Digital nomad residence permit in Spain 2026: complete instructions for obtaining

Residence permit for digital nomads is a special immigration regime introduced in Spain by the Startup Law (Ley 28/2022). It is intended for highly qualified specialists and freelancers who work remotely for foreign companies. The law calls “digital nomads” people whose work allows them to move constantly and at the same time “combine skilled work with immersive tourism” in the host country. The new visa regime allows you to enter Spain with an appropriate visa and legally reside here for up to 1 year with the right to further extension up to 3 years (with subsequent extension for another 2 years) and registration of permanent residence after 5 years of residence.

Who can get a digital visa / residence permit

Who is eligible: You must be a non-EU citizen (or not apply to you have EU law), have reached the age of majority, and have a stable remote job. The law (Article 74 bis Ley 14/2013) requires the applicant to have a higher education (or academic degree) or at least three years of professional experience in the relevant field. In addition, you must have a real and continuous employment or contractual connection with a company (or client) outside Spain for at least 3 months (and ideally about a year).

Working conditions: For any type of activity (employment or freelancing), the basic law prohibits receiving more than 20% of income from Spanish sources. Simply put, no more than a fifth of your remote work can be paid for by a Spanish company. This limit is intended to avoid unfair employment through this visa.

Legal framework and benefits

The Spanish Startup Promotion Law formally introduced a “residence permit for telework of an international nature” ( autorización para teletrabajadores internacionales). It formalizes the following benefits:

• Official resident status: you get the right to live and work in Spain internationally remotely (with reports and declarations, and not with a “job offer”). This entitles you to travel within the Schengen area without visa restrictions – you can freely visit all 27 EU and Schengen countries as long as your residence is valid (same as other residents).
• Extension and long-term status: visa is initially issued for 1 year (if applying from abroad). After its expiration, you can convert your visa into a residence permit for 3 years (if you are already in Spain). This residence permit can then be extended for 2 years, and after 5 years of residence – apply for permanent residence.
• Family reunification: the applicant can be joined by a spouse, children and even some dependents (for example, parents) if they have sufficient income. The law provides for the real possibility of family reunification “from the moment of commencement or at any time later.”
• Simplified administrative procedures: once you reach Spain, you can apply for a residence permit through the Online Portal UGE-CE (Unidad de Grandes Empresas) and receive a response within 20 working days. Once approved, all that remains is to obtain a foreigner’s card (TIE) with fingerprints from the local police station. The law has strengthened the priority of such applications: a specially designed electronic process has been introduced in Spain (MI-T for the applicant and MI-F for accompanying persons).
• Alternative visa procedure: when applying through the consulate in your home country, you will immediately receive a national visa D for 1 year. If you apply through the UGE-CE portal, already being in Spain with a valid Schengen visa, you will immediately receive a residence permit for 3 years without an annual visa stage. The second option is faster and more convenient in 2026.
• No language exams: neither when obtaining nor when extending a visa/residence permit, you are not required to take Spanish language exams or cultural tests (DELE, CCSE) – these requirements are introduced only when obtaining citizenship Spain.

Additional advantages: With a Spanish residence permit, you can open bank accounts and use financial services without restrictions (unlike short-term visas). This facilitates access to local banks (BBVA, Sabadell, Caixa, Santander, etc.), rental housing and other everyday issues. Also, a resident can apply for visas of other countries (USA, UK, Japan, etc.) at consulates in Schengen, which is more profitable than traveling to their home country for interviews.

Financial requirements (SMI and income thresholds)

To confirm financial solvency, you must have a remote income that is a multiple of the Spanish minimum wage (SMI). From 2026, the SMI is €1,221 per month (in 14 installments), equivalent to ~€1,424.50 in 12 installments. According to the rules for the initial application for a residence permit (autorización), the main applicant must have resources amounting to 200% of SMI per month. That is approximately 2,849 € per month(200% of ~1,424.5 €).

Family members increase the required amount. The standard calculation is: 75% SMI is added for the first dependent and 25% SMI for each subsequent family member. For example, if you are traveling with a spouse and child, you will need an income of about 2,849 € (applicant himself) 1,068 € (75% SMI – spouse) 356 € (25% SMI – child) ≈ 4,273 € per month. These amounts are indicated in the official instructions and serve as a guideline when collecting documents.

