For qualifying remote work for overseas businesses. Apply for a visa through the responsible consulate from abroad, or an eligible residence authorisation through UGE while legally in Spain; lawful presence alone is not enough.
Route overview
International teleworking visa / residence authorization for digital nomads
Typical timeline / duration: Consular visa up to one year (shorter if applicable); eligible in-country residence authorisation up to three years.
Important notes
Relevant recognised degree/vocational or business-school qualification, or at least three years of comparable professional experience; regulated professions need the required recognition.
Prove the overseas company's establishment at least one year earlier and a work/professional relationship of at least three months, with permission/terms for remote work.
Funds formula: 200% of SMI for the main applicant, plus 75% for the first accompanying family member and 25% for each further member. Royal Decree 126/2026 sets €1,221 per month and €17,094 annually, applicable from 1 January 2026. Our annualised planning calculation is 200% × €17,094 ÷ 12 = €2,849/month; confirm the filing authority's calculation and evidence requirements.
Passport, criminal-record and health-cover documents plus the applicable Spanish social-security registration or permitted coverage certificate; overseas employment does not itself exempt registration.
Employees work only for overseas companies. Self-employed work for Spanish clients is capped at 20% of total professional activity.
Current UGE FAQ question 12 says a holder of non-lucrative temporary residence cannot apply on that basis: that status does not permit work, so unauthorised remote work cannot establish the required prior relationship. This is current guidance, not a newly dated 2026 conversion ban.
UGE guidance requires self-employed teleworkers to register in RETA; it does not allow them to replace registration with bilateral imported coverage. Employees need an expressly applicable certificate where a treaty substitution is permitted. Check your case, not just whether a treaty exists.
Preparation checklist
Identify the responsible consulate or confirm eligibility for an in-country UGE application.
Gather company registration, remote-work permission and at least three months of relationship evidence.
Document relevant qualifications or comparable professional experience and any regulated-profession recognition.
Calculate funds for the whole family with the current SMI and confirm the authority's monthly conversion.
Arrange social-security compliance, suitable health coverage, criminal records and required translations/legalisation.