Can I apply for Spain's digital nomad visa from inside Spain?
Updated · Spain nomad visa guide · Not legal advice
Yes. If you are legally in Spain (for example during a visa-free stay), you can apply online to the UGE for an international teleworker residence authorisation valid for up to 3 years, decided within 20 working days. The alternative is a visa from the Spanish consulate covering where you live, valid for up to 1 year and then renewed in Spain.
| Item | Inside Spain: UGE residence authorisation | Abroad: consular visa |
|---|---|---|
| Where you file | Online with the UGE (digital certificate or a representative) | Spanish consulate covering your place of residence |
| Must you be in Spain? | Yes, and legally present when you file | No, you file before moving |
| Validity | Up to 3 years | Up to 1 year, then renew in Spain |
| Decision deadline | 20 working days; if there is no answer in that time the application is treated as approved (positive administrative silence) | 10 working days (statutory target) |
| Appointment needed | No (online filing) | Yes: check the consulate's page |
| Family | Can be included | Can apply together |
The legal-stay condition
You must be in Spain lawfully when you file. Americans, Canadians, Britons and Australians can usually be in Spain visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180 (90/180 rule). File well before that stay ends; do not overstay waiting for documents.
What you need to file online
- A Spanish digital certificate or an authorised representative (many people use a lawyer or gestor to file).
- The same evidence as the consulate route: income, remote work, qualification, insurance, criminal record, social security.
- Payment of the UGE fee (modelo 790).
- After approval, you apply for the TIE card at the police: see TIE after arrival.
Which should you choose?
Inside-Spain filing gives a longer permit and avoids consulate appointment queues, but you need your documents ready before you arrive (apostilles and the FBI check are much easier to get at home). The consulate route lets you get the decision before you move house. Our eligibility check asks which you plan and builds the checklist for that route.
Quick answers
- Can I enter Spain as a tourist and apply for the nomad visa there?
- You can apply for the residence authorisation with the UGE while your visa-free stay is still valid. Have all documents ready before you travel.
- Can I apply for the Spain digital nomad visa online?
- The inside-Spain residence authorisation is filed online with the UGE. Consular visas are filed at the consulate; check the consulate's page for its procedure.
- What is the UGE in Spain?
- The Unidad de Grandes Empresas y Colectivos Estratégicos, the unit of Spain's Ministry of Inclusion that handles residence permits under Law 14/2013, including international teleworkers.
What to do next
Not sure which route fits you? The free check compares both and lists what each needs for your case.
Compare my routesSources
- UGE (Ministerio de Inclusión): Large Companies and Strategic Groups Unit
- UGE: digital nomad FAQ (Spanish, PDF)
- BOE: Law 14/2013 (consolidated text, arts. 74 bis and 74 ter)
- European Commission: Schengen short-stay calculator
Checked: . Rules change; confirm current values on the official pages above before you file.