Spain Digital Nomad Visa (Ley de Startups)

Spain's Digital Nomad Visa, introduced under the Startup Law in January 2023, provides remote workers and freelancers with legal residence in Spain while working for non-Spanish companies. The program requires a minimum monthly income of EUR 3K after taxes, though this increases when including family members. Applicants can work remotely for foreign employers or as freelancers, with the restriction that no more than 20% of income can come from Spanish clients.

The visa grants an initial one-year permit when applied from outside Spain, which can be converted to a three-year residence permit upon arrival. Renewals are granted in two-year increments, creating a clear pathway to permanent residency after five years of continuous residence. To maintain the visa, holders must spend at least 183 days per year in Spain. After ten years of legal residence, digital nomads become eligible to apply for Spanish citizenship, provided they pass an A2-level Spanish language proficiency test and a culture exam.

One of the program's most attractive features is access to the Beckham Law tax regime, which allows qualifying residents to pay a flat 24% tax rate on Spanish-source income up to EUR 600K per year, rather than Spain's progressive tax rates that reach 47%. This special tax treatment must be applied for within six months of establishing residency. Additionally, visa holders enjoy full access to the Schengen Area, allowing visa-free travel to 26 European countries. Family members can be included on the application and receive work authorization without additional formalities:

• Spouses
• Dependent children
• Parents over 75