The #1 Revolutionary Visa to Spain: Digital Nomad Visa

Spain’s digital nomad visa, introduced in January 2023 as part of the Spanish Start-up Law, offers an innovative pathway for remote professionals to live and work in Spain. This specialized visa provides an attractive opportunity for international remote workers to experience Spanish culture while maintaining their global careers.

Disclaimer: Immigration regulations are subject to change. Always consult the official Spanish immigration consulate or authorities or an immigration consultant or lawyer for the most current information.

Visa Eligibility Criteria

Professional Requirements

• Professionals in technology, digital marketing, consulting, and other location-independent fields are ideal candidates
• Must work remotely for companies located outside of Spain
• Minimum of 80% of income derived from non-Spanish companies for freelancers (You can have up to 20% of Spanish-based clients!)
• Income Thresholds: Minimum annual income for one person: €33,152 (approximately $34,430, depending on exchange rate)
• Demonstrated stable and consistent professional experience (at least 3 years) or a university degree
• 3 months work history in the company for employees
• Proof of employment contract (or hire letter detailing the terms and date of hire) or self-employment contracts
• Private health insurance with a provider authorized to operate in Spain for employees

Income Requirements

Euros (2025 Rates)

US Dollars (exchange of €1=$1.14 Updated April 29, 2025) Please check for updates or verify the current rate.

Documentation

Essential Documentation

1. Valid passport
2. Residency application form (in-country applications)
3. Comprehensive Spanish health insurance coverage if you will not have local Social Security contributions in Spain (some self-employed workers).
4. Criminal background check, apostilled. Careful! This document expires after 6 months and takes time to get ready.
   • Note: FBI record required for US residents. If you have lived in another country during the previous 5 years (some consular applications) or 2 years (Spanish in-country applications), apostilled/legalized records must be provided from those countries. If the requirement is for 2 years, you must additionally provide an affidavit confirming the absence of criminal records in the 5 years prior in any other countries where you have resided.
5. Proof of professional qualifications (apostilled university degree) or proof of minimum professional experience of 3 years.
6. Residency processing fee (in-country applications)

Situation Specific Documentation

Family Documentation

1. Valid passports
2. For Consular applications: Same documents as listed in the Consular documents above.
3. Health insurance.
4. Children:
   • Birth certificates for children, apostilled. Expires after 12 months, so plan to have the certificate reissued and then apostilled.
   • If 18 and over:
     • Proof of financial dependence (for example tax returns, school registration, school payments, etc.)
     • Proof of single status: Sworn declaration, notarized and apostilled, and Certificate of no existence of a marriage registered at the individual’s residential county.
5. Partner or spouse:
   • Married couples:
     • Marriage certificate for spouse, apostilled. Expires after 12 months, so plan to have the certificate reissued and then apostilled.
   • Unmarried couples:
     • Notarized declaration confirming that you are a stable relationship equivalent to a registered couple, apostilled.
     • Documentation proving the relationship for over a year: civil partnership registration, properties in common, etc.
6. Parents:
   • Applicant’s birth certificate, recently issued and apostilled.
   • Documentation proving that the parent is under the applicants care:
     • Doctor’s certificates, notarized and apostilled.
     • Proof of bank transfer to cover expenses from the applicant (or the applicant’s spouse) to the parent.

Visa Details and Benefits

Key Visa Characteristics

• Initial visa (consulate processing) valid for one year
• Initial permit (in-country processing) valid for up to 3 years
• Renewable for up to five years
• Path to long-term residency
• Spouse/Partner can work in Spain! Either by working at a local company, remote working (::cough COMPLIANCE cough::), or freelance/self-employed.

Tax Considerations

• Potential reduction to 24% income tax rate (compared to standard 45%) for just Spanish-based income
• Not subject to wealth tax or reporting assets from abroad during first 5 years
• Significant tax advantages for qualifying professionals
• Simplified tax reporting for digital nomads

Application Process

1. Compile required documentation, paying attention to expiration dates. Ensure all documents are properly apostilled and translated to Spanish.
2. Schedule appointment at Spanish consulate or plan trip to Spain
3. Submit complete application
4. Await visa processing (typically 1-3 months)
5. With visa: travel to Spain within validity dates.
6. Register at a home and process the Spanish Residence Card (TIE: Tarjeta de identidad extranjero)
7. Fulfill all compliance obligations in terms of social security registration and tax registration as required, along with invoicing (self-employed).

Practical Considerations

Cost of Living

• More affordable compared to other Western European countries
• Excellent infrastructure for remote workers
• Robust digital connectivity
• Vibrant expat communities in major cities
• Recommended Cities for Digital Nomads to start out (you can always move to explore new areas!)
  • Barcelona
  • Madrid
  • Valencia
  • Málaga

Considerations Before Applying

Spain’s digital nomad visa represents a strategic opportunity for remote professionals seeking a high-quality lifestyle combined with professional flexibility. Thorough preparation and meticulous documentation are key to a successful application. Keep in mind the following points to prepare yourself mentally before moving forward with an application:

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• Navigating Spanish bureaucracy – This is not easy for the locals, so don’t think that you can do it better. Some parts you can definitely do without help, but my suggestion is to get support from a specialized immigration consultant. Pro tip: immigration lawyers exist, but trust me, they do not have all the answers, and will just charge you more. The consultant will make sure your application is handled professionally and without any loose ends. You cannot believe how expensive it is if you have to re-do documents from abroad, organize a last-minute translation, or worse…having to return home after receiving your rejection letter and starting from zero.
• Language barriers – You are moving to Spain, where they speak Spanish and, depending on your destination, another local language. There are people who speak English, but do not count on it, especially for public administrations.
• Comprehensive health insurance requirements – Check out the costs involved and limitations before signing up.
• Tax implications – Schedule an hour with a tax advisor. You won’t regret it. As an American, we have to file in Spain (where we are tax residents) and in the US (nationality-based filing obligation). There is a double-taxation treaty between both countries…but there is a reason I never have to pay taxes in the US: I already pay a lot higher taxes in Spain.

Conclusion

The Spanish Digital Nomad Visa can be an excellent opportunity if you have the possibility to work remotely. You can use it for a short-term experience abroad (you keep your employer/clients so the transition back will not be traumatic) or for a starting point to initiating a permanent move abroad. Moving is expensive…keeping your expat salary will help, as well as giving you time to adapt to the local language and culture without being thrown into the dynamics of a Spanish company.

Are considering the Digital Nomad Visa as an option to move to Spain? What difficulties have you come across? Share in the comments!