Important nuance: there may be slight variations in the calculation methodology in different consulates or in the UGE itself. Sometimes it is allowed to “compensate” part of the requirements with savings (savings), if current payments are slightly insufficient. Therefore, before submitting, check with the consulate or immigration lawyer for the current approach.

Collecting documents for a D visa

To obtain a national digital nomad D visa through the consulate, prepare a complete package of documents. Requirements may vary depending on your situation (freelancer, employee, individual entrepreneur, etc.), but usually include the following (all documents in Spanish with an apostille and sworn translation if you are preparing an application from abroad):

• Completed application form Solicitud de visado nacional. Fill out online or manually, but it is recommended to sign in the presence of the consul.
• International passport, valid for at least 12 months from the date of submission, copies of all completed pages.
• Photos passport sample (3×4 cm, color, on a white background).
• Certificate of financial solvency: bank statements for the last 3-6 months and/or receipts (invoices) for receipt of income in an amount not less than the required amount 200% SMI.
• Confirmation of remote work:

• For hired workers – an employment contract or official employment (contract, remote work agreement). A letter from the employer confirming the position and permission to work from Spain is desirable.
• For freelancers/self-employed – agreements/contracts with foreign customers, invoices or payment reports for at least the last 3-6 months, as well as a certificate of registration of individual entrepreneur (if available).

• Diploma or confirmation qualifications: certificate of higher education (with apostille) or certificate of experience from the work book for 3 years. This serves as confirmation that you have the appropriate qualifications or experience for the stated activity. You can also attach letters of recommendation from previous employers describing your responsibilities and experience.
• Criminal Record Certificate from all countries where you have lived for more than 6 months over the past 5 years. Apostilled and translated (taking into account that some consulates accept translations). Additionally –declaration of no offenses(usually this is a separate paper confirming that you have no outstanding fines/violations).
• Health insurance: universal requirement – availability of full health insurance (covering all of Spain without deductibles). Either a Spanish company or an international insurance policy recognized in Spain. For an employee, insurance is purchased in Spain. The document must cover the entire duration of the visa. Travel insurance is not accepted.
• Other employer/company documents: if you work under a contract with a company, the kit may require an official employer registration document: for a Russian company –extract from the Unified State Register of Legal Entities, for a foreign company – an analogue of the Certificate of Good Standing or an extract from company register (apostille), confirming that the company has existed for more than a year and pays taxes.
• Resume (CV): A brief description of your career over the last 3-5 years, listing companies, positions and responsibilities (in Spanish or English). The resume does not require an apostille.
• Consular fee receipt: in Russia the fee for a national visa is usually ~16,000 ₽, payment at the place of submission.
• Additionally for the family: for a spouse – a copy of the passport and marriage certificate; for children – birth certificate. Each accompanying person fills out their own form and pays their own fee. The amount of required income increases for each family member according to the rules.

This list is general and is modeled on the official instructions of the Spanish Ministry of Internal Affairs. Consulates may require additional paperwork (e.g. photo, internal passport, Spanish bank statement, etc.), so check with your chosen consulate or agency in advance for specific requirements.

Application Process

1. Package preparation: First, collect all the necessary documents, translate into Spanish (appoint a sworn translator), affix an apostille or official legalization. Make sure that contracts and statements indicate dates for the last 3 months, details of counterparties and payment amounts. The complete set of documents can be organized according to a checklist so that nothing is missed.
2. Registration at the consulate: If you are applying for a D visa, make an appointment for a personal interview/appointment at the Spanish Consulate at your place of residence/citizenship (or at your current place of residence, if it is different). Pay the consular fee and submit your documents on the appointed day. Processing usually takes 1-3 months.
3. Obtaining a visa and entry: Once you have received your passport with your visa, you can enter Spain and remain in the EU for the duration of your visa. You cannot stay longer than indicated in the visa, and you must officially register from the moment of entry (receive a NIE – foreigner number).
4. Applying for a residence permit (residencia) within Spain: If you received a D visa and are in Spain, 60 days before the end of the visa or earlier (for example, immediately upon arrival) you need to apply for permission for accommodation and work (autorización de residencia para teletrabajo). This is done through the UGE-CE (Ministry of Migration) portal. You need to collect a similar package of documents again (MI-T forms for the applicant and MI-F for the family, pay fees ~790€ per person using code 790-038). After uploading the documents, wait for a decision (up to 20 working days, plus another 10 for requests). If the answer is yes, you will need to make an appointment at the police station to have your fingerprints taken and receive a TIE card (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero). Once you receive it, you are legally living in Spain as a resident.

