What exactly changed for Russian citizens in Latvia?

From September 2022 the procedure for issuing and renewing temporary residence permits for Russian citizens changed: work-based grounds — employment, self-employment, commercial activity — generally no longer apply. Other grounds remain open: family reunification, international protection, humanitarian considerations and a number of procedural cases. It is best to check your own case directly with the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs — the wording has been amended several times, and a general description does not always cover a specific situation.

I am a Belarusian citizen — do the same rules apply?

No, and this distinction is usually lost in second-hand accounts. For Belarusian citizens the list of grounds is markedly wider, including registration as a sole trader, board and management positions, study and medical treatment. In other words, a Belarusian freelancer in Latvia usually still has a domestic option that a Russian one does not. That does not mean the question is settled: deadlines and general requirements affect everyone. But your starting position differs, and in a consultation we work from your actual citizenship rather than the general picture.

I hold a valid card. Can I travel to Spain and file there?

A valid residence permit issued by a Schengen state allows you to stay in other participating states for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. That is your window for filing inside Spain. Filing the application extends your lawful stay in Spain until a decision is issued. Your specific dates — how long the card still runs, how many Schengen days you have used, when you can realistically file — are what we work through in a consultation.

The language requirement — does it apply to me?

The Latvian language requirement is addressed to particular categories, not to every permit holder. It relates to the ground on which your status was issued and when you obtained it. There are exemptions too — by age, and for those educated in an accredited Latvian-language programme. So a general answer is of limited use here: it depends on your specific ground. Current requirements are published by the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs.

Which documents should I gather in Latvia?

The criminal record certificate is required from the country where you have lived for the past two years. If that is Latvia, it is a Latvian certificate, not only one from your country of citizenship. Leave time for it and for the apostille. Then contracts, invoices and three months of bank statements. What matters is less the amount than whether the documents agree with each other. Check your passport's type and expiry date separately: travel document requirements have changed, and without a valid one you can neither extend your status nor file in another country.

What is an international teleworker?

A worker authorized to remain in Spain to carry out work or professional activities remotely for companies based outside the national territory, using exclusively computer, telematic and telecommunication means and systems.

Who can obtain authorization as an international teleworker?

A national of a third country, of legal age. (Does not apply to citizens of the European Union or those to whom European Union law applies)

Can a freelancer be considered an international teleworker?

Yes, as long as they prove a professional relationship through a commercial contract with the foreign company they work for for a minimum of three months and that company authorizes the move to Spain.

Is registration with Social Security in Spain mandatory?

Yes, when carrying out work activity from Spain, registration is mandatory and there can be two cases: Employee: The company must register with Social Security to be able to affiliate the teleworker here in the General Regime. Self-employed worker: The worker must register in the self-employed workers regime (RETA). The Social Security registration requirement can only be replaced by importing the right from the country of origin, provided there is an international social security agreement between Spain and that country and the original social security administration issues a document based on said agreement for teleworkers that gives them temporary coverage in Spain. It is important to emphasize that only some countries with agreements issue coverage certificates for teleworkers.

If the company has a branch in Spain, can I affiliate them to social security through that company or import social security rights from countries with agreements based on that transfer?

In that case, they would not be considered teleworkers but workers transferred between companies or ICT (Intra Company Transfer), being governed by that figure and its specific requirements.

What other requirements are necessary?

Not be irregularly in Spain. Have no criminal record in Spain and in the country(ies) where they have resided for the five years prior to the application (Certificates from the country where they have resided during the two years prior to the application and a sworn statement of having no criminal record in countries of residence for the last five years must be provided). Have public insurance (through Social Security registration) or equivalent private health insurance contracted with an insurance entity authorized to operate in Spain. Travel insurance is not valid, nor those limited to reimbursement of medical expenses, nor those with waiting periods or co-payments. Have sufficient economic resources for themselves and their family members during their period of residence in Spain.

Can they do other work in Spain?

