You work on a laptop and want to live in Spain. The first question is whether a suitable legal route exists. The next is how to evidence your work, income and other circumstances so the documents reflect your specific situation.
This guide helps you prepare for the first conversation: distinguish the visa from the residence permit, understand the requirements and draw up your questions. It is not a conclusion on your entitlement to a status. Before applying, current rules and the requirements of the competent authority must be checked.
The essentials
- Working online is not enough: the legal arrangements for the activity matter.
- The visa and residence permit are different application routes.
- Income, the relationship with the company and Social Security need specific attention.
- It is advisable to plan a family move alongside the main application.
- Materials are determined for your case. Don’t order translations without knowing which ones you need.
What the digital nomad visa means
Official Spanish information uses the term international remote work (teletrabajo de carácter internacional) — international remote work. The UGE describes this route for third-country nationals who carry out employment or professional activities remotely for companies outside Spain using computer and telecommunications systems. Description of the route on the UGE website.
It helps to start with how your work is formalised. Do you have an employment contract or provide services as a self-employed professional? Where is the company based? Has remote work from Spain been agreed? These answers help determine what to review next.
Who this route may suit
Under Law 14/2013, employees work for companies outside Spain. For professional activity, work with Spanish companies is allowed up to 20% of total professional activity. Evidence of appropriate qualifications or at least three years of professional experience is also required. Article 74 bis.
A job title does not explain everything. Two professionals in the same occupation may have different contracts and documents. When preparing an application, the actual relationship with the company or clients must be explained, rather than simply stating that the work is online.
What to explain in the first message
Your current country, working arrangements, the country of the company or clients and your relocation plans. Don’t include document numbers, bank details or a passport copy in the first message.
Conditions: work, income and insurance
Relationship with the company
The law requires at least one year of genuine, continuous company activity and evidence of the employment or professional relationship during the preceding three months. It must also be shown that the work can be carried out remotely. Article 74 ter.
In practice, it helps to gather the contract information first: when it was signed, who the parties are and how it describes duties and payments. If the contract differs from the actual work, it is better to identify this before preparing the other materials.
How financial resources are assessed
The UGE expresses requirements as percentages of the SMI, Spain’s statutory minimum wage. For the main applicant: 200% of the monthly SMI; for the first family member, an additional 75%, and for each subsequent family member, 25%. Official UGE answers, question 19.
| Application composition | Resources formula | What to clarify |
|---|---|---|
| One applicant | 200% SMI | Income source and evidence |
| Applicant and one family member | 200% + 75% SMI | Family circumstances and documents |
| Each additional family member | Additional 25% of SMI | Full composition of the family application |
Don’t rely solely on a figure from a marketing page. Before planning the budget, describe your income sources, payment regularity and family composition. The current euro threshold and supporting materials must be checked for the date of your application.
Health insurance and Social Security
These issues must be addressed separately. The UGE explains medical cover requirements and Social Security obligations; travel insurance is not sufficient. The possibility of using an international Social Security mechanism depends on the specific conditions. UGE FAQ, questions 6 and 11.
Don’t buy a policy based solely on its name. First clarify the cover needed and how it fits your working arrangements. Have its conditions reviewed before paying.
Visa or permit: how to determine the application route
The visa is processed through the consular route and lasts a maximum of one year. Those legally in Spain may apply for a residence permit lasting a maximum of three years, renewable for two if the conditions continue to be met. These are maximums, not a promise of duration in each case. Articles 74 quater and 74 quinquies.
| Questions | Consular route | Application in Spain |
|---|---|---|
| Where to start | Check the relevant consulate and its instructions | Review current status and eligibility to apply |
| What to focus on | Local procedure for receiving documents | Stay status and electronic application procedure |
| What to avoid | Copying another consulate’s list without checking | Assuming that being in the country resolves immigration status |
Start with a brief timeline: where you are, which permit you hold and which dates matter for your plan. This helps discuss the sequence without assumptions. Plan tickets, accommodation and other costs around the agreed order.
