Primary Sources
The official resources — law, forms, and government links.
Everything on this site traces back to primary sources, and here they are: the actual law, the offices that decide your case, the forms, the fees, the registries. No blogs, no aggregators — every link below is official. When my guides and someone’s Reddit thread disagree, these pages are the referee.
The law itself
Ley 28/2022 — the Startup Law (BOE)
The law that created the Digital Nomad Visa. The consolidated official text in Spain’s state gazette — this is the source of every requirement you’ve read about.
Ley 14/2013 — international mobility (BOE)
The older entrepreneurs-and-talent law the Startup Law builds on. Residence permit mechanics — validity, renewals, the UGE procedure — live here.
BOE — Boletín Oficial del Estado
Spain’s official state gazette. Every law, every amendment, every fee update is published here first. The final word on what the rules actually say.
The authorities that decide your case
UGE — Unidad de Grandes Empresas
The specialized unit that resolves Digital Nomad Visa applications filed from inside Spain, in about 20 business days. Official criteria, contact points and application models. Plain-English explainer here.
Immigration portal — Ministerio de Inclusión
Spain’s central immigration portal: official application forms (the EX models), information sheets per permit type, and provincial office directories.
Spanish embassies & consulates directory
The official finder for Spain’s consulates in the U.S. — Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco, Washington DC, San Juan. Relevant if your case uses the consulate route.
Sede electrónica — public administration e-office
The government’s electronic filing platform, where applications and appointments (cita previa) actually happen. Where I file, and where you’ll book fingerprints later.
Official forms & fees
Application forms — the EX models
The official immigration forms: EX-17 (TIE card request), EX-15 (standalone NIE) and the rest of the family. Always download fresh — versions change.
Police e-office — fee form 790-012
Where the TIE card fee (tasa 790-012) is generated and paid before your fingerprint appointment. Small fee, mandatory receipt.
U.S. federal documents
FBI — Identity History Summary Checks
The official page for the FBI background check: how to request, fingerprint requirements, processing options.
FBI-approved channelers list
The private intermediaries that turn the FBI check into a days-long errand instead of weeks. Only channelers on this official list count.
U.S. Department of State — Office of Authentications
The only office that can apostille federal documents like FBI results. Requirements, fees and current processing times for the federal apostille.
SSA — international agreements (totalization)
The U.S.–Spain totalization agreement behind the Certificate of Coverage — the document that decides every W-2 case’s timeline.
Apostilles & sworn translations
HCCH — the Apostille Convention
The Hague Conference’s official section on the 1961 convention: member countries, competent authorities per country, and the e-APP program.
MAEC — sworn translators registry
Spain’s official list of sworn translators. If a translator isn’t here, their stamp doesn’t count — the one check that protects your translation budget. How sworn translation works.
Taxes & social security
AEAT — Spanish tax agency e-office
Spain’s tax authority. The Beckham regime election (Modelo 149) is filed here — with the strict deadline covered in the Beckham guide.
IRS — U.S.–Spain tax treaty documents
The treaty that prevents double taxation between your two tax lives. The primary text your U.S.–Spain tax advisor works from.
Seguridad Social — Spanish social security
Spain’s social security administration — relevant to autónomo registration for freelancers and to how the Certificate of Coverage keeps W-2 employees in the U.S. system.