Introduction
Key conditions:
Website: https://www.inclusion.gob.es/web/migraciones/home
Residence permit: Yes
Term: 3 years when applying from Spain, with extension up to 5 years
Income: €2646
Taxes: 24% for income up to €600 thousand per year.
Taking family with you: Yes
Imagine a morning when you wake up under the gentle Spanish sun, open the window and breathe in the fresh air of the Mediterranean coast. You take a cup of aromatic coffee and get comfortable to start your working day. But this is not just a job — it is the freedom to choose where and how you live. Let’s take a step-by-step look at how to get a residence permit for a digital nomad in Spain based on knowledge of the laws and our experience?
What is a digital nomad visa in Spain?
A digital nomad visa in Spain is a unique opportunity for those who work remotely to live in a country known for its high quality of life, cultural diversity and warm climate. This visa allows you to legally reside in Spain as a nomad for up to 5 years, continuing to work for employers or clients from abroad. The main requirement is a stable income of 2646 euros and remote work.
A Brief History of the Digital Nomad Visa Program
The idea of a digital nomad visa emerged as a response to the growing demand for remote work. Spain was one of the countries that quickly adapted to the new conditions and officially launched the digital nomad visa program in 2023. This initiative is part of a wider strategy to attract talent and improve the business climate in the country. This digital nomad visa was introduced under a law known as the Startup Law. How does this relate to startups? Well, this law will improve several areas:
Simplifying the paperwork for startups
Reducing the tax burden for companies and entrepreneurs
Optimizing the process of starting a business
Introducing a digital nomad visa
The Startup Law is part of a wider reform aimed at improving the business climate in Spain, according to the Creation and Growth Law and the Bankruptcy Law. These measures also represent an important step in the Digital Spain 2026 program, an ambitious plan to digitalize the country. Spain is therefore very welcoming to digital nomads and is the most popular destination for Digital nomads.
Basic requirements for obtaining a visa
In this section, we will go into detail about the main requirements.
Minimum income
One of the main requirements is to have a stable income. To qualify for a digital nomad visa in Spain, your monthly income must be at least €2,646. This amount is calculated based on 200% of the minimum wage (SMI) in Spain, which ensures that you can live comfortably in the country, paying for accommodation, food and other essential expenses. We recommend that you indicate an amount slightly higher than double the SMI, so that it does not seem like your salary has been artificially adjusted to meet the requirements.
Type of work and source of income
The work you do must be completely remote. This means that you can work for a company located outside of Spain, or be self-employed or freelance, doing work for clients located abroad. It is important that your main income comes from outside of Spain, as local companies or clients cannot be your employer.
Education and work experience
To obtain a visa, you must demonstrate relevant education or work experience. You must have either a diploma confirming your qualifications or at least three years of work experience in your field. This requirement is aimed at confirming your competence and ability to successfully work remotely. Before submitting your diploma, you must make a certified translation by the Spanish translator Jurado.
Document requirements
Depending on your status: Self-employed, individual entrepreneur or working in an LLC, the list of documents provided changes.
Let’s compare the list of documents for an individual entrepreneur and a remote employee:
List of documents for a Digital Nomad visa to Spain on the basis of individual entrepreneurship:
1. Passport and its copy: A scan of all passport pages (after the Schengen stamp of Spain or another country with the entry declaration). If you plan to fly to Spain through another Schengen country, be sure to take a DECLARACIÓN DE ENTRADA at the Spanish airport stating that you have flown into Spain. Make sure that your passport is valid for the entire period of stay in Spain.
2. Photo: Standard color photo for documents.
3. Certificate of no criminal record: From all countries where you have lived in the last two years. Attention! The certificate of no criminal record must be on a blue form of the department with an apostille of the department. This means that you cannot simply download a certificate from the State Services and put an Apostille of a notary. In the future, you will need to make a translation into Spanish with a sworn translator Jurado.
4. Paid tax: 74 euros on form 790 038
5. Completed application form. SOLICITUD DE AUTORIZACIÓN DE RESIDENCIA form
6. Confirmation of employment relationship: At least 3 months before the residence application (work/cooperation contract) A sworn translation must be made.
7. Confirmation of the existence of the LLC: The enterprise to which the individual entrepreneur provides the service, the enterprise must exist for at least a year. It is necessary to take an extract from the Unified State Register of Legal Entities for the LLC and put an apostille on the original. Then make a translation. We recommend not to use the scheme in which the individual entrepreneur provides the service to the Self-Employed.
