Created by Act 14/2013 (the Entrepreneurs Act), it allows people who work remotely for a company based outside Spain, or as freelancers for foreign clients, to live in Spain.
It is handled by the Large Companies and Strategic Groups Unit (UGE-CE), online only, with far shorter deadlines than the general regime and positive administrative silence.
- Employees of a foreign company that allows remote work.
- Freelancers with clients outside Spain (a limited share of income from Spanish clients is accepted, generally up to 20%).
- Their family members (spouse or partner, children and dependent parents) can apply for the authorisation together with them or afterwards.
- A real and continuous employment or professional relationship with the company or the clients of at least 3 months before the application.
- That the company has been in business for at least 1 year and expressly authorises teleworking from Spain.
- A university degree, higher vocational training or a prestigious business school qualification, or at least 3 years of professional experience in the sector.
- Financial means: generally 200% of the monthly minimum wage (SMI) for the applicant, increased for each family member.
- Health insurance with full cover in Spain, or registration with the Spanish social security system where applicable.
- Social security cover: registration in Spain or a certificate of cover from your country of origin if there is a bilateral agreement.
- No criminal record for the last 5 years and no entry ban.
UGE application formIt is completed on the Ministry's electronic office; the procedure is exclusively online.Official link Full passport, validA copy of every written page (including blank ones if the office asks for them) plus the original for checking. Many procedures require at least 4 months of validity. Proof of payment of fee form 790 code 038It is generated and filled in on the official fee website, paid at a bank or online, and submitted as the stamped copy.Official link Certificate from the companyCertifying the employment relationship, length of service, position, salary and express authorisation to telework from Spain. Documents of the foreign companyCertificate of incorporation or from the commercial register of the relevant country, showing at least one year of existence, translated. Contracts with clients (freelancers) if applicable Current contracts with the foreign clients and evidence of a relationship of at least 3 months.Qualification or evidence of experienceUniversity degree or higher vocational training qualification, or certificates showing 3 years of work experience. Social security documentsCertificate of cover from your country of origin (if there is an agreement) or an undertaking to register with the Spanish social security system. Criminal record certificateFrom the countries where you have lived in the last 5 years, issued by the authorities of that country, legalised or apostilled and translated into Spanish. Private health insuranceWith full cover in Spain, if you are not going to pay contributions to the Spanish social security system. Evidence of financial meansPayslips, contracts, invoices or bank statements proving the required threshold.
Online application to the Large Companies and Strategic Groups Unit
Always download the form from the Ministry website: the templates are updated and offices reject outdated versions.
| Form | What it covers | Who pays | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| 790 código 038 | Processing of Act 14/2013 authorisations | The applicant | Generate fee form |
Amounts are updated periodically: the one shown when you generate form 790 is the one in force.
UGE-CE (electronic office of the Ministry of Inclusion)
Online filing only, with your own digital certificate or that of a representative.
Spanish consulate
Alternative: an international teleworking visa (1 year) applied for from your country of origin.
- UGE decision: 20 working days. If there is no reply, silence is positive.
- Duration: up to 3 years if the authorisation is applied for from Spain (renewable for 2-year periods); 1 year if you enter with a visa.
- TIE: 1 month from notification or from entry into Spain.
Check your tax situation: living in Spain for more than 183 days a year normally makes you a tax resident. There is a special regime (the so-called "Beckham Law") that may apply in some cases.
The company must not have been penalised for serious offences and the relationship must be real: files with generic documents are refused.