The Fernshore Index
The factors remote workers look at first.
Each grade is against a published measure, with its source and the date we checked it. It is research information, not advice. Where we have no figure, the row says Unknown.
Internet
88 of 100Strong
39.23 fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 people (2024).
Source: Fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 people, Spain. Checked 15 October 2026.
Work and career
85 of 100Strong
Strong: both tests hold. The telework visa and the residence permit after it are a route for people who work remotely for companies or clients outside Spain, and fixed broadband is 39.2 per 100 people (2024), over the 30 line.
Source: Telework (digital nomad) visa; Ley 14/2013, articles 74 bis to 76 (international telework); Fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 people, Spain. Checked 15 October 2026.
Cost of living
47 of 100Mixed
Price level 0.645 of United States prices (2025).
Source: Price level index (GDP), Spain. Checked 15 October 2026.
Visa, United States passport
85 of 100Strong
The telework visa lasts up to one year and is followed by a residence permit of up to three years, renewable in two-year periods (Law 14/2013). It needs no job offer from a Spanish employer, has no age minimum and asks for no deposit or investment. The income test is 200% of the 2026 minimum wage, about EUR 2,400 a month (Washington consulate), about US$32,800 a year at the ECB rate of 15 October 2026 (1.1208 US dollars per euro), under the US$60,000 line. To be safe, have more than EUR 2,500 a month. It needs a degree or three years of experience and a foreign employer or clients.
Source: Telework (digital nomad) visa; Ley 14/2013, articles 74 bis to 76 (international telework); Real Decreto 126/2026, minimum wage for 2026; Euro foreign exchange reference rate, US dollar. Checked 15 October 2026.
Visa, Canada passport
85 of 100Strong
The telework visa lasts up to one year and is followed by a residence permit of up to three years, renewable in two-year periods (Law 14/2013). It needs no job offer from a Spanish employer, has no age minimum and asks for no deposit or investment. The income test is 200% of the 2026 minimum wage, about EUR 2,400 a month (the figure the Washington consulate prints; Ottawa states only the percentage; a private law firm reads it as about EUR 2,800 a month, about US$38,300 a year), about US$32,800 a year at the ECB rate of 15 October 2026 (1.1208 US dollars per euro), under the US$60,000 line. To be safe, have more than EUR 2,500 a month. It needs a degree or three years of experience and a foreign employer or clients.
Source: Remote work (digital nomad) visa, Ottawa; Telework (digital nomad) visa; Ley 14/2013, articles 74 bis to 76 (international telework); Real Decreto 126/2026, minimum wage for 2026; Euro foreign exchange reference rate, US dollar. Checked 15 October 2026.
Visa, Australia passport
85 of 100Strong
The telework visa lasts up to one year and is followed by a residence permit of up to three years, renewable in two-year periods (Law 14/2013). It needs no job offer from a Spanish employer, has no age minimum and asks for no deposit or investment. The income test is 200% of the 2026 minimum wage, about EUR 2,400 a month (the Washington consulate figure for 2026) or about EUR 2,800 a month if Canberra applies the annual minimum wage over 12 months; the Canberra page still shows 2025 figures, about US$32,800 to US$38,300 a year at the ECB rate of 15 October 2026 (1.1208 US dollars per euro), under the US$60,000 line. To be safe, have more than EUR 2,500 a month. It needs a degree or three years of experience and a foreign employer or clients.
Source: Visa for digital nomads, Canberra; Telework (digital nomad) visa; Ley 14/2013, articles 74 bis to 76 (international telework); Real Decreto 126/2026, minimum wage for 2026; Euro foreign exchange reference rate, US dollar. Checked 15 October 2026.
Visa, New Zealand passport
85 of 100Strong
The telework visa lasts up to one year and is followed by a residence permit of up to three years, renewable in two-year periods (Law 14/2013). It needs no job offer from a Spanish employer, has no age minimum and asks for no deposit or investment. The income test is 200% of the 2026 minimum wage, about EUR 2,400 a month (the Washington consulate figure for 2026), or about EUR 2,800 if Wellington applies the annual minimum wage over 12 months, about US$32,800 to US$38,300 a year at the ECB rate of 15 October 2026 (1.1208 US dollars per euro), under the US$60,000 line. To be safe, have more than EUR 2,500 a month. It needs a degree or three years of experience and a foreign employer or clients.
Source: Remote work visa, Wellington; Telework (digital nomad) visa; Ley 14/2013, articles 74 bis to 76 (international telework); Real Decreto 126/2026, minimum wage for 2026; Euro foreign exchange reference rate, US dollar. Checked 15 October 2026.
Community
78 of 100Strong
Expat Insider 2026 Ease of Settling In: 6th of 31.
Source: Expat Insider 2026: Ease of Settling In. Checked 15 October 2026.
Climate
33 of 100Weak
Zaragoza, the main city: 5 comfortable months a year (April, May, June, September and October).
Source: Climate normals 1991–2020, Zaragoza airport (WMO 8160). Checked 15 October 2026.
Lifestyle
87 of 100Strong
Expat Insider 2026 Quality of Life: 1st of 31.
