In short: the joint Instruction of 29-30 March 2023 sets the practical requirements for the international teleworker visa and residence permit (the "digital nomad" route), added to Ley 14/2013 by Ley 28/2022 (chapter V bis).
In person or by representative? The Instruction does not address this: it regulates documentary requirements, not how the application is filed. Ley 14/2013 itself distinguishes a visa (applied for from abroad, usually at a consulate) and a residence permit (applied for while in Spain). Check the channel and whether a representative is allowed on the Immigration Portal before starting.
Who: foreign nationals who telework for one or more foreign companies, as employees or self-employed. It does not apply to those who fall under intra-company transfer (arts. 73 and 74 of the law).
Main requirements (per the Instruction):
- Economic means (art. 62.3 f): holder, 200% of the SMI monthly; for the first dependent family member, an additional 75% of the SMI; an additional 25% of the SMI per extra member. With the 2026 SMI (€1,221/month × 14 payments = €17,094/year), the approximate monthly amounts are: holder ≈ €2,850; +≈ €1,070 for the first family member (a couple ≈ €3,920); +≈ €360 per additional member. Figures are indicative, tied to the current SMI: they change every year.
- Relationship with the company: employment or professional relationship of at least 3 months as of the application date; and real, continuous activity of at least 1 year of the foreign company or group.
- Health insurance (public or private, with an entity authorised in Spain), active for the whole validity period; travel insurance is not valid.
- Criminal record certificate from the countries of residence over the last 2 years + a declaration of no record over the last 5 years (not required if you already hold a Spanish permit or stay longer than 6 months).
- Qualification or experience (art. 74 bis): a degree from a recognised university/vocational/business school, or professional experience of at least 3 years in analogous functions.
Documents (Instruction Eighth): full valid passport; proof of the fee; signed form; proof of the work relationship (3 months) and of the company's activity (1 year); company letter authorising remote work (employees) or terms of the activity (self-employed); economic means; criminal record; insurance; Social Security responsibility declaration; qualification or experience. Foreign public documents must be legalised or apostilled.
Where to apply? The visa is requested at the Spanish consulate abroad. The residence permit is processed online with the Large Companies and Strategic Collectives Unit (UGE-CE). If applied for while legally in Spain, the initial authorisation is valid for 3 years and positive administrative silence applies: if there is no decision within 20 working days, it is deemed granted (Ley 14/2013).
Official source: International teleworkers (PRIE — Comercio) · Joint Instruction — international teleworkers (Inclusión) · Ley 14/2013 consolidated (BOE).
Informational only; check the official source and a professional for your specific case.