Spain Digital Nomad Visa

Dreaming of living and working under the Spanish sun while maintaining your remote work lifestyle? The Spain Digital Nomad visa might be for you.

Sanctioned by the legislative body in November 2022, the new Startup Act forms a crucial part of Spain's strategy to welcome entrepreneurial talent and amplify the nation's technology sector.

Introduced in January 2023, The Spain Digital Nomad Visa is here to turn your dream into reality.

This visa allows you to live and work remotely in Spain, making it easier for you to dive into the rich culture, savour the delicious food, and enjoy the Mediterranean climate. Let’s explore everything you need to know about the Spain Digital Nomad Visa in 2023.

• The Spain Digital Nomad Visa allows remote workers and freelancers to live and work in the country for up to five years.

• Applicants must meet certain eligibility criteria, including proof of sufficient funds, health insurance, nationality, and income requirements.

• The application process involves gathering necessary documents and attending a visa appointment at the Spanish Embassy or Consulate.

The Spain Digital Nomad Visa is a game-changer for remote workers and freelancers, offering a more suitable option than a tourist visa for long-term stays in Spain.

With this visa, you can live and work in Spain for up to one year, renewable for up to five years, as long as you fulfil the minimum income requirement and work for a foreign company.

Say goodbye to visa runs and hello to a more stable life in one of Europe’s most captivating countries.

The new digital nomad visa for Spain requires the applicant and any accompanying family members to have full private health insurance coverage for the entirety of their stay in Spain.

This assures your peace of mind while you focus on growing your remote career and enjoying the Spanish lifestyle.

Specific requirements must be met to qualify for the Spain Digital Nomad Visa. These criteria are:

• You're a citizen outside the EU/EEA jurisdiction.
• Your employment facilitates remote work arrangements.
• Proof of a steady income of €2,334 per month or an annual income of €28,000 is mandatory.
• As a self-employed individual, you cater to numerous global clients or generate income from various online activities outside Spain (where applicable).
• You've been engaged in remote work for a minimum of one year.
• Evidence that verifies a minimum working relationship of three months already
• Your employment is with corporations located outside Spain.
• You maintain a clean criminal history.
• You're eligible for entry into Spain.
• You possess comprehensive health insurance that covers all of Spain.
• You can furnish proof of your professional expertise and technical proficiency in your respective field.
• Freelancers should maintain at least one active client.
• You have not resided in Spain in the immediate past five years.

Let’s delve deeper into nationality, income and remote work requirements.

The Spain Digital Nomad Visa is available for citizens of any country outside of the European Union and European Economic Area. If you are not an EU/EEA citizen, you can apply for this visa and enjoy the privilege of living and working in Spain as a digital nomad.

To qualify for the Spain Digital Nomad Visa, you need to demonstrate that you have a stable income to support yourself while living in Spain. The minimum income requirement to apply for a visa is €2,160 per month.

This equates to €25,920 per year for an individual. For each additional accompanying person (partner or dependent), the income requirement increases by 75%.

For any further dependents, the requirement increases by 25%. This ensures you and your family can live comfortably in Spain without burdening the local economy.

The Spain Digital Nomad Visa is designed for individuals who work remotely via computer. To be eligible for the visa, you need to:

• Demonstrate a secure contract with a foreign company or employer outside of Europe.

• Have their authorization to work in Spain

• Show that the company has been operational for at least one year. Additionally, digital nomad visas like this one are becoming increasingly popular among remote workers.

As a freelancer, you can also work for Spanish clients, including a Spanish company, but your income from Spain must not exceed 20% of your total revenue. This visa encourages remote work while ensuring that your presence in Spain and the local economy benefit you.

Embarking on a professional journey as a digital nomad in Spain unlocks a wealth of benefits:

• Special taxation for digital nomads. In your first four years of residing in Spain, you will enjoy a reduced tax rate of 15% as opposed to the regular base of 24%.

• Streamlined business formation. Under the Startup Law, setting up a business will be less cumbersome, with processes that can be completed online in hours.

• Swift visa application process. Expect speedy responses to your visa application, which typically takes 15 to 45 days.

• Travel perks. Possession of the Spain digital nomad visa permits visa-free travel across other Schengen countries.

• Extended residence in Spain. The digital nomad visa initially allows a stay of up to a year. After that, you can apply for a three-year residence permit, which can be renewed for two more years. After completing five years in the country, you can apply for permanent residency.

• Family inclusion. The digital nomad visa accommodates family members like your spouse, partner, or underage children (below 18) to join you. If you plan to bring along children above 18 or your parents, you must show financial responsibility for them. All visa applications need to be submitted simultaneously.

