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The digital nomad visa in Spain is a one-year-long visa available for foreigners who are international remote workers, freelancers, consultants, and digital nomads. Digital nomads in Spain have the option to renew their visa after a year, with the option to stay up to five years.
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Are you a digital nomad thinking of traveling to Spain next? Are you unsure how to secure residency in the country? This guide from Pacific Prime will share comprehensive steps to ensure a Spanish digital nomad visa.
We will share the requirements and application process for the digital nomad visa in Spain, along with other relevant visa information. Keep reading to learn more, or click here for a free health insurance quote!
Spain Digital Nomad Visa Requirements
The requirements for a digital nomad visa in Spain for non-EU citizens include being over 18 years old, proving your employment, financial self-sufficiency, and more. These requirements may change over time, with the minimum income requirements recently changing in 2025.
The digital nomad visa requirements are:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have a clean criminal record
- Have proof of remote worker status, with proof that the company you work for (or own if you are self-employed) has been operational for at least a year
- Have either a university degree, a professional certificate, or proof of work history in your current field for over three years
- Meet a minimum monthly income of at least €2,763 (around USD $3240.18)
- Have adequate insurance coverage
- Proof of accommodation in Spain
If you are a European Union (EU) or Swiss citizen, you do not need a digital nomad visa to work remotely in Spain. Instead, you will register for residency directly after your 90-day stay in Spain.
How to Apply for the Spain Digital Nomad Visa
You can apply for the digital nomad visa in Spain by following steps like gathering necessary documentation, submitting your completed application, and more. We will explain more about these steps and common reasons why you may experience delays with your visa.
Step One: Gather Required Documents for the Spain Digital Nomad Visa
The first step of the application process should be to gather all the required documents for the digital nomad visa, including a filled-out copy of the National Visa Application Form. The necessary documents for the visa include:
- A filled-out copy of the Spain National Visa Application Form
- A valid passport
- Two identical passport photos (taken within the last six months)
- Work contract or other proof of employment
- Bank statements, payslips, or other proof of income
- Proof of the company you either work for or own being operational for at least one year
- Criminal record check certificates for the last two years
- Proof of health insurance coverage
- University degree, professional certificate, or other proof of qualifications
Your documents should be legalized and apostilled, and accompanied by an official Spanish translation. The translation must be made by an officially recognized translation service.
Step Two: Book and Attend an Appointment at the Spanish Embassy or Consulate
The second step in the process is to book and attend an appointment at your local Spanish embassy or consulate. All applications for the digital nomad visa must be made in person at the Spanish embassy or consulate. You can find the closest embassy or consulate to you here.
When you book your appointment, you will be asked to pay a visa fee. This fee will vary depending on currency fluctuations, and a list of consulate fees can be found here.
When you attend your appointment, be prepared to answer honestly any questions that the interviewer has for you. The embassy or consulate will ask you to leave your passport while they are assessing your application. They may also ask for further documentation if they feel it is needed.
Step Three: Collect Your Digital Nomad Visa
If your visa application is approved, you can collect your digital nomad visa from the Spanish embassy or consulate. It generally takes around 15 to 45 days for your visa application to be processed and approved or denied.
If your visa is denied, you will receive this refusal in writing. The applicant may submit an appeal for reconsideration to the consulate within one month after they were notified of the refusal.
Step Four: Go to Spain and Apply for Your NIE
Once your visa has been approved, your next step is to arrive in Spain and secure your NIE (Número de Identificación de Extranjero). Your NIE is a number that identifies you as a foreigner. You can apply for your NIE at the Foreigners’ Office or the Police Station.
When you are applying for your NIE, you will need to bring the following with you to your appointment:
- A completed NIE application form with one copy
- A valid passport with your visa and a copy of the passport’s biographical data page
- A completed Form 790, code 12 copy
- Proof of your residence in Spain
- A receipt for the payment of the administration fee
Once your NIE application is finished, it can take up to three months for your NIE number and residency card to be sent to you.
Common Spain Digital Nomad Visa Delays
Some common digital nomad visa delays are from incomplete documents, communication issues, and legal formalities. Your visa can be delayed if you haven’t sent the correct documents, so it’s important you double-check your consulate’s checklists for the visa application.
Missing pages from contracts, bank statements, and incorrect translations are just some of the incomplete and incorrect documents that can slow down the visa process. Outdated documents can also cause issues.
