In brief
- Who it is for
- Non-EU employees and self-employed professionals who work remotely for companies based outside Spain.
- Where to apply
- From abroad, the visa at the Spanish consulate. If you are already lawfully in Spain, the residence permit, online, with the Large Companies and Strategic Groups Unit (UGE-CE).
- Duration
- The visa, up to one year; the residence permit, up to three years, renewable for two-year periods.
- Fees
- We quote them in the first consultation (€40), with the option to pay in instalments.
Requirements
- Working remotely, exclusively by electronic means, for companies based outside Spain; as a self-employed professional, work for Spanish companies may not exceed 20% of your activity.
- Holding a degree from a reputable university or business school or a vocational training qualification, or proving at least three years of professional experience.
- An employment or professional relationship with the foreign company or companies for at least three months before applying, which allows remote work.
- The company or group must have been genuinely and continuously active for at least one year.
- Sufficient financial resources: as a benchmark, 200% of the monthly national minimum wage (SMI), plus 75% for the first family member and 25% for each additional one.
- Public or private health insurance with an insurer authorised to operate in Spain; travel insurance and policies with co-payments or waiting periods are not accepted.
- Being 18 or over, with no criminal record in Spain or in your countries of residence over the last two years, plus a declaration covering the last five.
- Contributing to Spanish Social Security, with a commitment to register, or, if an agreement with your country allows it in your case, a certificate confirming you remain covered there.
How we help you
-
We study your case
We check your relationship with the company, your qualifications and means, and assess whether to apply for the visa from abroad or the permit from Spain, as well as your tax position.
-
We prepare your application
We gather the company certificates, the contract, your qualifications or experience, proof of means, insurance and Social Security documents, with translations and apostilles.
-
Filing and follow-up
We file the application with the UGE-CE or assist you at the consulate. The law sets twenty days for the permit and, as a rule, ten working days for the visa.
-
Residence and taxation
We help you apply for the permit within the sixty days before your visa expires, with renewals and, where applicable, with opting into the special tax regime for inbound workers.
Frequently asked questions
Can I work for Spanish clients or companies?
If you are an employee, only for companies based outside Spain. If you are a self-employed professional, you may also work for companies located in Spain, provided that work does not exceed 20% of your total professional activity.
Can my family come?
Yes. Your spouse or partner, your minor children or adult children who depend on you and have not formed their own family, and dependent parents may apply at the same time as you or later. According to the UGE-CE, their permit also allows them to work.
Can I use the special tax regime for inbound workers?
If you are an employee holding this visa, the Personal Income Tax Act treats the relocation requirement as met; you must also, among other conditions, not have been tax resident in Spain in the previous five years. You must notify the Tax Agency (Agencia Tributaria) of your choice within six months of starting work. For self-employed professionals, it depends on the case.