What Is Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa?

Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa (DNV), officially known as the Visado para teletrabajo de carácter internacional, was introduced under the Startup Law (Ley 28/2022) and has rapidly become one of the most popular residency pathways for remote workers relocating to Spain. The DNV allows non-EU nationals who work remotely for companies outside of Spain — or who freelance for predominantly non-Spanish clients — to live and work legally in the country for up to five years.

What makes the Spanish DNV stand out from similar programs in Portugal, Croatia, or Greece is a single, powerful advantage: eligibility for the Beckham Law, which caps your income tax at a flat 24% rate. Combined with Spain’s world-class quality of life, affordable cost of living (particularly outside Madrid and Barcelona), and 300+ days of sunshine per year, the Digital Nomad Visa has made Spain the leading destination for location-independent professionals in Europe.

As of 2026, Spain has streamlined the application process significantly, introducing a unified digital portal that reduces paperwork and processing times. Whether you are an employed remote worker, a freelance consultant, or a startup founder working for your own non-Spanish company, the DNV offers a clear, structured pathway to legal residency.

Who Is the Digital Nomad Visa For?

The DNV is designed for three main profiles:

• Remote employees working for a company registered outside Spain. You must have been employed by the company for at least three months prior to your application.
• Freelancers and self-employed professionals who earn at least 80% of their income from clients outside Spain. You will need to demonstrate existing contracts or client relationships.
• Directors or partners of non-Spanish companies who perform their duties remotely from Spain.

The visa is not suitable for people who want to work for a Spanish employer, start a Spanish company, or work in-person at a Spanish office. For those scenarios, consider the Entrepreneur Visa or a standard work permit.

Income Requirements

The financial threshold for the DNV is set at 200% of Spain’s minimum wage (Salario Mínimo Interprofesional, or SMI). For 2026, this translates to approximately €2,800 to €3,000 per month (roughly €33,600 to €36,000 per year), depending on how the annual SMI adjustment is calculated.

You must demonstrate this income consistently over the previous 12 months, typically through:

• Payslips or salary statements from your employer
• Tax returns or invoices for freelance income
• Bank statements showing regular deposits

If you are applying with dependents, the threshold increases by approximately 75% of the IPREM for each additional family member (around €480/month per dependent in 2026).

The Beckham Law Advantage

The single biggest financial advantage of the DNV is access to Spain’s Beckham Law (Régimen Especial de Trabajadores Desplazados). Here is what it means in practice:

Feature	Regular Tax Regime	Beckham Law Regime
Tax rate on Spanish income	Progressive: 19%–47%	Flat 24% (up to €600,000)
Tax on worldwide income	Yes	No — only Spanish-source income is taxed
Wealth tax	Yes	Exemptions apply
Duration	Ongoing	Up to 6 years (year of arrival + 5)

To opt into the Beckham Law, you must not have been a Spanish tax resident during the five tax years preceding your arrival. You apply by filing Modelo 149 with Spain’s tax authority (Agencia Tributaria) within six months of registering with Social Security or obtaining your NIE.

Important: Beckham Law election is not automatic. You must actively opt in, and you should work with a Spanish tax advisor (gestor or asesor fiscal) to ensure you file correctly. Missing the window means you default to the regular progressive tax regime for the duration of your stay.

Application Requirements

To apply for the Digital Nomad Visa, you will need the following documentation:

1. Valid passport — with at least one year of remaining validity
2. Proof of remote employment or freelance activity — employment contract, client contracts, or company registration documents showing your role
3. Proof of income — payslips, tax returns, or bank statements covering the last 12 months meeting the €2,800–€3,000/month threshold
4. Private health insurance — a policy from a Spanish-authorized insurer with full coverage and no copays. Many applicants use Sanitas, Adeslas, or ASISA
5. Clean criminal record certificate — from your country of residence for the past five years, apostilled and translated into Spanish by a sworn translator
6. Proof of the company’s existence — company registration, certificate of good standing, or equivalent documentation showing the non-Spanish entity is active and legitimate
7. Passport-sized photographs — meeting Spanish consulate specifications
8. Application fee payment — approximately €80 for the visa, plus €200–€400 for the residence card (TIE) once in Spain