Documents: what to prepare for review
The UGE’s official list for the main applicant includes documents concerning identity and stay, work, the company, qualifications, resources and other conditions. Foreign documents may need appropriate legalisation and translation. UGE materials list for the applicant.
- Personal circumstances. Valid documents and stay status.
- Employment activity. Contracts and the ability to work remotely.
- Company. Information evidencing its activity.
- Qualifications. Qualifications or evidence of experience.
- Resources. Materials on income and family composition.
- Insurance and other conditions. Documents relevant to your application.
This list is a guide to topics for preparation, not a universal application package. Not all documents are processed in the same way: the issuing country, contents, dates and translation requirements matter. Agree on the exact list before hiring a translator.
It helps to keep your own record: document name, issuer, whether you already have it and what remains to be clarified. Share originals and copies only after agreeing on the list and delivery channel. In the following form, a description of your question is enough.
Moving with family
The UGE provides for eligible family members to apply with the main applicant or later, provided they meet the established conditions. Family circumstances and evidence of the relationship must be assessed separately. UGE FAQ, question 16.
For the first conversation, state who plans to move and where each person is located. Also consider the practical sequence: whether you are moving together, which documents you have and which dates matter to the family. Don’t include children’s personal data in the public form.
Costs and timeframes: planning your budget
Separate application costs from relocation costs. The former may include fees, translations, legalisation, insurance and agreed legal work. The latter include housing, transport, settling in and everyday expenses after moving.
NEXO’s fees are agreed after clarifying your enquiry. Don’t compare two proposals solely by their total price: check which actions and people each covers and what is charged separately.
In your timetable, distinguish the time needed to obtain, review and prepare documents from the time the authority takes to decide. A request for further information may change the practical sequence. Check current timeframes, but don’t treat them as a guarantee of the moving date.
Taxes and obligations after moving
Immigration status does not automatically resolve all tax questions. Spain’s Tax Agency explains tax residence criteria, including spending more than 183 days in the calendar year in Spain or having the main centre of economic interests there. Assessment is not limited to counting days. Explanation from Spain’s Tax Agency.
Before moving, list your income sources, the countries connected with them and your current tax obligations. The special tax regime, eligibility and deadlines require separate review. A visa does not automatically entitle you to an advertised benefit.
What can complicate an application
It is advisable to check consistency before applying: whether all materials describe the work in the same way, explain payments, remain valid and whether insurance fits the agreed arrangements. This is an organisational review, not a way to guarantee the outcome.
If you already have a request for information or a refusal
Mention it in your first message. Summarising the conclusion in one word is not enough: we need to clarify what happened and which actions remain possible. We’ll separately agree on sending the relevant documents.
How to start preparing
- Describe your current situation. Your current country, work activity and purpose of the enquiry.
- Identify the questions to review. Status, work, financial resources, insurance and family circumstances.
- Agree on the support format. Clarify the scope, terms, price and how to share materials.
- Prepare the documents in order. Work from the agreed list, rather than any list found online.
NEXO can discuss reviewing your working arrangements, preparing materials and agreed legal support. Specific actions depend on the circumstances. The decision rests with the competent authority.
Questions before the first conversation
What should I write in the form?
Where you are, how your work is formalised and what you want to clarify. Leave your name and email so we can reply. Don’t include your passport, bank details or confidential documents.
Can I enquire before moving?
Yes, you can tell us about your plans. After reviewing your enquiry, we’ll clarify which issues need checking and what support we can offer.
Does sending the request engage the service?
No. It is a request for initial contact. The scope, terms and price of further work are agreed separately.
Does NEXO guarantee a favourable decision?
No. We are responsible for the agreed legal work, while the decision rests with the competent authority. The conditions and possible limitations of your application must be assessed individually.
Official sources and updates
Sources reviewed on 14 October 2026. This is an editorial review of the links and cited provisions, not a personal legal opinion. Before applying, check the current rules and instructions of the relevant authority.