Case Study 1 : UK Remote Employee – Securing Long-Term Residency and Tax Benefits
In 2025, we assisted a UK-based client applying for the Digital Nomad Visa. The initial A1 form provided by the client was only granted for a 6-month period.
Our expert immigration lawyer immediately alerted the client that, under current regulations, the Digital Nomad Visa would only be issued for the duration of the A1 certificate—meaning a residency of only 6 months. Simultaneously, in a joint consultation with Rosana Tejada (Tax Expert), we informed the client that this short duration posed a significant risk to their eligibility for the Beckham Law (Special Tax Regime for Inpatriates).
Thanks to our strategic recommendations, the client requested a new A1 form from the UK authorities with a 1-year validity period. As a result:
The Digital Nomad residency authorization was granted for a full year.
The client successfully applied for the Beckham Law, achieving substantial tax savings.
It is important to remember that for UK residents, the maximum period granted for an A1 certificate is 24 months. Ensuring this document is correctly requested is vital for both your residency and your fiscal future in Spain.
Case Study 2: California Attorney – Notary Requirements and Compliance
We recently managed the case of a California-based attorney moving to the Malaga region. This case required specific handling due to the applicant’s regulated profession.
Our digital nomad visa lawyers in Spain prepared a Affidavit (Declaración Responsable) to be signed before a Spanish Notary. This document explicitly stated that the applicant would not practice Spanish law, but would work exclusively for their US employer.
Case Study 3: Rescuing a US Digital Nomad Visa from a Strict UGE Rejection
The Challenge: Complex UGE Scrutiny for US LLC Owners The Spanish Large Companies Unit (UGE) strictly enforces a 10-day correction deadline (Requerimiento) for flawed applications. If you fail to meet this deadline, your Digital Nomad Visa application is officially withdrawn and dismissed (desistido). Recently, a US citizen applying for the Initial Residence Authorization for International Teleworkers faced this exact crisis. The applicant, who held executive control of a US-based LLC, attempted to file the application independently but hit severe bureaucratic roadblocks that paralyzed their case.
2 Critical Errors Identified by the Spanish Administration: Our expert immigration attorneys analyzed the official UGE notification and identified the following critical mistakes made during the initial self-application:
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Incorrect Immigration Status Declaration: The applicant incorrectly stated on the government form that they already held a “teleworking visa.” Because they were applying directly from within Spain, they were required to legally declare their status as a “tourist stay” (estancia).
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The US LLC Owner Dilemma (Article 74ter d): Because the applicant had effective executive control of their own LLC, the UGE demanded extensive additional proof. They required either the latest corporate tax returns (IRS filings) and the company’s social security history, OR updated contracts and invoices proving 1 year of continuous real activity with other client companies. Furthermore, they required the LLC’s Articles of Organization (state registry certificates) to be older than 1 year and properly authenticated with a Hague Apostille.
The High Risk of DIY Applications (Constantly Changing UGE Criteria): Applying for the Digital Nomad Visa autonomously without a specialist is highly risky. The UGE frequently shifts its internal evaluation criteria and document requirements without prior public notice. Only a specialized law firm that manages these exact procedures on a daily basis can navigate these hidden changes, secure your residency without unpleasant surprises, and fully safeguard your financial investment.
Case Study 4 (Ongoing): US Self-Employed Applicant — RETA Registration Conflict at the Spanish Consulate in Chicago
Our law firm is assisting a self-employed US citizen with their Digital Nomad Visa application through the Spanish Consulate in Chicago. During the application process an important procedural inconsistency has come to light concerning the registration with the Social Security system in Spain.
According to Requirement 13 of the Consulate’s official check-list, self-employed applicants are asked to provide proof of registration with the Scheme for Self-Employed Workers (RETA) or evidence that an application for registration has previously been submitted.
However, an effective registration with RETA typically requires the applicant to hold either a visa or residence authorisation which allows them to work in Spain. As the applicant is yet to receive their Digital Nomad Visa, a request submitted at this stage would likely be rejected or prevented from becoming effective.
This is different from the procedure used by the Spanish Large Companies and Strategic Groups Unit (UGE) to Digital Nomad residence applications which are submitted from inside Spain. Self-employed applicants are required by the UGE to sign a formal undertaking confirming registration with RETA after the residence authorisation has been granted and prior to starting any professional activity in Spain.
To comply with the requirement, Tejada Solicitors will submit an application for the client’s registration with RETA, despite the anticipated refusal arising from the absence of prior work authorisation. The visa application will include evidence that the RETA registration request has been previously submitted, together with any response from the Spanish Social Security authorities.
A detailed legal explanation will also be provided by our firm together with a signed declaration confirming the applicant’s commitment to complete the RETA registration once the Digital Nomad Visa were granted and before beginning any professional activity in Spain.
This strategy is intended to comply with the literal wording of the Chicago Consulate’s check-list while detailing the reason why effective registration is not able to be completed before legal authorisation to work in Spain is obtained by the applicant.
