Work remotely from Spain — with full legal status

Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa: what you need to know for 2026

Launched under the Ley de Startups (Ley 28/2022, de 21 de diciembre, de fomento del ecosistema de las empresas emergentes) and first accepting applications in early 2023, Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa filled a critical gap for the growing community of location-independent workers who wanted legal residency in Spain without being employed by a local company. The programme drew immediate international attention and quickly became one of Europe’s most discussed remote-work visa schemes.

The visa comes in two forms: a one-year D-type entry visa for those applying from outside Spain, and a three-year work authorisation (Autorización de Residencia para Teletrabajadores de Caracter Internacional) for those already in Spain legally or wishing to establish longer-term residency immediately. The three-year authorisation is renewable for a further two years, giving a potential continuous residence period of five years — long enough to begin accruing entitlement to long-term EU residency.

This guide covers everything you need to know for a 2026 application: the legal requirements, income thresholds, both application routes (consulate and in-country), the controversial shift in UGE practice regarding W-2 employees in early 2026, the Beckham Law tax advantage, city-specific guidance, and the practical post-arrival steps.

Legal basis and the UGE controversy of early 2026

The Digital Nomad Visa is codified in Articles 67–73 of the Ley de Startups and developed in the implementing regulation (Real Decreto 818/2023, de 23 de octubre, por el que se aprueba el Reglamento de los procedimientos de extranjería). The competent authority for in-country applications is the Unidad de Grandes Empresas y Colectivos Estratégicos (UGE-CE), a specialist immigration unit within the Spanish Ministry of the Interior.

In early 2026, immigration practitioners observed a significant shift in UGE practice regarding employees of foreign companies — commonly referred to as W-2 employees in the US context, or standard employees on payroll in other jurisdictions. A new UGE leadership took office in late 2025 and issued internal guidance that reversed the prior interpretation: whereas the previous UGE leadership had routinely approved applications from standard employees working remotely for foreign employers, the new interpretation required applicants to demonstrate greater operational independence consistent with freelance or contractor status.

The practical effect has been an uptick in refusals and requests for supplementary documentation for employer-employee applicants. Applications where the applicant is the sole owner or director of a foreign company, or is a genuine independent contractor with multiple clients, have continued to be approved with few difficulties.

BMC monitors UGE practice closely and adjusts application strategy accordingly. For employees of foreign companies, we recommend a more detailed demonstration of the remote-work arrangements, the nature of the employment relationship, and the absence of any Spain-based operations by the employer. For clients with flexibility, we also advise on whether restructuring to a freelance model before applying would reduce rejection risk.

Income requirements for 2026

The income threshold for the Digital Nomad Visa is set at 200% of Spain’s monthly minimum wage (Salario Mínimo Interprofesional, SMI). The SMI for 2026 is 1,184 euros per month in 14 payments per year (as confirmed in Real Decreto 1057/2024). For visa assessment purposes:

• Annual income requirement: approximately 35,988 euros per year (calculated as 200% × 12 × 1,499 euros, using the annualised monthly equivalent including pro-rata of extra payments)
• Monthly equivalent: approximately 2,999 euros gross per month

Annualised figures used by different consulates and the UGE vary slightly depending on whether they use 12 or 14 monthly payments as the divisor. BMC advises clients to document income comfortably above the threshold — ideally at least 4,000 euros per month — to reduce the risk of borderline rejection.

Income from multiple sources. Your qualifying income can come from a combination of sources: salary from a foreign employer, freelance invoices from foreign clients, and dividends from a foreign company you own can all contribute. Up to 20% of the total can be Spanish-source income. The documentation requirements differ by income type (see the documents section below).

Income for family members. If you bring dependants, the income threshold increases: an additional 75% of the SMI (approximately 888 euros per month in 2026) per adult dependant, and 25% of the SMI (approximately 296 euros per month) per dependent child.

Who is eligible: the complete requirements checklist

To qualify for the Spanish Digital Nomad Visa in 2026, you must satisfy all of the following:

Nationality. You must be a non-EU/EEA national. EU citizens, EEA nationals, and Swiss nationals have freedom of movement and do not require a visa to live and work in Spain. Some countries have bilateral agreements with Spain that simplify or waive certain requirements (notably Latin American countries and the US).

Remote work capability. Your work must be genuinely performable remotely using digital means only. Office-based roles, roles that require physical presence at a client site in Spain, or roles with significant travel to Spain do not qualify. The Spanish authorities are looking for work that is purely digital and location-independent.

