Attention Digital Nomads! Are Spain and the UK Opening a 90-Day ‘Backdoor’ for Work?
Listen up! Spain has just thrown a proposal into the ring that could be a game-changer for many of us. Can you imagine hopping between Spain and the UK for work without the usual visa headaches? Well, that’s exactly what they’re cooking up with this 90-day work visa exemption. And yes, this smells like a huge opportunity for digital nomads and remote workers.
Spain’s Proposal: A Closer Look
The news broke at a major forum in London on December 11th, where Amparo López Senovilla, Spain’s Secretary of State for Trade, dropped the bombshell. The idea? To slash the hellish post-Brexit paperwork for those providing services on either side of the Channel. Think technicians, consultants, executives… people with special skills who could work for up to 90 days without going through the ordeal of sponsored work visas. Believe me, that’s a before and after moment!
Right now, if you’re a Brit wanting to work in Spain (or vice versa), you have to tangle with skilled worker visas or local permits. It’s an expensive and painfully slow process! What they’re proposing is a “Mode 4 exemption,” a technical term that basically means: travel and work without all the drama! Experts at VisaHQ say that if this goes through, we’ll save a fortune on processing, companies will be able to move staff faster, and it could be the starting gun for many other similar agreements.
López Senovilla herself put it plainly: “Bringing people in to provide services is a mess; we want to remove that obstacle.” It’s clear the Spanish government wants to see a more fluid professional exchange between the countries. And it’s not just about the money; Madrid sees this as a great way to strengthen ties between the UK and Spain without having to reopen the whole messy Brexit negotiation. A very smart move!
Hurdles and a Few Unknowns
Okay, let’s not get ahead of ourselves—it’s not all sunshine and roses. While big companies and global mobility managers are cheering, there are a few “buts.” The UK would need to pass new legislation, and key issues like taxes, social security, and what happens if your family joins you haven’t even been negotiated yet. So, let’s not get our hopes up too high: experts believe seeing this implemented before the end of 2026 would be, optimistically, almost a miracle!
What Does This Mean for Digital Nomads?
And now, for the part we digital nomads and remote workers really care about… it’s a bit of a mixed bag. While this exemption is designed for very specific, short-term jobs (not for moving permanently), it could be a kind of “shortcut” or “backdoor” for those longer stays if you work with clients in Spain or the UK! Think about it: right now, as a British citizen, you can only stay in Spain for 90 days within a 180-day period on a standard Schengen visa. This new proposal aligns perfectly with that, making it a great option for those one-off projects.
But be warned! Experts are clear: this does NOT replace the long-term Spanish Digital Nomad Visa or any other option for living and working remotely here for an extended period. Those visas have their own requirements (income, insurance, paperwork…) and remain the “legal” way to settle in Spain for months or years. So, take this for what it is: a super useful tool for quick, specific projects, not your long-term plan to move to the beach!
So, what do you think? It’s definitely a hot topic for those of us living on the road!
— Viktor Vincej, a digital nomad with 10 years of experience, is an editor and writer. Originally from Slovakia but based between the world and Barcelona, he has visited 89 countries and has no plans to stop. He is passionate about writing for other digital nomads, remote workers, and intrepid travelers like you.
