Spain Digital Nomad Visa —
Live & Work in the Canary Islands
Spain's Digital Nomad Visa (Ley 28/2022 de Startups) gives non-EU remote workers and founders the right to live legally in Spain for up to 5 years — with access to the Beckham Law (24% flat tax) and the world's best year-round climate in the Canary Islands.
€2,646/mo
Minimum income (2026)
5 years
Total validity (1+2+2)
1+2+2
Renewal structure
Who can apply?
Five conditions must be met to qualify for the Spanish Digital Nomad Visa.
Non-EU/EEA nationality
EU and EEA citizens already have the right to live and work in Spain without a visa. The Digital Nomad Visa is designed for non-EU/EEA nationals seeking legal residence.
Min. income €2,646/month
You must demonstrate a stable income of at least 200% of Spain's minimum wage — approximately €2,646/month in 2026. Family members add 75% per additional adult and 25% per child.
Work for foreign clients (80%+)
At least 80% of your income must come from clients or companies based outside Spain. You may work for Spanish clients too, but capped at 20% of total income.
Health insurance in Spain
You must hold valid health insurance covering the whole of Spain — either private international insurance or Spanish private health insurance. National health access comes with tax residency.
Clean criminal record (last 5 years)
No criminal record in Spain or in any country where you have resided in the past 5 years. A certified, apostilled certificate from your home country is required.
What you get
The Digital Nomad Visa is more than a work permit — it's a full relocation package with significant tax and lifestyle advantages.
Legal right to live & work in Spain
A full residence authorization — not just a tourist stay. You can open bank accounts, sign leases, and operate as a legal resident.
Family members included
Your spouse or partner and dependent children can apply for a family reunification visa (reagrupación familiar) alongside your application.
Access to Spanish healthcare
Once you become a tax resident (183+ days), you are entitled to contribute to and access the Spanish national health system.
Path to permanent residency
After 5 years of continuous legal residence, you can apply for long-term (permanent) residency. After 10 years: Spanish citizenship.
Beckham Law: 24% flat tax
If you spend 183+ days in Spain, you become a tax resident and can apply for the Beckham Law — paying a flat 24% income tax instead of up to 47% for 6 full fiscal years.
Canary Islands: best base in Europe
22°C year-round, 40–50% lower cost of living than Western Europe, fast fibre broadband, and direct flights to 20+ European cities.
How to apply — step by step
From first check to approved residence card in 5 clear steps.
Check eligibility
Confirm you are non-EU, meet the income threshold (€2,646/month), and that at least 80% of your income comes from foreign clients. Book a free consultation if unsure.
Gather documents
Passport, criminal record certificate (apostilled), proof of income (bank statements, contracts, invoices), health insurance policy, and CV demonstrating remote work history.
Apply at consulate or UGE
If you are outside Spain: apply at the Spanish consulate in your country. If you are already legally in Spain: apply at the Unidad de Grandes Empresas (UGE) — the fast-track unit for startups and talent.
Wait 20 business days
The UGE processes Digital Nomad Visa applications within 20 business days (much faster than standard residency routes). Consulate timelines vary — typically 4–8 weeks.
Collect visa / receive card
Once approved, collect your visa at the consulate (if abroad) or collect your TIE residence card in Spain. Then register at your local town hall (empadronamiento) and apply for Beckham Law via Modelo 149.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum income to qualify for Spain's Digital Nomad Visa?
The minimum is 200% of Spain's minimum interprofessional wage (SMI). In 2026, the SMI is approximately €1,323/month, so the threshold is around €2,646/month gross. If your spouse applies with you, you need an additional 75% of the SMI (approx. €992/month). Each dependent child adds a further 25% (approx. €331/month). These figures are updated annually.
Can freelancers and self-employed professionals apply?
Yes — the Digital Nomad Visa (created by Ley 28/2022 de Startups) explicitly covers both employees of foreign companies AND self-employed freelancers (autónomos) and startup founders. You just need to demonstrate stable income from foreign clients and that your activity can be performed remotely.
Can EU citizens apply for the Digital Nomad Visa?
EU and EEA citizens (plus Swiss nationals) do not need the Digital Nomad Visa — they already have freedom of movement and the right to reside in Spain. They simply register at the local EU citizens' registry (Registro Central de Extranjeros). Non-EU nationals from the UK (post-Brexit), US, Canada, Australia, etc. are the primary target of the visa.
How long does the application process take?
If applying at the UGE (Unidad de Grandes Empresas) from within Spain, the response time is 20 business days — approximately 4 calendar weeks. If applying at a Spanish consulate abroad, processing times vary from 4 to 10 weeks depending on the consulate and workload. We recommend preparing documents 2–3 months in advance.
Can my family join me in Spain?
Yes. Your spouse or registered partner, and dependent children under 18 (or older if they have a disability), can apply for a family reunification visa (visa de reagrupación familiar) simultaneously with your application or after approval. They are granted the same residence period as you.
Can I apply for the Digital Nomad Visa while already in Spain?
Yes — if you are already in Spain legally (e.g., on a tourist Schengen stay of up to 90 days, or on another visa), you can apply directly at the UGE without leaving Spain. This is one of the most convenient features of the Spanish Digital Nomad Visa compared to similar schemes in other countries.
What's the tax treatment for Digital Nomad Visa holders?
If you spend more than 183 days in Spain in a calendar year, you become a Spanish tax resident and must declare your worldwide income in Spain. However, you can elect the Beckham Law (Régimen de Impatriados, Art. 93 LIRPF) and pay a flat 24% income tax rate for up to 6 fiscal years, instead of the progressive scale of up to 47%. This makes Spain one of the most tax-competitive destinations in the EU for high-earning digital nomads.
Can I combine the Digital Nomad Visa with a ZEC company?
Yes — this is the optimal setup for nomad founders with a team of 3+. You hold a Digital Nomad Visa as a resident individual, while your ZEC company (Zona Especial Canaria) pays a flat 4% corporate tax on qualifying income. As an employee or director of your ZEC company, you pay 24% personal income tax under the Beckham Law. The Canary Islands are the perfect base for this structure: EU jurisdiction, excellent connectivity, and the lowest corporate tax rate in the European Union.
Why base yourself in the Canary Islands?
The Digital Nomad Visa works anywhere in Spain — but the Canary Islands offer a unique combination of climate, cost, connectivity and tax advantages that no other EU location can match.
Year-round spring, 22°C average
The Canary Islands sit off the coast of West Africa — perpetual spring weather. Las Palmas consistently ranks as the city with the best climate in the world.
40–50% cheaper than Western EU
Rent in Las Palmas is a fraction of London, Paris or Amsterdam. Food, transport and co-working spaces are significantly more affordable.
Fast fibre broadband
Fibre coverage across Gran Canaria and Tenerife is excellent. Co-working spaces with 500Mbps+ symmetric speeds are widespread and affordable.
EU access + 100+ tax treaties
Full EU membership, Schengen zone, and Spain's extensive network of double tax treaties covering 100+ countries. Best of both worlds.
Keep reading
Combine your Digital Nomad Visa with Spain's Beckham Law for maximum personal tax savings.
4% corporate tax + Digital Nomad Visa in the Canary Islands — the optimal nomad founder setup.
Full corporate tax comparison of Europe's best regimes for remote businesses.
Ready to move to Spain? Let's make it happen.
We handle the full Digital Nomad Visa application — document preparation, UGE filing, Beckham Law election (Modelo 149) and ZEC structuring. English-speaking lawyers based in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. First consultation is free.