Duration of professional relationship. You must demonstrate a professional relationship with your employer or clients of at least one year prior to the application. This is typically evidenced by employment contracts or client service agreements with a start date at least one year before the application date, supported by payslips or invoices for the same period.

Criminal record. A clean criminal record certificate from your country of residence (and of nationality, if different) for the past five years. The certificate must be apostilled (for Hague Convention countries) or legalised (for others).

Health insurance. Private health insurance providing comprehensive coverage in Spain with no co-payment obligations (sin copagos). The policy must be from an insurer authorised to operate in Spain. Annual or multi-year policies are preferred over monthly policies.

Accommodation. Proof of a place to live in Spain: a signed lease agreement, property title deed, or a notarised letter of invitation from a host. Accommodation does not need to be in place before applying — a hotel booking for the initial period combined with a signed future lease is generally acceptable.

Financial solvency declaration. A declaration that you have sufficient funds to support yourself and any dependants during your stay. Some consulates require bank statements covering the past three to six months.

Two application routes: consulate vs in-country (UGE)

The Digital Nomad Visa can be obtained via two distinct routes, and the choice between them has significant implications for processing time, visa validity, and practical logistics.

Route 1: Consulate application (from your home country)

You apply at the Spanish Consulate with jurisdiction over your place of residence in your home country. Upon approval, you receive a D-type national visa valid for one year. Once in Spain, you must apply for the TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero) residency card within 30 days of arrival.

Best for: Applicants who are not currently in Spain, applicants who prefer to organise their move before arriving, and applicants who want a straightforward one-year trial period before committing to the longer authorisation.

Processing time: The legal deadline is 20 working days from receipt of a complete application. In practice, processing times vary significantly by consulate:

These times are based on BMC’s practice experience in 2025–2026 and are subject to change. Delays most commonly arise from incomplete documentation, missing apostilles, or requests for supplementary income evidence.

Route 2: In-country application (UGE-CE)

If you are already in Spain legally — on a tourist visa or Schengen stay — you can apply for the work authorisation directly at the UGE-CE without leaving Spain. Upon approval you receive a three-year work authorisation (renewable for two further years) rather than a one-year visa.

Best for: Applicants already in Spain (particularly those who have been testing the lifestyle before committing), applicants who want a three-year initial grant rather than one year, and applicants in jurisdictions with difficult or slow consulates.

Processing time: The UGE legal deadline is 20 working days. In practice, processing has been running at 25–35 working days in 2026 for complete applications. UGE requires electronic submission via the Mercurio platform.

Important caveat — tourist visa timing. To apply in-country, you must be in Spain legally. Non-EU nationals can stay for up to 90 days out of any 180-day period without a visa (Schengen rules). Applying in-country requires that you are within this 90-day window and that your application is submitted before the window closes. BMC tracks Schengen day counts for all in-country applicants.

Complete required documents list

The following list covers the standard documentation required for most Digital Nomad Visa applications. Consular requirements vary, and BMC prepares a bespoke checklist for each client.

Identity and status documents:

• Passport valid for at least one year beyond the intended stay (two years recommended), with at least two blank pages
• Completed visa application form (EX-01 for consulate; electronic form via Mercurio for UGE)
• Recent passport-sized photographs (biometric standard)

Income documentation:

• For employees: employment contract (signed, apostilled if issued abroad), payslips for the past three months, employer letter confirming remote work arrangement and salary
• For freelancers/contractors: signed client contracts, invoices for the past three months, bank statements showing receipt of payments, proof of client locations outside Spain
• For company owners: company registration documents, evidence of ownership stake, financial statements or tax returns for the past two years

Criminal record and health:

• Criminal record certificate from your country of residence for the past five years, apostilled/legalised and certified translated into Spanish
• Private health insurance certificate showing coverage in Spain without co-payments; the policy must be valid from the date of application

Financial solvency:

• Bank statements covering the past three to six months, showing sufficient funds (not just income — reserves are also considered)
• For some consulates: a formal solvency declaration (declaracion de medios economicos)

Accommodation:

• Signed lease agreement, property title deed, or notarised invitation letter
• For in-country applications: empadronamiento certificate (if already registered) or accommodation proof

Professional background:

• CV or professional profile (optional but strongly recommended; BMC includes a professional summary letter to contextualise the applicant’s profile)
• Evidence of the remote nature of the work (screenshots of project management tools, remote work policy from employer, client email confirmations)

The Beckham Law advantage: pay 15% flat tax as a digital nomad

This is the single most important financial benefit available to Digital Nomad Visa holders in Spain, and it is frequently underestimated or misunderstood.

