2025 Edition: Complete and Updated Guide

At Visal Immigration Lawyers, we specialize in facilitating the legal path for foreigners who wish to settle in Spain. One of the most innovative and attractive permits currently available is the International Remote Worker Permit, also known as the digital nomad visa. This permit allows individuals to live legally in Spain while working remotely for a company located outside the European Union. Below, we explore its requirements, benefits, and procedures in depth.

6 KEY POINTS

1. What is the International Remote Worker Permit?
   This permit is regulated by the Entrepreneurs Law and authorizes foreigners to live and work remotely from Spain. The initial authorization is valid for three years, allowing applicants to establish themselves in the country with legal and professional stability.

2. Ideal Candidate Profile
   Eligible candidates include:

• Employees already contracted by companies outside the EU.

• Self-employed professionals providing services to foreign companies.

It is essential to provide proof of:

• University degree, master’s, vocational training, or relevant experience in the field.

• That the company for which the applicant works is not based in the EU.

3. Dual Work Activity
   In the case of self-employed workers, it is permitted to work additionally for Spanish companies, as long as this activity does not exceed 20% of the total professional activity.

4. How to Apply for the Permit
   There are two ways to apply:

• From abroad: Through the Spanish consulate in the country of residence, requesting a one-year visa.

• From within Spain: If the applicant is already legally in the country (as a tourist, student, etc.), they can apply directly through the Large Companies and Strategic Groups Unit (UGE-CE), based in Madrid, via electronic processing.

5. Economic Requirements
   Applicants must demonstrate minimum financial solvency equivalent to 200% of the Spanish Minimum Interprofessional Salary (SMI), which currently amounts to approximately €1340 per month. Therefore, the applicant must show a minimum monthly income of €2680.

6. Family Reunification
   Unlike other permits, this authorization allows the applicant to bring their family from the outset:

• Spouse or registered partner.

• Children under 18 or dependent adult children.

• Dependent parents.

Family members will receive a permit linked to that of the main applicant, with the same rights to residence and employment.

Introduction

In recent years, there has been a significant transformation in the way people work globally, largely driven by the COVID-19 pandemic. Remote work—or teleworking—went from being a minor modality to becoming an essential part of the global labor market.

Alongside this surge in remote work emerged the figure of the digital nomad—professionals who leverage the flexibility of telecommuting to live temporarily in different countries while continuing to meet their online work obligations. As a result of this trend, nearly half of the world’s destinations now offer digital nomad visas, recognizing the potential of attracting this new profile of mobile worker.

Spain has not been left out of this phenomenon. In line with other European countries, the Spanish government adapted its legal framework to facilitate the arrival of international remote workers. Beginning in 2023, a new residence permit was established for international teleworkers—commonly known as the digital nomad visa—aimed at non-EU foreign nationals who wish to live in Spain while working remotely for foreign employers.

This research article analyzes this permit in detail within the context of 2025, examining its background, requirements, socio-economic implications, and current relevance. Recent data on global telework post-pandemic, migration policies adapted to new work models, and the impact of this visa in Spain are provided, with references to official sources and international organizations.

---

Global Context: The Rise of Telework After the Pandemic

The massive adoption of remote work was one of the most notable changes stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. At the peak of health restrictions, approximately 23% of the working population in the European Union was working from home, compared to just 14% before the pandemic.

Recent European studies show that although the return to normality slightly reduced this peak, remote work has stabilized at high levels: in 2023, around 22.2% of EU adults were working from home either regularly or occasionally.

This stabilization contradicts initial predictions that remote work would sharply decline after the pandemic. On the contrary, experts indicate that the future of work will be predominantly hybrid, combining in-person and remote work.

---

On a global level, remote work has given rise to a growing army of international remote workers. In the United States alone, 11% of the workforce (18.1 million people) identified as digital nomads in 2023, a 147% increase from 2019.

These figures illustrate how the ability to work from anywhere thanks to technology has evolved from an experimental practice to a mainstream lifestyle. Professionals in highly digitalized sectors—such as technology, marketing, design, consulting, among others—are choosing a nomadic lifestyle, living temporarily in various countries while continuing their remote employment.

---

This boom in digital nomadism has also had a catalytic effect on public policy and local markets. Many governments have seen an opportunity to attract international talent and highly skilled human capital. Likewise, regions traditionally dependent on seasonal tourism have identified digital nomads as a more stable year-round source of income. Studies show that digital nomads tend to stay longer and spend more in the local economy than conventional tourists, contributing to a more sustainable economic model throughout the year. In short, global telework in the post-pandemic era has not only redefined labor dynamics but has also opened the door to new migratory flows and economic opportunities on an international scale.

---

Migration Policy Adaptation to Remote Work

In response to the proliferation of cross-border telework, many countries have adapted their migration policies by creating special visas for remote workers, often referred to as digital nomad visas. Since 2020, more than 40 countries have launched such programs, including several EU members like Estonia, Portugal, Croatia, and Germany, as well as non-European destinations (e.g., Georgia, UAE, Indonesia). These initiatives aim to capitalize on the digital nomad trend by attracting professionals with stable incomes who contribute to local economies. According to the World Economic Forum, nearly half of the global destinations already offer digital nomad visas as of 2024—evidence of the rapid spread of this innovative migration policy.

