Spain’s PP highlights digital nomads as a growth opportunity: what remote workers should know
by 
Babylon Radio
Listen nowA senior figure in Spain’s opposition Partido Popular (PP) has described digital nomads as a growth opportunity for the country. These are opposition remarks, not new rules, and they do not change who can get Spain’s digital nomad visa. Here is what was said and the requirements that apply today.
What was said
Juan Bravo, deputy secretary general of the PP, set out some of his party’s priorities at ATREVIA’s VI Ibero-American Congress in Madrid, according to the organiser’s write-up. He spoke after a general election was called for 29 November. Bravo argued that Spain has major growth opportunities and said: “People want to come to Spain: in 2040 there will be a billion digital nomads in the world, and 8.1% (81 million people) would want to choose our country.”
The PP has also published a plan for the self-employed. It proposes cutting the four quarterly tax returns to two, with a single return for new self-employed workers. Many remote workers in Spain are self-employed, so this would matter to them if it were ever adopted.
What this does and does not change
The PP is in opposition. Bravo’s remarks and the party’s proposals are statements of intent. They do not change the current rules or who is eligible for the visa.
If you are planning a move, our report on Spain’s €225 million affordable-housing package explains the separate government funding announcement and why it is not an offer of accommodation to individual applicants.
The rules today
Spain’s international teleworker visa, often called the digital nomad visa, was created by the Startups Law (Ley 28/2022). According to the Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration and Spain’s consular guidance, the main requirements are:
- You must be an eligible non-EU national of legal age. EU citizens and others covered by EU law do not use this route.
- You work remotely, using only computer and telecommunications systems, for a company or clients based outside Spain. Employees and self-employed applicants must show a qualifying relationship with the foreign company or companies for at least the preceding three months.
- The company you work for has been operating for at least one year.
- Sufficient financial resources equivalent to at least 200% of Spain’s minimum wage (SMI) a month, plus 75% of the SMI for the first family member and 25% for each additional one.
- A university or vocational qualification, or at least three years’ relevant experience.
- Criminal record certificates from the countries you lived in during the two years before applying, plus a sworn declaration of no criminal record in your countries of residence over the last five years.
- Qualifying health cover: Spanish public health insurance, or equivalent private insurance from an insurer authorised in Spain. Travel insurance, reimbursement-only policies and policies with waiting periods or co-payments are not accepted.
- Social security: employees must be registered in Spain, although qualifying employees may keep their home country’s coverage where an applicable social security agreement allows it. Self-employed people must register with RETA, Spain’s self-employed scheme.
- Self-employed professionals may also work for Spanish clients, as long as that work stays at or below 20% of their total professional activity. Employees may work only for the foreign company their visa is based on.
For background on the figure used in the financial-resources test, see our guide to Spain’s 2026 minimum wage. Check the current SMI figure and your local consulate’s document list and required monthly calculation before you apply.
What it means for you
- Digital nomads: the rules above still apply. The PP’s remarks do not change them.
- Self-employed remote workers: keep an eye on the PP’s plan for the self-employed, but it is a proposal, not law.
- Newcomers: plan around the official requirements, not campaign statements.