The Spanish Digital Nomad Visa is one of the most enquired about visa options for remote workers, freelancers and business owners considering moving to Spain. It sounds relatively straightforward: continue working for your overseas employer or clients while enjoying life in Spain.
At Experts for Expats, we've helped people at every stage of the relocation process. Some already have a remote job lined up, while others own businesses, work as contractors or are planning to become self-employed after moving.
We’ve created this guide to the Spanish Digital Nomad Visa to explain what it is, who it’s for, eligibility requirements and how to apply. We’ve used enquiries that we’ve received over the years to answer some of the most common questions.
Disclaimer
Immigration rules change and every applicant's circumstances are different. This guide provides general information and should not be considered legal or immigration advice. Before applying, consider speaking with a Spanish immigration specialist who can assess your individual circumstances.
What is the Spanish Digital Nomad Visa?
The Digital Nomad Visa was introduced to encourage highly skilled remote workers and professionals to relocate to Spain while continuing to work primarily for employers or clients outside the country.
Unlike a traditional work visa, it isn't based on finding employment with a Spanish company. Instead, it recognises that many professionals can work from anywhere with a reliable internet connection, something which has increased in popularity post-Covid.
For many people, this makes relocating far more realistic as they can potentially continue earning from existing employers or clients while building a new life in Spain.
The visa has proved particularly popular with:
- Remote employees
- Consultants
- Software developers
- Designers
- Marketing professionals
- Writers
- Online business owners
- Freelancers with international clients
However, simply working remotely doesn't automatically mean you qualify.
Why are so many people considering this visa?
Some of the most common situations where we encounter people considering the Digital Nomad Visa include comments such as:
- "We're tired of commuting."
- "My employer has agreed I can work remotely."
- "I've always wanted to live in Spain."
- "My business can be run from anywhere."
- "My partner wants to move, but I don't want to give up my career."
The visa is simply a means of making those plans possible and the Digital Nomad Visa provides the opportunity to relocate without disrupting their income or professional career.
Am I automatically eligible for a Digital Nomad Visa if I work remotely?
Not necessarily. People hear about the visa and automatically assume the Digital Nomad Visa is simply for anyone who works from a laptop who can work as long as there’s an internet connection. However, when an immigration lawyer reviews your circumstances, they're trying to answer a much broader question: does your work fit the purpose of the visa?
To determine whether this visa is suitable for you, the following factors need to be established:
- Your employment status. Are you employed by a company, self-employed, or running your own business?
- How much you earn. Spain sets a minimum income threshold for the Digital Nomad Visa, which is reviewed periodically. It's not enough to simply have a remote job; you'll also need to demonstrate that your income meets the financial requirements and is likely to continue.
- Where your income comes from. Are you working primarily for clients or an employer outside Spain?
- Your professional activity. Can your work genuinely be carried out remotely, or does it require you to be physically present?
- Your financial circumstances. Can you demonstrate that you have a stable and sufficient income to support yourself and any accompanying family members?
- Your supporting evidence. Can you provide employment contracts, client agreements, company documentation and other evidence to support your application?
For example, two software developers earning the same salary could have very different applications. One might be a permanent employee of a UK company with a straightforward employment contract. The other may own a limited company, invoice through several international clients and pay themselves through dividends. Both work remotely, but the evidence they need to provide, and the way their applications are assessed, may be quite different.
This is one of the reasons we encourage people to start with their circumstances rather than the visa itself. Understanding whether you're likely to qualify before preparing an application can save both time and unnecessary expense, it might also highlight a different visa path for you.
How much do I need to earn to be eligible?
To qualify for the Spanish Digital Nomad Visa, you'll need to demonstrate that your income meets Spain's minimum financial requirement. For new applications in 2026, the income requirement is generally 200% of the Spanish minimum wage (SMI), which equates to approximately:
- €2,850 per month
- €34,188 per year
If you're applying with family members, you'll generally need to demonstrate additional income of approximately:
- +€1,070 per month for a spouse or partner
- +€357 per month for each dependent child
These figures are reviewed when the SMI changes, so it's worth checking the current threshold before applying.
Where should my income come from?
The Digital Nomad Visa is designed for people working primarily with employers or clients outside Spain. If most of your business will come from Spanish clients, another visa may be more appropriate. This is one of the first things an immigration lawyer will assess when discussing your circumstances.
Will I need to prove my financial circumstances?
Absolutely. As well as showing that you earn enough, you'll usually need to demonstrate that your income is genuine, consistent and supported by evidence. Employment contracts, client agreements, invoices, payslips and bank statements can all help build a stronger application.
The important point is that no single factor determines whether you'll qualify. Two people earning exactly the same salary could have very different applications depending on how they earn that income, who they work for and the evidence they can provide. That's why it's often worth assessing your circumstances before deciding that the Digital Nomad Visa is the right route.
