How the visa works (Spain remote work visa requirements)

Consular “Telework” visa vs. UGE-CE residence

• Consular visa (outside Spain): valid up to 1 year; allows you to reside and work remotely during its validity. Afterward, you can switch to the residence authorization.

• UGE-CE residence (from inside Spain or after the visa): initial validity up to 3 years, then 2-year renewals if conditions persist. Decisions are due in 20 working days; silence = approved.

Evidence: The law defines the telework category, durations, and the 20% Spain-client cap for freelancers; Art. 76 of Law 14/2013 sets the 20-day timeline and positive silence for UGE-CE.

Who qualifies? Core eligibility & documents

• Non-EU national engaged in remote employment or professional activity for companies outside Spain.

• Qualifications: degree or recognized training or ≥3 years’ professional experience.

• Track record: employer/client relationship ≥3 months prior to applying; company active ≥1 year; remote-work feasibility documented.

• Clean criminal record, health insurance, sufficient means, and general Art. 62 requirements.

Digital nomad visa income Spain — what to show

Spain references SMI (minimum wage) for “sufficient means.” Many consulates explicitly require: 200% SMI for the main applicant; +75% SMI for the first dependant and +25% SMI for each additional one. Always check your consulate’s page where you file.

Proof typically accepted: employment contracts, client agreements, recent payslips/invoices, and bank statements—matching the consulate’s checklist.

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Step-by-step: UGE-CE application (from Spain)

1. Prepare documents (passport, background checks, insurance, proof of means, degree/experience, employer/client letters proving remote work and 3-month relationship).

2. Create your account & file online with UGE-CE (telematic submission by you or a representative).

3. Pay the UGE-CE fee (Model 038 per case type).

4. Decision in 20 working days; if no decision, approved by positive silence (keep the proof).

5. TIE (Foreigner ID card): once approved, book police appointment to register fingerprints and collect your TIE within the local deadlines.

6. Family can apply simultaneously (spouse/partner, dependent children/ascendants).

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Working scope & the 20% Spain rule

• Employees: can only work for companies outside Spain.

• Freelancers/self-employed: may bill Spanish clients, but ≤20% of total activity.
  Both rules are expressly set in the law.

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Taxes: Beckham Law Spain (should you opt in?)

Spain’s special expat regime (nicknamed Beckham Law) lets new residents tax only Spanish-source income at a flat 24% up to €600,000, 47% above that cap, for up to 6 years (year of move + 5). You must opt in with Model 149 on time and file annual Model 151.

When it helps / doesn’t help (examples):

• Helpful if most income is Spanish-sourced salary below €600k and you have significant foreign income you prefer out of scope.

• Less helpful if you have large Spanish-sourced income >€600k, significant Spanish passive income taxed differently, or expect foreign tax credits to interact better under ordinary rules.
  This is general information, not tax advice; consult a licensed advisor.

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Social Security & health coverage

• The Startup Law allows using your passport to register with Social Security during the first 6 months, easing onboarding.

• Employees seconded by foreign employers within the EU/EEA/Switzerland may use A1 certificates to stay covered in the home system; outside the EU, bilateral coverage certificates may exist.

• Health insurance must be public (if you enroll) or private equivalent to Spain’s public system; travel insurance is not valid per consular checklists.

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Spain vs. Portugal vs. Estonia (at a glance)

Note: Figures outside Spain come from official portals and up-to-date practitioner summaries; always verify just before applying.

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Costs, timelines & a practical checklist

Typical cost buckets: government fees (UGE-CE/consulate), translations & apostilles, private health insurance (if needed), fingerprints/TIE fees.

30-day pre-submission sprint (template):

• Day 1–3: Order criminal record certificates (plus apostille/legalization).

• Day 4–6: Secure health insurance compliant with consulate specs.

• Day 7–10: Employer/client letters confirming remote work and ≥3-month relationship; gather company existence (≥1 year) docs.

• Day 11–15: Bank statements, payslips/invoices to meet SMI-indexed means.

• Day 16–20: Certified translations; apostilles.

• Day 21–25: Create UGE-CE account (if applying in Spain), pay Model 038, assemble PDFs.

• Day 26–30: Final review; submit (telematically or at your consulate).

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FAQs

1) Can I work for Spanish clients under the Spain Digital Nomad Visa?
Employees: no. Freelancers: yes, but ≤20% of total activity.

2) What income proof is accepted?
Contracts/employer letters, payslips/invoices, and bank statements aligned with SMI-indexed thresholds on your consulate’s page.

3) How long does the UGE-CE application take?
Statutory 20 working days from electronic filing; positive administrative silence if no decision.

4) Do I need Spanish Social Security?
Yes—either enroll in Spain (passport accepted for first 6 months) or provide an A1/bilateral coverage certificate.

5) Is the Beckham Law automatic?
No. You must opt in on time with Model 149 and then file Model 151 annually.

6) Can my family join me?
Yes—spouse/partner and dependants may apply simultaneously with proper documentation.

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Conclusion

Spain’s framework is unusually clear for remote workers: two application tracks, explicit freelancer leeway (20%), fast UGE-CE decisioning, and an optional tax regime that can be compelling in the right cases. Verify your consulate’s SMI-indexed amounts and file a clean UGE-CE application if applying in-country. When taxes and Social Security are in play, seek professional advice aligned to your specific facts.