Concierge service for Spain Digital Nomad Visa. You hire My Latin Life; local immigration specialists (and licensed counsel where required) file on your behalf. The deliverable: residency or visa status filed through local specialists — card or approval in your name — not advice, not a DIY packet.
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Program Overview
Spain launched the Digital Nomad Visa in January 2023 as part of the Startups Law (Ley 28/2022), becoming one of the largest EU economies to offer a dedicated remote work residency pathway. The visa targets remote workers and freelancers earning income from employers or clients based outside Spain — requiring that at least 80% of income come from foreign sources.
The headline attraction for many applicants is the Beckham Law (Régimen Especial para Trabajadores Desplazados), which allows new Spanish tax residents to pay a flat 24% income tax rate on Spanish-source income up to €600,000 for the first six years — significantly below Spain’s standard progressive rates which reach 47%.
One notable advantage over Portugal: Spain offers an accelerated citizenship path for citizens of Latin American countries, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, Andorra, and Sephardic Jews — 2 years of legal residency rather than the standard 10 years. For MLL’s Latin American clients who want an EU base, Spain is often the fastest path to an EU passport.
How to Qualify
- Remote employment: Valid employment or service contract with a company registered outside Spain
- Freelance / self-employed: Service contracts with clients based outside Spain
- Income: Minimum €2,646/month — 200% of the Spanish minimum wage (€1,323/month). Demonstrated via pay slips, contracts, and bank statements
- Foreign income rule: At least 80% of your total income must come from non-Spanish sources
- Criminal record: Clean criminal background check from your country of residence (last 5 years)
- Health insurance: Valid health insurance with coverage in Spain (public or private)
Dependents: Spouse and dependent children can be included.
Benefits
- EU residency — Schengen Area free movement, live and work remotely from Spain
- Beckham Law — 24% flat income tax rate for 6 years (vs up to 47% under standard Spanish rates)
- Accelerated citizenship for Latin Americans — 2 years to Spanish passport (vs 10 years standard)
- Spanish passport: Schengen Area, UK, US, Canada, Japan — one of the strongest in the world
- High quality of life, strong English presence in major cities, excellent food and climate
- Major international airports and business hubs (Madrid, Barcelona)
- Dual citizenship permitted for most nationalities
Application Process
- MLL reviews income documentation and confirms eligibility
- Document package prepared — contracts, income proof, apostilled criminal background check, health insurance
- Application submitted to the Spanish consulate in your home country OR via UGE (for certain applicants already in Spain)
- Visa issued — typically 1–3 months processing
- Travel to Spain and register with immigration authorities for the full residency permit (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero)
- Apply for Beckham Law tax regime within 6 months of registering as a tax resident
*Processing times and exact document requirements vary by consulate and applicant nationality. We confirm specifics during your consultation.
What MLL Does
- Eligibility review — income documentation, nationality-specific consulate requirements
- Full document preparation by licensed Spanish immigration attorneys
- Consulate submission and in-country registration support
- Guidance on Beckham Law application and Spanish NIE (tax identification number)
- Citizenship pathway planning for Latin American clients
Ready to Move to Spain as a Remote Worker?
Book a consultation and we will confirm your eligibility, walk you through the Beckham Law tax benefits, and manage the full application.
Citizenship Timeline and Requirements
Months 1–3 — Visa Issued
Spanish consulate issues the Digital Nomad Visa. Travel to Spain and register for your residency card (TIE). Apply for Beckham Law status within 6 months of becoming a tax resident.
Year 3 — First Renewal
Renew the residency permit for a further 2 years. Demonstrate continued income and presence.
Year 2 (Latin Americans) / Year 5 (Others) — Permanent Residency Eligible
Citizens of Latin American countries, Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, and Andorra can apply for permanent residency after 2 years. All others after 5 years.
Year 2 (Latin Americans) / Year 10 (Others) — Citizenship Eligible
Latin American nationals can apply for Spanish citizenship after 2 years of legal residency — the fastest EU citizenship route available. Standard applicants require 10 years. Spanish language proficiency (B1 level) and a civics exam (CCSE) are required.
Spain Passport Access
Spain Passport Stats
Settlement Blocs: European Union (27 member states) · Schengen Area (26 countries)
The Spanish passport ranks among the top 5–8 globally, providing visa-free access to the United States, Canada, Japan, Australia, the UK, and all of the EU and Schengen Area.
Program Authority and Legal Basis
Program Authority: Unidad de Grandes Empresas y Colectivos Estratégicos (UGE), Ministerio de Inclusión, Seguridad Social y Migraciones.
Legal Basis: Ley 28/2022, de 21 de diciembre, de fomento del ecosistema de las empresas emergentes (Ley de Startups). Beckham Law: Régimen fiscal especial aplicable a los trabajadores, profesionales, emprendedores e inversores desplazados a territorio español (Ley 35/2006, as amended by Ley 28/2022).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the income requirement for the Spain Digital Nomad Visa?
The minimum income requirement is 200% of the Spanish minimum wage — approximately €2,646/month (around US$2,900/month). At least 80% of this income must come from employers or clients based outside Spain.
What is the Beckham Law and does it apply to Digital Nomad Visa holders?
The Beckham Law (formally the Régimen Especial para Trabajadores Desplazados) allows new Spanish tax residents to pay a flat 24% income tax rate on Spanish-source income up to €600,000 for 6 years, instead of Spain’s standard progressive rates of up to 47%. Digital Nomad Visa holders who become Spanish tax residents (183+ days/year) can apply for Beckham Law status within 6 months of registering. It must be applied for proactively — it does not apply automatically.
Can Latin Americans get Spanish citizenship faster?
Yes. Citizens of Latin American countries (including Argentina, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, Ecuador, and 18 others), the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, and Andorra are eligible to apply for Spanish citizenship after just 2 years of legal residency — compared to 10 years for most other nationalities. This makes Spain the fastest EU citizenship pathway available for Latin American nationals.
Can I work for Spanish clients on this visa?
Up to 20% of your income can come from Spanish sources. If you plan to work primarily with Spanish clients, a different visa category applies. The Digital Nomad Visa requires that at least 80% of your income comes from outside Spain.
How long does the Spain Digital Nomad Visa take to process?
Processing typically takes 1–3 months from application submission, making it one of the faster EU residency programs to obtain. Document preparation and gathering (especially apostilled criminal background checks) can add 4–8 weeks to the overall timeline.
Related Services
- Spain Non-Lucrative Visa
- Spain Golden Visa
- Spain Citizenship by Descent
- Portugal Digital Nomad Visa (D8)
- Portugal D7 Visa