Always from the premise that their work can only be performed exclusively through computer, telematic and telecommunication means and systems, two scenarios are possible: Employment relationship: In Spain they can only work for the company based outside the national territory for which they perform telework. Professional relationship: They can work for a company located in Spain, as long as they maintain the professional relationship with the company with which they request authorization and the percentage of said work with Spanish company(ies) is a professional relationship (never employment) and does not exceed 20% of their total professional activity.

What absences from the national territory can a teleworker accumulate?

They can be absent for a maximum of six months per calendar year to continue maintaining the requirements for obtaining authorization.

Can family members work in Spain?

Yes, the fourth additional provision of Law 14/2013 establishes that residence permits authorize both residing and working (both self-employed and employed).

Must minimum economic resources (means of living) be proven?

Yes, applicants for international telework visas or residence permits must prove that they have economic resources for themselves and their family members according to the following amounts: Holders of visas and residence permits: amount that represents monthly 200% of the minimum interprofessional wage (SMI) Family units that include two people counting the holder and the family member: at least 75% of the SMI. An additional 25% of the SMI will be required for each additional member beyond the two mentioned people. These amounts can be proven with contracts, payslips, company certificates, etc.

What should I do if UGE sends a requerimiento asking for additional documents?

This is a normal part of the process: UGE issues a requerimiento for subsanación when something is missing or needs clarifying. Under Ley 39/2015 (art. 68), you have 10 business days from the notification date to submit the missing documents; the deadline can be extended by up to 5 more days on a justified request. If you don't respond in time, the application is considered withdrawn (desistido) and you'll have to file again. We handle the requerimiento response end to end: we work out exactly what UGE is asking for and put together the correct set of documents on time.

Can a residence permit refusal be appealed, and what should I do if I'm denied?

Yes. A refusal (resolución denegatoria) can be appealed — you file a recurso, generally within 1 month of the notification date. In practice, it's often more effective to fix the reason for the refusal and reapply instead. We review the wording of the refusal, assess your chances, and handle either the appeal or a fresh application.

Should I apply through UGE from Spain or through a consulate — what's the difference?

There are two routes: From Spain (through UGE): you enter Spain legally and apply online. The residence permit is granted for up to 3 years (or the length of your contract if shorter), with a legal decision deadline of 20 business days. Through a consulate: you apply at the Spanish consulate in your place of residence, get a national D visa valid for 1 year, and then arrange your residence permit once you're in Spain. For most people, the UGE route from Spain is faster and more convenient. We'll help you choose the route that fits your situation.

What do I need to do after approval: TIE, padrón, certificado digital?

Once you're approved, there are several steps to complete in Spain: TIE (residence card): book a fingerprint appointment (huellas) at the police station — a separate appointment for each family member — then collect the plastic card 3–5 weeks later. Padrón (empadronamiento): register your address at the local town hall (ayuntamiento). The padrón is needed for the TIE, healthcare, schools, and opening a bank account. Certificado digital / Cl@ve: a digital signature for handling things online — taxes, RETA, appointments with government offices. This is especially important if you're registering as autónomo. We'll walk you through the right order to do things in and recommend trusted providers so you get through each step without mistakes.

I'm employed by a company abroad — do I need a social-security coverage certificate?

Yes, if you're an employee (not self-employed). UGE needs proof that you stay covered by your home country's social security while you work remotely from Spain — an ordinary private insurance policy does not replace it. Which document you need depends on where your employer is: an A1 certificate (EU/EEA/Switzerland/UK), a Certificate of Coverage (USA, under the US–Spain Totalization Agreement), or the social security certificate issued by your home country where Spain has a bilateral agreement. In each case the wording must state that you work remotely from Spain. We help you obtain the right certificate with the correct wording.

When do I need to register as autónomo (RETA) after approval?

