SpainWork
Spain digital nomad visa (international teleworking)
Residence visa for international teleworking (digital nomad)
In short
Spain's international teleworking visa lets qualified professionals live in Spain while working remotely for companies based abroad. You need a degree or three years of experience, at least three months with the employer or clients, a company active for at least a year, and income of 200 % of the minimum wage (SMI).
checked 25 October 2026
Key facts
- Validity
- Visa up to one year; then a residence authorisation of up to three years, renewable for two.
- Fee
- Standard national (type D) visa fee EUR 90 under Order AUC/891/2024; some nationalities pay a different amount by reciprocity. The consulate states the currency (euros, US dollars or local currency at the official rate); an external service provider, where used, adds its own fee.
- Work
- Employees only for companies outside Spain; freelancers may work for Spanish clients up to 20 % of their activity.
- Family
- Spouse or partner, minor or dependent children and dependent ascendants; income of 75 % of the SMI for the first member and 25 % for each additional one.
- Path to permanent residence
- Long-term residence after five years of legal residence.
- Where to apply
- Spanish consulate responsible for your place of residence (visa), or the UGE if already in Spain legally.
Who qualifies
You must be a qualified professional: a graduate or postgraduate of a recognised university, vocational school or business school, or have at least three years of relevant experience (regulated professions need recognition of the degree). Employees need at least three months with a company outside Spain and its express permission to work remotely; freelancers need at least three months of contracts with foreign companies. The company must have been active for at least one year.
Social security and insurance
Employees prove that the company has applied to register with Spanish Social Security, or present a certificate of applicable legislation from the home country under a social security agreement; freelancers register in the RETA scheme. Health insurance must be from an insurer authorised in Spain unless you are covered through Spanish Social Security. A criminal record certificate for the last two years and a sworn statement for five years are required, and you apply for an NIE together with the visa.
Required documents
Identity
- National visa application form, signed (minors: by a parent or legal representative)
- Recent colour photo, light background
- Passport valid at least one year, with two blank pages, issued less than 10 years ago (original and copies)
- Proof of legal residence in the consular district (for non-nationals, a residence permit of that country)
- NIE application submitted with the visa
Money
- Proof of income of 200 % of the SMI (plus family increments)
Work
- Company certificate of seniority (three months) and permission to work remotely, or freelance contracts
- Commercial registry certificate showing the company has been active at least one year
Study
- Degree certificate or proof of three years' experience
Insurance
- Health insurance from an insurer authorised in Spain, or social security coverage certificate
Other
- Criminal record certificate from the countries of residence (last two years), apostilled and translated into Spanish
Income threshold
The applicant must show monthly income equal to 200 % of Spain's minimum interprofessional wage (SMI), plus 75 % of the SMI for the first family member and 25 % for each additional one. Check the current SMI amount when you apply.
From visa to residence authorisation
The visa is valid for up to one year and is enough to live and work remotely in Spain. Within 60 days before it expires you can apply to the UGE for the residence authorisation for international teleworkers, valid up to three years and renewable for periods of two years.
How to apply, step by step
- Read the consulate's page for the "residence for teleworking (digital nomad)" visa and prepare the documents; foreign documents must be apostilled and translated into Spanish.
- Book an appointment with the Spanish consulate responsible for your place of residence, or with its external service provider where it uses one, and lodge the application in person.
- Pay the national visa fee (EUR 90 as standard, a reciprocity amount for some nationalities) in the currency the consulate indicates.
- Wait for the decision and collect the visa in person within one month of notification.
- Enter Spain while the visa is valid and, where required, apply for the TIE within one month.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do I need for the Spanish digital nomad visa?
200 % of the monthly minimum wage (SMI), plus 75 % for the first family member and 25 % for each additional one.
Can I work for Spanish clients?
Freelancers may, up to 20 % of their activity; employees may only work for companies outside Spain.
Is travel insurance accepted?
No, the consulate requires health insurance from an insurer authorised in Spain.
How long can I stay?
The visa covers up to a year; a three-year residence authorisation can follow, renewable for two years.
Official sources
- Consulate General of Spain in Istanbul – residence visa for international teleworking (digital nomad)
- Consulate General of Spain in Istanbul – requirements for the teleworking visa
- BOE – Law 14/2013 supporting entrepreneurs and their internationalisation (consolidated)
- BOE – Orden AUC/891/2024, de 13 de agosto, visa fees (EUR 90 for types A, C and D)
Summarised from the official sources above. Rules, fees and processing times change: confirm with the embassy or the official portal before you apply.
Other visa types for Spain
Visits and short stays
- Tourist visa Maximum stay: Up to 90 days in any 180-day period
- Family and friends visit visa Maximum stay: Up to 90 days in any 180-day period
Business and self-employment
- Business visa Maximum stay: Up to 90 days in any 180-day period
- Entrepreneur and start-up visa Validity: Visa one year; residence authorisation for entrepreneurs three years, renewable for two.
Study and training
- Student visa Processing time: Apply at least two months before studies start; once the stay authorisation is favourable, the visa is decided within one month.
- Researcher visa Validity: Visa: one year, or the authorisation's validity if shorter; the visa itself proves residence and the TIE is optional. Residence authorisations under Law 14/2013 are renewable for two years at a time.
Work
- Work visa Validity: Up to 180 days for authorisations of up to six months, otherwise 365 days; seasonal contracts up to 270 days.
- EU Blue Card Validity: Visa: one year, or the authorisation's validity if shorter; the visa itself proves residence and the TIE is optional. Residence authorisations under Law 14/2013 are renewable for two years at a time.
- Intra-company transfer visa Validity: Visa: one year, or the authorisation's validity if shorter; the visa itself proves residence and the TIE is optional. Residence authorisations under Law 14/2013 are renewable for two years at a time.
Family
- Family reunification visa Validity: Visa valid 365 days; TIE within one month of entry.
- Spouse and partner visa Validity: Visa valid 365 days.
Residence
- Retirement visa Validity: Visa valid for 365 days; apply for the TIE within one month of arrival; renewals are filed in the two months before expiry.
- Permanent residence Validity: The status is indefinite; the TIE card is first renewed after five years, then every five years until age 30 and every ten years after that.
Faster processing
- Fast-track and priority visa services Validity: Visa: one year or the authorisation's length if shorter. Highly qualified, entrepreneur and teleworker authorisations: up to three years, renewable for two.
Protection
- Asylum and international protection Processing time: Border: admission decision within four days; inside Spain: within one month; regular procedure: six months, after which silence counts as refusal.