Skilled Migration / Spain / Route
Spain · Investment route
Live in Spain while working remotely for companies abroad: income of at least 200% of Spain's minimum wage, a one-year visa and a three-year residence authorisation.
Last updated: 2026-10-01
Programme overviewنظرة عامة
Overview
Advising UAE residents on skilled migration from our Dubai office.
Overview
Spain's Digital Nomad Visa, formally the visa for international telework, lets a non-EU professional live in Spain while working remotely for companies based outside Spain or, if self-employed, mainly for clients outside Spain. It was created by Ley 28/2022 (the Startups Law), which inserted article 74 bis into Ley 14/2013.
The route has two stages: a consular visa valid for one year, and a residence authorisation granted from inside Spain for three years, renewable for a further two.
Who qualifies
- Non-EU/EEA nationality.
- A degree or postgraduate qualification from a recognised institution, or at least three years' professional experience.
- A working relationship of at least three months with the company or clients before you apply.
- A company that has been trading really and continuously for at least one year, shown by a Commercial Registry certificate.
- Employees may work only for companies located outside Spain. Self-employed professionals may also work for Spanish companies, up to 20% of their total professional activity.
- Income of at least 200% of the SMI, plus the family uplifts below.
- Health insurance and a clean criminal record.
Income: the multiple and the 2026 SMI
The income test is a multiple of Spain's minimum wage (salario mínimo interprofesional, SMI). For 2026, Real Decreto 126/2026 fixes the SMI at €1,221 a month in 14 payments, or €17,094 a year, applying from 1 January 2026.
| Applicant | Multiple of the SMI | 2026 annual figure |
|---|---|---|
| Main applicant | 200% | €34,188 (about €2,849 a month) |
| First family member | 75% | €12,820.50 |
| Each additional family member | 25% | €4,273.50 |
The SMI is set each year, so the figures move with it. XIPHIAS confirms the calculation the consulate handling your file applies before filing.
Costs
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Consular visa fee | €90 | 2026 consular tariff |
| TIE residence card, first issue | €16.08 | Orden PJC/617/2025 |
| TIE residence card, renewal | €19.30 | Orden PJC/617/2025 |
Timeline
Consular processing times vary by consulate. After arriving on the visa, apply for your TIE residence card within 30 days. To stay beyond the visa year, apply from inside Spain to the Large Companies and Strategic Groups Unit (UGE-CE) for the three-year residence authorisation, which can then be renewed for two years.
Family
Your spouse or partner and children can be included. Each family member adds to the income requirement: 75% of the SMI for the first and 25% for each additional member.
Residence and travel
The visa and authorisation give residence in Spain. A Spanish residence card allows visa-free travel in the rest of the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180; it does not give a right to live or work in other EU countries.
Tax
Employees holding the international telework visa can opt for Spain's special regime for inbound workers (the "Beckham" regime): a flat 24% on employment income up to €600,000, for six tax periods, provided you have not been tax resident in Spain in the previous five years. Self-employed nomads are not automatically eligible. Take Spanish tax advice before relying on it.
Long-term residence and citizenship
After five years of continuous legal residence you can apply for long-term residence. Spanish citizenship by residence requires ten years for Indian nationals under article 22 of the Civil Code. The two-year period applies only to nationals of Ibero-American countries, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea and Portugal, and to people of Sephardic origin; India is not among them. India does not permit dual citizenship: acquiring Spanish citizenship would end Indian citizenship under Section 9(1) of the Citizenship Act 1955. Spanish residence does not.
Risks to plan for
- Employees cannot work for an employer located in Spain on this route.
- A working relationship of under three months, or a company trading for less than a year, fails the test.
- Income is measured against the SMI in force, which changes each year.
- The inbound-worker tax regime is not automatic for self-employed nomads.
- Citizenship for Indian nationals takes ten years of legal residence.
Talk to our Spain visa consultants in Dubai
XIPHIAS Immigration has advised families and businesses since 2009, and our Dubai team works with UAE residents. We were named Best Immigration Consultant by The Times of India in 2022. Our immigration consultants in Dubai will take you through the requirements, costs and timeline for your specific case.
