Does Spain's Digital Nomad Visa exempt you from Spanish taxes?
DNV holders are Spanish tax residents from day 183. You can opt into the Beckham Law special regime — 24% flat rate on Spanish-source income up to €600k — but foreign-source income is also taxable under standard rules.
The truth
Spain's Digital Nomad Visa (Visado para Teletrabajo Internacional, launched January 2023) permits remote work for foreign employers. Initial 1-year residence, renewable to 5 years, leads to Permanent Residence eligibility. Income requirement: ~€2,646/month gross (200% of Spanish minimum wage SMI) for the principal applicant + 75% SMI per dependent. Source: at least 80% of income must come from companies established outside Spain. Spanish tax treatment: DNV holders become Spanish tax residents from day 183 in any calendar year. Default treatment: standard Spanish progressive income tax (19% to 47%) on worldwide income, plus Spanish wealth tax for high-net-worth, plus Modelo 720 reporting on overseas assets above €50k. Beckham Law (Régimen especial para trabajadores desplazados — Article 93 LIRPF) is a special expat-tax regime that DNV holders can opt into within 6 months of becoming Spanish tax residents. Under Beckham: flat 24% on Spanish-source income up to €600k, 47% above; foreign-source income generally NOT taxed in Spain; no wealth tax on foreign assets. Duration: 6 years (year of move + 5 more). Beckham Law eligibility: not a Spanish tax resident in the 5 prior years, moving to Spain for new employment / DNV / director appointment.
Why this rumour persists
Marketing for DNV emphasises the 24% Beckham tax rate, often framing it as the standard or default treatment. The reality — opt-in within 6 months, foreign-source still potentially complex, 6-year cap — is technical.
What to actually do
- Engage a Spanish tax advisor (asesor fiscal) in the first 3 months of arrival to file your Modelo 030 + Beckham Law election if eligible
- Apply for Beckham Law via Modelo 149 within 6 months of becoming a Spanish tax resident — late applications are rejected
- Keep records of all foreign-source income separately — even under Beckham, certain foreign income (e.g. Spanish-payroll director fees) can still be Spanish-taxable
- Plan exit if you want to avoid Spanish tax in year 7 — Beckham ends after 6 years, then full Spanish progressive tax applies
- Note Modelo 720 reporting obligation on foreign assets — penalties for non-disclosure can be punitive