Spain's international teleworker visa under the Startup Law lets Indian employees of foreign companies and freelancers with foreign clients live in Spain while working remotely. The income test is 200 per cent of the minimum wage, EUR 2,849 a month (EUR 34,188 a year) in 2026, plus 75 per cent of the SMI for the first dependant and 25 per cent for each further one; applicants need a degree or three years' experience, at least three months with the employer or clients, and no more than 20 per cent of income from Spanish companies. The one-year visa costs EUR 80 at BLS International and takes about a month; the three-year residence authorisation is decided by the UGE in 20 working days.
The short version with the price card and checklist is on the Spain digital nomad visa route page. This article is the long version: the two application paths, how the income and social security tests work for Indian applicants, the costs, the Beckham tax regime and the refusal reasons.
Who qualifies for the Spain digital nomad visa?
Non-EU nationals who work remotely for companies outside Spain, as employees or as self-employed with foreign clients, using digital means. The tests are:
| Requirement | What it means | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Remote work for foreign companies | Employee of a non-Spanish company, or self-employed with non-Spanish clients; Spanish income under 20 per cent | Contract or client agreements; employer letter authorising remote work from Spain; company registration and 1 year of operation |
| Qualification | Degree or 3 years' professional experience | Degree (apostilled) or experience letters |
| Relationship | At least 3 months with the employer or clients | Payslips or invoices |
| Income | 200 per cent of the SMI: EUR 2,849 a month in 2026; +75 per cent SMI (EUR 1,069) for the first dependant, +25 per cent (EUR 356) each further | Payslips, invoices, bank statements, ITR |
| Social security | Certificate of coverage from India (EPFO) for employees, or Spanish registration for the self-employed | Certificate under the India-Spain agreement |
| Health cover | Public (via social security) or private insurance without co-payments | Policy or coverage certificate |
| Good conduct | No record in the last 5 years | Apostilled Indian PCC and countries of residence |
Spouses, children and dependent parents can be included, and dependants may work. Anyone whose employer or main clients are in Spain is outside the scheme and should look at the highly qualified route in the Spain work visa guide.
How are the income and social security tests calculated?
The income test is 200 per cent of the minimum wage. With the 2026 SMI at EUR 1,221 in 14 payments (EUR 17,094 a year), the UGE and most consulates work from the annual figure divided by 12, EUR 2,849 a month, while some consulates accept the 14-payment reading of EUR 2,442; Vistolane prepares files to the higher figure. Income is shown with at least three months of payslips or invoices, bank statements and the Indian income tax return, and it must come from an employer or clients that have been operating for at least a year.
The social security test is the part Indian applicants most often get wrong. Employees of Indian companies prove cover with a certificate of coverage issued by the EPFO under the India-Spain social security agreement, which keeps them in the Indian system for the posting and satisfies the consulate; without it, the employer would have to register in Spain. Freelancers cannot use the certificate and instead register as autónomos after arrival, paying contributions from about EUR 230 a month, and show private health insurance without co-payments for the application.
Which path should I use: the one-year visa or the three-year authorisation?
Applicants in India apply for the one-year visa at BLS and, once in Spain, switch to the three-year residence authorisation before the visa expires. Applicants already in Spain legally, for example on the Schengen visa described in the Spain Schengen visa guide, apply directly to the UGE for three years, decided in 20 working days with silence counting as approval. The visa path suits people who want certainty before they move; the UGE path suits people already in Spain who meet every test and want to skip a second application.
How much does it cost?
| Item | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| National teleworker visa (Indian nationals), 1 year | EUR 80 | Paid in INR at BLS; not refunded |
| BLS International service fee | About INR 1,700 | Per application |
| Residence authorisation via the UGE (tasa 038), 3 years | About EUR 73 | From Spain |
| TIE card (tasa 790-012) | About EUR 16 | Within 30 days of arrival |
| EPFO certificate of coverage | Free | India-Spain social security agreement |
| Private health insurance | EUR 500 to 1,000 a year | If not covered by social security |
| Apostille and sworn translations | INR 50 per document plus agency fees; EUR 30 to 60 per page | PCC, degree, certificates |
Vistolane charges the EUR 80 visa fee at the official rate and shows the UGE, insurance and legalisation costs separately on the Spain destination page.
How does the application run?
- Assemble the income and work evidence: contract or client agreements, employer letter, at least three months of payslips or invoices, bank statements, ITR and the company registration showing a year of operation.
- Obtain the EPFO certificate of coverage under the India-Spain agreement, the apostilled PCC with sworn translation and the degree or experience letters.
- Lodge the national visa at BLS International with the form, photo, passport, documents and health cover; pay EUR 80; decision in about a month.
- Enter Spain, register at the town hall, apply for the TIE within 30 days and, if self-employed, register with social security.
- Apply to the UGE for the three-year residence authorisation before the visa expires; tasa 038; 20 working days; renewable for two years.
How long does it take from India?
| Stage | Typical time | What you do |
|---|---|---|
| Income history | 3 to 12 months | Regular credits at EUR 2,849 a month or more |
| Certificate of coverage and PCC | 3 to 6 weeks | EPFO; Passport Seva and MEA apostille |
| BLS appointment and decision | About 1 month | Interview possible |
| TIE card | Apply within 30 days; card in 30 to 45 days | Receipt allows travel |
| Residence authorisation | 20 working days at the UGE | Before the 1-year visa expires |
Apply two to three months before the move; the visa allows entry within its validity, so align the lease with the decision. The processing times page tracks the current consulate turnaround.
What about tax, family and the long term?
Anyone present 183 days or more in a year is Spanish tax resident. The Beckham regime, open to teleworkers who have not been resident in the previous five years, taxes Spanish employment income at a flat 24 per cent up to EUR 600,000 for six years and leaves most foreign-source income outside Spanish tax, with the India-Spain treaty avoiding double taxation. Employees with a certificate of coverage stay in the Indian social security system; freelancers pay autónomo contributions.
The residence authorisation is renewed for two years while the conditions hold, and time counts toward the five years for long-term residence. Dependants work freely and children attend state schools without charge. A nomad hired by a Spanish company switches to the highly qualified professional authorisation through the UGE.
Why are Spain digital nomad visas refused, and what fixes each reason?
Income below 200 per cent of the SMI. Credits under EUR 2,849 a month or irregular. Show regular credits above the threshold for at least three months; plan for EUR 2,849 even where a consulate accepts less.
Social security cover not shown. No EPFO certificate and no Spanish registration plan. Obtain the certificate of coverage under the India-Spain agreement before applying.
Company too new or relationship too short. Employer operating under one year or contract under three months. Wait until both periods are met; add the registration certificate.
Spanish income over 20 per cent. Clients or employer in Spain. Describe only foreign work; Spanish employment needs the HQP route.
PCC or degree not legalised. Missing apostille or sworn translation. Apostille through the MEA and use a traductor jurado; Vistolane arranges both.
How Vistolane files it
Vistolane checks the income against the threshold, arranges the EPFO certificate of coverage and the legalised documents, files the EUR 80 visa at BLS at the official rate and prepares the UGE application for the three-year authorisation. Start with the free eligibility check or the Spain digital nomad visa route page. Remote workers comparing options can read the Italy digital nomad visa guide and the Thailand DTV guide.
