What letter do I need from my employer for the Spain digital nomad visa?
Updated · Documents guide · Not legal advice
Your employer must sign a letter authorising you to work remotely from Spain, stating your role, salary, start date and contract type, and you add proof that the company has been operating for at least 1 year and that you have worked with it for at least 3 months. You also sign a responsible declaration committing to meet social security obligations.
| Document | What it must show | Signed by |
|---|---|---|
| Remote work authorisation letter | Permission to work remotely from Spain, role, salary, start date, contract type | Employer (HR or an officer) |
| Employment contract | Start date at least 3 months before applying | Employer and you |
| Company registration certificate | Company has been active for at least 1 year | Official registry |
| Social security certificate of coverage, or Spanish registration | How social security will be paid | SSA (US) or Spanish system |
| Responsible declaration (declaración responsable) | Commitment to meet social security obligations | You |
Your employer does not need a Spanish entity
For employees, the company must be located outside Spain. It does not register in Spain to sponsor you; it only provides the letter and company documents. If social security will be paid in Spain, more steps apply. See social security.
Common mistakes
- The letter allows "remote work" but does not mention Spain.
- The salary in the letter does not match payslips.
- The company registration document is not apostilled and translated where required.
- You work for your own company: this is assessed differently. Get your case reviewed.
Quick answers
- Does my employer need to sign anything for the Spain digital nomad visa?
- Yes. At minimum a letter authorising you to work remotely from Spain, plus company documents. If you use a certificate of coverage, your employer is usually involved in that request too.
- Can I work for a Spanish company on the digital nomad visa?
- Employees must work for a company outside Spain. Freelancers may have Spanish clients up to 20% of their activity.
- Can I be paid by my own LLC?
- It is possible in some cases but scrutinised closely. It needs case-by-case review; consider a licensed lawyer for this.
What to do next
Paid plans include an employer-letter template written for consulate and UGE checklists.
See plans and templatesSources
- 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)
Checked: . Rules change; confirm current values on the official pages above before you file.