Digital Nomad Visa: Documents from the Non-Spanish Company

Updated: 13 October 2026

Which documents do you need from your foreign company?

If you are applying for Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa or residence authorisation, you must show that the company or companies you work with are based outside Spain, carry out real and ongoing activity, and allow you to perform your work remotely. The evidence depends on whether you are an employee, an independent professional or the owner of the company.

The documents below reflect the UGE’s guidance for initial residence authorisation applications. If you apply through a Spanish Consulate, check that consulate’s document instructions as well.

Proof that the foreign company has been active for at least one year

The law requires evidence that the foreign company or group has carried out real and continuous activity for at least one year. The UGE asks for an official commercial registry certificate or equivalent document from the country where the company is established.

A certificate showing when a company was incorporated is a useful starting point. Check that the documents also support the required period of actual activity; registration alone may not answer every question about whether the business has been operating.

Proof of your working relationship

For an employee, review the employment contract and evidence that the relationship with the foreign company existed for at least three months before the application. The company must also confirm that the job can be performed remotely from Spain.

For an independent professional, review the service agreement or other contract with the foreign company or companies. The evidence should show a professional relationship lasting at least three months and explain the terms under which the services will be provided remotely.

Make sure the contracts, dates, job description and payment records tell the same story. An employment contract does not, by itself, establish a professional relationship, or vice versa.

What should the company’s remote-work letter say?

For an initial UGE application, the foreign company’s letter should describe your role, main duties, remote-work arrangements, remuneration in euros and the other conditions under which you will work from Spain. Employees should obtain clear confirmation that the company permits the work to be carried out remotely.

If you own or control the company, the UGE considers remote-work authorisation implicit, but its guidance still calls for a letter covering the other relevant details.

Payslips or invoices and proof of payment

Employees should prepare their recent payslips; independent professionals should prepare the corresponding invoices. For an initial UGE application, the guidance asks for evidence of income from the previous three months and bank evidence showing the matching payments. Identify the relevant transactions clearly so they can be checked against the payslips or invoices.

If you own or control the company

A company owner’s file needs additional care. For a sole owner or someone with effective control, the UGE lists further evidence of ownership or control, the company’s latest corporate tax return, investment in productive assets and its employee history or an equivalent record.

The right approach depends on the company structure and on whether your relationship is genuinely employment or professional activity. A contract signed with your own company does not settle that question by itself.

Apostilles, translations and a final review

Foreign public documents, such as official registry certificates, must meet the applicable apostille or legalisation requirements. Documents issued in another language may also require a sworn translation. Check the formal requirements for each document before arranging translations; a private contract and a public registry certificate are not treated identically.

This article focuses on documents connected to the foreign company. The application also has other requirements, including qualifications or experience, sufficient resources and the appropriate Social Security arrangements.

You can read about the complete process in our Digital Nomad Visa Spain service. If you would like us to assess your employment or company structure and identify gaps in your evidence, choose a consultation with Nodisea.

Legal review: Francisco Javier Theuer Carmona, immigration lawyer and member of the Granada Bar Association (ICAGR 7984).

Last reviewed: 13 October  2026

Official sources: Law 14/2013, Articles 74 bis and 74 ter · UGE guidance for initial international telework residence applications.