- Employee The Spanish employer is not allowed to work under the DNV only for companies outside Spain. [1].
- Self-employed can also work for a company in Spain if it does not account for more than 20% of his professional activities. [1].
- For a Spanish company, the relationship should be professional (control mercantil) rather than labour, and the link with the foreign company under which the permit is issued must be maintained. [2].
- As 20% of the total (income, hours or clients) is not considered, the law says, and we have no official explanation. [1][2].
- If conditions have changed, this should be reported to the UGE within 30 days; if conditions are not met, the permit may be terminated [1].
Can you work for a Spanish company for a DNV?
Article 74 bis Ley 14/2013 divides two cases: labour relations (relacion laboral) and self-employed activities [1].
| Type of relationship | Spanish company | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Employment contract | No: just companies outside Spain | Ley 14/2013, art. 74 bis [1] |
| Self-employed (control mercantil) | You can, you can have a 20% share of all professional activities. | Ley 14/2013, art. 74 bis [1] |
| Family member of the complainant | You can work without restrictions, for hire and for own use (UGE) | FAQ UGE, question 17 [2] |
The last line refers to family members with their own permission: it allows FAQ UGE to work without restrictions [2].
What is 20% for Spanish clients?
The law formulates the rule: the proportion of work performed by a Spanish company must not exceed 20% of the total professional activity. [1]. The calculation base in the text is not named: it is unclear whether to count revenue, hours or the number of customers. FAQ UGE repeats the same formula and adds that the relationship with a Spanish company must be professional, never labor. [2]We did not find any explanation of the calculation methodology in the Ministry's public records. 20% for self-employed persons on DNVHow to get a freelanc from Russia: DNV IP.
What should be saved so that the Spanish client does not interfere with the status?
The permit is granted on the basis of a connection with a foreign company. FAQ UGE, when working for a Spanish company, requires the applicant to maintain a professional relationship with the company with which he applied and the Spanish share of the job must not exceed 20% of his total professional activity. [2]If the foreign customer leaves and Spanish remains, the condition will be breached. [1][3].
Additional provision 7 Ley 14/2013 requires the holder to maintain the conditions under which the permit is issued and to report any changes to the UGE within 30 days. If the conditions are not met, the authority may terminate the authorization by a reasoned decision after hearing the applicant [1]What UGE considers a violation of the share, the sources do not say.
What if a foreign company has a branch in Spain?
Then it's not teletrabajo. FAQ UGE, if the company has a Spanish branch, the employee is considered to be transferred within the company (ICT) and subject to the requirements of this category. [2]The employee will have to choose between DNV and ICT. How UGE treats a subsidiary registered in Spain is not stated in the public file, so it is necessary to find out before delivery. If you need a Spanish employer, it is another basis of residence, its conditions are collected in the Spanish employer. "Work" route.
What depends on your case?
The boundary between the customer in Spain and a foreign company is not always clear: platforms, agencies, groups of companies with a Spanish "daughter." We have not found a formal explanation of how UGE evaluates such cases. There is no direct answer to the question whether the employee can also arrange a freelance for Spanish clients: according to article 74 bis, the hired person works only for foreign companies. [1]It's better to check these situations before a lawyer or a gestor is filed.
You can move from DNV to another Ley 14/2013 permit at any time if the conditions of the new ground are met and section XI Real Decreto 1155/2024 on the change of the situation of aliens applies to the general regime [2]DNV procedure by step: DNV route sheet, the service page: Digital nomad ’s residence permit.
Frequent issues
Can DNV work for a Spanish employment contract company?
Can a freelancer with a DNV work with Spanish clients?
What is the 20% limit for DNV?
What happens if you over 20% of Spanish clients?
Can the spouse of the DNV holder work for a Spanish company?
Based on source
- BOE · Ley 14/2013, articles 74 bis - 74 quinquies and additional provision 7 ♪
- Ministry of Inclusion · UGE: FAQ by authorization for teletrabajadores ♪
- Ministry of Inclusion · UGE: documents for initial applications
Sources are viewed on 02.10.2026. Consolidated texts and departmental reference pages are informative: legal application takes into account official publications, changes and specific circumstances. Material has not been personally checked by counsel.
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The source is viewed on 02.10.2026 · NEXO · Drafting Draft · Sources do not replace individual legal advice.