Visa Guides

Spain Digital Nomad Visa Guide: Requirements, Process, and Timeline

Understand Requirements, Process, and Timeline.

The Digital Nomad Visa is an official residence permit in Spain created under the Startup Act (Ley 28/2022).

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Who is the Spain Digital Nomad Visa for?

It is intended for remote employees and freelancers who work for foreign companies (outside Spain) and want to legally live and work in Spanish territory.

Main Requirements for Obtaining a Digital Nomad Visa in 2026

To apply for a digital Nomad visa, you must meet a number of strict criteria:

  • Remote work: You must work for a foreign company using digital technology. The company must exist on the market for at least 1 year.
  • Local income limit: If you are a freelancer (working under contracts with clients), income from Spanish clients should not exceed 20% of your total profit.
  • Financial independence: The law does not set an exact figure — it asks for “sufficient financial means”. In practice, the UGE-CE works from the annual Spanish minimum wage (SMI): 200% of that amount, spread over 12 months. The SMI is paid in 14 instalments, so doubling the monthly SMI gives a lower figure than the one required. The SMI is revised every year, so check the current amount when you apply. If your income varies from month to month, you can also show savings.
  • Family: On top of that 200%, add 75% of the SMI for your first family member, and another 25% for each additional one.
  • Qualifications: You must have a university degree OR documented professional experience of at least 3 years in your field.

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Necessary Documents for Your Application

The documents must be fresh (usually no older than 3 months). Foreign documents require apostille and sworn translation into Spanish after affixing the apostille.

  • International passport: Valid for at least 12 months from the date of entry, issued no more than 10 years ago, at least 2 blank pages. Certified copies of all pages are required.
  • Certificate of non-criminal record: From all the countries where you have lived for more than 6 months in the last 5 years.
  • Medical certificate: Confirms the absence of dangerous diseases (according to the standards of RSI 2005).
  • Working documents: Employment contract (with a clause on removal) + a letter from the employer. For freelancers: B2B contracts.
  • Financial guarantees: Bank statements for the last 3-6 months + payslips or invoices.
  • Qualification: Diploma (apostilled and translated) OR a resume (CV) with employment contracts for 3 years.
  • Medical insurance: A private policy from a company authorized in Spain. It must be valid for at least 1 year, cover all risks without additional charges (sin copagos) and waiting periods.
  • Application form and photo: 2 photos of the Schengen format (35x45 mm, white background) + a hand-signed visa application form + a receipt for payment of the current fee.

Step-by-Step Timeline: How to Get a Digital Nomad Visa

You have two ways to apply: through the consulate in your country or online from Spain.

  1. Choose your application path:
    • Through the Spanish Consulate in your country of residence. In this case, you will receive a visa for a period of 12 months (pasted into your passport).
    • Through the UGE-CE portal, while in Spain legally (for example, on a tourist visa). To do this, issue a digital certificate in advance. This way allows you to immediately obtain a residence permit.
  2. Payment of the fee and submission: Collect the full package of documents and submit it personally (at the consulate) or upload it to the UGE-CE portal. Make sure to save the receipt or tracking number.
  3. Awaiting a decision: The usual time for reviewing an application is from 15 to 45 business days. If you are asked for additional documents, you will be given 10 working days to respond.
  4. Approval or Refusal: Upon approval, withdraw the visa/resolution. In case of refusal, you have one month to file an appeal.

What to Do Immediately After Moving to Spain

Getting a visa is just the beginning. In the first weeks after arrival (or after approval of the status from within the country) you will need to complete the following administrative steps:

  • To apply for a residence permit (Empadronamiento): Contact the local mayor's office (ayuntamiento) with a passport, visa/resolution and a rental agreement.
  • Get a Resident's Card (TIE): This is your main internal document. Book a visit (Cita Previa) for fingerprinting within 30 days of arrival. The card will be ready in 4-8 weeks.
  • Registration with the IRS and the Beckham Act: Submit Form 030 for Registration of a Tax Address (AEAT). If you want to take advantage of the 24% Income tax relief (Beckham Law), you are required to file Form 149 strictly within 6 months of registering for Social Security.
  • Apply for sole proprietorship status (Autónomo): If you are a freelancer, you need to register in the RETA system and submit Form 036/037 to the tax office.
  • Basic life: Open a Spanish bank account, buy a local SIM card, and download the Cl@ve application for working with government services.

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