The Visa Blueprint

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Can you work remotely on Spain's Non-Lucrative Visa?

It is the most common question we hear from Americans and Britons planning a move to Spain, and the answer is short: no. The non-lucrative residence visa is designed for people who live in Spain without carrying out any work or professional activity: and Spanish consulates now say explicitly that this includes remote work for a foreign employer or foreign clients.

By The Visa Blueprint · 3 min read

What the rules say

The non-lucrative residence permit is governed by articles 30 bis and 31 of Organic Law 4/2000 and articles 60 to 63 of the Immigration Regulation approved by Royal Decree 1155/2024 (article 64 for renewals), in force since 20 May 2025. The purpose of the status is to live in Spain with sufficient means without needing to carry out any work or professional activity.

The regulation does not use the word "telework", which is where the confusion comes from. Consulates have closed the gap:

  • Los Angeles and New York state that this type of visa does not allow teleworking.
  • Houston asks for a notarised statement committing to "not doing any gainful work, by any means", on-site or remotely (online).
  • Washington asks for a notarised letter containing the commitment not to do any lucrative work, including remotely, and points remote workers to the digital nomad route.
  • San Francisco asks retirees for a notarised letter in Spanish committing not to work in Spain, not even online.

What consulates ask you to sign

Depending on your consulate and situation, expect one or more of these:

Situation What is typically required
Retiree Notarised letter with the non-work commitment (Houston, Washington, San Francisco)
Self-employed Notarised affidavit agreeing not to work (Los Angeles, San Francisco)
Employee Employer termination letter (Los Angeles); letter confirming the contract ends once the visa is approved and that you will not work, even online (San Francisco); termination or sabbatical letter advised (Washington)

Signing a statement you do not intend to keep is not a technicality: an online profile still advertising your services, or a company you still manage, can be questioned by the consulate. Your file must tell one consistent story.

The financial requirement assumes you won't work

Because you are not supposed to earn a living in Spain, the means test is significant: 400% of the IPREM, Spain's public income indicator, frozen at €600 per month since 2023. That is €2,400 per month, or €28,800 for the first year, plus €7,200 a year for each family member. Savings or a periodic passive income (pension, rent, dividends) are both accepted, but consulates want to see where the money comes from.

If you will keep working: use the digital nomad route

Spain created a dedicated permit for exactly this situation: the international telework residence (articles 74 bis to 74 quinquies of Law 14/2013), often called the Digital Nomad Visa. It lets employees of foreign companies, and freelancers whose Spanish clients make up no more than 20% of their activity, live in Spain while working remotely. Its income requirement is set at 200% of the Spanish minimum wage, and you must show a relationship of at least three months with your employer or clients.

Quick decision guide

  • You will not work at all, and you have pension, rental, investment income or savings → Non-Lucrative Visa.
  • You will keep a remote job or remote clients → Digital Nomad Visa.
  • You will start a Spanish business or take a Spanish job → neither; look at self-employment or work authorisations.

Sources

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