Sources
- BOE — Ley 28/2022, de fomento del ecosistema de las empresas emergentes (Startups Law)
- BOE — Ley 14/2013, article 74 bis (international telework)
- BOE — Real Decreto 126/2026, salario mínimo interprofesional for 2026
- Programa de Residencia para Inversores y Emprendedores — international teleworkers
- Agencia Tributaria — special regime for inbound workers (impatriados)
- BOE — Civil Code, article 22 (nationality by residence)
What you getالمزايا
Live in Spain while keeping your remote employer or clients outside Spain.
One-year visa, then a three-year residence authorisation renewable for two more years.
Spouse or partner and children can be included.
Visa-free Schengen travel of up to 90 days in any 180 on your Spanish residence card.
Employees can opt for the inbound-worker tax regime: 24% on employment income up to €600,000.
Long-term residence after five years of continuous legal residence.
Investment & costsالتكاليف
Qualifying investment
Consular visa fee
At the consulate · 2026 consular tariff.
TIE residence card, first issue
Within 30 days of arrival · Renewal €19.30 (Orden PJC/617/2025).
Government & due-diligence fees
Figures are indicative and exclusive of professional fees. Your advisor confirms an exact, written cost breakdown for your family size.
Eligibilityالأهلية
Requirements
Non-EU/EEA nationality.
A degree or postgraduate qualification from a recognised institution, or at least three years' professional experience.
A working relationship of at least three months with the company or clients.
The company must have been trading for at least one year (Commercial Registry certificate).
Income of at least 200% of the SMI: €34,188 a year in 2026, plus 75% of the SMI for the first family member and 25% for each additional one.
Health insurance and a clean criminal record.
Proof of funds
Who cannot apply
Employees whose employer is located in Spain.
A working relationship of under three months, or a company trading for less than one year.
Income below 200% of the SMI plus family uplifts.
EU/EEA nationals (the visa is not needed).
The processكيف نعمل
Step 1: Eligibility check
Confirm the three-month relationship, the company's year of trading and income of at least 200% of the SMI.
Step 2: Documents
Contract, Commercial Registry certificate, income evidence, qualifications, insurance and police certificate.
Step 3: Consular application
File the international telework visa and pay the €90 fee.
Step 4: Arrival and TIE
Enter on the one-year visa and apply for the TIE within 30 days.
Step 5: Residence authorisation
Apply from inside Spain to the UGE-CE for the three-year authorisation.
Step 6: Renewal
Renew for a further two years; long-term residence after five years.
Document checklistالوثائق
Identity Documents
- ✦Valid passport
- ✦Completed visa application form
- ✦Passport-size photographs
- ✦Marriage or birth certificates for family members
Work and Company
- ✦Employment contract or service agreements showing at least three months' relationship
- ✦Commercial Registry certificate showing the company has traded for at least one year
- ✦Employer letter authorising remote work from Spain
Income
- ✦Payslips, invoices or bank statements evidencing income of at least 200% of the SMI
- ✦Additional income evidence for each family member included
Qualifications
- ✦Degree or postgraduate certificate, or evidence of three years' professional experience
Health and Character
- ✦Health insurance valid in Spain
- ✦Police clearance certificate, legalised and translated as required
Your XIPHIAS advisor prepares a personalised document list at onboarding. The checklist above is indicative and may vary by family size.
Risk notes
The income threshold follows the SMI, which is set each year; the 2026 SMI is €1,221 a month in 14 payments.
Self-employed applicants may take Spanish clients only up to 20% of their total professional activity; employees may not work for companies in Spain.
The inbound-worker tax regime is not automatic for self-employed nomads.
Spanish citizenship requires ten years of legal residence for Indian nationals; the two-year rule does not apply to India.
Compliance
Legal basis: article 74 bis of Ley 14/2013, inserted by Ley 28/2022 (the Startups Law).
Apply for your TIE residence card within 30 days of arrival.
Keep income, insurance and the remote working relationship in place: renewals re-test them.
Income figures are confirmed against the SMI in force when you file.
Questionsأسئلة شائعة
This route, answered.
Non-EU/EEA professionals working remotely for companies outside Spain, or self-employed professionals working mainly for clients outside Spain, with a degree or three years' experience.
Start the Spain route.
A senior advisor will confirm the exact costs, timeline and documents for your case — privately, and entirely off the record.