Can freelancers get the Spain digital nomad visa?

Yes. Self-employed applicants qualify if they show contracts with clients, a working relationship of at least 3 months, and that Spanish clients are no more than 20% of their work.

Do I need a degree for the Spain digital nomad visa?

No. A university degree or recognised vocational qualification works, but so does at least 3 years of professional experience in your field.

Is the income requirement gross or net?

It is generally assessed on gross income. Check the current wording on the UGE page or your consulate's checklist.

Do my clients need to be outside Spain?

Employees must work for a company outside Spain. Freelancers may work for Spanish clients only up to 20% of their total activity.

What are the Spain digital nomad visa requirements in 2026?

Updated 2026-11-12 · Spain nomad visa guide · Not legal advice

To get Spain's digital nomad visa you must be a non-EU national who works remotely for a company (or clients) mostly outside Spain, has done so for at least 3 months, earns at least 200% of Spain's minimum wage (about €2,849 gross a month in 2026), holds a degree or has 3+ years' experience, and has Spanish-valid health insurance and a clean criminal record.

Spain international teleworker visa: core requirements
Requirement	What it means in practice	Typical proof
Nationality	Not an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen (they don't need a visa)	Passport valid for the stay
Remote work	Employee of a non-Spanish company, or freelancer whose Spanish clients are at most 20% of your work	Contract, employer letter, client contracts
Relationship length	At least 3 months with your employer or main clients before applying	Contract dates, payslips, invoices
Employer age	The company must have been operating at least 1 year	Company registration certificate
Income	200% of the SMI: about €2,849/month (€34,188/year) gross for one person	Payslips, bank statements, contracts
Qualification	University degree, recognised vocational training, or 3+ years of experience in the field	Diploma or reference letters + CV
Health insurance	Public or private cover from an insurer authorised in Spain; many consulates require no copays	Insurance certificate
Criminal record	No record in Spain or in countries lived in during the last 2 years	FBI check (US), apostilled + sworn translation
Social security	Certificate of coverage from your country, or registration in Spain	SSA certificate (US) or Spanish registration

Two ways to apply

You can apply for a visa at the Spanish consulate covering where you live (valid up to 1 year, then renew in Spain), or, if you are already legally in Spain, file a residence authorisation online with the UGE (valid up to 3 years). See inside Spain vs consulate.

The rules people most often get wrong

The income threshold is per household: add 75% of the SMI for the first family member and 25% for each extra one. See family members.
Freelancers can have some Spanish clients, but no more than 20% of their professional activity. See freelancers.
Foreign documents usually need an apostille and a sworn translation into Spanish. See apostille and sworn translation.
Insurance with copayments is a common reason for a request for more documents. See health insurance.

Where the numbers come from

The income test is tied to Spain's minimum wage (SMI). For 2026 the SMI is €1,221 a month in 14 payments (€17,094 a year). Spain updates it by royal decree, usually early in the year, so the threshold moves. Check the current value at the UGE page before you file.

Quick answers

Can freelancers get the Spain digital nomad visa?: Yes. Self-employed applicants qualify if they show contracts with clients, a working relationship of at least 3 months, and that Spanish clients are no more than 20% of their work.
Do I need a degree for the Spain digital nomad visa?: No. A university degree or recognised vocational qualification works, but so does at least 3 years of professional experience in your field.
Is the income requirement gross or net?: It is generally assessed on gross income. Check the current wording on the UGE page or your consulate's checklist.
Do my clients need to be outside Spain?: Employees must work for a company outside Spain. Freelancers may work for Spanish clients only up to 20% of their total activity.

What to do next

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Sources

Checked: 2026-11-12. Rules change; confirm current values on the official pages above before you file.