In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about getting your digital nomad visa in Spain. From who this Visa is for, over the application process, to the Visa renewal, this is your straightforward guide to making your dream of working in Spain come reality. Ready to take the next step? Let’s get started! 🚀
⚠️ Important: When applying you should always check with Spanish authorities or an immigration lawyer for the most current requirements, as details can change.
Who Needs the Spain Digital Nomad Visa?
The Spain Digital Nomad Visa is designed for non-European remote workers who want to live and work legally in Spain for extended periods. Here’s a quick guide to help you determine if you need this visa:
You need this visa if you are:
✅ A non-EU/EEA citizen
✅ Planning to work remotely from Spain for over 90 days
✅ Earning at least 80% of your income from non-Spanish sources
✅ Seeking legal recognition as a remote worker in Spain
Perfect for Digital Professionals Like:
🧑💻Remote employees of companies based outside Spain
🧑💻Self-employed individuals with international clients
🧑💻Freelancers working in various digital fields
The visa is NOT for:
❌ EU/EEA citizens (who already have free movement rights in Spain)
❌ Tourists wanting short-term stays
❌ Individuals seeking local Spanish employment
Benefits of the Spain Digital Nomad Visa
The Spain Digital Nomad Visa offers numerous advantages for remote workers and freelancers. Here are the key benefits:
🇪🇸 Legal Residency & Work Authorization
- Live in Spain legally for up to 3 years (extendable by 2 more years)
- Work remotely for non-Spanish companies
- Legally reside and work in Spain
💰 Tax Advantages
- 24% reduced tax rate on income up to €600,000 annually
- Double taxation agreements with 90+ countries
👨👩👧👦 Family Inclusion
- Bring spouse and children to Spain
- Family members receive residency permits
- Work authorization for accompanying family members
✈️ Travel Opportunities
- Free travel within the Schengen Area (29 European countries)
- Stay up to 90 days in a 180-day period in other Schengen countries
🌞 Quality of Life
- Experience rich Spanish culture & a pleasant climate
- Access high-quality healthcare
- Live in vibrant, diverse communities
🏡 Pathway to Permanent Residency
- Apply for permanent residency after 5 years
- Potential pathway to Spanish citizenship
The Spain Digital Nomad Visa offers flexibility, tax benefits, and an exceptional quality of life, making it an ideal choice for remote professionals looking to live and work in one of Europe’s most popular destinations.
Requirements for the Spain Digital Nomad Visa
To qualify for the Spain Digital Nomad Visa, you must meet the following criteria:
🛂 Citizenship
- Must be a non-EU/EEA citizen
- Must not have lived in Spain in the last 5 years
💼 Work Status
- Work remotely for a company outside Spain
- Have a steady job for at least 3 months
- Employer must have been operating for over 1 year
- Earn less than 20% of income from Spanish sources
💰 Financial Requirements
- Earn at least €2,646 per month (as of 2025)
- If bringing family, show additional income:
- +75% of minimum wage for the first family member
- +25% of minimum wage for each additional member
🎓 Qualifications
- Have a university degree or professional certification, or
- Have at least 3 years of experience in your field
🚔 Criminal Record
- Must have a clean criminal record
🏥 Health Insurance
- Must cover your entire stay in Spain
- Minimum coverage: €30,000
- No extra fees or hidden costs
- Must include:
- Hospitalization
- Emergency care
- Medical treatments
- Policy must be from an authorized insurer in Spain
🏡 Minimum Stay Requirement
- Must live in Spain for at least 6 months in a 12-month period
Application Process
When To Apply For Spain Digital Nomad Visa?
