Spain Digital Nomad Visa 2026: requirements, income and how to apply

In short

Who it's for: remote employees of companies outside Spain and freelancers whose Spanish clients are no more than 20% of their work.
Minimum income: €2,849 a month in 2026, plus €1,068 for the first family member and €356 for each additional one.
Two routes: a visa from the Spanish consulate in your country, or a residence permit filed online from Spain if you're there legally.
Up to three years of residence from Spain, renewable for two-year periods.

Spain's digital nomad visa, created by the Startups Law and included in Ley 14/2013, lets you live in Spain while you keep working remotely for companies or clients abroad. It's one of the most requested permits by remote workers from the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and the Gulf, and also one of the most frequently refused because of avoidable paperwork issues.

The six requirements

You work remotely for outside Spain. As an employee, only for companies outside Spain. As a freelancer, Spanish clients can be up to 20% of your work.
You have a degree or experience. A university, vocational or business school qualification, or at least three years of experience in your field.
Your work relationship is at least three months old before you apply, with permission to work remotely.
The company has been active for at least one year, with real, continuous activity you can document.
You meet the income threshold for yourself and every family member who comes with you.
Clean record and health insurance: no criminal record in Spain or the countries where you've lived in the last five years, and public or private health insurance with full cover in Spain.

How much you need to earn

The Large Companies Unit applies 200% of Spain's minimum wage. With the 2026 minimum wage, that means:

Main applicant: €2,849 a month.
First family member: +€1,068 a month.
Each additional family member: +€356 a month.

So a couple needs around €3,917 a month, and a couple with one child around €4,273. Income is proven with your contract or invoices, payslips and bank statements. These figures change whenever the minimum wage is updated, so we check them for every case.

Not sure your income or contract qualifies?

In the strategy session we review your contract or clients, your income and your qualifications before you move a single paper.

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Consulate or from Spain

You live outside Spain

Visa at the Spanish consulate

You apply at the Spanish consulate in your country of legal residence. The visa lasts up to one year and already lets you live and work in Spain. Before it expires, you apply for the residence permit from Spain to stay on. The general deadline for the consulate to decide is 10 working days, unless extra checks apply.

You're already in Spain legally

Residence permit through the UGE

If you're in Spain legally, for example as a visitor within your allowed stay, you can file online with the Large Companies Unit. The permit lasts up to three years and renews for two-year periods. The UGE has 20 days to decide and, if it doesn't answer, the application is deemed approved. While it's processed, your current stay is extended.

Once you have the permit, you apply for your foreigner identity card (TIE) with a fingerprint appointment at the police station of the province where you live.

Bringing your family

Your spouse or registered partner, your minor children, adult children who depend on you and dependent parents can apply with you or later. Each one adds to the income you need to prove, and each one needs their own civil documents, apostilled and with a sworn translation into Spanish where applicable.

Common mistakes

Applying too early. Less than three months of work with the company or clients at the time of filing.
A company that's too new. Less than a year of activity, or no documents to prove it.
No remote-work clause. A contract or company letter that doesn't say the job can be done from Spain.
Too many Spanish clients. As a freelancer, billing more than 20% to clients in Spain.
Income that's too tight. Or poorly documented for the number of family members.
Applying from Spain while overstaying. The in-Spain route requires being there legally.
Documents that aren't valid in Spain. Criminal record certificates without an apostille, or translations that aren't sworn.

FAQ

Can I work for Spanish companies on this visa?

As an employee, no: only for companies based outside Spain. As a freelancer, yes, as long as what you bill Spanish clients is no more than 20% of your total work.

How long does it take?

From Spain, the Large Companies Unit (UGE) has 20 days from filing to decide, and if it doesn't answer in time the application is deemed approved. At a consulate, the general deadline is 10 working days. Gathering documents, apostilles and sworn translations usually takes longer than the decision itself.

Can I apply if I'm already in Spain as a tourist?

Yes, if you're in Spain legally, meaning within the time your stay allows. If you've overstayed, the in-Spain route isn't available and another option has to be studied.

How long is the permit valid?

The visa issued by a consulate lasts up to one year. The residence permit granted in Spain lasts up to three years and can be renewed for two-year periods while you still meet the requirements.

Do I need a degree?

You need either a university, vocational or business school qualification related to your work, or at least three years of professional experience in your field.

This article is for information and is up to date as of its publication date. It doesn't replace a review of your case: every application depends on your documents and how they're proven. Source: Ley 14/2013, de apoyo a los emprendedores y su internacionalización, arts. 61, 62 and 74 bis to 76 (BOE Immigration Code, edition updated 23 September 2026).