The Complete Guide To The Digital Nomad Visa For Spain

As a European citizen, I haven't faced the challenge of applying for a Digital Nomad Visa. However, speaking to many people on social media from the US and UK (mainly on Facebook), I understood that there could be frustration with all the requirements and conditions. 

So today I have done a lot of research on the documents and press releases from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation of Spain (Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores, Unión Europea y Cooperación de España). If you are looking for such an opportunity, hopefully this will help and motivate you to apply.

Spain's Digital Nomad Visa is an excellent opportunity for remote workers who want to live in Spain while continuing to work for foreign companies. If you are a non-EU citizen working remotely for a company outside of Spain, or a freelancer providing services internationally (with a maximum of 20% of your work for Spanish clients), this visa is for you.

However, if you are an EU citizen or already have a residence or work permit in Spain, you don't need to apply for this visa. 

Also, remote workers who are employed full-time by Spanish companies are not eligible for this visa and must apply for a traditional work permit.

The Spain Digital Nomad Visa lets non-EU people live in Spain while working remotely for companies outside the country. This visa is for foreign professionals who want to live in Spain without working for a Spanish company. The visa lets you keep working remotely while enjoying Spain's benefits.

To qualify, applicants must use digital tools to perform their jobs. Employed workers can only work for companies outside Spain, while self-employed professionals can work with foreign and Spanish clients, provided that Spanish company work doesn't exceed 20% of their total activity.

Here are the latest updated fees as of 04 September 2024 for the Spain Digital Nomad Visa based on nationality:

• Australians: AUD 2,387.15 for the digital nomad visa.
• Americans: USD 1,253.55 for the digital nomad visa.
• Canadians: CAD 1,253.55 for the digital nomad visa.
• British Citizens: GBP 719.00 for the digital nomad visa.

These fees are subject to change and may fluctuate based on exchange rates or diplomatic agreements between Spain and the applicant’s home country. 

It’s essential to confirm the exact fees with your local Spanish consulate before submitting your application.

Source: ⬇️Spanish consular fees for visa applications and other services - 3rd quarter 2024

• Applicants must hold a graduate or postgraduate degree from a recognised university, vocational training centre or a reputable business school.
• Alternatively, they may have at least three years' work experience in a relevant field, particularly if it is relevant to the work they will be doing remotely.

• If you are an employee, you must be employed by a company outside Spain for at least three months prior to applying for the visa. The employer must provide a certificate confirming your employment and authorising you to work remotely from Spain.
• Self-employed people (freelancers) can work for both foreign and Spanish companies. However, only up to 20% of your professional activity can involve Spanish clients.

• You must provide proof of financial resources equivalent to 200% of the Spanish minimum wage (SMI). This means proving a consistent monthly income through employment contracts, bank statements or tax returns.
• If you are applying with family members, additional financial requirements apply: 75% of the SMI for the first dependent and 25% for each additional dependent.

Applicants must have valid health insurance covering all the risks covered by the Spanish National Health Service. 

The insurance must be with a provider authorised to operate in Spain. If you are covered by an international social security agreement, you must provide a certificate.

✅See the list of countries with bilateral agreements with Spain

• A certificate of good conduct from your country of residence for the last two years is required, together with a signed declaration that you have not been convicted of any criminal offence in the last five years.
• Proof of legal residence in the country where you are applying (e.g. a residence permit) is also required.

These key requirements ensure that applicants are professionally qualified, financially secure and legally entitled to live and work remotely in Spain.

The applicant must apply for an NIE number before applying for a visa. 

The NIE (Número de Identificación de Extranjero) is Spain's Foreigner Identification Number . It functions as a tax identification number for non-Spanish residents. The NIE is essential for any foreigner conducting legal or financial activities in Spain, including applying for visas, opening bank accounts, or paying taxes.

For the Spain Digital Nomad Visa , obtaining an NIE is mandatory as part of the application process. You can apply for it at Spanish consulates abroad or once you're in Spain.

⬇️Download the standard EX-15 NIE application form (Solicitud de Número de Identidad de Extranjero (NIE) y Certificados)

⬇️Download Form 790, Code 12 for proof that the fee has been completed and paid. 

A completed and signed national visa application form for each applicant.

⬇️Download the application form for a long-stay visa (Solicitud de visado nacional)

A valid passport with at least 1 year validity and two blank pages. A copy of the biometric page(s) is required.

A recent passport sized photograph with a clear background.

The original and a copy of your criminal record certificate from your country or countries of residence for the last two years, together with a declaration that you have not been convicted of any criminal offence for the last five years. It must be legalised or apostilled.

Proof that you meet the financial requirements:

• At least 200% of the Spanish minimum wage (SMI) for the applicant
• 75% of the SMI for the first dependant
• 25% of the SMI for each additional dependant

Acceptable documents include bank statements, employment contracts or tax returns.

For employees: A certificate from your employer stating that: 

• You've been employed for at least three months.
• The company's authorisation for you to work remotely from Spain.

For freelancers: Contracts or agreements showing that you have been working for at least three months, including the terms of your remote work.

For the self-employed: Documents showing that no more than 20% of your professional activity involves clients resident in Spain.

Click here to find out how you can get a proof of employment (only if you live in the UK).

• A certificate of incorporation (commercial register or equivalent) showing that the company has been in existence for at least one year.
• Proof of the company's real and continuous business activity, such as a tax return or annual accounts.
  

• Proof of public or private health insurance that provides coverage comparable to the Spanish public health system. The insurance must be valid for the duration of your stay and must be valid in Spain.
• Social Security Certificate: If you are covered by an international social security agreement, you will need to provide the necessary certificate to prove that you are covered in Spain.
  

