Visa or residence authorisation under Law 14/2013 for third-country nationals.
Spain · international telework
Live in Spain. Work internationally.
International telework can support a genuine move to Spain for qualifying third-country nationals. The employer or client structure, social security position and family plan must all fit the same legal route.
THE ROUTE AT A GLANCE
The work structure determines the route.
Employees and self-employed professionals face different limits. A move creates separate social security and tax decisions.
Work only for companies outside Spain.
Spanish clients at most 20% of professional activity.
Overseas relationship, qualifications, means and social security.
01 / STARTING POINTS
What could this route make possible for you?
A residence right is valuable when its effect fits your life, family or business purpose.
A life in Spain
Plan home, school and healthcare as a genuine relocation.
Continue work lawfully
Evidence the overseas contract, permission to work remotely and actual activity.
Know the consequences first
Resolve social security and tax residence before the family moves.
02 / LEGAL EFFECT
What the status grants. And what remains separate.
Residence, work, family and tax are not compressed into one promise.
LEGAL INSTRUMENT
Spain · international telework
Spanish visa or residence authorisation for international telework under Law 14/2013; neither an investor visa nor EU-wide settlement.
03 / BASIS AND CAPITALConfirm the current SMI amount, social security and healthcare cover for the case; the 20% allowance does not apply to employees.
What qualifies for this route.
One year
Genuine activity of the overseas company before application.
Three months
Existing employment or professional relationship.
200% SMI
Monthly means for the principal; dependants increase the requirement.
20%
Maximum Spanish-client share for self-employed professionals only.
04 / LIFE BEHIND THE PERMIT
Residence alone does not settle daily life.
Who may join you, what you may do locally and how tax is affected are three distinct questions.
Family and daily life
Family members can apply through their own UGE procedure. Evidence relationship, resources and insurance for each person.
Work and business
Employees may work only for companies outside Spain under this route. Self-employed professionals may serve Spanish clients only up to 20% of their total professional activity. Professional rules and social security remain separate.
Tax position
A residence permit does not determine tax residence on its own. Home, actual presence, activity and applicable treaties require separate review.
05 / MAINTENANCE AND OUTLOOK
Keeping the status is part of the decision.
A sound plan considers admission alongside presence, renewal and the longer outlook.
Presence
The route is for actual work from Spain. Residence, registration and tax consequences need separate planning.
Renewal and duties
The overseas relationship, income, social security and healthcare cover must continue to fit; notify UGE of relevant changes.
Later status
Later long-term residence is a separate application with its own conditions; teleworker status does not promise it.
06 / PROCESS AND COSTS
The next step begins before applying.
Classify employment versus self-employment first. Then assemble employer or client evidence, qualifications, resources, social security and family documents; select consular visa or UGE residence procedure according to location.
Calculate the whole decision.
Where minimum amounts are stated, they are legal eligibility thresholds at the documented source date, not estimates of total cost. We review fees and other costs for the individual case before filing.
- Qualifying investment or economic basis
- Government fees and translations
- Legal and tax review
- Family, insurance and location
- Ongoing duties and renewal
- Potential exit or status change
07 / FIT AND LIMITS
When this route belongs on your shortlist.
A suitable permit serves a specific purpose. Where its rights or duties do not fit, comparison with another route begins.
The deciding question
Can your actual overseas work support a move to Spain, including social security and family?
Where this route stops
An informal work-from-home arrangement is insufficient. Spanish client work is excluded for employees and limited for self-employed professionals. Spain ended new Golden Visa applications in 2025.
08 / WHAT NBF EXAMINES
Test whether the work supports the move.
Get a clear match between work structure, evidence and family plan for the correct Spanish application.
Work model
Classify employment and self-employment, including Spanish clients, separately.
Evidence
Check contract, company history, income, qualifications and social security for gaps.
Move
Sequence visa or UGE application, family, cover and tax questions.
09 / SOURCES AND REVIEW
The basis for the decision stays visible.
Programme brochures can explain routes. Responsible authorities and the current case determine their legal effect and conditions.
EDITORIAL VERSION · 3 OCTOBER 2026Sources and reviewView sources
The stated rules are grounded in the linked sources. Conditions, administrative practice and fit for your case are checked again before an individual recommendation.
UGE material checked on 3 October 2026. Confirm current minimum-wage amount, social security evidence, work proportions and family circumstances before applying.
THE NEXT DECISION
Can your international work support a move to Spain?
Test work structure, social security and family before changing home.
