What is the Digital Nomad Spain Visa?
The Spain Digital Nomad Visa is a long-term permit of residency intended for non-EU/EEA holders who are able to work from a distance. The visa entitles you to stay in Spain for a period of one year at first. This visa can then be transformed into a three year residence permit upon arrival in Spain and can be renewed for a further 2 years, making the total stay period up to 5 years. You can apply for a permanent residence permit after you have been continuously legally resident in the United States for five years.
This visa is for:
- Employees of companies’ people located outside of Spain.
- Freelancers and independent workers that have clients mainly located outside Spain.
The basic assumption is that your income must be from sources outside of Spain. However, you are allowed to work for a Spanish company or Spanish clients provided that this work is less than 20% of the total professional activity.
Eligibility: Do You Qualify?
The requirements for the Spanish Digital Nomad Visa are that you have a certain set of requirements that proves that you are indeed a legitimate remote worker with a stable income and a clean slate.
Key Requirements for 2025:
- Citizenship: You must hold a citizenship of a country other than the European Union or European Economic Area.
- Minimum Monthly Income: Revenue is linked to the national minimum wage in Spain. As of 2025, proof of at least EUR2,762 a month of gross income is required.
- Income for Dependents: The income cap goes up if you are bringing family members.
- An additional EUR1,035 per month for a spouse or partner
- Add EUR346 a month for each dependent child.
- Established Remote Work History: You must provide proof of an established history of remote work.
- Staff: For minimum three months it is mandatory for you to work for the same employer. Your employer having been active for at least one year and must have an authorisation letter to work from Spain.
- Freelancers: You have to have been working with clients for at least three months.
- Professional Qualifications: You must demonstrate you have the skills to do your job. This may be fulfilled by offering an educational degree, a professional certification, or by showing at least three years professional experience in your area.
- Clean Criminal Record: You must submit a criminal record certificate from all countries where you’ve lived in the last two years.
- Health Insurance: You need to have private health insurance from a company approved to function in Spain. The policy must remember all of your medical requirements in Spain.
A Step-by-Step Guide for Visa Application Process
The application process can be carried out in two modalities: from your country of origin or from within Spain.
Option 1: Suggested from Home Application Country
- Gather Your Documents:
All documents not in Spanish must be officially translated and in most cases Apostille-certified.- Valid Passport (valid for at least one year).
- Two passport-sized photos.
- Finished visa application form.
- Criminal record certificates (Apostille simplified).
- Evidence of financial resources (bank statements, payslips, employment contracts).
- Proof of qualifications (University degree or professional experience).
- Health insurance policy.
- Employer’s letter or client contracts
- Evidence of the company’s existence of at least one year
- Marriage/certificates of birth of dependents
- Submitting Your Application:
You’ll need to submit your application in person at your Spanish consulate or a designated visa application center (such as VFS Global or BLS International) in your country of residence. An appointment will probably be needed in advance. - Await Approval:
The turn-around time is typically 15 to 45 days. If approved, you’ll get a sticker for a one-year visa in your passport. - Arrive in Spain and Apply for a TIE:
Within 90 days of your arrival, you will need to apply for your TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero), your official foreigner’s identity card. This card is your three-year stay permit. You will be required to schedule an appointment at the local police station or immigration office where you will turn in your fingerprints and other required paperwork.
Option 2: Applying within Spain
If you are already in Spain on a tourist visa, you can apply directly for the residence permit of three years. This is a quicker option but means you need to have temporary accommodation in Spain and a legal stay (within the initial 90 day tourist visa period).
The Perks: Why Choose Spain?
- Vibrant Lifestyle and Culture: Spain is a stunning fusion of historic cities, charming villages, and vibrant coastal towns. Whether it’s the artistic charm of Barcelona, the rich history of Madrid, the beaches of Valencia, or the charm of the Andalusian region, everyone will find a place for themselves.
- Beckham Law Tax Regime: This is one of the most important advantages of the visa. As a new resident, you have the right to apply to be taxed on a special regime called “Beckham Law.” This means you can pay a simple tax rate of 24% on your income from Spain up to EUR600,000 for the first 5 years instead of the traditional progressive rates that can be much higher. This can lead to big saving in taxes.
- Path to Permanent Residency and Citizenship: The visa is a definite stepping stone to long-term living. After five years you can apply for permanent residency. For citizens of some countries (mainly former Spanish colonies in Latin America and the Philippines), the process to citizenship is even shorter, only two years of residency.
- Family Inclusion: The visa is family friendly. You can take your spouse/partner and dependent children and they will also have a linked residence permit, so they can live and study in Spain.
