Spain Digital Nomad Visa Checklist

What the Spain Digital Nomad Visa is

Spain launched its Digital Nomad Visa (Visa para Nómadas Digitales) in January 2023 as part of the Startup Act. It allows non-EU nationals to live and work legally in Spain while employed by or providing services to companies outside Spain (or to Spanish companies, provided no more than 20% of your income comes from Spain).

The visa is valid for one year initially. Once in Spain, you can convert it to a two-year residence permit, which is then renewable for further two-year periods. After five years of legal residence you become eligible to apply for long-term EU residency.

Who is eligible

You must be:

• A non-EU/EEA national
• Employed by a company based outside Spain, or working as a freelancer with clients outside Spain (Spanish clients allowed up to 20% of income)
• Able to demonstrate you have been working in this capacity for at least three months before applying
• Earning at least 200% of Spain's minimum wage (approximately €2,650/month as of 2024 — check current figures as this updates annually)
• Based in your home country at the time of application

Documents checklist

Identity and personal documents

• Valid passport (must have at least one year remaining)
• Completed visa application form (from the Spanish consulate in your country)
• Recent passport-sized photographs (consulate will specify exact requirements)
• Criminal record certificate from your country (apostilled and translated into Spanish if not issued in Spanish)

Proof of work and income

• Employment contract or freelance contracts showing you work remotely
• Letter from your employer confirming remote work status and salary (if employed)
• If freelance: contracts with clients, invoices, and bank statements showing income
• Evidence of at least three months of remote work prior to application
• Bank statements covering at least the last three months showing income meets the threshold

Health insurance

• Private health insurance valid in Spain with no co-payments and no coverage gaps
• Must cover the full duration of your initial visa (minimum one year)
• International providers such as Cigna, AXA, Allianz, and Sanitas are commonly accepted

Additional documents sometimes requested

• University degree or professional certificate relevant to your work
• Proof of qualifications or professional experience (five years' experience may substitute for a degree)
• Proof of accommodation in Spain (not always required at application stage, but useful to have)

The application process step by step

Step 1 — Gather all documents Allow more time than you think. Criminal record certificates take time to obtain and apostille. Translation requirements vary by consulate.

Step 2 — Apply at your local Spanish consulate Applications are made in person at the Spanish consulate in your home country. Book an appointment well in advance — wait times vary from weeks to months depending on location. Check the specific requirements of your consulate, as they sometimes vary slightly.

Step 3 — Wait for a decision The legal processing time is 20 working days, though it can take longer. You will be notified when a decision is made.

Step 4 — Collect your visa and travel to Spain Once approved, you collect your visa sticker from the consulate. You then have up to a year to travel to Spain.

Step 5 — Register and convert your visa Within 30 days of arriving in Spain, apply at the Oficina de Extranjería (foreigners' office) to convert your entry visa into a Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero (TIE) residence card. This is your Spanish residency document.

You will also need to apply for your NIE (Número de Identificación de Extranjero) if you have not done so already — this is required for almost all official and financial transactions in Spain.

Tax considerations

Spain offers digital nomad visa holders access to the Régimen Especial de Trabajadores Desplazados, commonly known as the Beckham Law. This allows qualifying residents to be taxed as non-residents for up to six years, paying a flat rate of 24% on Spanish-source income rather than the progressive resident rate. This is particularly beneficial for higher earners and is worth taking specific tax advice on before you apply.

Practical note on language

Day-to-day life in Spain, including navigating the registration process, dealing with banks, and interacting with neighbours and local services, operates in Spanish. Coming with solid listening comprehension — being able to understand what is said to you in real, fast Spanish — makes the bureaucratic process and general integration significantly smoother. The Spoken app focuses specifically on this skill using native speaker recordings.