⬇️Download the S1 form and proof of having registered it with the Spanish National Social Security

Legal proof of residence in the country you are applying for, such as a valid residence permit.

Documents proving your relationship to dependants (spouse, children or ascendants), such as marriage certificates, birth certificates or other legal documents.

Important: All foreign documents must be legalised or apostilled and, if necessary, translated into Spanish.

A declaration of responsibility stating that you will comply with Spanish social security obligations before starting work. 

If you are not covered by international social security, you must provide proof of your company's registration with the Spanish social security system (RETA).

✅Check the example document here

Before you apply, make sure you have all the necessary documents, including your completed application form, passport, criminal record certificate, proof of financial resources, proof of employment, health insurance and NIE (Foreigner Identification Number).

• Applications must be submitted in person at the Spanish consulate or embassy in your country of residence. You may also submit the application through a legal representative with proper documentation.

Location of submission for UK applicants:
BLS. Spain Visa Application Centre

20 St Andrew Street, London EC4A 3AG

• The consulate will provide you with a receipt for your application and a tracking code that will allow you to check the status of your visa application online.

📍Here is the list of Spanish embassies and consulates in your country

The legal processing time is 10 days, although it may take longer if additional documentation or an interview is required.

If your application is approved, you must collect your visa in person or through your legal representative within one month of approval.

• Once you arrive in Spain with your Digital Nomad Visa, you can live and work in Spain for up to one year.
• If you wish to continue living in Spain after the first year, you can apply for a Residence Permit, which will extend your stay for a further three years.

While the visa is sufficient proof of residence, you can apply for a TIE (Foreigner's Identity Card) at the nearest Oficina de Extranjería or police station in Spain.

Your TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero) will usually be valid for the same length of time as your visa. 

Your first TIE will probably be valid for one year. You can apply for a renewal to extend the validity of your TIE for up to two years.

The Spain Digital Nomad Visa allows family members of the primary applicant to join them in Spain. So if you have a large family like ours, this section could be very useful for you! 

Eligible family members include spouse or partner and children: 

• Proof of marriage or registered partnership is required. Unregistered partnerships must be supported by appropriate documentation.

• Dependent children: Minor children or adult children who are financially dependent and part of the applicant's family unit.

• Dependent Ascendants: Parents or grandparents who are financially dependent on the applicant may also be included in the visa application.

i: You will need to provide legal documents such as birth certificates, marriage certificates or proof of financial dependency. All foreign documents must be legalised or apostilled and translated into Spanish if necessary.

Digital nomads residing in Spain under the Digital Nomad Visa have specific tax obligations depending on the length of their stay.

Here's an overview of the main points:

• Tax residency: 

If you stay in Spain for 183 days or more in a calendar year, you will be considered a tax resident. This means that you are subject to Spanish tax laws and must pay tax on your worldwide income. If your stay is less than 183 days, you will remain a non-tax resident and only your Spanish source income will be taxed.

• Special tax regime (Beckham Law):
  

Digital nomads may be eligible for the Beckham Law, which allows foreign workers to be taxed at a flat rate of 24% on income up to €600,000 for the first six years, instead of the standard progressive income tax rates (which can reach 47%). This regime is beneficial for high-earning digital nomads, but certain conditions apply, including not having been a Spanish tax resident for the previous ten years.

• Social security contributions:
  

If you are registered with the Spanish social security system, you will be required to contribute to the system based on your income. If your home country has a social security agreement with Spain, you may be able to continue paying into your home country's system and avoid double contributions.

• Double taxation treaties:
  

Spain has double taxation treaties with many countries, including the US and UK, to prevent you from being taxed twice on the same income. If you're from a country with such an agreement, you may be able to offset taxes paid abroad against your Spanish tax liability.

Understanding these tax implications is crucial for digital nomads to avoid surprises and ensure compliance with Spanish tax law during their stay.

Several important dates and updates have shaped the 2024 Spain Digital Nomad Visa.

 Here are the main highlights:

• 5 May 2023: The latest updates to the telework visa requirements were released, clarifying the need for proof of employment, financial stability and criminal record.

• 17 May 2024: New rules for self-employed digital nomads were implemented. These updates specify that freelancers can work with Spanish companies, but only if such work does not represent more than 20% of their total activity.

• 2024: Minimum financial requirements will continue to be based on the Spanish Interprofessional Minimum Wage (SMI), which is set at €1,134 per month in 2024. This means that applicants must have an income of at least 200% of the SMI for themselves and additional amounts for family members.

Processing of applications: 

The standard processing time for digital nomad visas is 10 days after submission of all required documents, although delays may occur if additional information or interviews are requested.

Residence extensions: 

After the first year, digital nomads can apply for a 3-year residency permit to continue living and working in Spain, with the possibility of further extensions.

These updates reflect Spain's ongoing efforts to attract remote workers and digital nomads, and ensure a clear and streamlined process for applicants. 

Important: Keep an eye on official government sources, such as the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, for any future changes or updates.

As someone who has experienced the joy of living and working in Spain as an EU citizen, I can say that it's a truly rewarding experience to call this beautiful country home. 

Although I haven't had to go through the Digital Nomad Visa process myself, I understand the challenges and complexities that non-EU citizens face. 

I hope this guide helps to clarify the steps and requirements, and inspires you to take the plunge and make Spain your remote working base.

🙂Good luck to anyone embarking on this journey - I hope you secure your Digital Nomad Visa as soon as possible👍 and start enjoying all that Spain has to offer!

Best, 

Izi