8. A certificate from the enterprise that there are no obstacles to moving to Spain, that the applicant can work remotely, indicate the salary, responsibilities (briefly). Make a sworn translation.
9. Copy of diploma: The only case when you can put an Apostille on a copy at a notary and make a sworn translation. The diploma must correspond to the position held, or this can be confirmed by a work book with at least 3 years of experience)
10. Curriculum: Resume with a regular translation into Spanish.
11. Bank statement: On the receipt of salary or receipt of revenue from commercial activities for the last 3 months before applying for residency. It is necessary to make a sworn translation. We indicate a salary of at least 2646 euros / month, a family member + 996 euros, subsequent + 330 euros. The indicated amounts are after deduction of income tax, if any.
12. Invoices: 3 last invoices for services / act of acceptance and transfer of funds
13. Registration of individual entrepreneur: At least 3 months must be registered before filing + put an apostille on the original.
14. Declaration of no criminal record: A letter stating that you have no criminal record in the last 5 years.
15. Letter of commitment to open an individual entrepreneur: A declaration that after residency approval you undertake to become an individual entrepreneur in Spain.
16. Children. Birth certificate, wife/husband (family member) marriage certificate.
17. Health insurance: If you submit a set of documents as an individual entrepreneur, then insurance is not required.
All documents, except CV, are translated by a sworn translator. If you have a Spanish residence, you will not be provided with a certificate of no criminal record, but only a scan of your TIE.
List of documents for a Digital Nomad visa to Spain on the grounds of remote employment
Main documents:
1. Application form (2 copies, filled out only for signature at the consulate).
2. Photo (passport size, must be pasted into the application form).
3. Foreign passport (valid for at least 12 months with two blank pages). A copy of all passport pages.
4. National internal passport with registration at the place of residence and copies of all pages.
5. Foreigner’s identification number (NIE) — must be obtained at the Spanish consulate if you are submitting documents in the country of citizenship.
6. Payment of the consular fee, made directly at the consulate.
7. Work contract for a period of 3 months before filing an application for a visa with an income of at least 2646 euros per month. A sworn translation is required.
8. Letter of permission to work remotely. Free translation is allowed.
9. Proof of the existence and activity of the employer for more than 1 year. It is necessary to provide an extract from the State Register of Enterprises with an apostille and a certified translation.
10. Documents confirming payment for the last 3 months. Transaction statements, certificates from the Tax Service on wages and taxes paid are suitable. Free translation is allowed.
11. A copy of the diploma or proof of professional experience of at least 3 years. An apostille and a certified translation are also required.
12. «Certificate of departure» from the Social Fund. A sworn translation is required.
13. Private health insurance issued by an insurance company accredited in Spain (if there is a social security certificate).
14. A certificate of no criminal record from all countries where you have lived in the last 2 years, and a document.
15. Declaration of no criminal record. Free translation is allowed.
16. Bank statement confirming receipt of salary for the last 3 months. A sworn translation is required.
17. A resume (CV), written directly in Spanish.
Additional documents for family members:
For spouse:
- Spouse’s international passport with a copy of all pages.
- Marriage certificate. A sworn translation is required.
- Spouse’s certificate of no criminal record with an apostille. A sworn translation is required.
- Declaration of no criminal record. Free translation is allowed.
- Application to the Migration Service MI-F.
For a child:
- Child’s birth certificate with an apostille. A sworn translation is required.
- Child’s international passport with a copy of all pages.
- Declaration of no criminal record. Free translation is allowed.
- Application to the MI-F Migration Service.
Official list of sworn translators.
This list is based on the general requirements provided by the Spanish Consulate in Moscow. The consulate may request additional documents on an individual basis. There may also be differences in the requirements of consulates in other cities, such as St. Petersburg, so the information will be clarified and updated as necessary.
Important: Visa applications must be submitted in person. To make an appointment, you must send a request to the consulate’s email address. If a family is applying for a visa, each family member must have a separate appointment.
If you need an expert assessment of the prepared package of documents before submission or a consultation on how to strengthen your case, then contact us, it is free for those who are subscribed to our telegram channel.
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Applying for a visa
Submitting documents within Spain and through consulates
The process of obtaining a digital nomad visa in Spain begins with submitting documents. Depending on your location, you have two options: submitting an application within Spain or through the Spanish consulate in your country.
Submitting documents within Spain is possible if you are already in the country, for example, on a tourist visa. This method is convenient, as it allows you to avoid having to leave Spain to complete the process. The application is submitted through the online portal of the immigration service. It is important to remember that at the time of submitting the application, you must be legally in Spain for at least one day.
