Digital nomads Spain: New law facilitates working in Spain

As of 1 January 2023, homeworking employees from non-EU countries can also work for their company from Spain. This has been made possible by a new law on digital nomads passed by the Spanish parliament.

Spain is known for its good weather, great food, beaches, and quality of life. Although working from home was not uncommon before the covid pandemic, it has since exploded and is now very popular, especially amongst white collar professionals. European Union nationals are already making use of the possibility to work out of Spain.

What are digital nomads?

For the purpose of the law, a digital nomad is either an employee of a foreign company who works from Spain through digital means, or a professional providing their services to foreign companies also on a purely digital basis (but is also able to offer up to 20% of their business services to Spanish companies). The visa is available for professionals with a minimum working experience of three years, or who have graduated from a university, business school or similar.

To receive the visa, applicants must prove the real existence of an employment contract or provide details of the foreign businesses with which they have a relationship. This is to ensure that the foreign national digital nomad has a real economic relationship with a foreign company or business that will allow them to maintain themselves economically.

We will advise you on how to obtain the visa, the requirements and the required documents.

Christian Koch, Lawyer, Partner, ECOVIS Legal Spain, Madrid, Spain

The visa will be issued initially for one year but it can be renewed and transformed into a residence permit, with a duration of three years. It should also be noted that the visa allows direct family members to also reside in Spain.

Tax breaks for digital nomads in Spain

To further attract digital nomads to Spain, a special tax regime has been introduced. A flat rate of tax of 24% will apply to income up to EUR 600,000 and in most cases, the visa holder will not have to pay tax on income generated outside of Spain.

Together with the golden visa for investors, the new visa for homeworking employees makes Spain an attractive destination for professionals looking for a place of residence in the European Union, say the Ecovis experts.

For further information please contact:

Christian Koch, Lawyer, Partner, ECOVIS Legal Spain, Madrid, Spain
Email: christian.koch@ecovis.es