ZEC for Digital Nomads —
4% Tax + Year-Round Sun
The Canary Islands offer Europe's best combination for remote founders: 4% corporate tax (ZEC), Spain's Digital Nomad Visa, fast fibre, and 22°C year-round.
4%
Corporate tax (ZEC)
24%
Personal tax (Beckham Law)
22°C
Average temperature year-round
5 yrs
Digital Nomad Visa duration
Why the Canary Islands for remote work?
Not just tax — lifestyle, infrastructure and legal certainty all in one place.
Year-round spring climate
22°C average year-round. The Canary Islands sit off the coast of West Africa — perpetual spring weather, no cold winters.
Fast fibre broadband
Fibre coverage in Las Palmas and Tenerife is excellent. Co-working spaces with 500Mbps+ are widespread and affordable.
EU access + 100+ tax treaties
Full EU membership, Schengen, freedom of movement. Spain has one of the world's largest tax treaty networks.
Low cost of living vs. Western EU
Rent in Las Palmas is 40–50% below London, Paris or Amsterdam. Food, transport and leisure are significantly cheaper.
Which setup is right for you?
Three common structures for digital nomads and remote founders in the Canary Islands.
Option 1: ZEC company + Digital Nomad Visa
Best for: founders with 3+ employees or growing teams
Option 2: Spanish S.L. + Beckham Law
Best for: solo founders relocating to Spain
Option 3: ZEC + Freelance structure
Best for: teams of 3+ who want ZEC AND personal tax optimization
Frequently asked questions
Can a solo digital nomad set up a ZEC company?
Technically yes, but the ZEC requires at least 3 employees (on Gran Canaria or Tenerife) within 6 months. If you're solo, a Spanish S.L. combined with the Beckham Law (24% flat personal income tax) is usually a better fit. When your team grows to 3+, migrating to ZEC becomes optimal.
What is Spain's Digital Nomad Visa and how does it work?
Approved in 2023, the Spanish Digital Nomad Visa allows non-EU remote workers and startup founders to live and work legally in Spain for up to 5 years (1+2+2). You must work for foreign clients or companies (at least 80% of income from outside Spain). Minimum income: €2,646/month (equivalent to 200% of minimum wage). The Canary Islands apply this visa exactly like the rest of Spain.
Do I need to be physically present in the Canary Islands to maintain ZEC?
The ZEC company must have genuine economic substance in the Canary Islands: a real office, local employees, and at least one director making decisions locally. You (as founder) don't need to be there 365 days a year, but you need to demonstrate real local activity. The Digital Nomad Visa + ZEC combination works well when you base yourself primarily in the Canary Islands.
What is the Beckham Law and is it compatible with ZEC?
The Beckham Law (régimen de impatriados) is a personal income tax regime allowing qualifying expats moving to Spain to pay a flat 24% on Spanish-source income instead of progressive rates up to 47%. It lasts 6 years. It applies to you as an individual, while ZEC is a corporate regime. They can be combined: your ZEC company pays 4% IS; you as director/employee may pay 24% personal income tax under Beckham.
Which island is best for digital nomads?
Gran Canaria (Las Palmas) and Tenerife are the most popular. Las Palmas has the best co-working scene, direct flights to 20+ European cities, and is the ZEC administrative hub. Tenerife (Santa Cruz) has more beach options and a growing startup ecosystem. Both have fibre broadband, year-round sun and excellent international connectivity.
What does the ZEC setup process look like for a nomad founder?
Step 1: Free consultation with us (30 min, online). Step 2: We draft company statutes and handle notarisation (you can sign via power of attorney — no need to fly in). Step 3: Commercial Registry and ZEC Consortium registration (6–10 weeks total). Step 4: Bank account opening (we assist). Step 5: You apply for Digital Nomad Visa at the Spanish consulate in your country. Total: 8–14 weeks from start to finish.
Ready to set up your Canary Islands base?
We help remote founders navigate ZEC, visas and Spanish company formation. First consultation is free — online or by phone.