The 2023 Startups Law not only created the Digital Nomad Visa — it also extended the Beckham Law special tax regime (Regimen Especial para Trabajadores Desplazados, RETD, Article 93 LIRPF) to visa holders. For digital nomads specifically, the rate is 15% — lower than the 24% standard Beckham Law rate — on employment or professional income up to 600,000 euros per year.

Spain’s standard progressive income tax scale reaches 47% at the top bracket. For a digital nomad earning 80,000 euros per year, the comparison is stark:

These figures are illustrative and use approximate Madrid regional scale rates without deductions. The Beckham Law also provides significant wealth tax advantages: as a non-resident for IRPF purposes, you pay Spanish wealth tax only on Spanish-sited assets, not on your worldwide net worth. Foreign bank accounts, foreign investment portfolios, and foreign real estate are entirely outside the Spanish wealth tax net during the six-year regime period.

To access the Beckham Law, you must file Modelo 149 (the opt-in election) within 180 days of your first Social Security registration in Spain. This deadline is absolute. BMC files Form 149 as a standard part of the post-arrival onboarding for all Digital Nomad Visa clients who qualify.

Comparison with the Non-Lucrative Visa

The most frequent alternative to the Digital Nomad Visa that we discuss with clients is the Non-Lucrative Visa (Visado de Residencia No Lucrativa). The two regimes serve different purposes and are not interchangeable, but the choice matters significantly.

For those with genuinely passive income (pension, dividends, rental income from abroad) and no active work, the Non-Lucrative Visa may be more appropriate. However, it does not provide access to the Beckham Law tax regime, which is a material disadvantage for anyone with significant income.

For anyone who continues to work — even part-time — the Digital Nomad Visa is the legally correct route. Residing in Spain on a Non-Lucrative Visa while working remotely for foreign clients is technically non-compliant, and the risk of enforcement has increased following UGE guidance issued in 2025.

Family reunification

Your family can join you under the Digital Nomad Visa framework. Eligible family members for reunification are:

• Spouse or registered civil partner (pareja de hecho registrada)
• Dependent children under 18
• Adult children who are not independent (enrolled in full-time education, for example)
• Dependent parents (where you provide their primary financial support)

Family members apply simultaneously with the primary applicant or in a subsequent application once the primary authorisation is granted. They receive derivative permits tied to the duration of your own authorisation.

Additional income requirements apply: you must show 75% of the SMI (approximately 888 euros per month in 2026) for each adult dependant and 25% (approximately 296 euros per month) for each dependent child. A family of four — primary applicant plus partner and two children — would need to demonstrate approximately 4,500 euros per month in qualifying income.

Family members who accompany or join the primary Digital Nomad Visa holder do not have an independent right to work in Spain under their derivative permit. If a spouse wants to work independently, they need their own authorisation.

Healthcare and insurance requirements in detail

Spain has a universal public health system (Sistema Nacional de Salud) to which you gain access as a Social Security contributor once you register as autonomo or your employer registers you in the Spanish Social Security system. Digital Nomad Visa holders who work exclusively for foreign employers and do not register as autonomo must maintain private health insurance throughout their residence.

The insurance requirements are specific:

• No co-payments (sin copagos). This is a formal requirement of the visa. Policies with patient contribution clauses (copagos) do not satisfy the requirement.
• Full coverage in Spain. The policy must cover all medical treatments, hospitalisation, emergencies, and repatriation in Spain.
• Authorised insurer. The insurer must be authorised to operate in Spain. International travel policies and some expat-specific policies from non-EU insurers may not qualify.
• Annual or multi-year coverage. Monthly auto-renewing policies are technically valid but may create complications at renewal time with immigration authorities.

Recommended providers commonly used by our clients include Sanitas (Bupa subsidiary in Spain), Adeslas, Asisa, and international providers such as Cigna Global and Allianz Care — the latter two subject to verifying their authorisation status with the visa application.

If you register as autonomo in Spain, you contribute to the Spanish Social Security system (Régimen Especial de Trabajadores Autónomos, RETA) and gain access to public healthcare through that route. The private insurance requirement then becomes moot. This is something BMC discusses with each client based on their work structure.