As soon as possible — and no later than 45–60 days after your residence permit is approved. This matters: if you're on the self-employment (autónomo) track and don't register with RETA in time, UGE may raise questions at renewal, and you'll need a different approach. Don't put it off: register right after approval, and if there have been delays, get in touch with us before filing your renewal.

📅 Last Update: 29 July 2026

When work-based grounds in Latvia have narrowed

Latvia → Spain: Digital Nomad Residence Permit

For Russian citizens the options to renew a Latvian permit on work-based grounds are restricted. Spain's route for remote professionals carries no nationality restriction — what gets assessed is your work and your income.

You have real contracts, real income and taxes paid. In Spain that is precisely what is assessed.

Key facts about the residence permit

Processing time

Up to 20 working days (≈ 4 weeks)

Minimum income

€2,849/month (2026, BOE 126/2026)

Document preparation costs

from €50 to €300-500

Work experience

3 months in the current position Degree (or at least 3 years' work experience)

Calculate your 2026 Digital Nomad income threshold

Use the SMI-based calculator before collecting bank statements, salary letters, and family documents.

Open income calculator

Estimate whether Beckham Law is worth it

Compare the 24% special regime with a rough regular IRPF estimate and see where the saving becomes material.

Open Beckham calculator

Grounds in Latvia and the Spanish option

What is open, and for whom

Option	Processing Time	Cost	Difficulty	Recommendation
✓ RecommendedSpain remote-work residence permit	20 working days	€73.26 state fee	Moderate — the document package matters	No nationality restriction applies
Latvian permit for employment or business	Restricted for Russian citizens	PMLP fee	Depends on citizenship	Belarusian citizens have a wider list of grounds
Latvian remote-work permit	Not open to everyone	PMLP fee	Depends on citizenship	Worth checking your case with PMLP
Grounds that remain open in Latvia	Depends on the ground	PMLP fee	A narrow set of cases	Family reunification, protection, humanitarian grounds

Worth knowing, in numbers

24.09.2022

The procedure for Russian citizens changed from this date

According to the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs

20 working days

Decision deadline on the application

Set by Law 14/2013

€2,849

Minimum monthly income, 2026

200% of SMI; the threshold rises with family members

What do I get?

A Spanish residence permit for you (and often your family — spouse/partner, children, and dependent parents) if you apply from within Spain, or a national D visa if you apply via the Spanish consulate where you reside

No nationality restriction on the applicant

File inside Spain while your Latvian card is valid

Filing extends your lawful stay until the decision

20-working-day decision, authorisation up to three years, family can be included

Self-employed experience counts: you need a client relationship of at least 3 months and a company with a year of real activity

A legal right to live in Spain (residence permit; up to 3 years when applying from Spain)

Schengen travel for short trips without applying for a visa each time

Family members can often be included (with a higher income threshold per person)

A clear, SMI-based income requirement (easy to calculate for your family size)

A law-based decision deadline for UGE applications (20 working days)

What needs to be done?

Three quick questions

Do you provide services to legal entities or have you been employed by a company for over 3 months?

Is your income above €2,849/month (2026)?

Can you travel to Spain on a tourist visa to submit your documents?

If you answered “yes” to these questions, you likely qualify. Message us in Telegram and we’ll confirm based on your documents (and tell you exactly what to fix if something is missing).

What is the Digital Nomad residence permit in Spain?

In December 2022 the Spanish parliament approved a residence law for remote workers. You can apply either from Spain or at the Spanish consulate in your country of citizenship/residence

Online application from Spain

While you are legally in Spain. The initial permit can be issued for up to 3 years (or for the duration of your employment contract if shorter), with a possible renewal. Later, you may qualify for long‑term residence if you meet the requirements.

Application via the consulate

Apply through the Spanish consulate in your current country of residence. The visa is issued for 1 year; once it expires you will need to apply for the residence permit in Spain.

Legal Framework & Official Sources

Digital Nomad visas are regulated by Spanish law. Here are the official legal sources that govern this residence permit.

