Remote work in Spain

Working remotely on visitor status

Law does not say clearly for remote work

Organic Law 4/2000 art. 36 requires authorisation to reside and work before any lucrative, labour or professional activity. It does not address a visitor working remotely for a foreign employer. The 2022 remote-work regime implies a dedicated route is needed.

• BOE - Ley Organica 4/2000, art. 36 (authorisation required for any lucrative activity)
• BOE - Ley 28/2022, disposicion final quinta (new arts. 74 bis-quinquies of Ley 14/2013)

The route for remote workers

Visado / autorizacion de residencia de teletrabajo de caracter internacional (international remote-work visa)

Work only for non-Spanish companies, or Spanish work no more than 20% of activity. Degree or 3 years' experience; 3 months' relationship with the employer; company active 1+ year. Visa up to 1 year; permit up to 3 years, renewable in 2-year periods. Income 200% of the minimum wage (SMI); the current euro figure is not confirmed.

• BOE - Ley 28/2022 (arts. 74 bis to 74 quinquies)
• Spanish Consulate General Bahia Blanca - teletrabajo visa requirements (PDF)
• Spanish Embassy Singapore - Digital Nomad Visa page

Social security

EU/EEA coordination (A1)

Yes

US totalization agreement

Yes (in force 1988)

EU Member State, so Reg. 883/2004 and the A1 posting rule (up to 24 months) apply. You are normally insured where you work. The consulate sheet requires a declaration of social security compliance. US-Spain agreement entered into force 1 Apr 1988.

• SSA POMS GN 01701.005 - totalization agreement list with dates
• Your Europe - posted workers (A1, 24 months)
• Your Europe - social security coverage rules
• Spanish Consulate Bahia Blanca - teletrabajo visa sheet (social security declaration)

How these arrangements work in general is on the guide page.

What we could not verify

• No official Spanish source found that directly says whether a tourist or visa-free visitor may work remotely for a foreign employer. The grey-area position is a reading of art. 36 together with art. 74 bis.
• The current SMI-based euro threshold was not confirmed; a consulate sheet shows an older figure.
• The Ministry of Inclusion pages were not reachable, so consulate sheets stand in for them.
• The SSA overview page and EUR-Lex were not directly readable.