Spain Digital Nomad Visa

The Digital Nomad Visa is a permit for foreigners to enter and reside in Spain while working remotely using digital telecommunications and information technologies. Applicants, such as freelancers, sole proprietors, or employees, must work for a foreign company or provide services to foreign firms.

The application must be submitted in person to the Spanish consulate in the applicant’s country of residence. However, booking an appointment at the consulate is available online.

The consulate processes applications within 15—45 days. Afterwards, the digital nomad collects their visa, which is affixed in the passport, along with an appointment date for the immigration office.

The visa is issued to freelancers, sole proprietors, and company employees. Their income must be at least €2,763 per month, or €33,150 per year.

The income requirement increases if relatives are included in the application: +€1,035 for a spouse and +€345 for each additional family member.

Part of the income may be demonstrated with savings, but the amount must cover the shortfall for the entire three‑year residence permit. For example, if the applicant earns €2,000 per month, the missing €763 is multiplied by 36 months. They must then show at least €27,468 in a bank account.

No, the visa can only be obtained at the Spanish consulate in the applicant’s country of citizenship or residence.

However, a digital nomad may skip the visa stage: they can enter Spain on a Schengen visa and apply directly for a residence permit.

Spain is one of the best countries for digital nomads to live and work in. This is confirmed annually by various expat rankings.

The country offers a high quality of life, affordable prices, reliable internet infrastructure for work, pleasant weather, and many opportunities for leisure and socialising.

If a digital nomad spends more than 183 days per year in Spain, they become a tax resident and must pay taxes on global income. The tax base includes salaries, freelance income, investments, and other sources, regardless of origin. The rates range from 19 to 47%.

Applicants must work with legal entities registered at least one year earlier.

Income is confirmed with bank statements for the past three months, contracts, and employment agreements. Freelancers also provide completed work reports.

A digital nomad may work in Spain, but income from local companies must not exceed 20% of total income.

The main expenses include:

1. Rental or purchase of property. Rent costs about €700 per month for a one‑bedroom apartment, according to Numbeo.
2. Government fees: consular fee €80, NIE fee €9.84, residence card fee €73.26.
3. Translation and notary services — €1,000+.
4. In some cases, health insurance — €50+ per month.

Additional costs may include travel to Spain and unexpected expenses.

This can happen if documents are collected at the end of one year but submitted at the beginning of the next. The income threshold is tied to Spain’s minimum interprofessional wage, SMI, which is reviewed and slightly increased each year.

A digital nomad’s income must be at least 200% of the SMI. If the applicant’s income falls short, the application may be refused. To avoid this, foreigners are advised to show higher income than required.

The process usually takes about four months, from consultation with an immigration agent to receiving the residence card. The timeframe may be shorter or longer depending on how quickly the applicant gathers documents and how fast the authorities process them.

The consulate or immigration office may request additional documents. In such cases, applicants are usually given 30 days to provide the missing certificates or paperwork.

The residence permit is issued for 3 years and may then be renewed for 2 more years. Applicants must submit the request to the Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration of Spain. The application is reviewed within 30 days. The new residence card must be collected in person.

Permanent residence is available to foreigners who have lived in Spain for at least five years. During this time, absences of up to six months per year are allowed, but not exceeding ten months in total.

Spanish citizenship is available to foreigners who have lived in the country for over 10 years. Applicants must collect the required documents and pass exams on the Spanish language, laws, and culture.

Spain does not generally allow dual citizenship: applicants must renounce their other passports. Exceptions apply to citizens of France, Portugal, the Philippines, Andorra, Equatorial Guinea, and most Latin American countries, excluding Suriname, Bolivia, and Guyana.