Spain's digital nomad visa is officially the international telework visa, and its sister permit is the telework residence authorisation. Both are built on the same conditions, set by Ley 14/2013 and applied by the Spanish immigration unit that handles them. This guide walks through each requirement in plain English, using the official FAQ and the Spanish consulates' own checklists as they stood on 12 October 2026. It is information, not legal advice. An independent Spanish immigration lawyer confirms how each rule applies to your facts.
The visa lets a foreign professional live in Spain while doing remote work for companies located outside Spain, using only computer and telecommunications systems. It is for nationals of countries outside the EU and the EEA. EU and EEA citizens do not need it.
You can use it as an employee of a foreign company or as a self-employed professional with clients abroad. The rules differ slightly between the two, which is why the first question a lawyer asks is how you are paid and by whom.
Employees may only work for companies located outside Spain. Self-employed professionals may also serve a company located in Spain, as long as that work does not exceed 20% of their total professional activity.
Your counterparties must be companies. The consulates state that the visa does not allow work for individuals, international organisations, government bodies, universities, foundations, NGOs or other non-profit entities.
The official FAQ asks for a monthly amount equal to 200% of Spain's minimum wage (SMI), which it states as EUR 1,221 at present. That gives EUR 2,442 per month, gross, for a single applicant, the figure the Washington consulate publishes. The first family member adds EUR 916 per month and each further member EUR 306 per month.
Some law firms quote about EUR 2,849 because they use a different way of counting the minimum wage. We follow the official wording. Because this is the point where advisers disagree, the lawyer confirms the exact amount the authorities will apply to your case. Our income requirement guide explains the arithmetic and what counts as proof.
The company you work for, or your main client, must be able to show real and continuous activity for at least one year. In the United States that is typically a certificate from the Secretary of State or Division of Corporations of the state of incorporation, apostilled and translated into Spanish.
You must also show a working relationship with the company of at least three months before you apply, and that the relationship will continue while you work remotely from Spain. The Chicago consulate describes the self-employed version as a relationship that will continue for at least one year.
The law asks for qualified professionals: graduates or postgraduates of universities of recognised prestige, vocational training or business schools of recognised prestige, or people with at least three years of professional experience.
The consulates add that experience should be in functions similar to the role you will perform remotely, and that regulated professions need the relevant credential recognised in Spain before you can practise them. Foreign diplomas and experience letters must be apostilled and translated.
You need public health coverage through Spanish Social Security, or private health insurance from an insurer authorised to operate in Spain. The official FAQ says travel insurance, reimbursement-only policies and policies with waiting periods or co-payments are not accepted.
The Washington consulate asks for cover of the risks the Spanish public system insures, for the whole period of the authorisation, with no deductible, co-payment or coverage limit. A policy that looks fine for a tourist often fails this test, so ask the lawyer to check the wording before you buy.
Social Security is mandatory for teleworkers in Spain. Employees are covered through the employer's registration or through a certificate of coverage where a social security agreement applies, as it does between the United States and Spain. Self-employed professionals must register in the self-employed regime (RETA).
The official FAQ warns that failing to meet this obligation can lead to termination of the authorisation and a ban that also affects dependants. Treat it as a core requirement, not paperwork for later.
Adults need a criminal record certificate. For United States residents the consulates ask for an FBI identity history summary not older than six months, apostilled by the US Department of State, and translated into Spanish by a certified translator. A state-level apostille is not valid for the FBI check.
If you spent more than six months in another country during the last five years, certificates from that country are normally required as well. You also sign a responsible declaration that you have had no criminal convictions in the last five years.
Each consulate publishes its own list, and the lists change. The Washington list, which is the most detailed we found, includes the items below. Your consulate and your lawyer have the final say.
Most delays come from documents rather than eligibility. Typical causes are an income letter that does not match the pay evidence, a company certificate that does not show a full year of activity, insurance with a co-payment, missing apostilles or translations, and Social Security paperwork that cannot be filed because the applicant lacks a Spanish electronic certificate. The authorities can request more information at any stage, so no one can promise a timeline.
If most of the requirements above describe you, the next step is a short eligibility check. Answer a few questions about your work, income and family at /spain-digital-nomad-visa#eligibility and an independent Spanish immigration lawyer's team will review them and contact you. Arx Capital Group is not a law firm and does not give legal advice; the lawyer contracts with you and bills you directly.
You need to be a non-EU/EEA national doing remote work for companies outside Spain, with gross income of at least 200% of Spain's minimum wage (EUR 2,442 per month for one person), a degree or three years of experience, a company with at least one year of activity, a working relationship of at least three months, valid health insurance, Spanish Social Security coverage and a clean criminal record.
Employees may only work for companies outside Spain. Self-employed professionals may take Spanish clients as long as that work stays at or below 20% of their total professional activity.
No. The law accepts either a degree or postgraduate qualification from a recognised institution, or at least three years of relevant professional experience. Regulated professions need the credential recognised in Spain before practising.
No. The official FAQ says travel insurance and policies with waiting periods or co-payments are not accepted. You need health insurance from an insurer authorised in Spain, or Spanish public coverage.
The legal conditions are the same, but each consulate publishes its own document list, filing method and appointment process, and some pages are updated more often than others. Always check the page for the consulate that covers your state.