Submitting through consulates is available for those who are outside Spain. You need to go to the Spanish consulate in your country to submit the application. The only downside to this submission is that the visa is approved for 1 year and then extended in Spain for another 2 years.
Spain Digital Nomad Visa Application Step-by-Step Process and Processing Time
The application process for a digital nomad visa consists of several stages:
1. Preparing documents: Collect all the necessary documents according to the list.
2. Submitting the application: If you are submitting documents from within Spain, use the online portal with a certified electronic signature. To submit through a consulate, contact the Spanish mission in your country.
3. Waiting for consideration: After submitting the application, you will have to wait for a decision. The processing period is usually up to 20 working days. As a rule, exceeding this processing period means approval of residence, unless of course you receive an additional request for some documents.
4. Sometimes the Spanish may ask you to provide an updated certificate of no criminal record, bank statement or other document again, but this happens quite rarely if the case is well prepared.
5. Receiving a decision: If approved, you will be issued a visa or residence permit, depending on your application type.
6. Sign up for fingerprints: You need to take a sieve (an appointment for a while) to the police and give fingerprints.
Sign up to receive a resident card: As a rule, the plastic is made within a month and then you need to take a sieve to pick it up.
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Taxation for Digital Nomads
Spain offers several tax regimes for digital nomads, depending on their income and work status. In this section, we will look at the main tax options to help you choose the one that suits you best.
Beckham Regime
The Beckham Law is a special tax regime for new residents of Spain that allows taxable income to be taxed at a flat rate of 24% on the first €600,000. This regime is particularly beneficial for those who earn significant amounts of money and do not want to move to a progressive tax scale. It is important to remember that this regime is only available for the first six years of residence in Spain and is suitable for those who plan to earn their main income abroad.
General Tax Regime
The general tax regime in Spain applies to those who do not fall under the Beckham Law or who prefer to use a progressive tax scale. Under this regime, income is taxed at rates ranging from 19% to 47%, depending on the amount of annual income. This regime allows you to take into account all your sources of income worldwide, which can be useful for those with a variety of assets and income from different countries. It is important to note that the general regime also offers various tax deductions and benefits, such as deductions for children, rent or business investments.
Social contributions and insurance
Social contributions in Spain are mandatory for all residents, including digital nomads. These contributions provide access to health care, pensions and other social services. If you are registered as self-employed (Autónomo), you will need to pay social contributions, which depend on your income. In the first year, they are usually minimal and amount to about 80 euros per month. From the second year, the amount increases, but it is also possible to deduct these contributions from the general tax base.
If you are employed and your employer is located in a country that has an agreement with Spain on the mutual recognition of social security, you will need to provide a certificate to this effect. Otherwise, you will need to register with the Spanish Social Security system and pay your contributions yourself.
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Visa extension and obtaining a residence permit
Visa Extension Conditions
There are a few key conditions that need to be met to extend your digital nomad visa in Spain. First of all, your income must remain stable and meet the minimum (€2,646 per month). It is also important that you continue to work remotely for a company outside of Spain or as a self-employed person. It is important to remember that you must live in Spain for at least 183 days per year. The extension process begins a few months before the visa expires to ensure the continuity of your stay in the country. When applying for an extension, you will need to provide updated documents proving your income, health insurance, and compliance with all visa requirements.
There is currently no clear practice on how the Spanish should act in case of non-compliance. It should be taken into account that the Spanish tax system is one of the best in the world, so they are unlikely to forget about unpaid taxes. Therefore, if you want to reduce your tax payments, use the available legal methods.
How to get a residence permit in Spain
After your first year on a digital nomad visa, you can apply for a residence permit in Spain. This allows you to extend your stay in the country for another three years, with the possibility of further extensions. The application process for a residence permit is similar to that for a visa, but requires proof of your continued income and your status as a remote worker. If you successfully extend your residence permit, after five years of residence in Spain you can apply for permanent residence, and then citizenship. It is important to remember that obtaining a residence permit also gives you access to various social and health services in Spain, making your stay even more comfortable and secure.
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Living and working in Spain
How to live in Spain with a digital nomad visa
Living in Spain with a digital nomad visa gives you the opportunity to live in one of the most attractive countries in Europe while maintaining the ability to work remotely. With this visa, you can choose any city or region to live in, from the vibrant city of Barcelona to the laid-back coastal cities. The main condition is to continue working for a foreign company or freelancing for clients outside of Spain. It is important to remember that your income must come from abroad and remain stable in order to meet the conditions of the visa.
