A free PDF guide — a decision in 20 days
A guide to the nomadvisa of Spain
A status for people working remotely for foreign companies: a card for 3 years from the start, the family comes along, and there is no need to change jobs. We set out the income thresholds, how employment differs from freelancing and how to file.
- PDF in English
- Free of charge
- Verified on 12.08.2026
- Sent by email, WhatsApp or Telegram
Preliminary information is not tax advice. The requirements are confirmed on the date of application.
01 / The essentials first
What to know about the visa before you file
Four things that decide the speed, the threshold and who can be in the application.
- A decision in twenty days
Applications under the start-ups law are considered by a specialist unit: the time is 20 days, and once it runs out the application counts as approved.
- A card for three years from the start
Not a one-year permit but 3 years, renewed for 2. After 5 years EU long-term residence opens.
- Your work stays as it is
You carry on working for your foreign employer or clients. There is no need to change jobs or find a Spanish employer.
- The family comes along
A spouse and children take the status in the same application. The income requirement rises by a fixed amount for each of them.
02 / Income
What income your family needs
Set out the family: an addition is made to the base threshold for every member.
03 / Two forms of employment
Employment or freelancing
The threshold is the same, but what you evidence differs — and so does the way you pay contributions.
The values were checked against the official material on 12.08.2026. Only the rows for which there is no official wording are marked separately.
| Criterion | EmployedAn employee of a foreign company | FreelanceWorking for clients abroad |
|---|---|---|
| Who the client is | an employer outside Spain | clients outside Spain |
| Spanish clients | not allowed | a limited share is allowed |
| The income for the applicant | from €2,442 a month | from €2,442 a month |
| What you evidence | the employment contract and the length of service | the contracts and the history of the work |
| Time with the client | 3 months or more | 3 months or more |
| The card | 3 years | 3 years |
| Social contributionsA BRIDGES estimate | through the employer or an agreement | self-employment in Spain |
- Who the client is
- an employer outside Spain
- clients outside Spain
- Spanish clients
- not allowed
- a limited share is allowed
- The income for the applicant
- from €2,442 a month
- from €2,442 a month
- What you evidence
- the employment contract and the length of service
- the contracts and the history of the work
- Time with the client
- 3 months or more
- 3 months or more
- The card
- 3 years
- 3 years
- Social contributionsA BRIDGES estimate
- through the employer or an agreement
- self-employment in Spain
In both cases the clients are outside Spain: that is the foundation of the status.
04 / The country
What the country looks like
Briefly about the country and about what sets the terms of the status.
- The essentials firstThe key facts of the programme: what decides the matter.
- A comparisonThe terms of the programme in one table.
- How the work runsThe process step by step — from the check to the documents.
- The analysisWhat is checked before the status is granted.
- The limitsWhat affects the timings, the costs and keeping the status.
- Your teamWho runs the case and what each specialist answers for.
05 / The order of work
How the process runs
The main work is gathering the employer’s documents: the rest goes quickly.
- The employment is checked
We look at who pays and under what contract: the whole pack and the contributions arrangement follow from it.
- Evidencing the income
Statements, contracts, service certificates. The threshold is counted for the whole family at once.
- The documents for filing
A certificate of no criminal record, insurance, proof that the employing company is registered.
- Filing with the UGE or at the consulate
The application is filed online with the specialist unit, or through the consulate for your place of residence.
- The decision
The time for consideration is 20 days. Silence from the authority once the time is out means approval.
- The TIE card
Entry, biometrics and the card for 3 years. The whole process takes 1-3 months.
07 / The check
What is examined in the application
That the employer is real, the length of service, the income for the whole family and the applicant’s qualifications.
- That the employer is real
The company has to have been trading for at least a year and to confirm that it allows remote work from Spain.
- Service and the contract
A relationship with the employer or the clients of at least 3 months before the application.
- The income for the whole family
The threshold is counted allowing for every member of the family included, and is evidenced with documents.
- Qualifications
A degree, or three years of professional experience in the field of the work.
The weak point in most cases is the company’s documents: they are prepared in advance, in English or Spanish.
08 / The limits
What to take into account in advance
Five limits that bear on working with clients and on tax.
Spanish clients are all but barredFor employees, barred outright
For freelancers only a small share of the income may come from Spanish clients.
Contributions and taxThe arrangement follows the status
How social contributions and tax are paid differs for employees and the self-employed — it is worked out in advance.
You have to live thereA status for living in the country
A long absence puts the renewal of the card in doubt.
The special tax regime is not automaticThe conditions are examined
The regime for posted workers applies when separate conditions are met, not merely because you hold the visa.
The employer has to take partIts documents are needed
Part of the pack is prepared by the company: without its help the application cannot be assembled.
09 / Your team
Who runs your case
The work is led by specialists who file with the UGE and the Spanish consulates.
The editorial record
The material was prepared and checked by
- First published
- 12 August 2026
- Last updated
- 12 August 2026
The official sources
- Law 28/2022 on supporting the start-up ecosystemBoletín Oficial del Estado · checked 12.08.2026The introduction of the international remote worker status and the requirements on income.
- Law 14/2013, the part on international teleworkingBOE, the consolidated text · checked 12.08.2026A permit of up to three years, renewal for two, and a twenty-day decision with positive silence.
- The Large Companies and Strategic Collectives UnitUGE, the Ministry of Inclusion of Spain · checked 12.08.2026How to file, the set of documents and the requirements on the employer.
10 / Common questions
Questions about the nomad visa of Spain
How much do I have to earn?
From €2,442 a month for the applicant — that is €29,304 a year. €916 is added for the second member of the family and €305 a month for each one after that.
How quickly is a decision taken?
20 days. If the authority has not answered in time, the application counts as approved.
How long is the card issued for?
For 3 years from the start, then renewed for 2 years.
May I work for Spanish companies?
Employees, no. Freelancers may take a limited share of their income from Spanish clients.
What length of service is needed?
At least 3 months with the current employer or clients, and the company has to have existed for at least a year.
What about the family?
A spouse and children are included in the same application and take the status for the same term.
What about tax?
Where the conditions are met, the special regime for posted workers is available. It does not apply automatically — the sums are worked out before the move.
When does permanent residence open?
EU long-term residence after 5 years of lawful residence.
Free of charge
Take the guide and the income calculation
We will send the PDF with the requirements and the threshold worked out for your family.
- The income thresholds with the additions for the family
- How employment and freelancing differ
- What documents the employer prepares
- The time for a decision and how renewal works