Guide · 4 min read
Digital nomad visa and Beckham Law: how they fit together
One lets you live in Spain while working remotely. The other decides how you're taxed. Since 2023, they can work together.
Two different things
The digital nomad visa (international telework visa) is an immigration permit: it lets non-EU citizens live in Spain while working remotely for companies or clients abroad. It says nothing about tax.
The Beckham Law is a tax regime. Once you live in Spain, you become a Spanish tax resident, and the regime can replace standard income tax with a flat 24% on employment income.
Who can combine them
- Remote employees of a foreign company are the clearest case: the Startups Law (2023) opened the regime to people working remotely from Spain.
- Freelancers are a different story: it depends on the activity, and many don't qualify.
- In every case, you must not have been tax resident in Spain in the previous 5 years.
Watch the clock
The 6-month deadline still applies, and with remote work the date that starts it isn't always obvious. Pin it down early.
Our advice
Plan both at the same time. The way you set up your visa and contract can decide whether the regime is open to you.
This guide is general information, not personalised tax or immigration advice.