Spain’s Digital Nomad Permit: Consulate Application or Apply From Spain? Complete Guide

Understanding the Two Pathways

Spain’s Digital Nomad (International Teleworker) residence permit under Law 14/2013 can be obtained in two different ways:

• From abroad through a Spanish Consulate
• From within Spain through UGE (the Large Companies Unit) after entering legally

Both routes lead to the same status under Article 74 bis, but the procedure, documentation requirements, and processing timeline differ significantly.

Who Processes Your Application?

Applying Abroad: Spanish Consulates

Handled by the Spanish Consulate in your country of residence (Ministry of Foreign Affairs).

Applying from Spain: UGE

Handled entirely online by UGE, part of the Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security & Migration.

These are two separate government bodies with different workflows, interpretations, and documentation expectations, which explains why the experience can vary so much.

Documentation Requirements: Consulates Are Stricter

Consulates generally request more documents, and the criteria can vary depending on the specific officer reviewing your application. This often means additional documents, in-person appointments, and stricter interpretation of the rules.

By contrast, UGE is more consistent and transparent about the documents required.

When applying from within Spain, you also benefit from a more streamlined process:

• All documents are submitted digitally
• No in-person appointments
• No need to surrender your passport

This alone makes the Spain-based route significantly easier for many applicants.

Processing Times: UGE Is Faster and More Predictable

Consulates Abroad

Processing times vary widely: anywhere from 1 to 6 months, depending on the consulate.

UGE (Inside Spain)

UGE has 20 business days to issue a decision.

And critically: Positive silence applies inside Spain, if UGE does not issue a decision on time, your permit is automatically approved.

Consulates do not apply positive silence.

Validity period: 1 Year vs. 3 Years

Applying Abroad (Consulate)

You receive a 1-year Digital Nomad Visa, which you must then convert into a 3-year residence card after arriving in Spain.

Applying from Spain (UGE)

You receive a 3-year residence permit immediately, with no preliminary visa stage.

This is one of the most practical advantages of applying from within Spain.

Cost Differences

• Consulates: Fixed visa fees (vary by country)
• In Spain: Lower administrative fees (73,26 Euros in 2025)

Entering Spain to Apply: What You Need

To apply from within Spain, you must:

• Enter the country legally (passport stamp, boarding pass, or declaration of entry)
• Submit the application before your 90-day tourist stay expires
• Have your documentation prepared or close to ready

Final Thoughts

Both pathways ultimately lead to the same residence permit, but the experience is entirely different.

However, applying from within Spain is:

• Faster
• Less bureaucratic
• Fully digital
• Resulting in a longer, 3-year initial permit

This makes the in-country route especially convenient for U.S., U.K., Canadian, and Australian citizens, who can enter the Schengen Area visa-free.

For applicants who do need a Schengen visa to enter Spain, we still recommend obtaining the Schengen visa first, travelling to Spain legally, and then submitting the Digital Nomad permit application once inside Spain. This often results in a faster and more predictable process than applying directly through a Spanish Consulate abroad.