The best time to apply depends on your location and plans. You have two main options:
Option A: Apply from Your Home Country
Steps
✅ Start early: Begin preparing 3–4 months before your move
✅ Gather documents: Some require translation & authentication
✅ Submit application: 2–3 months before travel
✅ Processing time: 15–45 days (typically 20 working days)
Benefits
✔️ More time to prepare & gather documents
✔️ Easier document authentication
✔️ Initial visa valid for 12 months
Downsides
❌ Longer process: Takes 2–4 months on average
❌ Initial permit only valid for one year
Option B: Apply While in Spain
✅ Enter on a tourist visa
✅ Apply within 90 days of arrival
✅ Visit a local Immigration Office to submit your application
✅ Processing time: Similar to applying from abroad
Benefits
✔️ Apply while in Spain
✔️ Potential for a 3-year permit
✔️ Fully online application process
Downsides
❌ Less time to prepare documents
❌ Must apply within the 90-day limit
📅 Timeline Considerations
- Document preparation: 1–2 weeks
- Appointment scheduling: 2–4 weeks
- Total process: 2–4 months on average
⚠️ Critical Points
- Criminal background checks: 3–12 days (varies by country)
- Document authentication (apostille): Several weeks
- Processing speed: Varies by consulate
- Application fees: €80–85
💡 Tip: Start early to avoid stress & delays. Choose the option that fits your timeline & travel plans best!
Required Documents for the Spain Digital Nomad Visa
Preparing the right paperwork is key to a smooth application process. Below is a comprehensive checklist of documents you’ll need.
📝 Visa Application Form
- Official National Visa Application Form (downloadable from the Spanish Embassy website)
- Two recent passport photos (color, light background)
🛂 Personal Documents
- Valid passport (original + 1 copy of biometric pages)
- Birth certificate (translated & apostilled)
- Marriage certificate (if applicable, translated & apostilled)
💼 Professional Documentation
- Employment contract or freelance service agreements
- Employer letter confirming remote work status
- Proof of income (bank statements)
- Professional qualifications or degree certificates
💰Financial Proof
- Bank statements showing at least €2,646/month income
- Tax returns from the previous year
- Proof of consistent income (last 3–6 months)
📜 Legal Documents
Responsible declaration confirming no criminal record in the past 5 years
Criminal record certificate (original + 1 copy)
Certificate must be:
- Issued within the last 6 months
- Translated into Spanish
- Apostilled/authenticated
- Provided for all countries of residence in the last 2 years
🏥Health Insurance
Comprehensive health insurance policy
Policy must:
- Be valid in Spain
- Have a minimum €30,000 coverage
- Include no payment exclusions
💡Tip: Gathering these documents may feel overwhelming, but take it step by step. Each document brings you closer to your goal of working remotely in Spain!
How to Apply For the Spain Digital Nomad Visa
Once you’ve gathered all required documents, follow these steps to submit your application.
🗓️ 1. Book an Appointment
- Applying from home? Contact your local Spanish Embassy or Consulate
- Applying from Spain? Contact the Spanish Immigration Office (Oficina de Extranjería)
- Use the official online booking system (if available)
- If online booking isn’t available, try phone, email, or in-person scheduling
📂 2. Prepare Your Application Package
- Organize all documents in the required order
- Make copies of everything
📍 3. Attend Your Appointment
- Bring original documents + copies
- Be prepared to answer questions about your application
💳 4. Pay the Visa Fee
- Amount varies (approx. €80, check for updates)
- Payment methods depend on location (check embassy/office guidelines)
🛑 5. Submit Biometric Data
- Fingerprints may be required
- Usually done during your appointment
💡 Tip: Double-check all documents before your appointment to avoid delays.
What Happens After You Submit Your Application?
Here’s what to expect:
- Keep your application receipt. This is your tracking reference—keep it safe.
- Stay alert for follow-up requests. Spanish authorities might need extra documents or clarifications.
- Be patient with processing times. Typically takes 15–45 days, but may vary.
- Stay available for updates. Check your email & phone regularly for messages from Spanish officials.
💡 Tip: Remember, responsiveness is key during this waiting period. Stay patient, but be ready to act quickly if needed. Your dream of working remotely from Spain is getting closer!
