Who the DNV is for
The Digital Nomad Visa (officially the 'visado para teletrabajadores de carácter internacional') is aimed at non-EU nationals who work remotely for foreign clients or employers. It gives you legal residency in Spain — plus the option to apply the Beckham-style tax regime at 24% flat on Spanish income up to €600k.
- Non-EU/EEA citizens (EU citizens don't need it — you just register).
- Employees of a foreign company (max 20% of income from Spanish clients).
- Freelancers with multiple foreign clients.
Income and eligibility requirements
The bar is set at 200% of the Spanish minimum wage (SMI), which in 2026 works out to roughly €2,760/month gross or ~€33,000/year. Add 75% of the SMI for a spouse and 25% for each child.
- 3+ years of professional experience OR a relevant degree.
- At least 3 months in your current role/contract before applying.
- Company must have existed for at least 1 year.
- Clean criminal record from every country you've lived in the last 5 years (apostilled).
- Private Spanish health insurance with full coverage (no co-pays).
Two ways to apply
From your home country (consulate)
Apply at the Spanish consulate in your country. You get a 1-year visa, then convert it to a 3-year residency card in Spain. Slower, but you enter Spain already sorted.
From inside Spain (UGE)
Enter Spain as a tourist and apply directly to the UGE within your 90-day window. You get a 3-year residency card straight away. Faster, riskier if paperwork is incomplete.
The Beckham-style tax regime
DNV holders can opt into a special tax regime: 24% flat on Spanish-source income up to €600k, and foreign-source income largely exempt. You must apply within 6 months of registering with Seguridad Social. Do it wrong or miss the window and you fall into the standard IRPF brackets (up to 47%).
Common reasons applications get rejected
- Income slightly below the threshold — leave a 15% buffer.
- Employment contract doesn't explicitly authorise remote work from Spain.
- Criminal record certificate not apostilled or older than 3 months.
- Health insurance policy includes co-pays or has coverage gaps.
- Trying to use it while >20% of your income comes from Spanish clients.