Spain digital nomad residence at UGE: official requirements and filing without a certificate

Official procedure information: Residence Application for Digital Nomads

What it is

It is the procedure for applying for a residence permit when the applicant is in a regular situation in Spain. Through this process, they will obtain a permit for 3 years (or shorter, depending on the employment contract provided if its duration is less than three years), allowing them, if they wish, to live and work throughout the national territory.

Residence permits regulated by Law 14/2013, on support for entrepreneurs and their internationalization, facilitate the entry and stay in Spain for international remote workers for reasons of economic interest.

Managing authority

Large Companies and Strategic Groups Unit

Approximate processing time

Fastest resolution time: 20 business days.

Who it is for

• Foreign nationals who wish to carry out a remote work or professional activity for companies located outside Spain, using exclusively computer, telematic, or telecommunications means.
• Foreign nationals who perform an employed activity for companies located outside Spain.
• Foreign nationals who carry out a self-employed activity (as freelancers) and may also work for companies located in Spain, provided that the percentage of such work does not exceed 20% of their total activity.

Documents

• Copy of the complete passport or valid travel document (all pages).
• Proof of payment of the fee (Form 790 038) along with the payment receipt if it is not reflected on the form itself.
• Proof of a minimum three-month employment/professional relationship at the date of application with the foreign company/companies with which the applicant maintains such relationship.
• Proof of real and continuous activity for at least one year by the foreign company or group of companies with which the worker maintains an employment or professional relationship.
• Letter from the foreign company authorizing remote work from Spain, specifying job profile, salary, terms, and other conditions under which the professional activity will be carried out remotely.
• Copy of the qualification related to the position or, where applicable, minimum substitute experience in similar functions to the position intended to be performed.
• Certificate of Social Security coverage (if there is an agreement with the country of origin) or registration in the Spanish Social Security system, proving at least the request for the foreign company’s registration and the commitment to register once authorization is obtained before starting work.
• Current criminal record certificate from the country or countries where the applicant has resided during the last two years. Additionally, a sworn statement declaring the absence of criminal records in the last five years (this will not apply if the applicant already holds a residence or stay authorization in Spain for more than six months and has previously submitted this document).

General requirements

• Completed application form.
• Copy of the complete passport or valid travel document and, where applicable, of family members.
• Proof of sufficient financial resources for yourself and your family members during your period of residence in Spain.
• Public or private health insurance contracted with an insurer authorized to operate in Spain, unless you will carry out an activity that grants you insured status under the National Health System.
• Proof of payment of the corresponding fee.
• If the applicant is already in Spain when submitting the application and holds a stay or study permit of less than six months, they must present an original criminal record certificate from the country or countries where they have resided during the last five years.

Official answers

Who can submit the application?

Applications can be submitted by the interested person or through a representative.

Is it necessary to submit foreign documents translated and legalized?

All documents must be translated into Spanish. In the case of foreign public documents, they must also bear the Hague Apostille or, failing that, have been legalized through diplomatic channels.

Can the application be admitted for processing?

The Law establishes as a requirement not to be in an irregular situation in Spain, so this requirement must be met at the time of application.

Submitting the residence authorization application will extend the validity of the residence or stay situation held until the procedure is resolved.

Source: Plataforma ONE, Red.es (one.gob.es/en/procedures/residence-application-digital-nomads). Reproduced under the Plataforma ONE legal notice. Compared with the source on November 2, 2026. Aviso legal