Spain Digital Nomad Visa 2026: Income, Rules and Steps
Spain's digital nomad visa is officially the telework visa, or the residence permit for international teleworkers under Law 14/2013. It lets non-EU citizens live in Spain while working remotely for companies outside the country. The rules are precise about who qualifies, how much you must earn and what proof of social security cover is accepted. This guide takes them from the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs' consulate pages for 2026 and the Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration, as read on 13 October 2026.
Quick answer
You must work remotely for companies located outside Spain, have a degree or 3 years of professional experience, and show a relationship of at least three months with a company that has existed for at least 1 year. The 2026 income requirement published by the Spanish consulate in Washington is 200% of the minimum wage: 2,442€ a month, plus 916€ for the first family member and 306€ for each additional one. The visa is valid for a maximum of 1 year; a permit applied for inside Spain can last up to three years. The legal decision period for the visa is 10 days.
Who the telework visa is for
The Ministry of Inclusion defines the category as third-country nationals who travel to Spain to carry out a work or professional activity at a distance for companies located outside the national territory, through the exclusive use of computer, telematic and telecommunication systems. It does not apply to EU citizens.
| Your situation | Rule |
|---|---|
| Employee | You may only work for companies located outside Spain |
| Self-employed professional | You may also work for a company in Spain, as long as that work does not exceed 20% of your total professional activity |
| Clients | You must work for a company or provide services to companies. Work for individuals, international organisations, government agencies, universities, foundations or NGOs does not qualify |
| Intra-company transfers | The telework visa cannot be granted when the conditions match those of the intra-company transfer visa |
The requirements
| Requirement | What the consulate asks for |
|---|---|
| Qualification | A graduate or postgraduate degree from a university or business school of recognised prestige, or at least 3 years of professional experience in similar functions |
| The company | A registry certificate proving real and continuous activity for at least 1 year |
| Your relationship with it | At least the last three months before applying, continuing for at least 1 year while you work from Spain |
| Employer's consent | For employees, explicit permission to do the job remotely from Spain, with your seniority and income stated |
| Criminal record | A certificate covering the countries of residence for the past 2 years, apostilled and translated, plus a declaration covering the previous 5 years |
| Health insurance | A policy with an insurer authorised in Spain covering all risks insured by the public health system, with no co-payment or coverage limit. Travel insurance is not accepted |
| Social security | Proof of cover in the Spanish system, or a certificate of coverage under a bilateral agreement |
How much you must earn in 2026
The minimum is tied to Spain's minimum wage, the SMI, and changes each year. The Spanish consulate in Washington gives the SMI in 2026 as 1,221€ and sets out these monthly amounts:
| Applicant | Formula | Monthly amount in 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| The teleworker alone | 200% of the SMI | 2,442€ |
| First accompanying family member | 75% of the SMI | 916€ more |
| Each additional family member | 25% of the SMI | 306€ more |
A caution on the number. Spanish consulates do not all calculate it the same way. The embassy in Canberra spreads the annual minimum wage over 12 payments instead of 14, which produced a higher figure of 2,762.66 euros a month on its 2025 page. Use the amount published by the office that will decide your application. The income can be shown with a contract or a company certificate, among other documents.
Proof of social security cover
The consulate accepts one of three documents:
- Proof that the foreign company is registered in the Spanish Social Security system.
- Proof that you are registered, or have asked to be registered, as self-employed in Spain's regime for autonomous workers (RETA).
- For employees with the company's consent to work from Spain, a certificate of coverage issued by the home social security system under its agreement with Spain. The Washington consulate accepts the US certificate under the US–Spain agreement, and then asks for health insurance for the risks that agreement does not cover.
You also sign a declaration committing to comply with Spanish Social Security obligations before the activity starts.
Two ways to apply
| Visa at a consulate | Residence permit from inside Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Who | Applicants living abroad | Foreigners who are legally in Spain, including visitors within their 90 days in a period of 180 days |
| Where | The Spanish consulate for your place of residence, usually through its visa centre | The Large Companies and Strategic Groups Unit (UGE) of the Ministry of Inclusion |
| Maximum validity | 1 year | Three years |
If you have no Spanish electronic certificate, an authorised legal representative in Spain can deal with the administration on your behalf.
Steps for the consular visa
- Get a foreigner identification number (NIE). The certificate of assignment is part of the file.
- Collect the company documents: the registry certificate and the company's letter.
- Obtain the criminal record certificate with the Hague Apostille and a sworn translation into Spanish. It must be issued within the 6 months before you apply.
- Arrange insurance and social security proof.
- Submit in person by appointment and pay the fee.
- Wait for the decision. The legal period is 10 days from the day the consular section forwards the documents through the visa system, and it may be extended if an interview or more documents are requested.
- Collect the visa within 1 month of the favourable decision.
The telework visa is itself sufficient title to live and work remotely in Spain while it is valid, so you do not need to obtain the foreigner identity card.
Visa fees
Fees differ by nationality because of reciprocity and are revised quarterly with exchange rates. The Washington consulate's list from 1 January 2026:
| Nationality | Fee |
|---|---|
| United States | $190 |
| United Kingdom | $963 |
| Canada | $1566 |
| Australia | $3020 |
| All other citizens | $106 |
Bringing your family
These family members can obtain an accompanying visa: the spouse or unmarried partner, children, adult children who are financially dependent and have not formed their own family unit, and relatives in the ascending line under your care. Each needs the documents proving the relationship, health insurance and the extra income shown above.
Frequently asked questions
What is the income requirement for Spain's digital nomad visa in 2026?
200% of the Spanish minimum wage. The Spanish consulate in Washington puts this at 2,442€ a month for 2026, plus 916€ for the first family member and 306€ for each additional one.
Can I work for Spanish clients on the digital nomad visa?
Employees cannot: they may only work for companies outside Spain. Self-employed professionals can, provided the Spanish work does not exceed 20% of their total professional activity.
How long is the Spain digital nomad visa valid?
The visa is valid for a maximum of 1 year. A residence permit applied for inside Spain can be valid for a maximum of three years.
Can I apply for the digital nomad permit while in Spain as a tourist?
Yes. Foreigners who are legally in Spain, including those staying visa-free, can apply directly to the UGE for the telework residence permit without a prior visa.
How long does the Spain digital nomad visa take?
The legal period for the consulate to decide is 10 days from when the consular section forwards the documents, though it can be extended if more documents or an interview are requested.
Do I need a degree for the Spain digital nomad visa?
No, if you can prove at least 3 years of professional experience in functions similar to the remote job. Otherwise a degree from a recognised university or business school is required.
Can freelancers get the Spain digital nomad visa?
Yes, if they provide services to companies outside Spain. They prove social security cover by registering as self-employed in Spain's RETA regime.
Official sources
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Consulate in Washington — Telework (digital nomad) visa, 2026 amounts and fees
- Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration — UGE: international teleworkers (Article 74 bis, Law 14/2013)
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Embassy in Canberra — Visa for digital nomads
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Consulate General in London — Digital nomad visa
All figures verified against the official pages above on 13 October 2026. Income amounts and fees are published by each consular office and are revised during the year, so confirm them with the office handling your application. Information, not legal advice.