🇪🇸 Spain: Digital Nomad Visa to Citizenship

EU PASSPORT · Digital Nomad Visa (Visa para Teletrabajadores de Carácter Internacional, launched January 2023)

Spain's digital nomad visa (launched 2023) counts toward the 10-year naturalization requirement (2 years for Latin Americans and Sephardic Jews). The Beckham Law offers 24% flat tax for 6 years.

Visa Type
Digital Nomad Visa (Visa para Teletrabajadores de Carácter Internacional, launched January 2023)
Income Requirement
€2,646/month (200% of Spanish minimum wage)
Visa Cost
€80 (visa fee) + legal fees
Citizenship Timeline
10 years (2 years for Latin Americans and Sephardic Jews)
Presence Required
183 days/year minimum
Passport Rank
#3 globally
Visa-Free Countries
~190 destinations
EU Passport
Yes

Overview

Spain launched its digital nomad visa in January 2023 as part of the Startup Act. The visa allows remote workers to live in Spain for up to 5 years. After 10 years of legal residence, you qualify for Spanish citizenship — and therefore EU citizenship. However, Spain has a major shortcut: citizens of Latin American countries and Sephardic Jews can naturalize after just 2 years of residence. Spain also offers the 'Beckham Law' — a special tax regime that caps income tax at 24% for the first 6 years of residence.

Step-by-Step Process

  1. 1: Apply for Digital Nomad Visa at Spanish consulate — Spanish consulate · 4–12 weeks · €80 + legal fees
  2. 2: Arrive in Spain and register with local Ayuntamiento (town hall) — empadronamiento — Spain · 1–2 weeks · Free
  3. 3: Obtain NIE (foreigner identification number) and open Spanish bank account — Spain · 2–4 weeks · Minimal
  4. 4: Apply for Beckham Law (optional — 24% flat tax for 6 years) — Spanish tax authority (AEAT) · 2–4 weeks · Minimal
  5. 5: Maintain residence for 10 years (or 2 years if Latin American/Sephardic) — Spain · 2–10 years · €200–€400/year
  6. 6: Apply for Spanish citizenship — Spain · 12–24 months · €200–€400
  7. 7: Pass Spanish language test (DELE A2) and civics test (CCSE) — Spain · Preparation time varies · $200–$400
  8. 8: Receive Spanish passport — EU citizenship — Spain · 2–4 weeks · €30–€70

Advantages

Considerations

Requirements

Tax Considerations

Spain's Beckham Law (Régimen Especial de Trabajadores Desplazados) caps income tax at 24% on income up to €600,000/year for the first 6 years of Spanish residence. This is significantly lower than Spain's standard top rate of 47%. The Beckham Law was extended to digital nomad visa holders in 2023. Note: Spain has a worldwide income tax system for residents — the Beckham Law is the main tax optimization tool for new residents.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Beckham Law?

The Beckham Law (named after David Beckham, who used it when he moved to Real Madrid) is a special tax regime that caps Spanish income tax at 24% for the first 6 years of residence. It was originally designed for high-earning athletes and executives but was extended to digital nomad visa holders in 2023.

Who qualifies for the 2-year naturalization?

Citizens of Iberoamerican countries (Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Uruguay, Venezuela), Andorra, Portugal, and Sephardic Jews can naturalize in Spain after just 2 years of legal residence.

Must I renounce my existing citizenship?

Spain requires renunciation of existing citizenship for most nationalities. However, citizens of Iberoamerican countries, Andorra, Portugal, and Sephardic Jews are exempt from the renunciation requirement and can hold dual citizenship.

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