Europe
Spain immigration and visa guide
Spain offers a premier Digital Nomad Visa under the Startup Act (Ley de Startups), Highly Qualified Professional permits, and Beckham’s Tax Law regime.
Ministerio de Inclusión, Seguridad Social y Migraciones (UGE-CE)
- Processing time
- 3 – 8 weeks
- Passport validity
- 6+ months
- Points-based system
- No
- Digital nomad friendly
- Yes
Visa options in Spain
Key requirements
- Proof of employment/freelance relationship with foreign companies for at least 3 months prior to application
- Minimum monthly income equal to 200% of the Spanish minimum wage (~ €2,646/month)
- University degree or at least 3 years of accredited professional experience
- Apostilled criminal background check with sworn translation (Traducción Jurada)
- Private health insurance from an insurer authorized to operate in Spain with zero copay
How to apply for a Spain visa: step by step
- 1
In-Country Application or Consular Filing
Applying in Spain on a tourist visa grants a 3-year residence permit directly via UGE; consular filing abroad grants a 1-year visa.
20 business days (UGE fast-track)
- 2
UGE Administrative Silence Resolution
Under Spanish law, UGE teleworker applications benefit from positive administrative silence (silencio positivo) if not resolved in 20 days.
20 business days
- 3
TIE Card Fingerprinting (Toma de Huellas)
Book appointment at the National Police station (Cita Previa) for fingerprinting to receive the physical plastic TIE card.
3 - 5 weeks
Official government links
Frequently asked questions
How does the 2-year fast-track citizenship work in Spain?
Nationals of Ibero-American countries (e.g. Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, Brazil, Peru, Chile), the Philippines, Andorra, and Portugal can apply for Spanish citizenship after only 2 years of legal continuous residence, rather than the standard 10 years.
Find a licensed adviser
For advice on your own case, use a licensed immigration lawyer or adviser. Always check they are registered before you pay anyone. Imiatlas does not refer or review cases.
Look for a lawyer registered with the national bar association or law society in Spain. The official immigration website explains any rules on who may represent applicants.
Ministerio de Inclusión, Seguridad Social y Migraciones (UGE-CE)General information to help you research, not legal advice. Rules change often: always confirm with Ministerio de Inclusión, Seguridad Social y Migraciones (UGE-CE) on the official website before applying.