Key Features at a Glance

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Eligibility Requirements

1. Non-EU/EEA Nationality

Only non-EU and non-EEA nationals need this visa. EU/EEA citizens already have the right to live and work in Spain freely — they only need to register their residency (green certificate).

2. Remote Work Activity

You must be able to document that you work remotely using telecommunications technology only. Accepted situations:

• Employed remotely by a non-Spanish company (min. 12 months' employment history with that employer)
• Freelance/self-employed (autónomo) with regular clients outside Spain
• Shareholder/director of a non-Spanish company working for it remotely

3. Minimum Income Requirement

For 2026: €2,646/month (or equivalent annual: €31,752).

For a family application, additional income is not strictly required but consulates may look favourably on higher income.

4. Private Health Insurance

You must have private health insurance covering Spain, valid for the entire duration of the visa. The insurer must be authorised to operate in Spain.

5. No Spanish Residence in Past 5 Years

You must not have been a Spanish tax resident (or held a Spanish residence permit) in the 5 years before the application.

6. No Criminal Record

A criminal record certificate from each country where you have resided in the past 5 years, apostilled or legalised.

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How to Apply

Option A: Applying from Abroad (Spanish Consulate)

1. Book an appointment at the Spanish consulate/embassy in your country of residence
2. Submit documents in person or through an authorised representative
3. Pay the fee (~€200)
4. Wait for processing: typically 20-30 business days
5. Once approved, you receive a national visa (Type D) valid for 1 year
6. Within this first year, apply for the residence permit in Spain

Option B: Applying from Within Spain (UGE)

If you are already legally in Spain (tourist visa, 90-day Schengen):

1. Apply through the Unidad de Grandes Empresas (UGE) — the dedicated fast-track office
2. Online application via the UGE portal
3. Processing: 20 business days (extendable to 40)
4. Result: 3-year residence permit directly (skipping the 1-year visa)

The UGE (Large Business Unit) handles this visa for all applicants regardless of company size — despite the name.

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Documents Required

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Duration and Renewal Path

Abroad application:
  Year 1: National Visa D (granted abroad) → enter Spain, register empadronamiento
  
  Months 1-12 in Spain: Apply for 3-year residence permit at UGE
  
  Years 1-3: Residence + Work Permit (nómada digital)
  
  Year 3: Renew for 2 more years (must re-demonstrate requirements)
  
  Year 5: Eligible to apply for Long-Term EU Residency (permanent)

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The Tax Advantage: Beckham Law Option

The Régimen Especial de Impatriados (commonly known as the Beckham Law) is available to Digital Nomad Visa holders if they become Spanish tax residents.

Under the Beckham Law:

• Pay a flat 24% on Spanish-sourced income up to €600,000 (43% above)
• Foreign-source income is generally not taxed in Spain
• Valid for 6 consecutive tax years (the year you become resident + 5 more)

Standard IRPF for comparison:

• Progressive rates from 19% to 47% on worldwide income once resident

How to Apply for Beckham Law:

• File Form 149 within 6 months of registering as a Spanish tax resident
• Once elected, you are taxed on Form 151 (non-resident income tax return) instead of the standard IRPF

For a freelancer earning €80,000/year: Beckham Law tax = €19,200 vs standard IRPF = approximately €28,000+. Savings: ~€9,000/year.

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Digital Nomad Visa vs. Other Spanish Visas

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Living in the Canary Islands as a Digital Nomad

The Canary Islands offer particular advantages for digital nomads:

• IGIC 7% instead of VAT 21% (if you register as autónomo in the Canaries)
• Year-round subtropical climate with temperatures 18-27°C
• European time zone (UTC+0 in winter, UTC+1 in summer)
• Direct flights to major European hubs
• Lower cost of living than mainland Spain
• ZEC (Zona Especial Canaria): if you create a company with 2+ employees and invest €100,000, a corporate tax rate of only 4% applies

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ALY Abogados — Digital Nomad Visa Applications

We assist non-EU digital nomads with:

• Eligibility assessment and document checklist
• Application preparation for the Spanish consulate or UGE
• Beckham Law registration (Form 149) within the critical 6-month window
• NIE number and empadronamiento procedures
• Social Security registration (RETA as autónomo or bilateral SS agreement check)
• Family application coordination

Free consultation. Call +34 633 572 607.

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Lázaro Héctor Amable Méndez — Lawyer, Bar No. 5.231 ICALPA