Spain’s digital nomad visa is one of the most practical in Europe, mainly because you can apply from inside Spain during a visa-free stay and receive a three-year permit. This page covers it as of October 2026, along with the Schengen rules and the paperwork that follows. Thresholds and procedures change, so check the official sources before applying.
Schengen: 90 Days in 180#
Spain is part of the Schengen Area. Citizens of the US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and many other countries can visit without a visa for 90 days in any 180-day period, across all Schengen countries combined. Since April 2026 the Entry/Exit System records entries and exits digitally with fingerprints and a photo, so overstays are flagged automatically. ETIAS has no confirmed start date yet.
The Digital Nomad Visa#
Officially the residence for international teleworkers, created by Spain’s Startup Law in 2023.
- Income: about €2,850 a month (200% of the Spanish minimum wage, which rose in 2026), plus 75% of the minimum wage for the first dependant and 25% for each additional one.
- Work: remote work for employers or clients outside Spain, with at least three months’ history with them. Freelancers can have up to 20% of income from Spanish clients.
- Employer: if you are employed, the company must have existed for at least a year.
- Qualifications: a university degree, or at least three years’ professional experience in your field.
- Other requirements: a clean criminal record for the last five years, private health insurance valid in Spain with no co-payments, and social security cover (a certificate from your home country if it has an agreement with Spain, or registering in Spain as self-employed).
- Fees: about €80 at a consulate; about €73 plus the residence card fee in Spain.
Two ways to apply:
- From a consulate in your country of residence: you receive a one-year visa, then apply in Spain for a residence permit.
- From inside Spain during a legal visa-free stay: apply online to the UGE (Unidad de Grandes Empresas) for a three-year residence permit. Decisions are due within 20 working days. This is the route most people use.
Permits renew for two years at a time, and after five years of legal residence you can apply for long-term residence. Documents from abroad usually need an apostille and a sworn Spanish translation.
Non-Lucrative Visa#
The non-lucrative visa is for people with enough passive income or savings to live without working, from about €2,400 a month for the main applicant. It does not allow any work, including remote work for foreign clients, so it is not suitable for working nomads.
After You Arrive: NIE, TIE and the Padrón#
- NIE: your foreigner identity number, needed for almost everything.
- TIE: the physical residence card, collected from a police station after fingerprinting (needs a cita previa appointment).
- Padrón: registration of your address at the town hall, needed for healthcare, banking and renewals.
- Social security: freelancers who aren’t covered by their home country register as autónomo in Spain.
Spain's Visa Options Compared#
Spain: Digital Nomad Visa (International Teleworker Residence)
- Stay
- 1 year as a visa from a consulate, or 3 years if you apply from inside Spain
- Valid for
- 1 to 3 years
- Renewal
- Renews for 2 years at a time; permanent residence after 5
- Money required
- About €2,850 a month (200% of the Spanish minimum wage, raised in 2026)
- Fee
- About €80 at a consulate; about €73 plus card fee in Spain
- Who qualifies
- Remote workers with at least 3 months with the employer or clients, a degree or 3 years' experience, and no more than 20% of income from Spanish clients.
- Family
- First dependant +75% of minimum wage, each further one +25%
- Tax
- Can opt into the Beckham regime: a flat 24% on Spanish-source income up to €600,000 for 6 years, foreign income mostly untaxed
- How to apply
- At a Spanish consulate, or from inside Spain on a visa-free stay through the UGE online portal. Official site
Applying from inside Spain gets 3 years at once and avoids a consulate queue, and is the route most people use.
Spain for digital nomads · Rules checked October 2026. Confirm with the official source before applying.
Spain Visa FAQs#
Can I apply for the Spanish digital nomad visa from inside Spain?
Yes. During a legal visa-free stay, you can apply online to the UGE for a three-year residence permit. Many people prefer this route to a consulate.
How much income do I need for Spain's digital nomad visa?
About €2,850 a month, 200% of the Spanish minimum wage, plus extra for dependants.
Can I work for Spanish clients on the digital nomad visa?
Yes, up to 20% of your income. The rest must come from employers or clients outside Spain.
How long can Americans stay in Spain without a visa?
90 days in any 180-day period across the whole Schengen Area.
Do I need a degree for Spain's digital nomad visa?
You need either a university degree or at least three years’ professional experience in your field.