The new Digital Nomad Visa in Spain has been finally released and is now available. Foreigners wishing to have remote work from Spain can now start their applications. Below is a complete guide that will illustrate to you all the information before applying for the Digital Nomad Visa. Therefore, if you are about to start finding a remote job in a country that offers ideal living conditions, keep reading!
1. What is Digital Nomad Visa
The Spain Digital Nomad Visa (DNV) is a residence visa for digital nomads who want to reside and work remotely from Spain. It means that you can relocate to Spain for at least a year. However, it only works with companies outside the country. In January 2023, Spain launched their Digital Nomad Visa as part of the new Startup Act. It belongs to a group of measures designed to encourage entrepreneurship and foreign investment. As a result, foreigners can search for remote work from Spain on their laptops. At the same time, having a chance to experience what it is like to reside there.
2. Do digital nomads get tax breaks in Spain?
Anyone who stays in Spain longer than 183 days is considered a tax resident, even if they are working for a foreign company. However, tax benefits are available for digital nomads working and living in the country under the visa scheme. As ex-pat digital nomads in Spain, they will pay taxes through the improved Non-resident Income Tax Regime. That allows them to save tax. Remote workers can pay a reduced tax rate of 15 percent during the first four years of their stay, provided they earn below €600,000 a year. Additionally, to be eligible for the non-resident tax, they should apply with the Tax Agency within the first six months after obtaining their Spain digital nomad visa.
Compared to the regular resident income tax rates (IRPF) in Spain, they will be paying much less on their income through the non–resident income tax (IRNR).
3. Who can apply
The new Spain digital nomad visa is offered for digital nomads with non-European Economic Area (EEA) nationality, such as the UK. Those people must not be living illegally in Spain at the time of their application. In addition, they cannot have lived in the country within the five years prior to applying. In other words, legal applicants are one of these cases:
- 1. An employee at a company outside Spain
- 2. A digital entrepreneur or freelancer who works with clients spread across the world
- 3. A freelancer or an employee at a foreign company in Spain.
3.1. What the legal applicants need to prove?
They need to prove they have worked with their clients or company for more than three months before applying. And the company they apply for remote work must have been running for at least one year. Those people need to be able to demonstrate that they have a contract of employment. Moreover, it should have proof that their freelancer job can be done remotely. These remote jobs have been regularly offered by a company outside of Spain. Applicants must also prove that they are qualified or experienced in their field. At least three years’ work experience in the field of qualifications. For instance, a university degree or professional certificate. Applicants are allowed to get a maximum of 20 percent of their income from Spanish organizations.
Citizens of the European Union and EEA do not need a DNV to work remotely in Spain. On the other hand, a remote worker or freelancer from a European country can work in Spain for six months using only their passport. However, they must obtain a resident Foreign Identity Number (NIE) to extend their stay in Spain. The NIE is a unique number for Spain remote job holder or a freelancer who wishes to reside there for more than six months.
4. What are the requirements for Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa
I. Proof of Income
Anyone wanting to gain benefits from the digital nomad must show that they can support themselves and their family when they move to Spain. Their proof of income or employment contract must be for at least three months prior to filing. However, if those people are doing self-employed, they must show proof of current contracts for at least the last three months with an income of no less than 2,200 euros monthly. Applicants can also demonstrate their income through the following (1) a bank statement showing their financial status and savings; (2) their tax return statement or pay stubs.
The important thing is to prove that they can care for themselves and their dependents (if applicable) while in Spain.
II. Health Insurance
Health insurance is also a required document. If applicants apply in their home country, they will receive a digital nomad visa valid for a year. Therefore, they will need to show your Spanish private health insurance is valid within their first year there. On the other hand, if applicants are applying for a nomad visa in Spain, they will receive a digital nomad residence visa, valid for three years. That means their health insurance should be valid till then or renewed yearly.
Another condition for the health insurance requirement that digital nomad visa applicants should remind is the insurance policies. They must belong to the insurance company that has permission to run a business in Spain. Additionally, their health insurance should be comprehensive and cover every medical expense that may arise during their stay.
III. Background Check
Applicants must have no criminal record in Spain or in the country where they have resided for the five years prior to the application. They need to prepare proof of a two-year clear criminal record along with a sworn statement. Or depending on the consulate in their country, their document may need to be at most three months old and should be apostilled. A police clearance certificate from their state of residence should suffice.
IV. Application Form and Fee
A successful digital nomad visa application requires that applicant fill out and sign the visa application form and pay a fee. The application fee varies within and outside Spain. However, applicants are to pay it after filling out the application form and are about to submit it. When filling out the application form, pay attention to the information provided is accurate. Once that step is done, ensure to translate the document into Spanish.
5. How to apply for Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa
Applicants can apply for Spain’s digital nomad visa directly through a consulate or embassy in their home country. Alternatively, they can enter Spain on a tourist visa and apply within the first three months.
Required documents are listed in detail below with two different cases:
| Applying Alone | Applying With Family |
| Original copy of your passport and copies of your family member’s passport | Original and copy of the passport of your family member |
| Authorization from employers that specifically allows you to work remotely in Spain regardless of whether one is employed or self-employed | Proof of the familial relationship. For instance, a marriage certificate or equivalent and birth certificate(s) |
| Copy of employment contract, which must be for at least three months’ income prior to filling OR. If self-employed, proof of previous agreements, which is for at least three months of wage, no less than 2,200 euros per month | Evidence that you have means to support your whole family in Spain at the time of writing is 970 euros per month for the significant other and 330 euros per month per additional dependent. |
| If self-employed, you must show ongoing or future contracts for at least several months and preferably a year from the filling | Proof of health insurance |
| Proof that you have at least three years of work experience or have graduated from a renowned university, college, or technical school | Proof of criminal record and medical certificates |
| Proof that you have at least three years of work experience or have graduated from a renowned university, college or technical school | |
| Proof that work can be executed remotely | |
| Proof of health insurance | |
| Proof that the company you work for, if an employee, has been incorporated from a renowned university, college, or technical school |
Spain is a rich history and vibrant culture country. Moreover, its stunning coastline and amazing cuisine attract lots of people to visit annually. For those who wish to get a remote job and work remotely from Spain, a digital nomad visa is a good opportunity.
Applicants can visit the General Access Point of Spanish Administration for the most updated information. Otherwise, they can find the Embassy or the Consulate of Spain in their country on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Spain website.
You can also get more information from our article How to Become a digital nomad: meaning, jobs, and Salary.
