Digital nomad visa in Spain: application and 2026 renewal
Spain's international remote worker permit lets employees and freelancers who work for companies outside Spain live here with their families. Applications are decided by the Large Companies Unit (UGE-CE) in a short legal deadline — and 2026 brought stricter renewal criteria that many applicants are not aware of.
Who qualifies
Non-EU nationals who work remotely for companies outside Spain, as employees or as freelancers with clients abroad, with at least three months in that relationship and a company that has been operating for at least a year; a university degree or three years of professional experience; income above the legal threshold, which is updated each year and increases for family members; health insurance and a clean criminal record. Applying from Spain gives a three-year permit; applying at a consulate gives a one-year visa that is later converted.
What changed in 2026
Renewals now require proof that you have actually complied with Spanish tax and Social Security obligations during the first period: Spanish tax returns, proof of tax residence and, for freelancers, evidence of income and invoices. The reviewing unit has reorganised to detect template-based applications and genuine remote work is checked more closely. A renewal that was routine in 2024 needs preparation in 2026.
How we work
We check eligibility and the income calculation before you commit, prepare the employer or client documentation in the form the UGE-CE expects, submit electronically and follow the file to the residence card. For renewals, we audit your tax and Social Security position first.