Social security for digital nomads in Spain

Countries with agreements

Spain has social security agreements with many countries outside the EU, such as the United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico and others, and coordination rules with the United Kingdom. Under them, a worker temporarily posted or working from Spain may, in some cases, remain covered by the home system for a limited time if the home institution issues a certificate of coverage. Each agreement has its own conditions and maximum periods.

Employees without a certificate of coverage

If no certificate applies, the employee normally needs to be covered in Spain. A foreign employer without an establishment in Spain can register as an employer with the Spanish social security, often through a local payroll provider, and pay contributions for the employee.

Freelancers

Self-employed digital nomads living in Spain usually register in the special scheme for self-employed workers (autónomos). Contributions depend on actual income under the current system. Some agreements allow self-employed people to remain in their home system for a period.

Health insurance

Separately, you need health insurance, public or private with an insurer authorised in Spain. Once you contribute to Spanish social security, you will normally access the public health system.

What we do

• Check whether your country has an agreement and whether a certificate is possible.
• Explain to your employer how to register in Spain if needed.
• Coordinate registration as autónomo for freelancers.
• Prepare the evidence for your application.

A practical example

A US employee of a Silicon Valley company applied from Mallorca. Under the US-Spain agreement, her employer obtained a certificate of coverage for her, which we included in the application to show her social security situation. When it expires, the employer will register in Spain through a payroll provider. See employees. More information on the firm's main website: immigration law at Castell Abogados (in Spanish).