Digital Nomad permit
Remote employees and freelancers working for companies outside Spain.
- Granted for 3 years at once
- Requires proven income earned outside Spain
- Family applies together with the main applicant
Which Spanish permit fits you
There are many programmes, and they differ not in «difficulty» but in whether you may work, what income you must prove and how soon permanent residence opens up.
Figures are current as of 12 August 2026. Requirements change: IPREM is revised annually and practice varies by province. We name the exact numbers for your case at the review.
Types of residence
In short: who it suits and what you will have to prove.
No lucrativa permit
Those living on savings or passive income who do not plan to work.
- Working in Spain is not allowed
- Finances: 400% IPREM for the applicant, 100% per family member
- Residence of at least 183 days a year is mandatory
Highly qualified & EU Blue Card
Qualified professionals with a contract from a Spanish company.
- Employment, social security and pension record
- Mobility within the EU and a job-search period after dismissal
- The Beckham tax regime may be available
Self-employment (cuenta propia)
Residents of at least a year who want to work for themselves.
- A business plan and a positive assessment of it are required
- Filed as a modification of your current status
- Registration as autónomo after approval
Student visa
Those coming to study — language courses, for example.
- Filed in your country of citizenship or residence
- School contract, insurance and proof of funds required
- This is a stay (estancia), not residence
Family members
Those joining a Spanish resident or a citizen of Spain or an EU country.
- Different procedures for family of a resident and of an EU citizen
- The EU citizen family card is issued for 5 years
- Housing and support requirements apply to a resident’s family
Side by side on the key conditions
| Digital Nomad remote work | No lucrativa no right to work | Blue Card employment | Cuenta propia self-employment | Student study | Family reunification | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Right to work | Yes, for a foreign employer | No | Yes, employed in Spain | Yes, for yourself | Limited | Depends on the procedure |
| Proof of income | Income earned outside Spain | Savings or passive income | Contract salary | Business plan and start-up funds | Funds for the study period | Support from the relative |
| Where you file | In Spain or at a consulate | Consulate | In Spain or at a consulate | In Spain | Consulate | Depends on the procedure |
| First permit length | 3 years | 1 year | Up to 3 years | Up to 2 years | Duration of study | Up to 5 years |
| Must you live in Spain | No 183-day rule | Yes, from 183 days a year | Actual work in Spain | Yes, running the activity | Yes, while studying | Yes |
| Path to permanent residence | 5 years | 5 years | 5 years, EU record counts | 5 years | Study years count in part | 5 years |
Digital Nomad
remote work
- Right to work
- Yes, for a foreign employer
- Proof of income
- Income earned outside Spain
- Where you file
- In Spain or at a consulate
- First permit length
- 3 years
- Must you live in Spain
- No 183-day rule
- Path to permanent residence
- 5 years
No lucrativa
no right to work
- Right to work
- No
- Proof of income
- Savings or passive income
- Where you file
- Consulate
- First permit length
- 1 year
- Must you live in Spain
- Yes, from 183 days a year
- Path to permanent residence
- 5 years
Blue Card
employment
- Right to work
- Yes, employed in Spain
- Proof of income
- Contract salary
- Where you file
- In Spain or at a consulate
- First permit length
- Up to 3 years
- Must you live in Spain
- Actual work in Spain
- Path to permanent residence
- 5 years, EU record counts
Cuenta propia
self-employment
- Right to work
- Yes, for yourself
- Proof of income
- Business plan and start-up funds
- Where you file
- In Spain
- First permit length
- Up to 2 years
- Must you live in Spain
- Yes, running the activity
- Path to permanent residence
- 5 years
Student
study
- Right to work
- Limited
- Proof of income
- Funds for the study period
- Where you file
- Consulate
- First permit length
- Duration of study
- Must you live in Spain
- Yes, while studying
- Path to permanent residence
- Study years count in part
Family
reunification
- Right to work
- Depends on the procedure
- Proof of income
- Support from the relative
- Where you file
- Depends on the procedure
- First permit length
- Up to 5 years
- Must you live in Spain
- Yes
- Path to permanent residence
- 5 years
Help me pick the right one
Tell us about your income, work, family and timeline — we will say which programme actually fits and what you will need to gather. A case review costs €100 and counts towards the service.
Write to us