Spain Digital Nomad Visa for UK Citizens 2026 -- Income, Process and Beckham Law

Last reviewed: 26 April 2026

The Spain digital nomad visa for UK citizens (Visa para Teletrabajadores de Carácter Internacional, introduced by the Ley de Startups, Law 28/2022, BOE December 2022) replaced the free-movement rights that UK nationals previously enjoyed as EU citizens for remote-working arrangements in Spain. Post-Brexit, UK nationals who wish to live in Spain while working remotely for non-Spanish employers or clients must now apply for the digital nomad visa (DNV) through the Spanish consulate in London (exteriores.gob.es). For the full Spain relocation guide, see our moving to Spain guide. For a broader overview of digital nomad visa options for UK citizens globally, see our digital nomad visa guide.

The Spain digital nomad visa for UK citizens is the most practically accessible post-Brexit pathway for UK remote workers wanting to live in Spain: it does not require a Spanish employer, a Spanish job offer, or a pre-existing business with Spanish clients. The key eligibility condition is the income threshold: the applicant must demonstrate a minimum monthly income of 200% of the Spanish SMI (Salario Mínimo Interprofesional, Spain’s national minimum wage). The SMI for 2025 was set at EUR 1,323 per month (14 payments per year, gross); 200% of the SMI is therefore approximately EUR 2,646 per month (approximately £2,222) in gross income from non-Spanish sources. Additional family members added to the DNV application require 75% of the SMI per additional adult and 25% per dependent child. The Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores (exteriores.gob.es) and the Ministerio de Inclusión, Seguridad Social y Migraciones administer DNV applications; Spain’s Ley de Startups (Law 28/2022) and its implementing regulations published in the BOE (Boletín Oficial del Estado, boe.es) are the primary legal references.

Eligibility: income, remote work, and employer requirements

The Spain digital nomad visa for UK citizens has four core eligibility requirements: (1) the applicant must be a national of a non-EU, non-EEA country (UK nationals qualify post-Brexit); (2) minimum income of 200% of the SMI from non-Spanish sources (approximately EUR 2,646 per month gross in 2025/26); (3) the work must be performed remotely using digital means -- the applicant must be employed by, or contracted to, companies or clients based outside Spain; a maximum of 20% of the applicant’s total income may be sourced from Spanish companies; and (4) the applicant must demonstrate professional qualifications or at least 3 years of professional experience in the field of work. Documentary evidence required: a certified employment contract with a non-Spanish employer (minimum duration 3 months post-visa grant) or a services contract with non-Spanish clients; the most recent 3 months of payslips or invoices evidencing the minimum income; a criminal record certificate (UK Disclosure and Barring Service, dbs.gov.uk, or ACPO certificate apostilled); a valid passport; health insurance covering Spain; and a completed application form with the consulate fee (approximately EUR 80-120 depending on application type). The Spanish consulate in London (exteriores.gob.es) processes DNV applications; current processing times are approximately 8-12 weeks from submission of a complete application.

Visa duration, renewals, and the 5-year residence pathway

The Spain DNV for UK citizens is initially granted as a national visa (Visa de Residencia para Teletrabajadores de Carácter Internacional, type D) for 1 year. Within the 1-year visa period, the holder must apply to AIMA (Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo -- note: the Spanish equivalent is the relevant Extranjeriía office at the Spanish national police commissaría) for the full Autorización de Residencia para Teletrabajadores de Carácter Internacional (residence authorisation). Once granted, the residence authorisation is valid for 3 years and renewable for further 2-year periods. After 5 years of continuous legal residence in Spain, DNV holders can apply for long-term EU residency (Residencia de Larga Duración, similar to the UK ILR) and, after 10 years, Spanish nationality (sujeto a los requisitos de naturalización). The renewal process requires ongoing evidence of income (minimum 200% SMI); the income threshold may change with annual SMI revisions (Spain reviews the SMI annually; a higher SMI revision would increase the 200% threshold for renewal applications). Family members included in the initial application can remain in Spain throughout the residence authorisation period and apply for their own work authorisations. The Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores at exteriores.gob.es publishes the DNV application checklist and documentation requirements.