Autonomo registration: do you need it?

This is one of the most common practical questions from Digital Nomad Visa applicants, and the answer depends on your work structure.

Employees of foreign companies are not required to register as autonomo in Spain. Your Spanish tax obligations are fulfilled through the Beckham Law IRNR return (Modelo 151) filed annually. Your employer pays Social Security contributions in their home jurisdiction, and the relevant Social Security agreement between Spain and that country determines whether any Spanish Social Security contribution is required.

Independent contractors and freelancers working for foreign clients face a more complex situation. If your professional activity constitutes a habitual economic activity carried out in Spain — which it does if you are physically based in Spain while invoicing clients — you are technically required to register as autonomo and contribute to RETA. Some clients in this situation choose to invoice through a foreign entity they own rather than registering as autonomo in Spain, which is a legitimate structure when properly implemented.

BMC advises on the autonomo vs foreign-entity decision as part of the post-arrival onboarding for all freelance clients.

City-by-city guidance: Madrid, Barcelona, and Málaga

Spain is not a monolithic destination. The choice of city affects your cost of living, quality of life, ease of administrative processing, and the professional community around you.

Madrid

Spain’s capital is the clear choice for finance, legal, and corporate professionals. It has the largest concentration of multinationals, the most developed startup ecosystem outside Barcelona, and the highest average salaries. For Digital Nomad Visa applicants with enterprise clients in Europe or the Americas, Madrid’s time zone (CET, UTC+1) makes it highly functional.

Cost of living: Higher than most Spanish cities. A well-equipped one-bedroom apartment in a central neighbourhood (Salamanca, Almagro, Chamberí) ranges from 1,800 to 2,800 euros per month. The Lavapiés, Malasaña, and Vallecas areas offer more affordable options. A two-bedroom family apartment in a good school catchment area (to access Madrid’s strong international school network) starts at around 2,200 euros and can reach 4,000 euros in premium areas.

Administrative experience: The UGE-CE is based in Madrid (Calle Miguel Ángel 23), which can facilitate in-person queries if required. The Madrid municipal register (empadronamiento) at Calle Platerías de Martínez is well-organised and English-speaking assistance is available at the main office.

Digital nomad infrastructure: Excellent. Dozens of co-working spaces (WeWork, WorkINcompany, La Nave) and a strong community of international remote workers. Connectivity is among the best in Europe — average broadband speeds of over 300 Mbps and extensive fibre rollout.

Barcelona

Barcelona attracts creative, tech, and startup professionals. It has a distinct cultural identity, a strong international community, and arguably the best lifestyle amenities of any city in Spain — beaches, architecture, gastronomy, and a Mediterranean climate.

Cost of living: Comparable to Madrid and in some central areas higher. One-bedroom apartments in Eixample, Gràcia, or Poblenou range from 1,800 to 2,600 euros per month. The local housing market has been under pressure following tourist apartment restrictions and growing demand from international workers.

Administrative experience: Catalan regional immigration offices operate in parallel with state authorities, which adds a layer of complexity in some procedures. The Barcelona UGE satellite office handles in-country Digital Nomad Visa applications but appointment availability can be tighter than in Madrid.

Digital nomad infrastructure: Strong, particularly in the Poblenou 22@ technology district and around the Barceloneta beach area. A large community of tech-sector nomads and frequent events through groups such as Nomad City BCN.

Málaga

Málaga has emerged as the fastest-growing digital nomad hub in Spain over the past three years, driven by its climate (300+ days of sunshine), lower cost of living than Madrid or Barcelona, direct international flights, and a government strategy (the Málaga Valley initiative) to attract tech talent.

Cost of living: Significantly lower. A comfortable one-bedroom apartment in the Centro Histórico or Soho area runs 1,100–1,600 euros per month. El Palo, Pedregalejo, and Teatinos offer more space at lower prices. Málaga is commonly cited as offering the best value for Digital Nomad Visa holders in Spain.

Administrative experience: The Málaga provincial immigration office (Delegación del Gobierno en Andalucía) processes TIE applications and residency registrations efficiently. Processing times at the Málaga consulate are consistently reported as faster than larger volume consulates.

Digital nomad infrastructure: Growing rapidly. The Google Campus Málaga opened in 2023 and has attracted a cluster of tech companies and remote workers. Co-working providers include WeWork (Campus de Teatinos), Factory Málaga, and numerous independent spaces in the city centre.

