Living in Spain as a digital nomad offers more than just beautiful landscapes, Mediterranean sunshine and a vibrant cultural life, it also provides a solid legal framework tailored to remote workers from outside the European Union. Since the introduction of the Ley de Startups and the subsequent regulation of the digital nomad visa, Spain has become an increasingly attractive destination for freelancers, entrepreneurs and remote employees seeking to combine work with quality of life.
However, many digital nomads face a key question as their initial authorisation approaches its expiry date: What are the legal options to continue living and working in Spain legally? The good news is that Spanish immigration law foresees specific procedures to extend your stay, but these procedures must be followed carefully to avoid interruptions in your legal status.
Let’s explore the main legal pathways available for extending your digital nomad visa, based on the current immigration regulations in Spain.
1. From Temporary Stay to Residence Authorization: Understanding the Transition
The digital nomad visa in Spain is initially issued for up to 1 year if obtained from a consulate abroad. But the good news is that you don’t need to leave Spain to continue your stay.
According to the Law 14/2013, of 27 September, also known as the Ley de Emprendedores, which regulates the digital nomad visa regime, you can apply for a residence authorization for up to 3 years after your first year of stay. This application must be made within 60 calendar days before the expiry of your visa.
So, if your initial visa is close to expiring, your next legal step is to request this residence permit while still in Spain, provided that you continue meeting the conditions required.
2. Conditions You Must Continue to Meet
In order to renew or upgrade your digital nomad status, Spanish authorities will review if you still fulfill the core requirements:
- Remote Work: You must still be working for companies outside of Spain, or your income from Spanish clients must not exceed 20% of your total professional activity.
- Professional Relationship: You must prove at least three months of prior contractual relationship with your employer or clients before the initial visa, and show that this relationship is ongoing.
- Sufficient Income: You need to prove that you earn at least 200% of the monthly Spanish minimum wage, which is currently €2,520/month (based on the 2024 SMI of €1,260).
- Private Health Insurance: You must maintain comprehensive private health coverage valid in Spain.
- No Criminal Record: Authorities will verify again that you have no criminal convictions, both in Spain and in any country where you have resided in the last five years.
Failing to comply with any of these requirements may result in denial of the residence authorization, so it’s essential to prepare the renewal file carefully and well in advance.
3. How to Apply for the Residence Authorization
Unlike the visa application, which is handled by the consulate in your home country, the residence authorization for digital nomads is processed directly in Spain, specifically through the Unidad de Grandes Empresas y Colectivos Estratégicos (UGE-CE).
You can apply online, with the help of a digital certificate, or through a legal representative. The file should include:
- Valid passport and NIE
- Proof of continued employment or professional activity
- Updated health insurance certificate
- Proof of income (bank statements, contracts, invoices)
- Criminal background certificate (if required again)
- Payment of the administrative fee (modelo 790)
The UGE-CE has 20 working days to resolve your application, and if no response is received, it is considered approved by positive administrative silence, a particularly favorable mechanism that speeds up the process.
4. Renewal After 3 Years: Your Long-Term Options
The initial residence authorization for digital nomads lasts up to 3 years, and it’s renewable for periods of 2 years. This allows you to remain legally in Spain as a remote worker for at least 5 years. Once you complete 5 years of continuous legal residence, you may be eligible to apply for long-term residence, which is valid indefinitely and does not require ongoing proof of professional activity.
But remember: the digital nomad route is a non-lucrative residence regime (you’re not working for a Spanish company), so changing status to a different type of residency (e.g. for employed work or business activity in Spain) would require a separate legal process.
5. Common Mistakes That Can Jeopardize Your Extension
It’s essential to avoid common pitfalls that might affect your ability to extend your visa or authorization:
- Missing deadlines: Failing to submit the renewal request before your visa expires may leave you in an irregular situation.
- Unclear documentation: Vague or incomplete contracts, missing income proofs, or inconsistencies in documents can lead to rejections.
- Switching to Spanish employers: Working directly for a Spanish company without changing your legal status may breach the terms of your authorization.
That’s why it’s strongly advised to consult with an immigration lawyer, who can guide you through the process and ensure every requirement is correctly documented and filed.
6. Bringing Your Family: Family Reunification Under the Digital Nomad Regime
One of the benefits of the digital nomad visa is that you can apply jointly with your family members (spouse, partner, children, or dependent relatives). If you didn’t include them in your initial application, you can do so later as part of your residence authorization process.
To include your family, you’ll need to demonstrate additional income (75% of the IPREM for the first family member, plus 25% per each additional person), as well as adequate housing in Spain.
Importantly, family members are granted residence permits with the same validity as yours, and they may apply for work permits in Spain under general conditions, giving your household more flexibility.
Extending your digital nomad visa in Spain is not only possible, it’s a well-regulated process that opens the door to medium- and long-term residence in one of the most attractive countries for remote workers. However, to do it successfully, you must stay ahead of deadlines, maintain your eligibility, and prepare the documentation with great precision.
Spain offers a welcoming legal framework for international talent, but bureaucratic mistakes or misunderstandings can have serious consequences. Missing a single requirement could mean having to leave the country or starting the application process all over again from abroad.
That’s why it’s essential to seek professional legal assistance. An experienced immigration lawyer can help you avoid pitfalls, streamline your renewal, and advise you on long-term strategies, including transitions to other residence types or family reunification procedures.