The rationale behind these visas is to offer a legal and simplified path for foreign workers who, despite not having local employment, wish to live in the country. Generally, the requirements include proof of employment or sufficient income, health insurance, and a clean criminal record—tailored to the profile of a remote professional. In exchange, host countries benefit from less seasonality in tourism, increased local spending, and the chance to attract technological and entrepreneurial talent. Some governments even supplement these visas with tax incentives to make the destination more attractive. For instance, Spain has introduced tax advantages for these international teleworkers under the special regime for inbound workers (known as the “Beckham Law”), allowing them to pay a flat tax rate of around 24% on income, lower than the standard progressive tax scale.

This demonstrates how migration policies have been creatively adapted to new forms of work, competing to attract a generation of highly mobile professionals.

---

Within this context, Spain initially lagged behind but eventually joined the global trend. By late 2022, the country passed Law 28/2022 to foster the startup ecosystem (commonly known as the Startup Law), which formally introduced the figure of the international remote worker into the 2013 Entrepreneurs Law. Thus, starting January 2023, a new residence visa for remote work came into effect, positioning Spain as one of the most accessible destinations for digital nomads.

Notably, Spain quickly climbed in popularity among these professionals: according to a comparative index of digital nomad visas, Spain was ranked as the best country in the world for digital nomads in 2024, even surpassing Portugal. This was due to a combination of an attractive visa, high-speed internet infrastructure, moderate cost of living, and excellent quality of life. In fact, international surveys ranked Spain among the top three most visited countries by digital nomads in 2024, just behind the U.S. and tied with Thailand—reflecting the immense interest generated by this new residence authorization.

The International Remote Work Permit in Spain: Legislation and Features

Spain’s international remote work residence permit—commonly known as the digital nomad visa—is aimed at non-EU citizens who wish to live in Spain while continuing their remote work. Legally, it is a residence authorization for remote work included in Law 14/2013 (Entrepreneurs Law), amended by the Startup Law.

There are two ways to apply for this permit:

1. As a national visa at the Spanish consulate in the applicant’s country of origin, which allows entry and residence in Spain for up to one year.

2. As a residence authorization for international remote work, applying directly from within Spain (e.g., if the applicant is legally present with a tourist or student visa). In this case, it is initially granted for up to three years, and it can be renewed later. Altogether, the regulation allows for residence for up to five years under this special category, after which the remote worker may even apply for long-term residence.

This time flexibility makes the visa attractive both for short stays (a few months) and long-term projects in Spain.

---

Since its introduction, the permit has been accompanied by regulations and instructions aimed at streamlining the application process. In a major reform of the Immigration Regulation in 2023–2024, the Spanish government simplified procedures and unified criteria for visas and residence permits, recognizing the growing importance of international remote workers.

The reform clarified the division of responsibilities between consulates (for initial visas) and immigration offices (for permits applied from within Spain), reducing bureaucracy and processing times. This administrative modernization aligns with Spain’s political commitment to “welcome talent from all nationalities,” in the words of the Minister for Inclusion, Social Security and Migration.

---

Key Requirements and Conditions

To qualify for this permit, applicants must meet a series of strict requirements designed to verify their professional background and economic self-sufficiency. Below is a summary of the main legal criteria for international remote workers in Spain in 2025:

---

As seen, Spain enforces robust criteria to ensure the visa recipient is a qualified and self-sufficient professional. The central element is the income threshold (double the minimum salary) to ensure the applicant can support themselves without burdening the welfare system. This amount is adjusted annually and is set at €2,760/month for 2025.

While this may seem high, it remains competitive compared to other European countries offering similar visas—for example, Iceland requires about €7,000/month and Estonia €4,500/month—making Spain a more accessible option.

Other standard requirements, like a clean criminal record and health insurance, aim to protect public health and safety. The academic/professional requirement ensures the program attracts high-level talent. Meanwhile, the 20% client cap for freelancers ensures this visa is not used to bypass local hiring routes.

---

A noteworthy aspect is the possibility of family reunification. Spain allows the remote worker to bring their spouse or partner, children, and dependent parents—provided they demonstrate sufficient income. This makes the program especially appealing for adult professionals with families. For instance, an applicant with a spouse and two children would need to show around €4,000/month in income.

In return, family members receive residence permits with work authorization and access to education, facilitating full integration into Spanish society.

Need Help? Contact the Experts

At Visal Immigration Lawyers, we’re here to guide you through every step of the process. Whether you're considering relocating to Spain as a digital nomad or you're ready to submit your application, our expert legal team will provide you with personalized, professional support.

We are immigration specialists committed to turning your move to Spain into a seamless and successful experience.

You can visit our office, call us at +34 618 702 253, or contact us by email or through our website:

www.visalimmigration.com
info@visalimmigration.com

Let us handle the legal details while you focus on building your future in Spain.
We’ll be by your side—from your first question to your new life abroad.