🧾 Do Digital Nomads Pay Tax in Spain?
Yes — if you’re approved for Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa and live in the country for more than 183 days per year, you become a Spanish tax resident. This means you are taxed on your worldwide income, unless you qualify for a special regime.
Luckily, Spain’s Beckham Law offers a big tax break for eligible remote workers.
📜 What Is the Beckham Law?
The Beckham Law (Ley Beckham) is a Spanish tax incentive for foreign professionals relocating to work in Spain. If you qualify:
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You pay a flat 24% tax rate on income earned from abroad, up to €600,000/year
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You don’t need to declare global assets (e.g. overseas property, shares, etc.)
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You are taxed as a non-resident even if living in Spain
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Duration: valid for 6 years
✅ Digital Nomad Visa holders can apply for Beckham Law in most cases.
🧮 Tax Rates with and without Beckham Law
| Income (up to €600K/year) | With Beckham Law | Without (standard tax) |
|---|---|---|
| €30,000/year | 24% flat | 19–30% (progressive) |
| €60,000/year | 24% flat | ~37% |
| €150,000/year | 24% flat | ~45% |
❗ Without Beckham Law, Spain’s top tax rate can exceed 47% in some regions.
💼 Who Can Use the Beckham Law?
To qualify for Beckham Law as a digital nomad:
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You must move to Spain for the purpose of remote work
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Your income must come from foreign sources
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You must apply within 6 months of registering with the Spanish tax office (Hacienda)
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You must not have been a Spanish resident in the 5 years prior
📋 What Income Is Taxed?
| Income Type | Taxed Under Beckham Law? |
|---|---|
| Remote salary (foreign employer) | ✅ Yes |
| Freelance income (foreign clients) | ✅ Yes |
| Dividends, stocks, crypto (abroad) | ❌ No – not reported |
| Spanish income (rental, Spanish clients) | ✅ Yes – taxed separately |
| Worldwide assets | ❌ Not reported under Beckham regime |
💡 Passive income from Spain (e.g. rental property) is still taxed separately at non-resident rates.
🗂️ Documents Required for Beckham Law Registration
To apply for the Beckham Law after your visa is approved:
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Passport + NIE
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Spain residence permit (Digital Nomad Visa)
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Certificate of arrival or start of remote work in Spain
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Foreign employment contract or freelance agreements
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Application form 149
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Registration with Agencia Tributaria (AEAT)
You should apply within 6 months of registering with Hacienda.
🏦 Bank Account & Tax Setup in Spain
As a resident, you’ll need to:
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Open a Spanish bank account
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Get your NIE (foreigner ID number)
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Register with Hacienda (Spanish tax authority)
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File annual tax returns (even under Beckham Law)
✅ Borderless Lawyers can handle this for you after visa approval.
🧠 Can You Avoid Double Taxation?
Yes — Spain has double taxation treaties with many countries, including:
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United States
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United Kingdom
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Canada
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Australia
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Argentina
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Brazil
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And more…
These treaties ensure that you won’t pay tax twice on the same income. But proper reporting is critical, especially for freelancers.
❌ Common Tax Mistakes by Digital Nomads
🚫 Ignoring Spanish tax rules while staying >183 days/year
🚫 Not applying for Beckham Law on time
🚫 Failing to register with Hacienda
🚫 Not reporting Spanish-sourced income
🚫 Freelancers getting paid by Spanish companies (invalidates visa)
⚖️ How Borderless Lawyers Can Help
We offer full tax and visa support for digital nomads:
✅ Register your NIE, Hacienda account & digital certificate
✅ Apply for Beckham Law and file form 149
✅ Handle your annual tax declarations
✅ Advise on asset reporting and international tax compliance
✅ Help freelancers structure their income legally
📣 Want to Minimize Your Taxes in Spain?
Don’t let tax complexity ruin your move. The Beckham Law can save you thousands per year if done right — but timing and setup are crucial.
👉 Contact Borderless Lawyers now for personalized tax planning and Beckham Law registration.