Digital nomad visa in Spain: who is eligible and how to get it

Dreaming of a change of scenery, enjoying the warm climate, rich culture and delicious cuisine without interrupting your career? Spain offers a unique opportunity for remote workers and entrepreneurs - the digital nomad visa. This residence permit format opens doors for those who want to combine work and life in one of the most hospitable corners of Europe. But how exactly to get such a visa and who is it suitable for? In this article, we'll break down all the key points: from the requirements for the applicant to the benefits of living in Spain.

What is a Spanish Digital Nomad Visa?

The Spanish Digital Nomad Visa is a unique residence permit format specifically designed for remote workers, freelancers and entrepreneurs. It allows you to live and work in Spain while remaining employed outside the country or running your business outside the country. This tool has become an important part of Spain's strategy to attract skilled professionals, stimulate economic development and support the innovation community in different regions.

The visa allows you to live in the country for up to one year, with further extensions of up to five years. This makes it an attractive choice for those who want to immerse themselves in the culture, enjoy the mild climate and enjoy all the benefits of the European standard of living, while remaining professionally active. So the answer to the question “who is suitable for a Spanish digital nomad visa” is “those who can work remotely, legally, and fully support their life in Spain”.

One of the key factors that distinguish the digital nomad visa from other residence permit formats is the flexibility of its conditions. It is aimed at people who are not tied to a fixed place of work, but who have a stable income, formalized employment or a registered business. This approach opens up new horizons for professionals from different fields, be it IT, design, marketing or entrepreneurship.

An additional advantage of the visa is the possibility to enjoy tax benefits. For example, holders of this visa can access a special tax regime that reduces the income tax rate from 24% to 15%. This makes Spain even more attractive for remote professionals, allowing not only to optimize costs, but also to invest profitably in their career and personal development.

Also, the digital nomad visa allows you to go beyond Spain alone. Thanks to the freedom of movement within the Schengen area, visa holders can travel and work in other European countries, which creates additional opportunities for career and cultural growth.

Thus, the digital nomad visa in Spain is not just a residence permit, but a whole concept of life for modern professionals who value freedom, professional prospects and a high level of comfort.

Spain Digital Nomad Visa: Requirements

It is impossible to obtain a nomad visa simply by the fact of labor activity. For its issuance will need to meet a number of requirements related to the confirmation of your employment, as well as the stability of the income received and that you really work remotely and will not become a participant in the domestic labor market in Spain.

One of the key conditions is to have an official employment contract with a company registered outside Spain or proof of freelance activity. If you are an entrepreneur, you must prove that your business is registered and operating outside Spain. This condition precludes the visa from being used for employment with Spanish companies, which is in line with its main purpose of supporting remote working.

It is also important to demonstrate a minimum length of service with your current employer or clients. Usually, a length of service of three months or more is required, as evidenced by employment contracts, contracts or other official documents. Additionally, references or evidence of successful projects should be provided to emphasize your professional credibility.

Financial solvency of the applicant is another important aspect. You must prove a regular income that meets the established minimum. For a digital nomad visa, this is at least €2,700 per month (and having a minimum of €20,000 in a bank account), but the specific amount may vary depending on the region and other factors. Bank statements, tax returns or income certificates are used as proof.

Health insurance is also required. It must be valid in Spain and cover all possible health-related expenses. This requirement ensures that you can get the medical care you need without putting additional strain on the Spanish healthcare system.

Another important requirement is to provide a criminal record certificate from your country of residence. This document confirms your good character and lack of criminal record, which is a standard requirement for most types of residence permits.

Thus, the requirements for a digital nomad visa in Spain are aimed at ensuring the financial, professional and legal reliability of the applicant. Their fulfillment helps to ensure that visa holders successfully integrate into the local community without creating economic or social risks.

Visa processing procedure

The processing of a digital nomad visa to Spain takes place in several stages. The process requires careful preparation of documents and adherence to deadlines to avoid rejection.

Collecting the required documents

At this stage, it is important to prepare all required documents, including:

• A valid passport with a minimum validity period of six months;
• Proof of remote work (employment contract, contracts with clients, income statements);
• A certificate of no criminal record issued in the country of residence;
• Medical insurance valid in Spain;
• Bank statements or tax returns proving a stable income;
• Additional documents (e.g. letters of recommendation) if applicable.

Applying

You can apply in two ways:

• Through the Spanish consulate in your country;
• While in Spain, e.g. on a tourist visa, and then submit it to your local immigration office.

It takes between 20 and 45 working days for the application to be processed. It is important to check the requirements of a particular consulate in advance, as they may vary slightly.

Receiving a visa

After a positive decision, you will receive a visa for one year. This allows you to enter Spain and start working remotely.

Register upon arrival in Spain

Once you arrive, you must register at the municipality (Empadronamiento) where you live and obtain an Foreigner's number (NIE). You will need this number for all administrative procedures, including opening a bank account, renting a home and other formalities.

Visa Extension

If you plan to stay in Spain for a longer period of time, you can apply for a visa extension. This will require you to prove that you continue to meet all the conditions, including income and health insurance.

Following these procedures will ensure that your visa application is successful and will allow you to start a new phase of life in Spain without hassle.

Visa assistance

If you want to get a digital nomad visa but don't know where to start, contact the experts at One World Migration. We will be happy to help you gather the necessary documents, obtain the required paperwork and certificates, and process your visa for future residence in Spain.