Common scenarios where the Digital Nomad Visa might be suitable
I work for a UK company, can I remain employed and move to Spain?
Typically, yes, provided both you and your employer meet the relevant requirements. However, moving abroad doesn't only affect your visa application.
Your employer may also need to consider issues such as payroll, employment law, tax obligations and social security arrangements. Some companies already have international remote working policies, while others have never employed someone permanently based overseas before.
It's worth discussing your plans with your employer early in the process because without internal approval from their employer already established, even if you’re accepted, you may not be able to move.
I'm a freelancer, could I qualify?
Yes, freelancers can often qualify, which is one reason the visa has become so popular.
Many of the freelancers we speak to work with clients across several countries and already operate almost entirely online. Typical professions who successfully apply for the visa include:
- Consultants
- Designers
- Developers
- Copywriters
- Marketing specialists
- Coaches
- Accountants
The other major advantage of moving to Spain on this visa is that people generally do not need to change the way they work. Typically, people can continue serving existing overseas clients while enjoying the flexibility of living in Spain.
However, freelancers should understand how the visa rules apply to their own circumstances, particularly if they expect to develop business within Spain after moving.
Do I qualify if I am the owner of a UK registered limited company?
Possibly. However, owning a company doesn't automatically make you eligible, and it doesn't automatically rule you out either. Instead, the Spanish authorities will want to understand how your company operates.
For example:
- Is your company genuinely based in the UK or another country outside Spain?
- Are you carrying out your work remotely from Spain rather than running a business primarily aimed at the Spanish market?
- Where do most of your clients live?
- How do you pay yourself? Through salary, dividends or a combination of both?
- Can you demonstrate that your company is established, active and generating ongoing income?
For example, a software consultant with a UK limited company whose clients are based in Britain, Germany and the United States is often very different from someone planning to move to Spain and build a business serving Spanish customers.
Both own companies, but they may require different immigration routes.
If you're a company director, it's worth getting advice before you apply. A specialist can review your company structure and explain whether the Digital Nomad Visa is likely to be the most appropriate option or whether another visa would better suit your plans.
Can I move with my partner and children?
Yes. In many cases, you can include your spouse, partner and dependent children as part of your application, provided they meet the relevant eligibility requirements.
If you're planning to relocate as a family, there are a few additional points to consider:
- Can my spouse or partner work? In many cases, yes. Eligible family members may also have the right to work in Spain.
- Do I need to earn more? Yes. The minimum income requirement increases if you're including family members in your application, so you'll need to demonstrate sufficient financial resources to support everyone moving with you.
- Will my children receive residency? If their applications are approved, your children will generally receive residency rights alongside you, allowing them to live in Spain and attend school.
Family applications often involve additional documentation, so it's worth confirming the requirements before you apply, particularly if you're relocating with children or your partner has their own employment plans.
Is the Digital Nomad Visa always the best option if I’m eligible?
No, not always. You can spend months researching one particular visa that sounds right, without ever considering whether another route would be more suitable.
Depending on your circumstances, another visa may be more appropriate if you:
- Intend to work primarily for Spanish clients;
- Have accepted employment with a Spanish employer;
- Are moving to retire rather than work remotely;
- Plan to establish a business serving the Spanish market.
Choosing the right visa from the beginning is usually far easier than trying to adapt your plans halfway through the application process.
The questions people worry about most
Will my visa be cancelled if I lose my biggest client?
What happens if your work situation changes after you've moved to Spain? For example, perhaps your largest client ends their contract six months after your visa is approved, or your employer makes redundancies. Does that automatically mean you've lost your right to remain in Spain?
Not necessarily.
Immigration authorities recognise that businesses evolve and freelance income isn't always identical from month to month. Losing one client doesn't automatically invalidate your visa. However, if your overall circumstances change significantly, particularly if you no longer meet the conditions under which your visa was granted, you may need to consider how this affects future renewals or your immigration status.
If your income is heavily dependent on a single client or employer, it's worth discussing contingency plans before you move.
Can I work with Spanish clients?
The Digital Nomad Visa is intended for people whose work is primarily outside Spain. Spanish law allows self-employed applicants to work with Spanish clients, provided that no more than 20% of their total professional activity is for clients based in Spain.
For example, if you invoice €6,000 each month, no more than around €1,200 should come from Spanish clients. The remaining €4,800 should come from clients or companies outside Spain.
If you expect most of your income to come from Spanish businesses, or if you intend to build income primarily from Spanish clients, the Digital Nomad Visa is unlikely to be the right route. In those circumstances, you should consider whether another visa, such as a self-employed work visa, is more appropriate.
Should I apply before moving or after arriving?
This depends partly on your nationality and where you're legally resident when you begin the process. Some applicants apply through the Spanish Consulate in their home country before travelling, while others enter Spain legally and submit their application from within Spain.
