reunification rules. Bringing family raises the household income you need to show, adding 75 per cent of the SMI for a partner and 25 per cent of the SMI for each further dependent. Official source: extranjeria.mites.gob.es, Digital Nomad Visa. Reviewed 17 July 2026.

Does the Digital Nomad Visa lead to permanent residence or citizenship?

Residence time under this visa counts towards Spain's standard five-year long-term residence threshold. Standard naturalisation needs ten years of legal residence plus the DELE A2 language exam and typically the CCSE knowledge test, though nationals of Ibero-American countries, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, and Portugal qualify after just two years. Rules can change, so confirm the current position before you plan around it. Official source: Codigo Civil, Spanish nationality law (naturalisation by residence). Reviewed 17 July 2026.

How much does the Spain Digital Nomad Visa cost?

There is a consular or administrative application fee plus a separate fee for the TIE foreigner identity card once you are resident, with amounts varying by consulate and nationality. eMigr8 is not quoting a specific figure here. Confirm current fees with your consulate or UGE-CE, and budget separately for translations, insurance, and early accommodation. Official source: extranjeria.mites.gob.es, Digital Nomad Visa. Reviewed 17 July 2026.

Does eMigr8 give legal, immigration, or tax advice?

No. We give coaching, profile review, and guidance to help you prepare. We do not give legal, immigration, or tax advice. For legal or tax questions we can connect you with professionals in our network.

Spain Digital Nomad Visa: the complete guide

Q: Who qualifies for the Spain Digital Nomad Visa?

Broadly, remote employees whose employer is based outside Spain and permits remote working, or self employed people earning no more than 20 per cent of their income from Spanish clients. You also need a university degree, a postgraduate qualification, or at least three years of relevant professional experience, and to meet an income threshold linked to Spain's minimum wage. Official source: extranjeria.mites.gob.es, Digital Nomad Visa. Reviewed 17 July 2026.

Spain's Digital Nomad Visa, created under the Startups Law, lets people employed by a company outside Spain, or self employed with clients mostly outside Spain, live in Spain while keeping their existing income. You can apply from abroad at a consulate or, if you are already legally in Spain, from inside the country. It suits technology professionals who work remotely and want a base in Europe with a genuine route towards long term residence.

Who it is for

Remote employees working for a company based outside Spain; Freelancers and contractors whose income comes mostly from clients outside Spain; Senior technology professionals who can work from anywhere with a stable internet connection; People with a university degree, a postgraduate qualification, or at least three years of relevant professional experience; Non-EU and non-EEA citizens who need a visa or residence authorisation to live in Spain; Applicants who want their partner and dependent children to come with them; Anyone who wants a European base with a route towards permanent residence.

How eMigr8 helps

eMigr8 gives you coaching, profile review, and guidance to help you prepare your application. We do not give legal, immigration, or tax advice. Income thresholds, fees, and the application process are set by the Spanish authorities and change over time, so confirm current requirements with the relevant consulate, the Unidad de Grandes Empresas y Colectivos Estrategicos (UGE-CE), or a qualified professional before you apply.