Applying for the digital nomad residence permit from inside Spain

Who can use this route

Non-EU nationals who are in Spain regularly: visitors within their visa-free stay or holding a short-stay visa, students, or holders of another residence permit who want to change to international teleworking. People in Spain irregularly cannot use it.

The procedure

Electronic filing

The application and documents are filed online with the UGE. Most applicants file through a lawyer with a digital certificate.

Decision in 20 days

Article 76 of Law 14/2013 sets a maximum of 20 days from electronic filing. If the authorities do not decide in time, the permit is understood to be granted by administrative silence. A request for more documents can affect the timing.

Your stay is extended

Filing the application extends your legal stay or residence until the decision, even if your visa-free period ends in the meantime.

Appeals

Decisions can be appealed by an administrative appeal (recurso de alzada). See refusals and appeals.

After approval

• Apply for the TIE card at the police, with fingerprints. See TIE card.
• Register at the town hall (padrón).
• Register with the tax authorities and, if applicable, choose the special tax regime. See taxes.

Duration and renewal

The permit is valid for up to three years, or less if requested for a shorter period of work, and can be renewed for two-year periods while the conditions are met. See renewal.

A practical example

An Australian copywriter arrived in Mallorca as a visitor to look for a flat. In her third week we filed her residence permit online with all documents ready. The UGE approved it in under three weeks, she took her fingerprints for the TIE in Palma and never had to fly back to Australia. See Mallorca. More information on the firm's main website: immigration law at Castell Abogados (in Spanish).