The entire process – from submitting documents to obtaining a residence permit – usually takes 2-3 months with strict adherence to all formalities. You will then be considered a resident of Spain under the digital visa.

Taxes and Social Contributions

• Income Tax (IRPF): As a resident of Spain, you are required to file a Spanish tax return and pay progressive income tax. IRPF rates for residents for 2026 range from 19% to 47% depending on income level (maximum rate of 47% for incomes over ≈300,000 €).
• Beckham tax regime: New residents may upon conversion to Spanish taxation choose special treatment (Ley Beckham) for the first 6 years of stay. Then income up to 600,000 € is taxed at a fixed rate of 24%, and foreign passive income is not declared in Spain. This is beneficial for high incomes.
• Social insurance (Seguridad Social): When working from Spain, you must make contributions to the social insurance system.

• Autonomo (self-employed, freelancer): From 2023, the basic minimum – about 653 €/month (depending on income). Upon first registration, a “tariff fee” applies – a fixed contribution of 80 € per month for the first 12 months (see official information from MTSP). After this, the tariff increases to the standard level. There are subsidies by region: in some autonomies (Andalusia, Madrid, Canaries, etc.) the first annual payment of social contributions by digital nomads is partially compensated.
• Harried employee: The employer and the employee pay about 30% of the salary to the social insurance system (employer participation ~23%, employee – ~6%). If you remain registered in the system of another state (certificate A1), these contributions do not have to be paid in Spain. Similarly, an agreement on the avoidance of double taxation (for example, with Russia) and a certificate of transfer of social insurance are exempt from contributions.

• VAT (IVA): The standard VAT rate is 21% on most services and goods. Self-employed people are required to charge VAT on their services and file returns. For services to clients from other EU countries, a reverse charge mechanism applies – the Spanish freelancer puts 0% on the invoice of the individual entrepreneur, and the counterparty pays VAT in his country.

Useful tips

• Registration at the place of residence: When looking for housing, check the possibility of obtaining “empadronamiento” (registration at the address). This will be required for most bureaucratic procedures (obtaining a NIE, registration, opening an account).
• Selecting a region: In large cities (Madrid, Barcelona, ​​Valencia), documents are processed faster and services are more accessible (clinics, consulates, gestors). But housing is more expensive there. For example, some residents note that in Malaga or on the Andalusian coast, rent is cheaper in a mild climate. Think about the suburbs: transportation and housing may be better, but the difference in comfort is small.
• Bank account: Open a local account before registering for social security. You need a passport, TIE (once received) and proof of income. Online banks like Revolut/Wise are less suitable: it is better to choose a traditional bank. Typically a rental agreement or invoice in your name is required.
• Integration and language: Although knowledge of Spanish is not required for the visa, start learning the language for a comfortable life. Many small towns have few English speakers. Download Duolingo, find courses or a tutor. Communicate with expats – in large cities there are communities of IT specialists, freelancers, and entrepreneurs. Also participate in local clubs of interest (sports, yoga, art) – this way you will fit into the environment faster.

Answers to frequently asked questions

• Is it possible to work for a Spanish company with a nomad visa? If you are registered as a sole proprietor (autonomous), yes – but only up to 20% of your total income can come from Spanish clients. Hired employees are formally not allowed to work for Spaniards on this visa (it still means working outside Spain).
• How long are you allowed to stay in Spain with this visa? The visa is issued for a year. After entering with a visa, you receive a residence permit for 3 years. Previously, there was a norm of “183 days” for maintaining residence – now there are no such restrictions for a digital residence permit.
• Is it possible to extend a visa after its expiration? The visa itself cannot be extended. Instead, you convert it into a residence permit (stay permit) – once you enter with a visa, you apply for a residence permit in Spain. After completing a three-year residence permit, you can extend it for 2 years, and then apply for permanent residence.
• What additional costs should I take into account when moving? In addition to consular fees and notary translations, set a budget for rent (usually 1-2 monthly deposits), payment of social contributions (for autonomos from 230 €/month), taxes (progressive income tax, VAT) and household amenities (furniture, appliances, paperwork). During the first months, it is worth having a “cushion” of savings for 3-6 months of living in Spain.
• Do I need Spanish to obtain a visa? No, language proficiency will not be checked. However, it is worth starting to study for a comfortable life.