Beckham Law interaction: the 2025 tightening

The Beckham Law (Régimen Fiscal Especial de Trabajadores Desplazados, RFETD, Agencia Tributaria, agenciatributaria.gob.es) provides a flat 24% income tax rate on Spanish-source income (up to EUR 600,000 per year) for qualifying new Spanish residents for up to 5 tax years. Spain’s 2025 Finance Law tightened Beckham Law eligibility specifically for digital nomad visa holders and other self-employed inbound workers: the qualifying activity must now be demonstrably Spain-primary rather than incidental; the prior non-residence test was strengthened to 5 years (previously 5 fiscal years, interpreted more flexibly); and self-employed or freelance applicants face additional documentation requirements to evidence the nature of their qualifying activity. DNV holders who meet the tightened 2025 eligibility criteria can still apply for the RFETD (Beckham Law) by filing Modelo 149 with the Agencia Tributaria within 6 months of commencing Spanish tax residency; Modelo 150 is used for the annual RFETD tax declaration. The practical benefit: a DNV holder earning EUR 80,000 per year from UK clients pays Spanish IRPF at 24% (approximately EUR 19,200 per year) rather than the standard IRPF progressive rate (which would be approximately EUR 24,000-28,000 per year at the EUR 80,000 level). Verify current eligibility with the Agencia Tributaria directly or through a Spanish gestor/tax adviser before applying for the RFETD, as the 2025 amendments may significantly affect eligibility for UK DNV holders.

Spanish income tax for DNV holders without Beckham Law

DNV holders who do not qualify for the Beckham Law, or who choose not to apply for the RFETD, are subject to standard Spanish personal income tax (IRPF, Agencia Tributaria, agenciatributaria.gob.es) as Spanish tax residents. Spanish IRPF rates for 2025: 19% on the first EUR 12,450; 24% on EUR 12,451-20,200; 30% on EUR 20,201-35,200; 37% on EUR 35,201-60,000; 45% on EUR 60,001-300,000; 47% above EUR 300,000 (national rates; autonomous community surtax adds 0-5%). DNV holders are also subject to Modelo 720 (the annual overseas asset declaration) for assets outside Spain above EUR 50,000 in any of the three reportable categories (bank accounts, securities, real estate). The UK-Spain DTC (2013, gov.uk/government/publications/spain-tax-treaties) governs double taxation between the UK and Spain; DNV holders who receive income from UK clients pay IRPF in Spain and may also be subject to UK withholding on certain income types (e.g., UK source interest or royalties) -- the DTC credit mechanism prevents double taxation. Annual IRPF return filing deadline: 30 June following the tax year (e.g., 30 June 2026 for the 2025 IRPF return).

Family reunification and application tips

Family members (spouse, registered partner, dependent children, and dependent parents) can be included in the Spain DNV application as "reagrupados" (reunified family members) at the time of the initial application or separately. Requirements for family reunification: evidence of the family relationship (apostilled marriage certificate, birth certificates); proof that the main applicant’s income exceeds the minimum threshold plus 75% of the SMI per additional adult dependent and 25% per dependent child (so a family of 2 adults + 2 children requires approximately EUR 4,300 per month minimum income); and the same health insurance requirement. The family members’ residence authorisations expire at the same time as the main applicant’s; renewal must be done simultaneously. Application tips for UK citizens: have all UK documents apostilled by the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) apostille service before submission -- Spanish authorities require apostilles on UK-issued documents; prepare a detailed cover letter explaining the remote working arrangement; and submit a full 3 months of bank statements evidencing consistent income above the 200% SMI threshold. The gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/spain page is the UK government’s authoritative source for current UK-Spain entry requirements and consular services in Spain.