Some tips to help you prevent delays are:
- Send Complete and Correct Documents: Only send complete and correct documents to your local consulate or embassy, as incorrect documentation can slow down the visa process significantly. Also, make sure all documents have been appropriately translated.
- Book Your Appointment Early: Processing times at consulates can be slow, so make sure to book your appointment early to ensure you have plenty of time for your visa to be processed. Try not to book your appointment around holidays as well, as the process may slow down around holidays.
Grounds for immediate dismissal of your visa include if you work for a Spanish employer, or if you fail to prove financial stability or remote work status.
Spain Digital Nomad Visa Renewal and Long-Term Options
Expats can renew their digital nomad visa by submitting their application and all necessary documents to the immigration office in Spain. Expats should try to apply for renewal at least 60 days before their digital nomad visa expires.
If you renew your digital nomad visa in Spain enough times that you hit your maximum of five years in the country, you can be eligible for permanent residency in Spain.
Permanent residency in Spain offers benefits like access to public healthcare and social services, and the ability to move freely in the Schengen area. After five years of permanent residency in Spain, you can apply for citizenship in Spain.
Pros and Cons of the Spain Digital Nomad Visa
Some of the advantages of living in Spain on a digital nomad visa include a path to permanent residency, a more affordable cost of living, and access to the vibrant weather and culture of Spain. Some challenges of the digital nomad visa are the limited work options and bureaucracy.
While you are in Spain, your work must remain remote. If you try to work for a Spanish client while in the country, your visa will be at risk. The residency processes can be bureaucratic and frustrating as well.
If you are someone who values the Spanish lifestyle experience with no desire to expand your career into the Spanish job market, you will likely find the Spanish digital nomad visa worth it.
Spain Digital Nomad Visa and International Health Insurance
International health insurance is a vital step in getting your digital nomad visa in Spain. As part of the requirements for the Spanish digital nomad visa, you will be required to provide proof of adequate health insurance coverage.
International health insurance can help cover the cost of healthcare services in Spain and grant expats access to private hospitals and clinics. International health insurance for Spain can cover a variety of healthcare services, such as:
- Inpatient and day patient treatment
- Surgical costs
- Physician visits
- Mental health treatment
- Vaccinations
- Prescription drugs
- Medical evacuation and repatriation
- Repatriation of remains
- Dental and vision coverage
- Maternity coverage
International health insurance also offers the benefit of globally portable coverage, so you can visit nearby European countries and stay protected. To read about the top health insurance companies for Spain, click here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it difficult to apply for a digital nomad visa for Spain?
It isn’t difficult to apply for a Spanish digital nomad visa, but the process can be long and tedious if you aren’t organized and haven’t sent the right documents to your consulate. By staying organized and completing each step thoroughly, it shouldn’t be a difficult process.
How much money do expats need for a digital nomad visa in Spain?
The digital nomad visa requires individuals to be making at least €2,763 (around USD $3240.18) monthly. This minimum income limit rises if you bring a spouse and a dependent, and rises with the number of dependents you bring.
How long does the Spain digital nomad visa last?
The digital nomad visa in Spain is one year, with the option to renew it for another two years, and another once those two years are up. An expat can stay in Spain on this visa for up to five years.
Conclusion
The digital nomad visa allows remote workers to experience a new and fulfilling way of life in Spain. By following the steps outlined above, you can ensure your application process is streamlined and stress-free.
Are you ready to find health insurance coverage for your time in Spain? Let the insurance experts at Pacific Prime help you find the right fit for you. As a global health insurance broker who specializes in expat health insurance, Pacific Prime can offer a wealth of professional expertise.
Contact Pacific Prime to discuss, free of charge, a range of Spain health insurance services available for you, your loved ones, or your group. To get a no-obligation, free price comparison quote, visit our website today!
If you enjoyed this article, check out our other articles on similar topics like Retiring in Spain and Moving to Spain with Family.
Jantra curates and reports on the results of Pacific Prime’s monthly newsletters, as well as manages Pacific Prime’s Deputy Global CEO’s LinkedIn posts. Complemented by her background in business writing, Jantra’s passion for health, insurance, and employee benefits helps her create engaging content – no matter how complex the subject is.
Growing up as a third-culture kid has given her a multicultural perspective that helps her relate to expats and their families while 8 years of working remotely have given her unique insight into hybrid work arrangements and enthusiasm for employee benefits.
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