Rights and responsibilities
Holders of a digital nomad visa in Spain have the right to live and work remotely in the country for a long time. However, this visa does not give you the right to work for Spanish companies or provide services to local clients. Key responsibilities include complying with local laws, paying taxes and social security on time, and meeting all requirements and deadlines for visa extensions and obtaining a residence permit.
You are required to register your place of residence by completing an empadronamiento at your local town hall. This document will confirm your residence in Spain and is necessary to access many other services, including healthcare.
Access to health and social services
As a digital nomad visa holder, you are required to have valid health insurance that will cover your healthcare costs in Spain. You can choose between private health insurance and the public healthcare system. If you are registered with the Social Security (Seguridad Social), you will have access to a wide range of healthcare services in public institutions, as well as pension and other social benefits.
Social contributions are mandatory for all self-employed people (Autónomo) and entrepreneurs, and the amount depends on your income. In the first year of registration, contributions are minimal, but gradually increase. These contributions can also be taken into account when calculating your taxation, reducing your overall tax burden.
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Family relocation
How to bring family members to Spain
If you want to move to Spain with a digital nomad visa with your family, you have the option of bringing your immediate family members, such as your spouse and children, with you. To do this, you will need to apply for visas for all family members at the same time as your digital nomad visa application or after you have received it. Each family member must submit their own separate application and provide the necessary documentation.
To bring your family to Spain, you will need to prove that you have sufficient income. Each family member will need an additional income, which is added to the basic requirement. For example, for a spouse, you will need an additional 75% of the Spanish minimum wage (SMI), which is €945 per month. For each child or other dependent family member, you will need an additional 25% of the SMI, which is equivalent to €315 per month. So, if you plan to move with your spouse and child, your total income will need to be at least €3,780 per month.
Additional requirements for family members
A separate package of documents, duly certified, is required for each family member. Include the following documents:
- Passport and copy: A valid passport for the entire stay.
- Criminal record certificate: From all countries where they have lived in the last two years (for adults only).
- Health insurance: Must cover all medical expenses in Spain.
- Proof of relationship: Marriage certificates, birth certificates of children and other documents proving family ties.
- Proof of income: In addition to your main income, you must prove that you have sufficient funds to support your family.
Once they arrive in Spain, they will also have to register with the local authorities and obtain foreigner identification numbers (NIE). These numbers are necessary to access health and social services, as well as to open bank accounts and other administrative procedures.
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Frequently asked questions
How long do I need to stay in Spain?
To renew my digital nomad visa, you need to spend at least 183 days a year in Spain. This is related to tax residency, which also means that you will be liable to pay taxes in Spain. If you plan to apply for a residence permit, this rule is critical to successfully renewing your status.
Can I work for a Spanish company?
The digital nomad visa only allows you to work for foreign companies or clients located outside of Spain. It is prohibited to work for a Spanish company or provide services to local clients. Your income must come exclusively from outside Spain to qualify for the visa.
Do I need a Spanish bank account?
A Spanish bank account is not a requirement for the digital nomad visa, but it can make your life in the country much easier. A Spanish bank account is convenient for paying rent, utilities, and receiving a salary if required. You can open an account after receiving your NIE. You can also contact us and we will help you get a VISA bank card for easy payments.
Most often, a digital nomad visa is refused in Spain for the following reasons:
- Insufficient income: If the applicant cannot prove a stable income that meets the visa requirements (at least 2,646 euros per month), this may result in a refusal.
Incompatible work: Working for a Spanish company or receiving income from clients in Spain is contrary to the visa conditions and may also result in a refusal. - Incomplete or incorrectly completed documents: Missing required documents, errors in the application or incorrectly completed certificates may result in a negative decision.
- Incomplete or inadequate insurance: If the provided health insurance does not cover the minimum requirements or is not valid in Spain, the applicant may be refused. With the exception of self-employed persons, who do not need insurance.
- Criminal record: A refusal may be issued if the criminal record indicates crimes, especially those related to financial offenses or fraud.
- Incorrectly certified documents: Until recently, the Spanish accepted documents certified with a notary stamp Apostille. Now it is possible to certify only with the Apostille stamp of the authority that issued the original document.
Compliance with all requirements and careful preparation of documents will help reduce the risk of refusal and increase the chances of successfully obtaining a visa. If you need a free consultation on obtaining a Spanish residence permit and other issues related to moving, then contact Digital Nomad Club.
Useful links:
Ministry of Inclusion, Social Protection and Migration
Portal on the digitalization of Spain
Portal on the legislation of Spain and more
Link to the minimum wage in Spain, which will be needed to calculate the minimum income for filing.