Spain's Digital Nomad Visa: requirements, process, advantages

Since January 2023, Spain has offered a visa designed specifically for remote workers who want to live here without working for Spanish companies. The digital nomad visa (officially: residence visa for international remote work) allows you to reside for up to 5 years, work legally from Spain and access an extraordinarily favourable tax regime. It sounds too good — and partly it is, but with nuances worth knowing before applying.

Requirements (2025-2026)

Who can apply

• Citizens of non-EU/EEA countries (British, American, Canadian, Latin American, Russian, etc.).
• Employees or freelancers who telework for companies or clients outside Spain. If more than 20 % of your income comes from Spanish clients, you do not qualify.

Financial requirements

• Minimum income: 200 % of Spain's minimum wage (SMI). In 2026, with the SMI at €1 221/month (14 payments), the minimum required is approximately €2 849/month or €34 188/year.
• For additional dependants: +75 % of the SMI for the first family member, +25 % for each additional one.

Professional requirements

• Employment contract with a non-Spanish company, with a clause permitting remote work from abroad. Or freelance contracts with non-Spanish clients.
• Minimum tenure: at least 3 months' working relationship or freelance activity with the current employer or clients (at the time of application).
• For freelancers: demonstrate that the activity can be performed remotely and that clients are outside Spain.

Other requirements

• Health insurance: private policy with no co-pay, full coverage in Spain. The UGE (the processing body) rejects policies with high co-payments or limited cover.
• Criminal record: certificate from your country of origin (apostilled) and any country where you have resided in the last 5 years.
• No prior Spanish residence: you must not have been a tax resident in Spain in the 5 years prior to the application (this is required to access the Beckham tax regime).

Two application routes

From outside Spain (visa)

You apply for the digital nomad visa at the Spanish consulate in your country. You receive a visa valid for 1 year. Once in Spain, you apply for the TIE and can renew.

From inside Spain (residence authorisation)

If you are already legally in Spain (as a tourist, within the 90 days), you can apply directly for the residence authorisation for international remote work at the UGE. The initial authorisation is for 3 years, renewable for another 2. This is the fastest route if you are already here.

In both cases, processing takes 20 working days (authorisation) to 1-2 months (consular visa).

The tax advantage: the Beckham regime

The crown jewel of the digital nomad visa is access to the special impatriate regime, colloquially known as the 'Beckham Law' (because the footballer was one of the first to benefit).

What does it involve?

• You are taxed as a non-resident for the first 6 years of residence (year of arrival + 5 years).
• You pay a flat rate of 24 % on income earned in Spain up to €600 000/year. Above that, the rate rises to 47 %.
• You do not pay tax on worldwide income. You only pay Spanish tax on Spanish-source income. Foreign-source income (which, as a digital nomad, is most or all of it) is taxed only in your home country under the applicable double-taxation agreement.

Quick comparison: a Spanish tax resident with €80 000 income pays an effective IRPF rate of roughly 30-35 %. A digital nomad with the Beckham regime pays 24 % — a saving of €5 000-9 000 per year.

How to activate the Beckham regime

It is not automatic. After obtaining the visa or authorisation and the TIE, you must file Modelo 149 with the Agencia Tributaria to opt into the special regime. The deadline is 6 months from the date of Social Security registration or from the start of economic activity in Spain. Do not leave it to the last moment — miss the deadline and you lose the right.

Duration and renewal

• Visa (from outside): 1 year initial. Within that year, apply for a 2-year residence authorisation (total 3 years). Renewable for 2 more. Maximum total: 5 years.
• Authorisation (from inside): 3 years initial. Renewable for 2 years. Maximum total: 5 years.

After 5 years, you can apply for permanent residence (no longer tied to remote work) or Spanish nationality if you meet the requirements (including Spanish language, assessed via the DELE A2 exam).

Why the Costa Blanca is ideal for digital nomads

• Competitive cost of living: a 2-bedroom flat in Alicante city rents for €600-900/month. In Benalúa or San Vicente, €500-700. Compared with Barcelona (€1 200-1 800) or Madrid (€1 000-1 500), the Costa Blanca offers much more for less.
• Climate: 300+ days of sunshine a year, mild winters (10-15 °C).
• Connectivity: fibre optic in most urban areas (300+ Mbps), good 5G coverage in main cities. Alicante-Elche airport has direct flights across Europe.
• Community: coworking spaces in Alicante, Benidorm, Jávea and Dénia. Nomad meetups, anglophone expat communities.
• Quality of life: beach, mountains, gastronomy, safety, healthcare. Everything at a human scale.

Common traps and mistakes

• Not applying for Beckham on time: you have 6 months. If you miss it, you pay tax as a regular resident — the difference can be thousands per year.
• Insufficient health insurance: the UGE rejects policies with high co-pays, waiting periods or exclusions. Get full coverage before applying.
• Exceeding 20 % Spanish-source income: if you start invoicing Spanish clients and exceed the threshold, you lose visa qualification.
• Not renewing on time: renewals are filed in the 60 days before expiry. Filing late can create a legal gap in your status.
• Assuming Beckham covers everything: the regime covers employment and economic activity income, but capital gains (like selling a Spanish property) are taxed at the normal rate.

Frequently asked questions

Can I apply if I am a freelancer?

Yes. Freelancers qualify as long as their activity can be performed remotely and their clients are outside Spain. You must demonstrate active contracts and at least 3 months' activity.

Can my partner and children come with me?

Yes. Direct family members (spouse or registered partner, children under 18) can apply for a family reunification visa linked to your digital nomad visa. They need their own health insurance and proof of the family relationship.

Can I change employer or client during the visa?

Yes, as long as the new employer or client is outside Spain and the activity remains remote. You do not need a new visa but must report the change at renewal.

What happens if I decide to stay after 5 years?

After 5 years of legal residence, you can apply for permanent residence (not tied to remote work or visa type). You can also apply for Spanish nationality after 10 years (or 2 for citizens of Ibero-American countries). The Beckham regime expires after 6 years — from then on you pay tax as a regular resident.

Is it compatible with buying property in Spain?

Absolutely. Many digital nomads buy a flat on the Costa Blanca as a permanent base. The visa does not restrict property purchase, and owning property does not affect the Beckham regime. It is a common combination: live on the nomad visa, pay 24 % tax, buy a flat and build wealth in Spain.

If you are thinking of settling on the Costa Blanca as a digital nomad, explore our available properties or contact us for a personalised consultation.