Each approach has advantages and disadvantages. Applying before travelling can provide certainty before committing to a move, while applying from within Spain may offer different residence periods and administrative processes.
Which route is available to you depends on your individual circumstances, so it's worth confirming the best option before booking flights or signing a rental agreement.
Will I become a Spanish tax resident?
If you move to Spain on a Digital Nomad Visa and make Spain your home, you will often become a Spanish tax resident. This typically happens if you spend more than 183 days in Spain during a calendar year, although this isn't the only test that can apply.
You may also be considered tax resident if your main economic interests are in Spain or if your spouse and dependent children live there. Tax residency is determined by your overall circumstances, not simply the visa you hold.
Becoming tax resident doesn't necessarily mean paying tax twice, as Spain has double taxation agreements with many countries, including the UK, United States and Canada.
However, it does mean you may need to report worldwide income, understand how your salary or dividends are taxed, and consider whether special tax regimes, such as the Beckham Law, apply to your circumstances.
This is one of the reasons we often recommend speaking to both an immigration lawyer and a Spanish tax adviser before relocating. The visa gets you into Spain; understanding your tax position helps you stay there without unpleasant surprises.
When you should you approach an immigration lawyer
A good immigration lawyer can help you decide whether the Digital Nomad Visa is actually the right route before you've committed time and money to an application.
For example, it's worth speaking to a lawyer if:
- You’re thinking of moving to Spain. It sounds simple, but a lot of time and money can be saved by having a 30-minute consultation to discuss your situation rather than trying to work it out yourself. It will cost you money, but it will also save you a lot of time.
- You're deciding between two or more visa options. Many people qualify for more than one visa, but one route may be simpler or better suited to their long-term plans.
- You own a business or UK limited company. Understanding how your company structure, income and clients affect your application is often easier before you apply than after.
- You're relocating with your partner or children. Family applications often involve additional documentation and planning.
- Your circumstances aren't straightforward. Perhaps your income comes from several countries, you work as a contractor, or you divide your time between employment and self-employment.
- You're planning your move rather than simply your application. Immigration, tax, healthcare, residency registration and relocation all fit together. Getting advice early can help you avoid decisions that are difficult or expensive to change later.
If your circumstances are relatively straightforward, you may feel comfortable managing the application yourself. However, if you're unsure whether you qualify, have a more complex employment or business structure, or simply want confidence before making a major international move, an initial consultation can often save time, money and unnecessary stress later in the process.
What could automatically disqualify me from getting a Spanish Digital Nomad Visa?
While every application is assessed on its own merits, there are several situations that commonly prevent people from qualifying for a Digital Nomad Visa.
You don't work remotely
The visa is designed for people whose work can genuinely be carried out remotely using technology. If your role requires you to be physically present, such as working in retail, hospitality, construction or healthcare, the Digital Nomad Visa is unlikely to be appropriate.
You work for a Spanish employer
The Digital Nomad Visa is intended for people employed by companies based outside Spain or who are self-employed with clients primarily outside Spain. If you're moving to Spain to take up employment with a Spanish company, you'll usually need an employee work visa instead.
Most of your clients are based in Spain
If you're self-employed, the visa allows only limited professional activity with Spanish clients. If more than 20% of your income comes from businesses or individuals in Spain, you'll normally need to consider a different immigration route.
You don't meet the minimum income requirement
Spain requires applicants to demonstrate a minimum level of income, which is reviewed periodically. If your income falls below the required threshold, or you cannot demonstrate that it is stable and ongoing, your application is unlikely to succeed.
You can't provide the required evidence
Meeting the requirements isn't enough, you also need to prove that you meet them. Depending on your circumstances, this may include employment contracts, client agreements, company documentation, payslips, invoices and bank statements. If you cannot evidence your employment or income, obtaining approval becomes much more difficult.
You don't meet the general immigration requirements
Like most long-term visas, you'll also need to satisfy Spain's wider immigration requirements. These can include holding valid health insurance, providing a criminal record certificate where required and meeting other documentary requirements as part of the application process.
As part of your application, your criminal record is important. You will need to be able to:
- Provide a criminal record certificate from the country (or countries) where they've lived during the relevant period;
- Submit a declaration that they have not had criminal records during the previous five years; and
- Meet Spain's general public order and immigration requirements.
Being disqualified from a Digital Nomad Visa doesn't necessarily mean you can't move to Spain. It may simply mean that another visa is more appropriate for your circumstances. This is why it's often worth understanding all of your options before focusing on a single visa route.
Next step: Confirming if the Spanish Digital Nomad Visa is right for you
If you're still deciding whether the Digital Nomad Visa is right for you, or you're unsure how your employment or business structure affects your application, speaking with a Spanish immigration specialist before applying can help you understand your options and move forward with confidence.
At Experts for Expats, we can introduce you to experienced Spanish immigration lawyers who regularly assist international clients with Digital Nomad Visa applications and wider relocation planning.