Key consideration: If you have children, Madrid and Barcelona have significantly wider English-language international school options (British Council schools, American School, Lycée Français, etc.). Málaga’s international school offering is growing but more limited. BMC can advise on school options for families as part of the relocation planning.

Post-arrival checklist: the first 60 days

Once your visa is approved and you are in Spain, there is a set sequence of administrative steps to complete. Failing to complete them in the correct order creates compounding problems.

Within 30 days of arrival (consulate route) or within 30 days of authorisation (UGE route):

1. Empadronamiento. Register with your local town hall (Ayuntamiento) as a resident of your address. You need: your passport, proof of address (lease or title deed), and the completed IA-9 form. The certificate (volante de empadronamiento) is required for almost every subsequent administrative step.

2. TIE application. Book an appointment at the provincial immigration office (Oficina de Extranjería) or police station to obtain your Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero. You need: the appointment (cita previa), your empadronamiento certificate, your visa or authorisation document, two passport photos, and the EX-23 form with the payment of approximately 16 euros.

3. NIE if not already obtained. Your NIE (Número de Identificación de Extranjero) is your Spanish tax and identification number. It is printed on your TIE. If you were issued an NIE before (e.g., for a property purchase) and it differs from your TIE number, clarification with AEAT is required.

Within 60 days of arrival:

4. Bank account opening. Open a Spanish bank account using your passport, empadronamiento certificate, and NIE/TIE. BMC recommends N26, Revolut (Spanish IBAN), or Sabadell for initial banking. Traditional banks (BBVA, CaixaBank, Santander) offer full service but may require more documentation and an in-person appointment.

5. Form 149 — Beckham Law opt-in. If you are applying for the Beckham Law regime (strongly recommended for most Digital Nomad Visa holders), Form 149 must be filed within 180 days of first Social Security registration. The Social Security clock starts when you make your first contribution as autonomo, or when your employer first registers you. BMC tracks this deadline from day one and manages the filing.

6. Autonomo registration (if applicable). If you are a freelancer or self-employed, register with the Spanish Social Security system (RETA) and with AEAT for quarterly IVA and IRPF filings. For digital nomads under the Beckham Law, IVA treatment on services to foreign clients is complex (generally outside scope for B2B EU rules and zero-rated for non-EU clients, but the specific rules depend on client location and service type).

7. Private health insurance notification. Provide your health insurer with your Spanish address and NIE for their records. Update your policy to confirm Spain as your country of residence.

Common reasons for rejection and how to avoid them

Based on our experience with hundreds of applications, the following are the most frequent grounds for rejection or request for supplementary documentation:

Insufficient income evidence. The most common reason for rejection. Payslips or invoices that do not clearly show consistent income at or above the threshold, income that fluctuates significantly month-to-month, or gaps in the payment trail. Solution: provide bank statements showing actual receipt of payments alongside invoices or payslips.

Inadequate demonstration of remote work. For UGE applications in 2026 particularly, insufficient evidence that the work is genuinely location-independent. Solution: include a formal remote work policy letter from the employer, screenshots of collaboration tools (redacted for client confidentiality), and a description of the work process.

Criminal record certificate issues. Missing apostille, expired certificate (most consulates require it issued within three months), or incomplete coverage (only covering the current country, not the nationality country where required). Solution: request certificates early, include both residence and nationality country certificates if applicable.

Health insurance co-payment clauses. Policies that technically include some co-payments are rejected. Solution: obtain a formal letter from the insurer confirming no co-payments apply, or switch to a policy that explicitly meets the Spanish requirement.

Missing certified translations. Documents not in Spanish must be accompanied by certified Spanish translations. The translator must be sworn (jurado) — a simple bilingual translation is not sufficient. Solution: use certified translators on the MAEC (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) registry.

Employer letter missing required elements. The employer’s confirmation letter must include: the company’s registered name and address, confirmation that the applicant is employed on a full-time or part-time (specifying hours) basis, confirmation that the work can be performed entirely remotely, the salary, and the start date of employment. Missing any of these elements triggers a requerimiento (request for supplementary documents) that adds weeks to the process.

Renewal and the path to permanent residency

The Digital Nomad Visa (one-year consulate route) requires conversion to a work authorisation upon arrival. The subsequent three-year authorisation is renewable for a further two years. After five years of continuous legal residence in Spain, you may apply for long-term EU resident status, which provides significantly stronger residence rights and freedom of movement across the EU.

