Digital Nomad & Residency - Spain

The Autorización de Residencia para Teletrabajo Internacional was created by Ley 28/2022 (BOE, 22 Dec 2022), entering into force 1 January 2023. It covers both employed remote workers and freelancers/self-employed whose clients are predominantly outside Spain.

Consulate applications yield a 1-year visa; in-country applications grant a 3-year residence authorisation renewable for 2-year increments, with eligibility for long-term (permanent) residency after 5 years of continuous legal stay.

Applicants must show minimum monthly income of 200% of Spain's Minimum Interprofessional Salary (SMI), approximately €2,850/month for a single applicant in 2026 (based on Royal Decree 126/2026 SMI update), plus 75%/25% of SMI for the first/subsequent dependents. A recognised university degree or at least 3 years of relevant professional experience is also required.

Qualifying DNV holders may opt into Spain's Special Expatriate Tax Regime (Régimen especial de trabajadores desplazados, colloquially 'Beckham Law') via Form 149 within 6 months of Social Security registration, paying a flat 24% rate on Spanish-sourced income up to €600,000/year instead of progressive IRPF rates of up to 47%.

Spain's investor residency programme (minimum €500,000 real-estate investment, operative 2013–2025) was formally terminated by Organic Law 1/2025, published 3 January 2025, with new applications closed from 3 April 2025. Existing holders may renew under original conditions provided they maintain qualifying investments.

Alternatives include the Autónomo (Self-Employed) Visa for those operating a business in Spain under RETA social-security registration, the Non-Lucrative Visa (passive income only; active remote work now typically disqualifies applicants), and the EU Blue Card for highly qualified employment. The DNV remains the primary recommended route for most remote workers.