The digital nomad visa in Spain has become one of the most attractive options for those who wish to live in the country while working remotely for foreign companies.
In this guide, we’ll explain step by step how to apply for the digital nomad visa in Spain in accordance with current regulations, including documentation, requirements, and procedures.
Step 1. Check Your Eligibility.
a) Who Is Eligible?
You can apply for this visa if you are:
- A remote employee working for a foreign company.
- A self-employed professional (freelancer) providing services to clients or companies outside Spain. Up to 20% of your income can come from Spanish companies, but the majority must be from abroad.
- A company owner.
b) Minimum Monthly Income.
You must demonstrate that your pre-tax income (or gross income if self-employed) meets at least the following minimum levels:
| Applicants / Dependents | Required Income per month | Required Income per year |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Applicant | 2,763€ p/m | 33,156€ p/a |
| 1 Applicant + 1 Dependent | 3,799€ p/m | 45,588€ p/a |
| 1 Applicant + 2 Dependents | 4,144€ p/m | 49,728€ p/a |
| 1 Applicant + 3 Dependents | 4,490€ p/m | 53,880€ p/a |
| 1 Applicant + 4 Dependents | 4,835€ p/m | 58,016€ p/a |
c) Work Experience.
- Employment or client relationship: You must have worked with your employer or clients for at least three months.
- Business activity: The employer or clients must have been operating for at least one year.
- Authorization: Your employer or clients must expressly grant permission for you to work remotely from Spain.
- Self-Employment: If self-employed, clients must be foreign legal entities, not individuals.
d) Education
You must meet one of the following:
- Hold a university degree related to your profession.
- Have at least three years of documented professional experience in your field.
e) Clean Criminal Record
Applicants must not have a criminal record. You will need to present:
- A criminal record certificate from countries where you’ve lived in the past two years.
- A sworn statement affirming you have not committed serious crimes in the last five years.
Step 2: Apply for a Social Security Certificate (if applicable)
Anyone carrying out economic activity from Spain must be covered under its Social Security system, unless they prove equivalent coverage from abroad. Here’s what you’ll need:
a) Employees:
- If your country has a bilateral agreement with Spain, your employer can request a certificate. Countries like the UK, USA, Canada, Rusia and China have a have agreements allowing you to remain under your home country’s Social Security. Check the full list of countries here.
- Otherwise, your employer may register to make social security contributions in Spain.
b) For Self-Employed:
- A social security certificate is not required. Just commit to enrolling in Spanish social security once approved.
- Flat rate of €80 during the first year, applicable to new self-employed workers.From the second year onwards, the contribution is adjusted according to your actual income: between €230 and €550 per month, based on net income brackets (subject to annual updates every January 1st).
Important: If using this route, you won’t need private health insurance, as you’ll access public healthcare through Social Security
Step 3: Collect the Required Documents
The list may vary depending on whether you apply from abroad (visa) or from within Spain (residence permit). In both cases, the core documentation includes:
- Criminal record certificate, legalized and officially translated if necessary.
- Sworn declaration of no serious crimes in the last five years.
- Proof of income (Bank statement for the last three months).
- Updated CV in Spanish.
- Contractual evidence of a minimum 3-Month work relationship with employer/clients. Sworn translate it if not in Spanish.
- Authorization letter from your employer or clients:
- For employees: letter confirming remote work, salary, duties, and duration.
- For freelancers: letters from clients confirming the relationship, expected income, and approval for remote work from Spain.
- Evidence that your employer/clients have existed for longer for one year (Certificate of incorporation/Good Standing, business licence, etc.). With apostille and sworn translation
- Academic degree or professional experience:
- Degree copy with Apostille and sworn translation, with apostille and sworn translation
- OR official proof of at least three years of professional experience. With apostille and sworn translation
- Declaration that you will sign up as Self-employed OR S1 Form OR Private Medical Insurance:
- If you are applying as self-employed, you must provide a signed declaration confirming your commitment to register and contribute to the Spanish social security system once your application is approved. By doing so, you will gain access to Spain’s public healthcare system, meaning no private health insurance will be required.
- For applicants presenting an A1 certificate from the UK: if you provide your Spanish address, in most cases an S1 form will automatically be issued to you. The S1 entitles you and your family to use the Spanish public healthcare system. Again, private health insurance is not required as long as all family members hold their own S1 forms (note: exceptions apply for unmarried partners and step-children).
- If you are applying with an A1 form from the UK, US, Russia, or another EU member state, an alternative is to purchase a private health insurance policy from a Spanish provider. This policy must be comprehensive and without co-payments.
Step 4: Submit your Application
There are two main ways to apply for the digital nomad visa in Spain:
- From your country of residence through the Spanish Consulate. In this case, the visa is initially granted for 1 year.
- From within Spain (if you are already in the country with a valid visa or within the legal stay period). The initial residence is granted for 3 years, or for the duration of the work contract or A1 if it is shorter, with the possibility of renewal.
1. Application submitted by yourself
If you choose to submit the application yourself, you must first have several key elements in place. This route is intended for individuals who are already legally in Spain or who have the necessary technical means, such as a NIE (Foreigner Identification Number) and a valid digital certificate issued in Spain.
The NIE is a personal, non-transferable number that identifies foreigners in Spain. It is essential for most procedures: opening a bank account, signing up for phone services, renting housing, or even receiving certified mail. Although it can be obtained at police stations within Spain, many people find it easier to get it directly from the Spanish Consulate in their country of origin, where the procedures are often clearer and faster.
The digital certificate allows you to identify yourself electronically and sign documents online with full legal validity. This tool gives you access to a wide range of administrative processes from any computer — from filing taxes to requesting certificates or submitting your visa application. Although it’s also possible to use the Cl@ve system for these procedures, the digital certificate offers more functionality and stability throughout the process.
Once you have these elements, you can formally submit the application through the electronic headquarters of the Unit for Large Companies.
If you already have a Spanish bank account, the process will be even smoother, since payment of fees and other administrative steps can be handled directly from there.
2. Application submitted by a legal representative
There is also the option to have the application managed by a duly authorized legal representative. This is especially helpful for those who do not yet have a NIE or digital certificate, or who prefer to delegate the process to professionals.
The representative will be responsible for preparing, submitting, and tracking the application, which can streamline the process and improve the chances of a favorable outcome.
In conclusion, applying for Spain’s digital nomad visa is an excellent choice for remote workers seeking to settle in the country with a clear and increasingly robust legal framework. However, the process requires thorough preparation — from collecting documents to meeting financial, professional, and healthcare requirements.
Whether you apply from abroad or while in Spain, it’s vital to understand your options, plan ahead, and act in advance. Getting help from a legal expert in immigration can make all the difference and help you avoid mistakes that could lead to rejection of your application.