Source: Expat Insider 2026: Quality of Life. Checked 15 October 2026.
The country
The rest of the research on Spain.
The country page grades every factor, with its sources.
SpainQuestions from remote workers about Spain.
What does an employee need to show for Spain’s telework visa?
Washington asks for a company certificate showing three months or more with the employer, your pay and explicit permission to work remotely from Spain, with proof the work continues for a year. The company must be a year old. You need a degree or three years’ experience, and may work only for companies outside Spain.
What income does the telework visa ask for?
Monthly income of 200% of the minimum wage: about €2,400 to €2,800 a month, as Washington prints it for 2026 and Canberra counts it over 12 payments (its page still shows 2025). To be safe, more than €2,900 a month. Ask your consulate which it applies; the figure changes each year.
What Spanish social security step does an employer face?
Washington asks for proof the company is registered in Spain’s social security system or, for employees with the company’s consent, a US coverage certificate under the US–Spain agreement, plus a signed commitment to meet Spanish obligations. Canberra allows a waiver where an agreement applies. Ask your employer.
Does Spain have a special tax regime for people who move there to work remotely?
There is an optional regime for some newcomers. It needs no Spanish residence in the previous five tax years, and employees on the telework visa are named as meeting the remote-work condition. You opt in on form 149 within six months of your social security start date. Eligibility and rates are not assessed here.
Is Spain’s internet dependable enough for a full-time remote job?
Spain has 39.23 fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 people (ITU, 2024), which Fernshore grades strong. That counts subscriptions, not speeds, and city speeds are not measured here. One provider advertises 500 Mbps from €10 a month where its network reaches. Test upload and call quality at the address.
Sources
Where each figure comes from.
Every figure on this page links to the page we read, with the date we checked it.
- [K2] Fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 people, Spain, International Telecommunication Union, via the World Bank. Checked 15 October 2026. 2024: 39.23 per 100 people, read from the World Bank API on 15 October 2026.
- [V1] Telework (digital nomad) visa, Consular Section, Embassy of Spain in Washington, D.C.. Checked 15 October 2026. Written for residents of D.C., Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia and North Carolina. 2026: SMI EUR 1,221; 200% = EUR 2,442 a month for an applicant alone; remote work for companies outside Spain, up to 20% of professional activity for Spanish clients; degree or three years of experience; no minimum age stated. Used for the US passport and, for the euro figure, for CA, AU and NZ.
- [V5] Ley 14/2013, articles 74 bis to 76 (international telework), Boletín Oficial del Estado (consolidated text). Checked 15 October 2026. Added by Law 28/2022, in force from 23 December 2022. Long-stay visas valid one year (or the length of the authorisation if shorter); residence authorisation for telework valid up to three years, renewable in two-year periods.
- [C1] Price level index (GDP), Spain, World Bank. Checked 15 October 2026. 2025: 64.52 (United States = 100), read from the World Bank API on 15 October 2026.
- [V6] Real Decreto 126/2026, minimum wage for 2026, Boletín Oficial del Estado. Checked 15 October 2026. EUR 1,221 a month (14 payments), EUR 17,094 a year, from 1 January 2026.
- [V7] Euro foreign exchange reference rate, US dollar, European Central Bank. Checked 15 October 2026. 15 October 2026: 1.1208 US dollars per euro, used to convert the income test; EUR 2,442 x 12 = EUR 29,304 = about US$32,800; EUR 2,849 x 12 = EUR 34,188 = about US$38,300.
- [V2] Remote work (digital nomad) visa, Ottawa, Embassy of Spain in Ottawa (Ministry of Foreign Affairs). Checked 15 October 2026. In Spanish. For Ottawa and Gatineau; elsewhere Toronto or Montreal. Income of 200% of the minimum wage a month, no euro figure; degree or three years of experience; company at least a year old.
- [V3] Visa for digital nomads, Canberra, Embassy of Spain in Australia (consular section). Checked 15 October 2026. Financial means of at least 200% of the monthly minimum wage; the page still shows 2025 figures (minimum wage EUR 1,184 in 14 payments, EUR 1,381.33 over 12).
- [V4] Remote work visa, Wellington, Embassy of Spain in Wellington (Ministry of Foreign Affairs). Checked 15 October 2026. In Spanish. For applicants resident in the Wellington district. Income of 200% of the minimum wage a month, no euro figure; degree or three years of experience.
- [Q1] Expat Insider 2026: Ease of Settling In, InterNations (Expat Insider survey, private). Checked 15 October 2026. Spain ranks 6th of 31 countries.
- [W1] Climate normals 1991–2020, Zaragoza airport (WMO 8160), Agencia Estatal de Meteorología, AEMET (WMO Climate Normals 1991–2020 via NOAA NCEI). Checked 15 October 2026. Zaragoza, the main city for Spain's climate grade; mean daily highs 11.2 to 32.8 °C; 5 comfortable months (April, May, June, September, October).
- [Q2] Expat Insider 2026: Quality of Life, InterNations (Expat Insider survey, private). Checked 15 October 2026. Spain ranks 1st of 31 countries.