Application Process

Since late 2025, Spain has operated a unified digital portal for large-scale mobility visas, including the DNV:

1. Gather and prepare documents — allow 4–6 weeks for apostilles, sworn translations, and obtaining criminal record certificates
2. Submit your application online through the UGE (Unidad de Grandes Empresas) portal or at your nearest Spanish consulate if applying from abroad
3. Receive a decision within 20 business days — the administration is legally required to respond within this window; silence is considered a positive resolution (silencio positivo)
4. If approved, collect your visa at the consulate and travel to Spain within one year
5. Within 30 days of arrival, apply for your TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero) at a Spanish immigration office and register with the local padrón (municipal census)

Processing typically takes 20 to 30 calendar days from submission, though complex cases or missing documents can cause delays.

Duration and Renewal

The initial DNV authorization lasts for up to 3 years (applicants from outside Spain typically receive a 1-year visa first, then apply for the 3-year residence authorization upon arrival). After the initial period, you can renew for an additional 2 years, bringing the total to 5 years of legal residency.

After five years of continuous legal residence, you become eligible for permanent residency (residencia de larga duración), and after ten years, for Spanish citizenship (or fewer if you are a national of a Latin American country, the Philippines, Portugal, or certain other nations with historical ties to Spain).

Family Reunification

DNV holders can bring immediate family members to Spain, including:

• Spouse or unmarried partner (registered pareja de hecho)
• Children under 18 (or adult children who are financially dependent)
• Dependent parents (in some circumstances)

Family members receive their own residence authorization tied to the DNV holder’s permit. Spouses and partners can also work in Spain under this authorization.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Applying with insufficient income history. You need 12 full months of documented income. If you recently switched jobs, gather documentation from your previous employer as well.
• Choosing the wrong health insurance. Budget travel insurance or international policies without Spanish authorization will be rejected. You need a full-coverage policy from a provider licensed in Spain.
• Missing the Beckham Law window. You have six months from your Social Security registration to file Modelo 149. Do not assume your gestor will handle this automatically.
• Not apostilling documents. Criminal record certificates and other official documents must carry an apostille (or be legalized through consular channels if your country is not a Hague Convention signatory).
• Continuing to work for Spanish clients as a freelancer. If more than 20% of your income comes from Spanish sources, you may lose DNV eligibility at renewal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work from a coworking space or Spanish office on the DNV?

Yes. The DNV allows you to perform your remote work from anywhere in Spain, including coworking spaces, cafes, or a rented office. The key restriction is the identity of your employer or clients, not your physical workspace. Your employer must be a non-Spanish entity, or at least 80% of your freelance income must come from non-Spanish clients.

What happens if I lose my remote job while on the DNV?

You have a grace period to find a new qualifying position. If you are unable to secure new remote employment meeting the DNV criteria, you should consult an immigration lawyer about switching to a different permit type before your current authorization expires.

Can I apply for the DNV from inside Spain?

Yes. If you are already in Spain on a tourist visa (or other legal status), you can apply for the DNV residence authorization directly through the UGE portal without leaving the country. This is a significant advantage over many other visa types that require consular application from your home country.

Do I need to speak Spanish to apply?

No. There is no language requirement for the DNV application or approval. However, basic Spanish will significantly improve your daily life, help with bureaucratic processes, and is required if you eventually pursue Spanish citizenship (B2 level on the DELE exam, plus a cultural knowledge test).

Is cryptocurrency or investment income sufficient to meet the income threshold?

Generally, no. The DNV requires proof of active remote work income — salary, freelance payments, or business revenue. Passive income from investments, crypto trading, or rental properties does not qualify. If your income is primarily passive, the Non-Lucrative Visa is a better fit.