All Your Moving to Spain Questions Answered! - Retiring, Digital Nomad Visa & More

Working Remotely from Spain

For EU citizens, working from Spain is simple because they do not need a visa to live or work in the country.

However, for non-EU citizens who want to work remotely from Spain for a foreign company, the digital nomad visa has become a very attractive option.

Spain introduced this visa to respond to the growing number of professionals who can work remotely and wish to live abroad without entering the local employment market.

The Digital Nomad Visa

The digital nomad visa is available to non-EU citizens who wish to live in Spain while working remotely for a foreign employer or clients located mainly outside Spain.

This visa is particularly useful for highly qualified professionals who can perform their work from Spain without being employed by a Spanish company.

To qualify, applicants generally need to show that:

they have worked for their foreign employer or client for at least three months;
the foreign company has been operating for more than one year;
the work can be performed remotely;
the employer authorises them to work from Spain;
and the applicant has the necessary qualifications or professional experience for the role.

The job must generally be considered highly qualified, which may be demonstrated through university qualifications or significant professional experience.

Family Members

One of the main advantages of the digital nomad visa is that it can also include family members.

This may include:

the applicant’s spouse;
minor children;
and adult children who remain financially dependent on the applicant.

This makes the visa particularly attractive for professionals who wish to relocate to Spain with their family while continuing to work for a foreign company.

Application Process and Duration

The digital nomad visa application can be started either at the Spanish consulate in the applicant’s home country or directly from Spain, provided the applicant is legally in Spain at the time.

For example, a person who is in Spain under the 90-day tourist allowance may apply from within Spain, as long as they remain legally in the country.

If the application is submitted from Spain, the residence authorisation may be granted for three years and can be renewed.

In practice, approval times can vary. Some applications may be approved within one month, while others may take up to three months.

Tax Advantages of the Digital Nomad Visa

The digital nomad visa may also provide access to a very favourable tax regime.

If the visa is approved, the applicant may be able to apply for the so-called Beckham tax regime.

Under this regime, although the individual lives in Spain, they may be taxed as a non-resident for certain tax purposes.

This can mean that employment income is taxed at a fixed rate of 24%, while certain foreign-source income, such as dividends, interest or capital gains, may not be taxed in Spain.

This makes the digital nomad visa particularly attractive for professionals with international income or investments outside Spain.

A Competitive and Attractive System

The digital nomad visa can create a beneficial situation for both Spain and foreign professionals.

Spain attracts highly qualified workers and new residents who contribute to the local economy, without necessarily competing for jobs in the Spanish labour market.

At the same time, professionals can enjoy living in Spain while continuing to work for foreign employers.

For many remote workers, this offers the possibility of combining international employment with Spain’s climate, lifestyle and quality of life.

Conclusion

Spain offers several options for foreigners who wish to relocate, retire or work remotely from the country.

EU citizens benefit from a simple residence process, while non-EU retirees may apply for a non-lucrative visa if they have sufficient financial means and health insurance.

For non-EU professionals who wish to work remotely, the digital nomad visa has become one of the most attractive routes.

Combined with the potential benefits of the Beckham tax regime, it offers an excellent opportunity for qualified professionals to live in Spain with their families while continuing to work for foreign companies.

Anyone considering a move to Spain should obtain specialised legal and tax advice in advance in order to choose the most suitable visa route, understand the tax implications and ensure full compliance with Spanish immigration and tax regulations.