This article is for general information only and does not constitute tax, legal, financial or immigration advice. Rules and rates change; verify with the primary sources cited or consult a qualified adviser before acting.

FAQ

What is the minimum income requirement for the Spain digital nomad visa?

The minimum income requirement is 200% of the Spanish SMI (Salario Mínimo Interprofesional). The SMI for 2025 was EUR 1,323 per month; 200% is approximately EUR 2,646 per month (approximately £2,222) gross from non-Spanish sources. Income must be from non-Spanish employers or clients; up to 20% may be from Spanish sources. The 200% SMI threshold is revised annually with the SMI; check current figures at the BOE (boe.es) or the Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores (exteriores.gob.es) before applying.

How long does the Spain digital nomad visa last and can it be renewed?

The initial Spain DNV is granted as a 1-year national visa; the holder applies in Spain for a full 3-year residence authorisation within the first year. The residence authorisation is renewable for further 2-year periods, subject to ongoing income evidence. After 5 years of continuous legal residence, DNV holders can apply for long-term EU residency. After 10 years, Spanish nationality may be sought. Annual SMI revisions may change the income threshold for renewal applications.

Can Spain DNV holders apply for the Beckham Law flat tax rate?

Yes, if they meet the tightened 2025 eligibility criteria. Spain’s 2025 Finance Law amended the Beckham Law (RFETD, Agencia Tributaria, agenciatributaria.gob.es) to require: 5 years of prior non-Spanish residency; the qualifying activity must be Spain-primary; and stricter documentation for self-employed and digital nomad applicants. DNV holders who qualify apply via Modelo 149 within 6 months of commencing Spanish tax residency. Verify current eligibility directly with the Agencia Tributaria or a qualified Spanish tax adviser before applying.

Do UK citizens need an apostille on documents for the Spain DNV application?

Yes. Spanish authorities require UK-issued documents (criminal record certificates, birth certificates, marriage certificates) to be apostilled under the Hague Convention by the UK Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) apostille service. The FCDO apostille service is at gov.uk/get-document-legalised. Apostilled documents typically take 5-20 working days to process depending on the service tier chosen. Some documents (translations) may also require certified translation by a sworn translator (traductor jurado); verify specific requirements with the Spanish consulate in London before submission.

What is the Modelo 720 requirement for Spain DNV holders?

Modelo 720 is Spain’s annual overseas asset declaration, required for Spanish tax residents with overseas assets above EUR 50,000 in any of three categories: bank accounts, securities/investments, and real estate. DNV holders who are Spanish tax residents (spending 183+ days per year in Spain) must file Modelo 720 annually by 31 March for the prior calendar year. UK nationals with significant UK financial assets (ISAs, buy-to-let property, pension funds) must declare all applicable categories. Failure to file correctly has attracted Spanish penalties historically (though the ECJ ruled some penalties disproportionate in 2022). Verify current rules with the Agencia Tributaria at agenciatributaria.gob.es.

Can family members join a Spain DNV holder?

Yes. Spouse, registered partner, dependent children, and dependent parents can be included in a DNV application as reunified family members. The income requirement increases by 75% of the SMI per additional adult dependent and 25% per dependent child. For a couple with 2 children: the minimum income required is approximately EUR 4,300 per month gross (200% SMI for the main applicant + 75% SMI x 2 + 25% SMI x 2). Family members can be included in the initial application or added separately. Their residence authorisations expire at the same time as the main applicant’s.

Sources

1. Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores Spain -- Digital nomad visa application requirements and processing (verified 26 April 2026)
2. BOE -- Ley de Startups (Law 28/2022) and SMI provisions (verified 26 April 2026)
3. Agencia Tributaria -- Beckham Law RFETD eligibility and 2025 tightening (verified 26 April 2026)
4. GOV.UK -- Foreign travel advice Spain (UK government entry requirements and consular services) (verified 26 April 2026)
5. GOV.UK -- UK-Spain Double Taxation Convention 2013 (DTC for DNV holders with UK income) (verified 26 April 2026)