Spain Digital Nomad Visa 2026: Income, Tax & How to Apply

What is the Spain Digital Nomad Visa?

Launched under Spain's Startups Law (Ley de Startups) in early 2023, the Visado de Teletrabajador Internacional is a national residence permit that lets non-EU citizens live in Spain while working remotely for an employer or clients based outside Spain. It explicitly authorizes remote work — unlike a Schengen tourist stay, which prohibits any economic activity.

The visa runs through Spain's UGE (Unidad de Grandes Empresas y Colectivos Estratégicos), the same fast-track unit that handles startup and highly-qualified worker permits. Decisions typically arrive within 20 working days for in-country applications, versus 1–3 months at consulates abroad.

Income requirements

You need to prove monthly income of at least 200% of Spain's minimum wage (SMI). For 2026 that's roughly €2,760/month (or about €33,120/year). For dependents, add:

• +75% SMI for the first family member (≈ €1,035/mo)
• +25% SMI for each additional family member (≈ €345/mo)

Acceptable proof: 3 months of bank statements showing regular deposits, plus your remote employment contract (≥3 months old) or freelance invoices to multiple foreign clients. Salaried employees usually qualify more easily than freelancers because the income is steadier and clearly foreign-source.

The Beckham Law: 24% flat tax

The headline tax benefit: opting into Spain's special expat regime (commonly called the Beckham Law) caps Spanish-source income tax at a flat 24% up to €600,000/year for the first 6 tax years. Above €600,000 the rate rises to 47%. Standard progressive rates would otherwise reach 47% well before that threshold.

Just as important: under the Beckham regime, foreign-source income (dividends, interest, royalties, capital gains earned abroad) is generally not taxed in Spain. You must opt in within 6 months of becoming tax-resident, and you must not have been a Spanish tax resident in the previous 5 years.

How to apply, step by step

1. 1
   Confirm eligibility

   Non-EU passport, ≥3 months remote employment, no criminal record in countries you've lived in over the past 5 years, no Schengen ban.
2. 2
   Choose your route

   Consulate (from home country, 1-year permit) or in-country UGE (on a 90-day Schengen stamp, 3-year permit). The UGE route is faster and grants longer initial residency.
3. 3
   Gather documents

   Passport, employment contract/freelance invoices, employer authorization letter, 3 months bank statements, apostilled criminal record, private health insurance valid in Spain, university degree or 3+ years professional experience.
4. 4
   Buy compliant health insurance

   Public-equivalent private cover with no copays, no waiting periods, no deductibles, valid Spain-wide. Sanitas, Adeslas, Cigna Global all offer compliant policies.
5. 5
   Apply via UGE or consulate

   Online at sede.administracionespublicas.gob.es (in-country) or in person at your nearest Spanish consulate. Fee ~€80.
6. 6
   NIE & TIE

   On approval, get your NIE (foreigner ID number), then within 30 days book a TIE (residence card) appointment at the local Extranjería.
7. 7
   Register for taxes

   Get your Spanish tax ID (the NIE doubles as one), and file Modelo 149 within 6 months to opt into the Beckham Law if eligible.
8. 8
   Renew

   Renew the permit in 2-year increments, up to a 5-year total. After 5 years of legal residency you can apply for permanent residency, and after 10 years (or 2 for some Latin-American nationals) for Spanish citizenship.

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