Do I still need a Schengen visa to visit Spain before applying?

British citizens visit Spain visa-free for 90 days in any 180. You can technically apply for the DNV from inside Spain on the visa-waiver, but most consulates strongly prefer in-country UK applications.

What about NHS access vs. private health cover?

Spain requires private health insurance with no co-payments and full coverage. NHS access ends when you become Spanish tax-resident, you'll need a Spain-compliant policy from day one.

Does the Beckham Law work for UK Ltd. directors?

Yes, if you switch to a Spanish payroll arrangement (or a payroll-as-a-service company) within 6 months of arrival. Pure dividend income from a UK Ltd. doesn't qualify, you need Spanish-sourced employment income.

How long is the visa valid?

First grant: 1 year (visa) → renewable to 3 years (residency card) → renewable for 2 more. After 5 years of legal residence you can apply for permanent residency.

FOR BRITONS · UK → SPAIN

From a UK payslip to Spanish residency.

Post-Brexit, Spain's Digital Nomad Visa is the cleanest legal route for UK remote workers and Ltd. company directors - with a 6-year Beckham Law tax window at a flat 24% on Spanish-sourced income up to €600k.

Take the 2-min eligibility check See the British roadmap

Beckham Law eligible · No Spanish entity required · Keep your UK Ltd. or PAYE role

Income · 2026

€2,849/mo

≈ £2,400/mo gross

200% of Spain's SMI

Police clearance

ACRO Police Certificate (10-year history)

Apostille via UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO)

2-day premium ACRO

Where you apply

Spanish consulate covering your UK address

London · Manchester · Edinburgh

Slots open 90 days out

Your roadmap from the United Kingdom to Spain

1
Confirm income & contract structure
DNV applicants need 200% of Spain's SMI (€2,849/mo in 2026, ≈ £2,400). UK employees provide payslips + employer letter. Ltd. directors provide payslips + dividend vouchers + a signed accountant letter.
2
Order ACRO Police Certificate (10-year history)
Apply via acro.police.uk for the long-form certificate. 10 working days standard or 2 working days premium. Spain accepts the digital PDF for apostille.
3
Apostille via the FCDO
Send your ACRO certificate, degree (if used) and any company documents to the FCDO Legalisation Office. Standard postal service is ~2 weeks; premium same-day in person at Milton Keynes.
4
Sworn translation into Spanish
Use a translator on Spain's MAEUEC list. UK 'certified translator' stamps are not accepted by Spanish consulates.
5
Book at London / Manchester / Edinburgh
Pick the consulate covering your UK address. London is the busiest, Manchester and Edinburgh slots usually open faster.
6
Land in Spain → TIE within 30 days
Enter on the visa, register your padrón, get your TIE appointment, and decide between Beckham and autónomo within 6 months of becoming Spanish tax resident.

Taxes & the Beckham regime

Your tax picture in Spain

UK directors typically pay themselves through a Ltd. company, Spain treats this as employment income for DNV purposes. Once Spanish tax-resident, the Beckham regime can give you 6 years at a flat 24% on Spanish-sourced income, while the UK–Spain tax treaty avoids double taxation on most pension and dividend income.

24% flat

Beckham rate on Spanish-source income up to €600k.

6 years

Beckham window for qualifying new tax residents.

Treaty-backed

UK–Spain tax treaty avoids double taxation on most pension and dividend income.

Free tool

Beckham vs. Autónomo, which nets you more?

Toggle annual income & tax scheme
2026 autónomo social-security tiers
Side-by-side vs. your UK take-home

Run the free estimator

Free single-scenario tool. The full multi-scenario suite (Income, Tax, City, Emergency Fund) lives in the $15 DNV Smart Toolkit.

Estimates only. Confirm Beckham eligibility with a Spanish-licensed asesor within 6 months of becoming Spanish tax resident, miss the window and you're locked into standard IRPF. UK tax residency rules (SRT) also matter; check your split-year status separately.

United Kingdom-specific FAQs

Tap a question to expand the answer.

Yes. Most directors keep the UK Ltd., pay themselves a salary that meets the DNV threshold, and route the rest as dividends. Once Spanish tax-resident, dividends become taxable in Spain, the Beckham regime softens this for the first 6 years.

READY WHEN YOU ARE

Three steps from idea to TIE in hand.

Most British applicants succeed by stacking the Free Guide, the Smart Toolkit, and an Application Review Pack before they book the consulate. Pick where you are.

STEP 1 · FREE

Free DNV Guide

12-section starter guide with 2026 income thresholds, ACRO/FCDO timeline, and the Beckham vs. Autónomo decision tree.

Get the guide

STEP 2 · MOST POPULAR

DNV Smart Toolkit

Income Calculator, Tax Estimator (Beckham vs Autónomo), City Comparison and Emergency Fund, all in EUR/GBP with PAYE and Ltd. director presets.

Get the Toolkit

STEP 3 · BEFORE YOU FILE

Application Review Pack

Send your draft. We return a written PDF Review Report plus written follow-up Q&A by email, catches mistakes before the consulate does.

Get the Review Pack

Not sure where you stand yet?

Take the 2-minute eligibility quiz, see your DNV readiness in plain English.

Start the eligibility quiz

No upsell pressure All deliverables are digital 14-day refund on paid products

From a UK payslip to Spanish residency.

Your roadmap from the United Kingdom to Spain

Confirm income & contract structure

Order ACRO Police Certificate (10-year history)

Apostille via the FCDO

Sworn translation into Spanish

Book at London / Manchester / Edinburgh

Land in Spain → TIE within 30 days