• Reasonable living expenses. Despite its reputation as a pricey region, particularly for housing, the cost of living in Spain is fairly affordable. Employment flexibility. You can work for a Spanish company, provided the income from Spanish clients doesn't exceed 20% of your total earnings.

Let's take a closer look at tax implications, what it's like to work as a digital nomad in Spain and bringing family members and dependants with you.

As a digital nomad in Spain, you’ll need to know the tax implications of living and working there, including the non-resident income tax.

If your stay in Spain extends beyond 183 days, regardless of whether a foreign company employs you or not, you're deemed a tax resident of Spain. Consequently, nomads residing and working here can avail themselves of various tax advantages.

Remote workers may be eligible for a reduced tax rate of 24% for the first four years, provided their annual income does not exceed €600,000.

This can be a significant tax benefit for digital nomads who work for a foreign company.

Spain has double taxation agreements with 90 countries. This means you won’t be taxed twice on your foreign income, once in your home country and again in Spain.

However, you should consult with a tax advisor to understand your tax obligations and benefits as a digital nomad in Spain.

Spain has become a desirable place for digital nomads. It offers excellent internet speeds, affordable living costs, and an amazing climate.

The cost of living in Spain is quite economical. It is approximately 25% lower than in France and 46% lower than in the United States.

With the current minimum wage in Spain set at €1,080 per month, you can enjoy a comfortable lifestyle while working remotely.

Safety is also essential to consider when choosing a destination for your digital nomad lifestyle. Spain is ranked among the top 10% of the safest countries in the world, with very low risks associated with serious crime and terrorism.

However, pickpocketing and tourist scams can be prevalent in the main tourist areas, so it’s essential to stay vigilant and take necessary precautions.

The process is straightforward if you plan to bring your family members and dependents to Spain under the digital nomad visa. The visa applies to your spouse or partner and children under 18.

To include them in your application, you must provide each dependent's criminal record certificate, medical certificate, and the necessary administrative forms.

The Spain Digital Nomad Visa allows your family to enjoy the Spanish lifestyle with you, making it easier for you to settle in the country and focus on your remote work.

Just remember that the income requirements for the visa increase with each additional family member, so make sure you meet these requirements to ensure a smooth application process.

Applying for the Spain Digital Nomad Visa involves a step-by-step process

1. Schedule an appointment with the nearest Spanish embassy or consulate & pay the fee

2. Gather the required documents.

3. Attend a visa appointment.

Let’s walk through this process to help you prepare for a smooth visa application experience.

Make sure you can get all the required documents before the date of the appointment, and then book an appointment for your visa application and pay the visa fee.

You can do this by visiting the website of your local Spanish Embassy or Consulate and following their guidelines, which generally involve making an appointment via email.

The non-refundable fee for submitting your visa application is approximately €80.

Remember that most embassies and consulates only accept payment for visa fees through direct bank deposit at their designated bank.

Now collect all the necessary documents for your visa application. These documents include:

• A valid passport - Valid for at least three months.

• Proof of income - €2,334/m

• Proof of health insurance - Valid for all of your stay in Spain

• Proof of employment - Work contract

• Letter from your employer stating you can work remotely

• Proof your company has been active for at least a year

• A criminal record certificate - Last five years, no more than three months old.

• Proof of your professional qualifications - Degrees, certificates and experience.

• Completed application form

• Two passport-sized photos - 35mm x 45mm with a plain white or grey background

• Marriage or birth certificate if you are bringing dependants

Be sure to check with your local Spanish embassy or consulate to see if any specific documents need translation and how to obtain certified translations.

Ensure you gather all the required documents well in advance to avoid delays or complications in your visa application process.

With your appointment scheduled and documents ready, the next step is attending the visa appointment at the Spanish embassy or consulate.

Be prepared to present all the required documents and answer any questions about your application.

Your passport will be submitted to the embassy or consulate to assess your application.

The processing time for the Spain Digital Nomad Visa is approximately 20 days.

Once your visa is approved, you can start planning your move to Spain and embark on your exciting journey as a digital nomad.

Remember to obtain your NIE (foreigner identification number) and residence permit card upon arrival in Spain, which will cost you approximately €20.

Upon submitting your application, you might receive a link to monitor its status. In some cases, you may be required to provide further documents.

Once your visa application is greenlit, you can prepare your luggage and begin your journey to Spain.

Once your visa is granted and you've arrived in Spain, there are several additional steps to complete:

Securing a Foreigner’s Identity Number (NIE). Immediately upon your arrival in Spain, you'll need to apply for an NIE, which can be done at the local Foreigner’s Office or police station and costs €20

The documents required for an NIE include:

• Your visa-endorsed passport.

• Three passport-sized photographs.

• A duly filled application form.

• Proof of your Spanish address.

