Meridian · Freshness tracker

What's changed.

Dated updates to visa, tax, residency, citizenship, housing, and labour policy across every country tracked. Every entry cites its primary source and the date we last verified it.

Subscribe via RSS ↗ · 3 entries shown

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In force 1 Jan 2025
In force Visa & immigration

US W-2 employees confirmed eligible for Digital Nomad Visa

Consular practice in 2025 confirmed that US W-2 employees (employees on US payroll) can qualify for the Digital Nomad Visa, clarifying an ambiguity from the original 2023 Startups Law that had caused inconsistent consular decisions. Eligibility requires the employer to provide documentation authorising remote work from Spain and evidence of social-security compliance.

Who it affects: US remote workers employed through standard W-2 arrangements with US companies.

Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores, UE y Cooperación ↗ · Ministerio de Inclusión, Seguridad Social y Migraciones ↗ · verified 2026-04-19

In force 1 Jan 2023
In force Visa & immigration

UGE-CE fast-track for HQP/startup/ICT applications established

The Large Companies and Strategic Groups Unit (UGE-CE) was formalised as the specialist processing unit for Highly Qualified Professional, Startup, and Intra-Company Transfer applications under the Startups Law. Typical processing: 20 working days, vastly faster than the standard Work Visa pathway. Reduced administrative friction has been material to the Startups Law's adoption.

Who it affects: Employers hiring into the HQP, Startup Visa, and ICT routes.

Large Companies and Strategic Groups Unit (UGE-CE) ↗ · Ministerio de Inclusión, Seguridad Social y Migraciones ↗ · verified 2026-04-19

In force 1 Jan 2023
In force Visa & immigration

Startups Law (Ley 28/2022) enters force — DNV and HQP introduced

Ley 28/2022 de fomento del ecosistema de empresas emergentes ("Startups Law") entered force on 1 January 2023. Created the Digital Nomad Visa (DNV) for remote workers and expanded the Highly Qualified Professional (HQP) route. The law also expanded the Beckham Law tax regime to include holders of the DNV and shortened the pre-relocation non-residency requirement from 10 to 5 years.

Who it affects: Remote workers, qualified international hires, and founders considering Spain.

BOE — Boletín Oficial del Estado (Spanish Official Gazette) ↗ · La Moncloa — Spanish Government ↗ · Ministerio de Inclusión, Seguridad Social y Migraciones ↗ · verified 2026-04-19