LumenCan I apply for Spain's digital nomad permit while already in Spain as a tourist?
Checked on
Yes. The law lets anyone who is in Spain legally apply for the international telework residence permit without first getting a visa. Consular guidance says this includes a visa-free tourist stay or any valid visa. You apply online to the UGE-CE; the permit lasts up to three years, against one year for the visa.
Key facts
| What | The source says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Who can apply in Spain | Foreigners who are in Spain regularly, or who came with the telework visa | Ley 14/2013, art. 74 quinquies.1 |
| Does a tourist stay count | Yes: a visa-free stay (for example 90 days in any 180) or any valid visa, including a tourist visa, while it is valid | Washington consulate guidance, introduction |
| Where you apply | Online to the Large Companies and Strategic Groups Unit (UGE-CE); the Directorate-General for Migration grants it | Ley 14/2013, art. 76.1 |
| How long it lasts | Up to 3 years (visa: up to 1 year) | Ley 14/2013, arts. 74 quater.1, 74 quinquies.2 |
| While you wait | Applying extends your current stay or residence until the decision | Ley 14/2013, art. 76.1 |
| Decision deadline | 20 days from the electronic application; no answer means the permit is granted | Ley 14/2013, art. 76.1 |
What the law says
Ley 14/2013 (art. 74 quinquies.1) lets foreigners who are in Spain regularly, or who entered with the international telework visa, apply for a residence permit to work remotely for a company abroad. The permit is valid across Spain for up to three years, unless you ask for a shorter work period (art. 74 quinquies.2).
What “legally in Spain” covers
The Washington consulate’s guidance says you can apply for the residence permit directly in Spain, without a prior telework visa, if you are there legally. It gives two examples: being in Spain without a visa where your passport allows it (90 days in a period of 180 for US passport holders), and being in Spain with any type of visa, such as a tourist visa, while it is valid.
How you apply
The application goes electronically to the UGE-CE (art. 76.1). The Washington consulate’s guidance says that if you have no Spanish electronic certificate or Cl@ve, you can deal with the administration through an authorised legal representative in Spain who has one. Filing the application extends your current stay until the decision (art. 76.1), so your tourist stay does not run out while the UGE-CE decides.
Related questions
- How long the decision takes: see “How long does Spain take to decide a digital nomad residence permit?”
- After the permit is granted: if it is valid for more than six months, you must apply for a foreigner identity card (TIE) (Ley 14/2013, art. 76.2).
Sources
Change history
- : Page created
This is general information, not legal advice, and Lumen is not a law firm. Rules change and offices differ: check the official sources above before you act. Found something wrong or out of date? Write to support@lumen.observer.