After ten years of continuous residence, Spanish nationality is available to nationals of most Latin American countries, Equatorial Guinea, Philippines, Andorra, and Portugal (due to Iberoamerican and cultural ties). For all other nationalities, the standard path to nationality is ten years of legal residence.

Key renewal requirements: At renewal, you must demonstrate that you continue to meet the qualifying conditions: income at or above the threshold, ongoing remote work for foreign clients, and a clean immigration record. You must also have been physically present in Spain for the majority of the authorisation period (a general principle; extended absences can jeopardise renewal).

Beckham Law at renewal. The Beckham Law regime is independent of the visa renewal. It applies for up to six tax years from the year of arrival regardless of whether you renew your residence authorisation. If your Beckham Law period ends before your residence authorisation, you simply transition to the general IRPF regime while retaining your residence status.

BMC’s end-to-end Digital Nomad Visa service

Our Digital Nomad Visa service covers five phases:

Phase 1 — Eligibility and strategy. We assess your income documentation, work structure, nationality, and personal circumstances. We advise on consulate vs in-country route, whether to restructure income sources before applying, and whether any timing considerations apply (Schengen day count, income seasonality, family reunification sequencing).

Phase 2 — Document preparation. We compile your complete application dossier, coordinate certified translations, and advise on how to obtain missing documents efficiently. We prepare a cover letter contextualising your professional profile and remote work arrangements — this has materially improved approval rates for borderline applications.

Phase 3 — Submission and monitoring. We submit your application and monitor its status. We respond to any requerimientos (requests for supplementary documentation) promptly, drawing on our established relationships with consular staff and UGE officers.

Phase 4 — Post-arrival onboarding. Once approved, we guide you through empadronamiento, TIE application, bank account opening, NIE confirmation, and Beckham Law Form 149 filing. We provide a personalised timeline of all required steps and deadlines.

Phase 5 — Ongoing compliance. We handle your annual Modelo 151 (Beckham Law return), autonomo quarterly filings if applicable, Modelo 720 (foreign asset declaration), and renewal preparation. We track your Beckham Law eligibility clock and begin year-six planning conversations at the appropriate time.

Frequently asked questions

Can I apply for the Digital Nomad Visa if I am a US citizen? Yes. US citizens are among the most frequent applicants. Note that US citizens remain subject to US federal income tax on worldwide income regardless of residence in Spain. However, the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (approximately 130,000 USD for 2026) can significantly reduce US liability for those qualifying as bona fide foreign residents. BMC coordinates with US-qualified CPAs to manage the combined Spanish-US tax position.

Does the Digital Nomad Visa allow me to bring my pet? Pets are not covered by the visa process. Spain follows EU pet travel rules: microchip, rabies vaccination, and an EU animal health certificate (for arrivals from within the EU) or a third-country entry health certificate (for arrivals from outside the EU). No quarantine is required. Your local vet or a pet travel specialist can advise.

What happens if my client or employer changes while I hold the visa? Your visa authorisation is not tied to a specific client or employer — it is tied to your status as a teleworker for non-Spanish clients. If you change clients or employers while maintaining the qualifying conditions (remote work for foreign entities, income above the threshold), you are not required to notify the immigration authorities. However, if your work structure changes materially (e.g., you shift to primarily Spanish-source income), you should seek advice on whether the change affects your authorisation status.

Can I buy property in Spain on the Digital Nomad Visa? Yes. Property ownership is not restricted by visa status. However, the mortgage market may apply stricter criteria to non-EU residents, and some lenders require a minimum period of Spanish residency or Social Security contributions before approving a mortgage. BMC works with mortgage brokers who specialise in international buyer financing.

What if I am already in Spain on a tourist visa and want to apply? If you are within your 90-day Schengen window, you can apply in-country through the UGE. The application must be submitted before your lawful stay expires. BMC tracks Schengen day counts carefully for in-country applications. Note the 2026 UGE leadership change and the more stringent scrutiny of employee-employer applicants (described above) when planning your in-country submission strategy.

Is the Digital Nomad Visa available for citizens of all non-EU countries? Yes, with no country-specific exclusions. Citizens of countries requiring a Schengen visa (most non-Western-country nationals) will need to obtain the visa from the consulate; citizens of countries with Schengen-free access can apply in-country or via consulate. Some nationalities benefit from bilateral facilitation agreements with Spain that streamline certain document requirements.