The digital nomad visa is a residence and work permit designed for foreign nationals who carry out their professional activity remotely—either as employees of companies located outside of Spain or as self-employed professionals providing digital services to clients abroad.
This permit allows you to live legally in Spain while working remotely, as long as your main source of income comes from outside the country. The application can be submitted either from your country of origin (through the corresponding Spanish consulate) or directly from within Spain, provided you are in a regular legal status at the time of application.
The main difference between applying for a digital nomad visa and a digital nomad residence permit in Spain lies in where the application is submitted and the immigration status of the applicant.
If the person has not yet entered Spain and wishes to do so with a residence permit already approved, they must apply for a digital nomad visa from their country of origin or legal residence, through the corresponding Spanish consulate. This visa is initially valid for up to one year and allows the applicant to enter Spain legally with authorization to live and work remotely. Once in Spain, they may later apply for a residence permit valid for up to three years.
On the other hand, if the person is already in Spain — for example, as a tourist within the legal period of stay — they may apply directly for the digital nomad residence permit from within the country, as long as they are in a regular legal situation at the time of application. This path allows them to obtain a residence authorization for an initial period of up to three years without going through the consular process.
To apply for a digital nomad visa or residence permit in Spain, you must demonstrate sufficient financial means to support yourself during your stay or residency. In 2025, the minimum required income for the main applicant is equivalent to 200% of the Spanish Minimum Wage (SMI), which amounts to approximately €2,763 per month or €33,156 per year. If you are also applying for your spouse or partner, you must add an additional 75% of the SMI (around €1,036/month), plus 25% more for each dependent child (about €346/month per child).
These funds must come primarily from abroad. Economic solvency can be proven through contracts with foreign companies, income and tax certificates, invoices, and bank statements, among other documents. This is one of the most critical requirements of the process—without adequate financial justification, the application is likely to be rejected.
Yes, you can bring your family with you when applying for a digital nomad visa or residence permit in Spain. The law allows for the reunification of your spouse or registered partner, minor children, or dependent family members, provided that you can demonstrate sufficient financial means to cover their expenses (an additional 75% of the minimum wage for a partner and 25% for each child or dependent). You will also need to submit documents proving the family relationship, as well as health insurance and criminal record certificates, depending on each case.
With a digital nomad visa issued by the consulate (i.e., applied for from outside Spain), you can legally stay in Spain for up to 1 year. This visa allows you to enter the country with an approved authorization to reside and work remotely from the moment of arrival.
Once in Spain, you can apply for a digital nomad residence permit, which would allow you to stay for up to 3 years from the start of the new residence authorization.
Once you obtain your digital nomad visa or residence permit and arrive in Spain, you’ll need to complete a few key steps to formalize your stay. First, you must register your address (empadronamiento) with the local town hall in the municipality where you will reside. Next, you’ll need to apply for your Foreigner Identity Card (TIE) -or Residence Card- at the designated police station within 30 days of arrival. If you work as a freelancer, you’ll also have to register with the Spanish Tax Agency and Social Security system. While not mandatory, having private health insurance valid in Spain and opening a local bank account are highly recommended to make daily life easier. These steps ensure your settlement in Spain is legal, secure, and well-organized.
You cannot work directly for a Spanish company as your main source of income with a digital nomad visa. This permit is intended for foreign nationals who carry out their professional activity remotely, either as employees of companies located outside Spain or as self-employed professionals with international clients.
However, occasional collaboration with Spanish companies is allowed, provided that this activity does not exceed 20% of your total income. It is essential that your primary source of income remains outside the country in order to comply with the requirements of this permit.
By contrast, family members regrouped under this visa are allowed to work in Spain without restriction, as the applicable framework expressly permits it.
If you legally reside in Spain as a digital nomad and remain in the country for more than 183 days per year, you are likely to be considered a tax resident. This means you’ll be required to pay taxes in Spain on your worldwide income under the Spanish Personal Income Tax (IRPF), unless you qualify for a special tax regime.
One of the best-known options is the Special Tax Regime for Inbound Workers, commonly referred to as the “Beckham Law” (Article 93 of the Spanish Income Tax Law). This regime allows employees to pay a flat tax rate of 24% on Spanish-source income for a total of six years (the year you become a tax resident plus the following five years). However, this benefit is only available to employees (salaried workers) and does not apply to freelancers or self-employed professionals, including digital nomads working independently.
Digital nomads who work as self-employed must pay taxes under the general IRPF regime, which applies a progressive tax rate ranging from 19% to 47%, depending on income level. It’s also essential to verify whether a double taxation agreement exists between Spain and your country of origin to avoid being taxed twice on the same income.
Given the complexity of these matters and their significant financial impact, it is strongly recommended to seek advice from a qualified tax advisor who can assess your specific case and help ensure full compliance with your tax obligations in both Spain and your home country.
If your visa is rejected, you can appeal the decision or submit a new application with the correct documentation. It is crucial to understand the reasons for the rejection to correct any errors or provide additional information. Having the support of an immigration lawyer specialized in this area can increase your chances of success in a new application.