Why it matters
Before 2023, an American remote worker in Spain was almost always in legal gray space: working on tourist stays, hoping nobody asked. The Startup Law (Ley 28/2022) replaced that gray with a clean status: live in Spain legally, keep your U.S. job or clients, bring your family, count the years toward permanent residence — with a fast, specialized authority (the UGE) deciding files in about 20 business days.
This page is the definition. The deep, decision-grade version — requirements, timeline, costs, route strategy — lives in the 2026 guide for U.S. citizens.
Who it’s for
- W-2 employees whose employer allows remote work from Spain — with one special document, the SSA Certificate of Coverage
- 1099 contractors and freelancers with established clients — see the contractor guide
- Business owners paid by their own non-Spanish company, subject to extra structure questions
- Families — spouses and children join with work rights of their own
The core requirements, in one look
- Remote work for non-Spanish companies — up to 20% of income may be Spanish
- Income: ~€2,849 gross/month single in 2026 (+partner, +children) — the math is in the income guide
- History: 3+ months with your employer or clients; the paying company at least 1 year old (proven by a Certificate of Incorporation)
- Qualifications: a degree or 3 years of professional experience
- Clean record: FBI background check, apostilled and sworn-translated
- Health insurance authorized in Spain, no copays — the insurance guide names names
How the process works
- 1 · Eligibility check. Two minutes, free, honest — the assessment.
- 2 · Document phase (U.S.). FBI chain, employer or client papers, insurance, translations — two to four months, run in parallel.
- 3 · You fly to Spain as a tourist. Timed against the 90-day Schengen clock.
- 4 · I file with the UGE. You’re legally present; the filing is mine. From here you may remain while it resolves.
- 5 · ~20 business days → 3-year permit. Then the TIE card, the padrón, and the tax setup — including the Beckham election with its strict deadline.
Common mistakes
- Starting with flights instead of documents. Schengen days spent waiting on an apostille are the most expensive days of the process.
- Assuming a degree is required. Three years of experience is an equal, alternative branch.
- Buying travel insurance. It fails. Spanish-authorized coverage without copays is the standard.
- Discovering the PEO problem late. If your paycheck says Justworks, TriNet or Rippling, the Certificate of Coverage needs special handling — start with the PEO guides.
- Leaving taxes for after approval. The Beckham window opens at approval and closes fast.
Frequently asked questions
The name covers two legal shapes: a 1-year visa issued by Spanish consulates abroad, and a 3-year residence permit issued by the UGE when the application is filed from inside Spain. Everyone calls both “the Digital Nomad Visa” — the law calls it the international telework residence authorization.
About €2,849 gross per month for a single applicant — 200% of Spain’s minimum wage — plus roughly €1,068 for a partner and €356 per child. Salary, contractor income, or a documented mix can meet it.
Both. W-2 employees need their employer’s cooperation and a Social Security Certificate of Coverage; freelancers qualify through client contracts and invoices. The document lists differ, the visa is the same.
When I file with the UGE from inside Spain: about 20 business days. The real timeline is the document phase before that — typically two to four months, driven by the FBI apostille and, for employees, the Certificate of Coverage.
Yes — spouse and children join the application with proof of family ties and higher income thresholds. Family members receive residence with work rights.
Up to 20% of your income may come from Spanish companies. The core of your work must remain for employers or clients outside Spain — that’s the visa’s defining feature.
Yes. Time on the permit counts toward the five years needed for long-term EU residence, and eventually toward citizenship if that’s your path.
Living in Spain makes you a Spanish tax resident, but many of my clients qualify for the Beckham regime — a flat 24% on employment income for up to six years. It has a strict deadline after approval, so tax planning starts before filing, not after.
Ready to know if it’s open to you?
The free two-minute assessment checks your income, work setup and history against the real criteria, and my written follow-up tells you exactly which documents your case needs. No account, no obligation — just the honest answer.
Sources: Ley 28/2022 (BOE) · Ministerio de Inclusión — UGE. This page is general information, not legal advice. Last updated: July 2026.