Digital Nomad Visa
Spain's answer to remote-work relocation: a three-year residence authorization renewable for two more, filed in as little as 20 working days through the UGE, opening the door to permanent residency at year five and the Beckham Law tax regime — capped at 24% — from day one.
Who this visa is for
The Digital Nomad Visa was written into Spain's Ley de Fomento del Ecosistema de las Empresas Emergentes ("Startups Act") in late 2022. It targets a very specific population: professionals whose income comes from work performed for companies located outside Spain. In practice, the two clean profiles are the remote employee of a foreign company and the freelancer with a book of foreign clients.
What it is not is a general "come and work in Spain" permit. Any attempt to use it to invoice Spanish clients above the 20% cap will be caught at renewal, and the reversal of status is expensive to unwind. This is where most self-filed applications go wrong.
Requirements, without the fluff
- An existing employment or client relationship of at least three months.
- A company that has been operating for at least one year.
- Proof of remote-work capability signed by the employer.
- Income at 200% of SMI, plus 75% for the first dependent and 25% for each additional.
- University degree OR three years of demonstrable professional experience.
- Certificate of coverage from your home country's Social Security system.
- Private health insurance with full coverage in Spain, no co-payments, no waiting periods.
- Clean criminal record from every country you've lived in for the last two years.
The two filing paths
You can apply from your consulate of origin (a one-year visa that converts to a three-year TIE on arrival) or from within Spain on a tourist entry (a three-year TIE directly). The in-Spain route through the UGE is faster, cheaper and produces a stronger card — but it requires you to be physically in Spain when you sign the application. We normally recommend the UGE path unless there is a specific consular reason to file abroad.
How the Beckham Law layers in
Historically, Beckham Law was reserved for salaried employees hired by Spanish companies. The Startups Act extended it to Digital Nomad Visa holders, which is the single most valuable tax move available to relocating professionals. For up to six years, Spanish-source employment income is taxed at a flat 24% (47% above €600,000) and non-Spanish investment income is exempt from Spanish tax entirely.
The election must be filed within six months of Social Security registration — missing that window forfeits the regime permanently. This is coordinated by the Business Suite as part of your onboarding.
Frequently asked questions
Can US citizens apply for Spain's Digital Nomad Visa?
Yes. US citizens are among the largest applicant groups. The most common friction point is the Social Security certificate of coverage under the US-Spain totalization agreement, which we handle directly with the SSA and the Spanish TGSS.
Do I qualify with multiple clients rather than one employer?
Yes. Freelancers with a portfolio of foreign clients qualify provided no single Spanish client accounts for more than 20% of billings. Contracts must show a stable, prior relationship of at least three months.
What is the minimum income requirement?
200% of Spain's SMI (Salario Mínimo Interprofesional). In 2026 terms, that is roughly €2,762 gross monthly for the main applicant, with additional multipliers per dependent.
How long does it take?
Filed from within Spain on a tourist entry: 20 working days for the UGE resolution, then 30 days to fingerprint and collect the TIE. Filed from the consulate abroad: 8–12 weeks total, country-dependent.
Does the visa give me access to Beckham Law taxation?
Yes — the Digital Nomad Visa is one of the qualifying routes for the special expat tax regime, capping Spanish-source income at 24% up to €600,000 for up to six years.
Can my family come with me?
Yes. Spouse and dependent children are included in the same file, with additional financial thresholds. The Family Suite coordinates schooling and healthcare enrollment in parallel.
What happens next
A private consultation reviews your exact employment structure, income documentation and family composition. Within 14 days you receive a fixed-fee proposal covering the full filing plus coordination with the Soft Landing and Business Suites for arrival, banking and the Beckham election.