Spanish Digital Nomad Visa

Part of the ‘Start-up Law’ this visa is designed for those work for a company based outside the EU/EEA and it has proved very popular. Only 20 per cent of your professional activity must be carried out in Spain so the other 80 per cent must be for a company located outside the EU/EEA.

Further, the visa applicant must have been employed by the company, or group of companies, for at least one year already, and must provide documentation from their employer that their job can be carried out remotely. There must be a minimum education or experience level, and the absence of a criminal record for the past five years, plus private healthcare. Applications can be made through the Spanish Consulate in the UK or in Spain (the latter is easier and you get a longer visa: three years).

This visa currently requires a minimum net income of €31,752 per year for a single person, or for a remote worker with a partner €47,628 per year, or €47,628 plus a child. Bear in mind these figures also increase slightly every year. The application process can be very fast in Spain – even just three to five weeks.

Tax Benefits

The visa can bring tax benefits. Holders can apply - within six months – for the Special Expats’ Tax Regime (SETR), or Beckham Law – which means a flat 24 per cent rate tax of income tax up to €600,000.

This is making it very popular with wealthy company owners and entrepreneurs right now. Since are you considered non-resident for tax purposes, you will not be liable for wealth or solidarity tax on worldwide assets. Some Spanish regions (such as Madrid and Andalusia) have changed their wealth tax thresholds to make themselves more attractive to high-net-worths, but the solidarity tax should be considered if you have considerable assets.