Law 14/2013 (Entrepreneur Support)

Main Spanish law supporting entrepreneurs and internationalization, establishing the legal framework for special residence permits.

View Official BOE Document

Law 28/2022 (Startup Law)

Startup ecosystem law that introduced the Digital Nomad visa and international teleworker residence permits.

View Startup Law Document

Official Application Instructions

Detailed joint instructions from Spanish ministries explaining the application procedure for international teleworkers.

View Instructions (PDF)

PRIE Official Portal

Official government portal with detailed information about international teleworker procedures and requirements.

Visit PRIE Portal

UGE Processing Unit

Ministry of Inclusion's Large Companies Unit (UGE) responsible for processing digital nomad applications.

Visit UGE Portal

The spouse or person with an analogous affective relationship, minor children or adults who, depending economically on the holder, have not constituted a family unit by themselves, and dependent ascendants who join or accompany the foreigners may request, jointly and simultaneously or successively, the authorization and, where appropriate, the visa.

Law 14/2013 — Article 62.4 - General requirements for stay or residence

The validity of this authorization shall have a maximum validity of three years unless requested for a shorter work period.

Law 14/2013 — Article 74 quinquies.2 - Residence for international telework

Main requirements

Not be an EU citizen

Formal employment or provision of services to legal entities — employment/self-employment/freelance for a legal entity registered outside Spain and existing for more than 1 year

Ability to work remotely from Spain

Income from €2,849 (2026) for the main applicant

Have worked for your current company for at least 3 months before applying

The company has existed for more than 1 year

No criminal record in the last 5 years

If applying from Spain: be legally in Spain at the time of submission

Timeline — applying from Spain

Collect documents

3-14 days

Arrive in Spain and submit documents online

Each applicant (including spouse, children, and infants) must be in Spain legally at the time of submission and prove it with documents

Waiting for the decision

maximum 20 working days

4 weeks

Receiving the resident card

from 30 days

Book an appointment (cita) with the police, give fingerprints (husband, wife, children, infants — everyone attends, each with their own cita); collect your resident cards 3-5 weeks later (maximum 30-35 days)

Document checklist

Detailed list of required documents for the main applicant and family members

Checklist for Main Applicant / Titular Nomad

Employment path:

Scan of all passport pages

Entry stamp without an exit stamp — proves you are in Spain legally at the time of application

Fee payment

Modelo 790 038, €73.26

MI-T form

Completed and signed form

Employment contract

Open-ended employment contract preferred, signed with your employer more than 3 months ago + sworn (jurado) translation!

Bank statement

For the last 3 months confirming payments under the contract (needs an electronic signature or original stamp and signature of the bank)

Payslips (nómina)

Last 3 monthly payslips from your employer, matching the deposits on the bank statement

Company registration certificate

Certificate of Good Standing (USA/UK) or an equivalent registration document from your jurisdiction, showing the company was incorporated more than 1 year ago + apostille + sworn translation!

Letter from the company

Confirming remote work, including company name, position, contract date, salary in GBP/USD and euros, contract term and explicit permission to work remotely from Spain

Degree with apostille

Optional if available + sworn translation OR proof of more than 3 years' experience

CV / résumé

Mandatory

A1 certificate (social security)

A1 certificate confirming UK/EU social-security coverage (not issued for employment in the USA) + sworn translation

Private health insurance

Mandatory: private policy without copay (sin copago) or waiting period (sin carencia), covering the full duration of stay

Police clearance certificate

From countries of residence for the last 2 years + apostille + sworn translation!

Declaration of no criminal record

Print and sign

Power of attorney

Optional, for a representative (if you are not using your own digital signature)

Proof of legal entry and stay

Optional: Declaracion de Entrada — MANDATORY if there is no entry stamp into Spain

Checklist for Familiar (spouse, child, parent)

MI-F form

Completed and signed form

Fee payment

Modelo 790 038, €73.26

Relationship documents

For spouse: marriage certificate + sworn translation (apostille requirements vary by country) + declaration confirming the marriage. For child: birth certificate + sworn translation

Passport

Scan of all pages

Finances

This is the main applicant's document: a salary letter confirming their income OR a bank balance statement (electronic signature or the bank's wet stamp and signature required). In a joint application it is not needed separately for each family member — it is included in the main applicant's set.

