Move to Spain.
Work from Anywhere.

Spain's Digital Nomad Visa (DNV), officially called the visa para teletrabajadores de carácter internacional, allows non-EU citizens who work remotely for foreign companies or clients to live and work legally in Spain. It was introduced under the Startups Law (Ley de Startups) and came into full effect in 2023. Initial visas are valid for 1 year and renewable up to 5 years.

In 2026, you need to demonstrate income of at least 200% of Spain's minimum wage (SMI). With the 2026 SMI at €1,221/month (14 payments/year, €17,094 annually), the monthly DNV threshold works out to approximately €2,850/month (roughly $3,050 USD). Importantly, you need to demonstrate this income — not just assets — so passive income from investments alone typically doesn't qualify.

Yes — and that's exactly who the DNV was designed for. You can be a W-2 employee of a US company, a 1099 contractor with US clients, or an entrepreneur with an established foreign business. The key rule: at least 80% of your income must come from clients or employers based outside of Spain. If you want to eventually pick up Spanish clients, you can — just keep them below 20% of your income.

The Beckham Law is a special tax regime that may be available to qualifying foreigners who become Spanish tax residents, applying a different rate structure for a limited number of years. Whether it applies to you, and whether it is beneficial, depends heavily on your individual income type, residency situation, and how you structured your affairs. Tax outcomes vary significantly by person. We strongly recommend consulting a qualified Spanish tax advisor before making any assumptions about this regime.

The official processing time at Spanish consulates abroad is up to 20 business days (one month). In practice, many applicants report 4–8 weeks from document submission to a decision on their visa. Add another few weeks on arrival in Spain to complete the tarjeta de identidad de extranjero (TIE) process. Our recommendation: start gathering documents 3–6 months before you want to move.

Yes — US citizens owe taxes to the IRS based on citizenship, regardless of where they live. There are mechanisms such as the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE) and the Foreign Tax Credit (FTC) that may help reduce the impact of double taxation for qualifying individuals. There are also foreign account reporting requirements (such as FBAR) to be aware of. US expat tax law is complex and individual outcomes vary — working with a qualified US expat CPA is strongly advisable for anyone moving abroad. Our €99 bundle includes a referral to an independent US expat CPA experienced in serving Americans in Spain.

The core documents include:

• Valid US passport (6+ months remaining)
• Completed visa application form
• Recent passport-style photo
• Employment contract or client contracts proving remote work
• 3 months of pay stubs or bank statements showing qualifying income
• Private health insurance covering Spain (comprehensive, not travel insurance)
• FBI background check — less than 3 months old, with Apostille
• Proof of accommodation in Spain (rental contract or hotel booking)
• Visa fee payment (around €80)

Check our full documents guide for exact requirements by consulate.

Yes — your spouse or partner and dependent children can all come. Each family member applies separately, and you'll need to demonstrate that your income covers the whole household. Beyond your own 200% SMI threshold (€2,849/month), Spain requires an additional 75% of SMI per additional family member (approximately €917/month per person in 2026). So a family of three would need to demonstrate around €4,683/month in qualifying income.