Digital nomad visa
Best suited to: Remote employees and freelancers working for clients outside Spain
Spain
Moving to Spain without guessing the paperwork
Remote workers, retirees, students and employees each use a different Spanish route. Find yours before booking anything.
- Dedicated routes for remote workers and for people with passive income
- Applications usually start at a consulate before you travel
- Residence cards are renewed locally once you arrive
Visa routes to Spain
Each route has its own eligibility rules. Use these summaries to decide which official pages are worth your time.
Non-lucrative visa
Best suited to: People with sufficient savings or passive income who will not work locally
Work permit
Best suited to: Applicants with a Spanish employer sponsoring the role
Study visa
Best suited to: Students enrolled at a recognised Spanish institution
What to know before applying
Spain offers several routes for people who want to live, work remotely or retire there. The right visa depends on whether you have a local job offer, remote income, savings or family ties.
- Digital nomad visas suit remote workers with clients or employers outside Spain.
- Non-lucrative residence requires proof of steady income or savings without local work.
- Most employed work visas need a job offer and employer sponsorship first.
- Book your TIE appointment soon after arrival to avoid overstaying the entry visa.
Spain immigration FAQs
- Can I work for a Spanish company on a digital nomad visa?
- No more than a small percentage of your income may come from Spanish clients. The visa is intended for remote work for non-Spanish employers or clients.
- How long can I stay in Spain on a non-lucrative visa?
- The initial visa is usually valid for one year, renewable for two-year periods and eventually leading to long-term residence.
- Do I need to speak Spanish?
- Spanish is not usually a legal requirement for these visas, but it helps enormously for daily life, bureaucracy and some work permits.