Working from home in another country where you can benefit from the diverse environment looks appealing to many. To live and work as a freelancer or remotely in Spain, you can apply for Spain’s digital nomad visa. 

The visa type has ignited excitement among remote workers worldwide since its launch. In this article, we will explore the eligibility requirements, application process, and some more details you may wonder about as digital nomads.

Spain Digital Nomad Visa Overview

Spain’s digital nomad visa is aimed at non-EU countries’ nationals who want to travel to Spain and carry out remote work or pursue their career in companies located outside of Spain. These types of professional life can be possible through the exclusive usage of the digital technologies and tools like computer, internet and so on.

What are some criteria for working in Spain through this visa type? Let’s remember:

·      You need to work for companies located outside of Spain so that you become a holder of telework authorization.

·      You can also work for a company located in Spain, not a foreign company, with the condition of the percentage of work in Spain stays under the 20% of the total of your professional activity.

·      You need to have degrees, as graduates or postgraduates from universities of recognized prestige.

·      You can also apply if you have professional training and studied in one of the business schools of recognized prestige.

·      You can also be eligible if you have a minimum of 3 years of professional experience.

Like some other visa types, Spain’s digital nomad visa also allows your family members to obtain a family visa. Here are the details of who can be included in the family members:

·      Your spouse or unmarried partner

·      Your children and adult children are financially dependent on and do not have a family unit of their own

There are also some other conditions that let you apply for Spain’s telework visa. As a foreigner, if you reside in Spain legally, you have the chance to apply for a telework residence permit directly. In this case, you do not need a prior telework (digital nomad) visa in Spain. The residence permit you obtain can be valid for a maximum of 3 years. However, the visa has only a maximum validity of 1 year, so technically, it can only be a year of residence permit if you follow this method. 

What do legal foreigners mean when we mention the criteria for Spain’s residence permit through a digital nomad visa? 

·      If you are legally in Spain and don’t need a visa, You can be a citizen from the US, for example, and you do not need a visa for 90 days in a period of 180 days. 

·      If you are in Spain with any visa, like a tourist visa, your visa is valid during that period.

·      If you are from the UK, Canada, Australia, and other countries, you can apply for the Digital Nomad Visa in Spain if you meet the requirements.

Spanish Digital Nomad Visa Eligibility

Non-EU/EEA citizens can apply for a Spain Digital Nomad Visa. The European Union and European Economic Area citizens can already work remotely in Spain without the need to have a digital nomad visa.

If you are a US citizen or you are a Green Card holder, you are eligible to apply for Spain’s DNV, and if you are citizen from Australia, New Zeland and Canada as well. You have two options to apply for Spain Digital Nomad Visa in this case. You can go to the Spanish embassy in your country. Or, you can enter spain as a visa-free tourist and apply for the digital nomad visa before your 90-day visit expires.

United States, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and all European Union countries have double taxation agreements with Spain. This means that you will not need to pay tax on your international income twice once you become a Spanish tax resident through the digital nomad Visa of Spain.

Types of Spain Digital Nomad Visas: Options for Nomads

Spain Non-Lucrative Visa 

You can also apply for Spain’s non-lucrative visa, which is known as a retirement visa. This visa type is for non-EU citizens again who have no longer active working lives and wish to spend their time in Spain. If you can show your passive income from a retirement fund or similar source, you can be eligible for a non-lucrative visa in Spain. In addition, you can show that you have at least €27,115.20 per year for an individual, with an additional €6,778 per year for any of your accompanying family members to be eligible for this visa type. When your visa submission is approved, you have up to five years, and at this point, you can apply for permanent residence in Spain.

Spain Golden Visa

You can apply for the Spain Golden Visa Program for a number of years with the requirement of at least €500,000 investment. There are also some other investment options you can check. The investment of €500,000 includes a property investment option in 2024. However, a decision from the council may end the property investment by 2025. 

Spain Digital Nomad Visa: What are the Requirements?

Here is the list of eligibility requirements if you are planning to apply for the Spanish Digital Nomad Visa. Remember that it is open to all remote workers, freelancers, and self-employed individuals who are non-EU/EEA citizens.

·      Prove that you have a remote worker status

·      Be able to show your financial self-sufficiency

·      Get a full health insurance

·      Show your clean criminal record

·      Stay at least 6 months within a 12-month period in Spain as the minimum stay requirement.

How Can You Apply for the Spain Digital Nomad Visa Step-by-Step?

Step 1 – Obtain the Necessary Documents

First, you are expected to put together the relevant documents required for the application. Remember that some of the documents must be with an official Apostille used internationally.

Here is the list of required documents to apply for a Spanish Digital Nomad Visa:

a.     Your national visa application form, the completed copy for each person, if you have any dependent for them, as well 

b.     Valid passport with two blank pages and that is valid for one year and 

c.     Two of your passport photos

d.     Proof of your suitable employment, either a work contract letter from your employer confirming that you can work remotely

e.     A document showing your employer or company has been active for at least one year

f.      Your income proofs as payslips, work contracts, or bank statements

g.     Your qualifications include a university degree, professional certificate, or evidence of at least three years of experience

h.     Your health insurance that is authorized to operate in Spain

i.      Your criminal record check certificates for the last five years with Apostille and copy

j.      The proof of familial relationship to other applicants, for example, marriage certificate or birth certificate(s)

Step 2 – Book an Appointment

You need to make your application for the Spanish Digital Nomad Visa in person at your local Spanish Embassy or Consulate. 

These are the information and documents you will need to submit for your application:

1.     Your full name

2.     A photo of you holding your passport

3.     Your Passport details

4.     Your Email address

5.     Your Telephone number

6.     Your local contact address

7.     The type of visa that you are applying for

8.     Information about any of your dependent applicants

After providing the information needed, you will receive a link to select the day of your appointment. This is the step in which you also make the payment for your visa fee, which is around €80.

Step 3 – Show Up at Your Appointment

As a third step, you will attend your appointment at the Spanish embassy or consulate. You will bring your full documentation and be prepared to answer any initial questions you may get from the interviewer. These questions might be based on the preliminary review of your submitted documents.

Also, you will need to leave your passport at the embassy or consulate while your application is being assessed. During your appointment, the copies of your documents will be taken or confirmed. So, you can take your original documentation with you and do not have to leave them.

Step 4 – Collect Your Visa

It is possible expect the waiting time to collect your visa between 15 and 45 days. You can track your progress from a ling given to you. If required, you can submit some additional documentation.

If your application is approved, you will have a month to collect your visa from the embassy or consulate. 

If your visa is not approved, you will get a notification in writing and receive the information explaining the reason for rejection. However, you will still have a month to file an appeal with additional documentation supporting your refusal. However, the visa-free is non-refundable, so in either case, you pay for it and do not get back.

Step 5 – Submit Your Application to Get NIE and NIF

When you are in Spain, you will need to get an NIE, which is the national identity number. It is also a tax number that you need to open a bank account and make significant purchases. You have an option to apply for these at your local embassy before going to Spain or after your arrival in the country. Indeed, it is an easy process when you get it in Spain.