• Receipt of the administration fee payment.

Procuring a Tax Identification Number (NIF). Alongside the NIE, you're also required to obtain a NIF. This can be done at any Spanish Tax Agency office without needing an appointment or fee.

The necessary documents include:

• A filled-out application form.

• Your valid passport.

• Proof of residency.

• Your home country's tax number. Enrolling at Your Local Municipal Registry, Padrón Municipal. You'll need to provide the following details:

• Personal information such as name, surname, gender, place of residence, nationality, and date and place of birth.

• Your residency or ID card.

• Your NIE.

• Your qualifications.

Important: The Spain digital nomad visa can also be applied for while you're already in Spain. You can enter using a tourist visa and apply for the digital nomad visa within three months.

The Spain Digital Nomad Visa offers the following path to permeant residence:

• Initially valid for up to 12 months

• It can be renewed for a period of up to three years

• Five years of continuous residence in Spain makes you eligible for a permanent residence visa

To be eligible for permanent residency, you must not have been absent from Spain for more than one year within five years.

When it’s time to renew or extend your visa, start the application process no less than 60 days before the expiration of your current permit.

This will give you ample time to gather the necessary documents and complete the application process, ensuring a seamless transition to the next stage of your life in Spain.

Once your visa application is greenlit, you can prepare your luggage and begin your journey to Spain.

The Spain Digital Nomad Visa is a fantastic option for remote workers and freelancers who want to live and work in Spain. However, it’s essential to consider other visa options available in the country.

One such option is the Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV), which requires applicants to demonstrate a passive income from a retirement fund or a similar source, or an annual income of €27,115.20 for an individual, with an additional €6,778 per year for any family members.

While the Spain Digital Nomad Visa and the Non-Lucrative Visa allow you to live and work in Spain, the Digital Nomad Visa is specifically designed for remote workers and offers more flexibility regarding work options and income requirements.

Depending on your unique circumstances, one of these visas may better fit your needs and aspirations in Spain.

Spain has a multitude of perfect locations for digital nomads. Here are some of the most desirable towns for digital nomads residing in Spain:

Barcelona is a favourite among digital nomads with its rich cultural history, bustling nightlife, and cosmopolitan ambience.

The city's thriving tech scene, myriad co-working spaces, and vibrant digital nomad community make it an outstanding destination for remote work.

Its Mediterranean climate, awe-inspiring architecture, and international cuisine present an enticing blend of work and play.

As Spain’s third-largest city, Valencia is characterized by its relaxed, beachy vibe and welcoming, innovative attitude.

The city provides an average internet speed of over 35mbps, a living cost of around $2,700, superior quality of life, and low air pollution.

The island of Gran Canaria offers a haven for digital nomads, teeming with fantastic beaches and a dynamic digital nomad community. The idyllic climate makes it an ultimate winter destination for digital nomads.

Benidorm offers an abundance of attractions not only for tourists but also for digital nomads and expats. Winter, specifically from October to April, is particularly appealing due to fewer tourists, reduced prices, and splendid weather.

Fuengirola, nestled on Costa del Sol, is less crowded than other resorts, serving as a perfect meeting point for expats and a range of locals.

Fuengirola is more budget-friendly than other towns in Costa del Sol and boasts top-notch restaurants offering international cuisines.

Increasingly becoming a hotspot for digital nomads, Tarifa is a paradise for beach enthusiasts. Amidst the captivating views across Morocco and white-gold beaches, the city's charming old town bustles with global cuisine, vibrant surf bars, independent boutiques, and boho-chic cafes.

As a digital nomad planning to live and work in Spain, gathering as much information and resources as possible is crucial to ensure a smooth transition to your new life.

Start by researching popular digital nomad destinations in Spain, joining online forums and communities, and connecting with fellow digital nomads who have experienced living in Spain firsthand.

Additionally, consider consulting with an immigration lawyer or a tax advisor to understand your visa and tax obligations, including when to pay tax, in Spain.

These professionals can guide you through the application process, provide valuable advice tailored to your unique situation, help you navigate the Spanish tax agency, and explore potential tax benefits.

With the right resources and preparation, you’ll be well on your way to enjoying the digital nomad lifestyle in Spain.

In conclusion, this visa is an excellent opportunity for remote workers and freelancers to live and work in one of Europe’s most beautiful and culturally rich countries.

By understanding eligibility criteria, application process, tax implications, and helpful resources, you’ll be well-prepared to embark on your Spanish adventure.

So why wait? Start planning your move to Spain and embrace the digital nomad lifestyle under the Mediterranean sun.

To conclude, here is the full list of countries, where you can get a Digital Nomad Visa in 2023:

*Digital Nomad Visa introduced but not yet implemented