Visa Duration and Renewal
🕒 Initial Visa duration
Duration
The length of your Spain Digital Nomad Visa depends on where you apply:
- Up to 3 years → If applying from within Spain
- 1 year → If applying from a Spanish consulate abroad
⚠️ Important: Stay at least 183 days per year in Spain to keep your visa valid.
🔄 Visa Renewal
Once your initial visa expires, you can renew it as follows:
- Applied from abroad? → Renew for 2 more years
- Applied from Spain? → Renew for 3 more years
- Maximum stay: Up to 5 years (then eligible for permanent residency)
How to Renew Your Visa
📍 Where?
- Local Immigration Office (Oficina de Extranjería) in your province
- Or at the nearest police station with a foreign documentation department
📅 When?
- 60 days before or within 90 days after your visa expires
✅ Required Documents:
- Completed renewal application form
- Proof of ongoing remote work
- Updated financial stability proof
- Valid health insurance
- Clean criminal record
- Social security payment records
⏳ Processing Time:
- Typically 15–45 business days
💡 Tip: Start the renewal process early and ensure you meet all requirements to extend your stay in Spain without issues.
Tips for a Successful Application
Applying for a Digital Nomad Visa can feel overwhelming, but with the right approach, it becomes manageable. Think of it as planning a big trip—take it step by step! Here are some insider tips to make your Spain Digital Nomad Visa application a success:
📂 Document Management
- Start early: Gathering documents takes time (translations & authentication).
- Ensure certificates are valid and professionally translated.
- Create a dedicated folder (digital & physical) for your documents.
- Make multiple copies of everything.
- Backup everything in cloud storage.
🧘Emotional Preparation
- Treat your application like an important work project.
- Stay organized and systematic.
- Prepare for potential delays—some bureaucratic challenges are normal.
- Be patient through the process.
🤝 Additional Support
- Consider consulting with an immigration expert for extra guidance.
- Join digital nomad groups online for advice and shared experiences.
- Connect with others who’ve successfully navigated the process.
- Stay updated on current visa rules.
By following these tips, you’ll transform a complex visa application from a potential headache into a strategic, manageable process that brings you one step closer to your Spanish remote work dream.
💡By following these tips, you’ll turn the visa application process into a manageable and strategic journey, getting you closer to your dream of working remotely in Spain! 🇪🇸✨
Final Thoughts
As you move through the visa process, remember: each form and document brings you one step closer to your incredible adventure in Spain. The Spain Digital Nomad Visa is more than just paperwork—it’s your passport to a whole new world of work, life, and freedom. Your exciting new chapter is about to begin!
Want to see the bigger picture of your digital nomad adventure? Our guide on 4 simple steps to becoming a digital nomad in Spain offers insights that go well beyond visa paperwork.
🌟 Why The Visa Apllication Is Worth Every Moment of Effort
The paperwork might feel overwhelming, but keep this in mind:
- You’re not just relocating—you’re about to embrace a whole new lifestyle.
- Every form you fill is a step towards personal and professional freedom.
- The memories you’ll create will far outweigh the temporary administrative hurdles.
- Join a global community of location-independent professionals.
- This visa isn’t just a document—it’s a gateway to a lifestyle many only dream of.
⏳ While the process may seem complex, with preparation, patience, and passion, you’ll successfully navigate it. Spain isn’t just a destination—it’s a whole new chapter in your story. ✨
What’s Your Digital Nomad Visa Story?
We want to hear from you! 🌍
- Have you started your visa application?
- Facing any challenges in the process?
- Curious about specific requirements?
- Any tips for fellow nomads?
👉 Questions? Comments? Drop a comment below and share your experience! 👇
You want to work remotly from Spain but don’t know where to start? Check out our guide 4 Simple Steps to Become a Digital Nomad in Spain! 🚀 Whether you’re just starting out or already soaking up the Spanish sun, this guide will provide you with everything you need to navigate your digital nomad journey in Spain.
