Digital nomad residence permit (international remote work)
Authorisation for non-EU remote workers who live in Spain while working remotely for companies or clients located outside the country. Created by the Startups Law (Ley 28/2022) and processed by the UGE-CE with positive administrative silence.
The digital nomad residence permit allows professionals from outside the European Union to live in Spain while continuing to work remotely for companies or clients abroad. It was introduced by the Startups Law (Ley 28/2022), within the international mobility regime, and is processed by the Large Companies and Strategic Groups Unit (UGE-CE).
It is one of the fastest routes for settling in Spain: it is resolved in around 20 working days with positive administrative silence, lets you bring your family, and gives access to long-term residence and, in time, to citizenship.
Who is it for?
Non-EU professionals, whether employees or self-employed (freelancers), who work remotely for companies or clients located outside Spain. A maximum of 20% of income may come from Spanish companies. Your spouse or partner and children may accompany you.
Main requirements
- Be a national of a country outside the EU/EEA/Switzerland
- Not be in an irregular situation in Spain (you can apply from your home country or while legally here)
- Prove sufficient and stable income (around 2.763 €/mes, 200 % of the SMI, in 2025)
- Have no criminal record in the countries where you have resided over the last 5 years
Duration
Visa of up to 1 year if you apply from your home country; or a residence permit of 3 years (renewable for 2) if you apply while legally in Spain. It gives access to long-term residence and counts towards citizenship.
Usual documentation
- Valid passport with at least 1 year of validity remaining
- Employment contract or proof of the labour or commercial relationship with the foreign company, dating back at least 3 months
- Document proving that the company has had real and continuous activity for at least 1 year
- University or postgraduate degree, or proof of at least 3 years of professional experience
- Proof of sufficient and stable income (payslips, contracts or tax returns)
- Private medical insurance with full coverage in Spain
- Criminal record certificate from the countries of residence over the last 5 years, apostilled
- Application form and proof of payment of the fee (modelo 790, código 038)
How to apply
The application is submitted to the UGE-CE electronically and is resolved in around 20 working days, with positive administrative silence.
- Gather the documentation and translate and apostille the foreign documents.
- Choose the route: the visa at the consulate in your country, or the residence permit before the UGE-CE if you are already legally in Spain.
- Submit the electronic application and pay the fee.
- Once granted and in Spain, book the appointment for fingerprints and the Foreigner Identity Card (TIE).