Health insurance

Policy with no deductible (sin carencia, sin copago) covering the entire stay.

Police clearance certificate

Only for adult family members (18+), e.g. a spouse: from countries of residence for the last 2 years + apostille + sworn translation. Not required for children under 18.

Declaration of no criminal record

Confirmation of no offences

Power of attorney

Optional, for a representative (if you are not using your own digital signature)

Proof of legal entry and stay

Optional: Declaracion de Entrada — MANDATORY if there is no entry stamp into Spain

What needs an apostille?

• police clearance certificate
• degree
• company registration certificate
• marriage and birth certificates (check local rules)

For UK and USA documents: police clearance certificates and company documents usually require an apostille. Apostille rules for marriage/birth certificates vary by country — verify with your local authority.

What needs a sworn (jurado) translation?

• police clearance certificate (+ apostille)
• marriage/birth certificates of children
• contract
• company registration confirmation (Companies House certificate, Certificate of Good Standing, etc.)
• degree / other proof of experience (employment record)
• A1 form (if applicable)

Everything else can be translated yourself (non-sworn). Upload a single file with the translation first and the original afterwards.

Questions from applicants in Latvia

Official answers to the most common questions about Digital Nomad visas in Spain

Let's work through your dates and your citizenship

In a consultation we look at how long your Latvian card runs, your citizenship, your contracts and your income — and tell you plainly whether the Spanish route fits and when to start it.

Related guides

Core pages for choosing the right Spanish residence route.

Digital Nomad VisaRead the guide Barcelona Digital NomadRead the guide Startup VisaRead the guide Beckham LawRead the guide Beckham calculatorEstimate your tax Renewal deadlinesRead the guide AboutMeet the team BlogBrowse articles

Latvia → Spain: Digital Nomad Residence Permit

Key facts about the residence permit

Grounds in Latvia and the Spanish option

Worth knowing, in numbers

What do I get?

What needs to be done?

What is the Digital Nomad residence permit in Spain?

Legal Framework & Official Sources

Law 14/2013 (Entrepreneur Support)

Law 28/2022 (Startup Law)

Official Application Instructions

PRIE Official Portal

UGE Processing Unit

Main requirements

Timeline — applying from Spain

Collect documents

Arrive in Spain and submit documents online

Waiting for the decision

Receiving the resident card

Document checklist

What needs an apostille?

What needs a sworn (jurado) translation?

Questions from applicants in Latvia

What exactly changed for Russian citizens in Latvia?

I am a Belarusian citizen — do the same rules apply?

I hold a valid card. Can I travel to Spain and file there?

The language requirement — does it apply to me?

Which documents should I gather in Latvia?

What is an international teleworker?

Who can obtain authorization as an international teleworker?

Can a freelancer be considered an international teleworker?

Is registration with Social Security in Spain mandatory?

If the company has a branch in Spain, can I affiliate them to social security through that company or import social security rights from countries with agreements based on that transfer?

What other requirements are necessary?

Can they do other work in Spain?

What absences from the national territory can a teleworker accumulate?

Can family members obtain authorization/visa?

Can family members work in Spain?

Must minimum economic resources (means of living) be proven?

What should I do if UGE sends a requerimiento asking for additional documents?

Can a residence permit refusal be appealed, and what should I do if I'm denied?

Should I apply through UGE from Spain or through a consulate — what's the difference?

What do I need to do after approval: TIE, padrón, certificado digital?

I'm employed by a company abroad — do I need a social-security coverage certificate?

When do I need to register as autónomo (RETA) after approval?

Let's work through your dates and your citizenship

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