Digital nomad money basics: tax residency, Spain visa, Beckham law
Short answer: hold a multi-currency account for spending, keep a 3–6 month emergency fund split across the currencies you spend in, and invest through a broker in the country where you are tax resident. Tax residency (often 183+ days, but each country has its own rules) decides where you pay tax — not your passport or where your bank is.
Tax residency basics
Each country sets its own test (days present, home, centre of vital interests). Spending 183+ days is a common trigger, but not the only one. Double tax treaties decide tie-breaks. Without a tax residency you can still be taxed by your last country.
Spain: digital nomad visa
Spain's "teletrabajo de carácter internacional" visa/residence (Ley 14/2013, as amended by Ley 28/2022 "Ley de Startups") lets non-EU remote workers live in Spain while working for foreign companies. Requirements (income, health insurance, qualifications) are set by the Spanish government — check the official UGE/Ministry page.
Spain: Beckham law
The special regime for workers posted to Spain (art. 93 Ley 35/2006 IRPF, AEAT form 149) can let new residents pay tax as non-residents on Spanish income for the year of arrival plus 5 years. Eligibility and rates: check AEAT before applying; deadline is 6 months from social security registration.
Emergency fund in multiple currencies
Keep 3–6 months of expenses, split roughly by the currencies you spend in, at a protected bank where possible. Avoid keeping it in crypto or stablecoins.
Bank vs e-money
Banks: deposit insurance (e.g. €100,000 in the EU, £120,000 UK FSCS, $250,000 US FDIC). E-money: safeguarding only.
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Frequently asked questions
Tax residency basics
Each country sets its own test (days present, home, centre of vital interests). Spending 183+ days is a common trigger, but not the only one. Double tax treaties decide tie-breaks. Without a tax residency you can still be taxed by your last country.
Spain: digital nomad visa
Spain's "teletrabajo de carácter internacional" visa/residence (Ley 14/2013, as amended by Ley 28/2022 "Ley de Startups") lets non-EU remote workers live in Spain while working for foreign companies. Requirements (income, health insurance, qualifications) are set by the Spanish government — check the official UGE/Ministry page.
Spain: Beckham law
The special regime for workers posted to Spain (art. 93 Ley 35/2006 IRPF, AEAT form 149) can let new residents pay tax as non-residents on Spanish income for the year of arrival plus 5 years. Eligibility and rates: check AEAT before applying; deadline is 6 months from social security registration.
Emergency fund in multiple currencies
Keep 3–6 months of expenses, split roughly by the currencies you spend in, at a protected bank where possible. Avoid keeping it in crypto or stablecoins.