Countries/Spain
Spain: visas and tax residency
Everything that decides whether you can stay in Spain and where you end up paying tax: the Schengen 90/180 rule to enter, the 183-day rule for the tax authority and the digital nomad visa to stay working remotely.
Updated: JUL 2026 · quarterly review
183 days
Tax rule · calendar year
Yes · 90/180
Schengen area
Yes · 1 year
Digital nomad visa
90+
Double taxation treaties
Visas
Do you need a visa, by passport?
| Your passport | You can stay | Note |
|---|---|---|
| EU / EEA / Switzerland | No limit | Free movement; registration certificate after 90 days. |
| US, UK, exempt LatAm | 90 / 180 Schengen | No visa needed, but the counter covers the whole Schengen area. |
| All other nationalities | Schengen C visa | Apply in advance; same 90/180 rule once inside. |
Before booking, check how many of your 90 days you have left with the Schengen calculator.
Tax residency
When you become a tax resident in Spain
Criterion 1 · The one Daywhere counts
More than 183 days in the year
Days of presence within the calendar year: entry and exit days count in full, and sporadic absences are added unless you can prove tax residency in another country.
Criterion 2
Center of economic interests
If your business or your main income is based in Spain, you can be a resident even without reaching the days.
Criterion 3
Resident spouse and children
If your non-separated spouse and minor children live in Spain, your residency is presumed unless you prove otherwise.
How many days do you have this year? Check it in a minute.
183-day calculator ›Digital nomad
Spain's digital nomad visa
Remote work for companies abroad
An employment or service relationship of at least 3 months with foreign companies; as a freelancer, at most 20 % of income from Spanish clients.
Proven minimum income
Around 200 % of the minimum wage (≈€2,700/month), plus an extra amount for each family member joining you.
Qualification or experience
A university or higher vocational degree, or at least 3 years of provable professional experience.
Health insurance and a clean record
Insurance with full coverage in Spain and a criminal record certificate for recent years.
The initial visa lasts 1 year (residence permit up to 3, renewable) — and its holders usually end up crossing the 183 days: watch it with the residency calculator.
Living between countries? Daywhere keeps the count
Days in Spain, your Schengen counter and proof of where you were — automatic, with GPS, and with a warning before you cross any threshold.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Spain
When do I have to register with my municipality (padrón)?
If you live in Spain more than 6 months a year, the law requires you to register in your municipality of habitual residence. The padrón alone doesn't determine tax residency, but it's an indicator the tax authority cross-checks — and being registered without actually living there can also play against you.
Do tourism days count towards the 183?
Yes. The tax rule doesn't distinguish the reason: holidays, work or a layover where you leave the airport — any day of presence in Spain adds to the 183, arrival and departure days included. That's why you should count all of them, not just the "living" ones.
What happens if I exceed Schengen's 90/180?
It's an immigration offence — a fine and a possible entry ban — even if you never become a tax resident. They are independent rules: you can overstay Schengen without crossing the 183 days, and vice versa. Watch both, each with its own calculator.
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