Spain Digital Nomad Visa: Requirements and How to Apply

Working remotely from Spain for a foreign company may allow you to apply for Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa.

Its legal name is a visa or residence permit for international remote workers.

However, having a remote job on its own is not enough. Your professional activity, relationship with the company, qualifications, financial resources, healthcare cover and Social Security position must meet specific requirements.

What is Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa?

This immigration route is intended for non-EU nationals who wish to live in Spain while working remotely, using computer or telecommunications systems, for companies based outside Spain.

The rules distinguish between employees and self-employed professionals.

Employees may only work for companies based outside Spain.

Self-employed professionals may provide services to a company based in Spain, provided that this activity does not exceed 20% of their total professional activity.

Main Requirements for the Digital Nomad Visa

To apply, you must prove that your work can be carried out remotely and that the foreign company expressly authorises you to work from Spain.

You must also demonstrate an employment or commercial relationship with the company for at least three months before submitting the application.

The company or group of companies must also have carried out genuine and continuous business activity for at least one year.

Professional eligibility may be demonstrated through an acceptable qualification or at least three years of relevant professional experience.

The principal applicant must also prove monthly financial resources equal to 200% of the Spanish minimum wage currently in force.

Additional financial resources are required when family members are included in the application.

What Documents Are Usually Required?

The exact documents may vary depending on the applicant’s circumstances, but the application commonly includes:

• A full and valid passport.

• The relevant application form.

• Proof of payment of the administrative fee.

• An employment contract or professional service agreements.

• Evidence of the duration of the employment or professional relationship.

• Express authorisation from the company to work from Spain.

• Evidence of the company’s genuine business activity.

• Academic qualifications or evidence of professional experience.

• Proof of sufficient financial resources.

• Criminal record certificates, where applicable.

• Documentation relating to healthcare cover.

• Documentation concerning compliance with Social Security obligations.

  
  

Documents issued abroad may require a sworn translation, legalisation or apostille, depending on the country of issue and the type of document.

Where Do You Apply?

The application route depends on whether you are outside Spain or already legally present in Spain.

Applying from Outside Spain

A person living outside Spain may apply for the visa through the Spanish Consulate responsible for their place of residence.

The visa may be valid for up to one year, unless the period of work demonstrated is shorter.

Applying from Spain

A person who is legally present in Spain may apply directly for a residence permit for international remote work through the Large Companies and Strategic Groups Unit.

This residence permit may be granted for up to three years, unless a shorter period is requested.

It may later be renewed for two-year periods, provided that the relevant conditions continue to be met.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

An incorrectly prepared application may lead to additional requests for documents or difficulties during the process.

Common issues include:

• Failing to prove the required three-month prior relationship with the company.

• Providing an employer authorisation that is too vague.

• Calculating financial resources using an outdated minimum wage.

• Submitting foreign documents without the required translation, legalisation or apostille.

• Failing to review healthcare cover correctly.

• Not properly proving compliance with Social Security requirements.

• Choosing an application route that does not correspond to the applicant’s immigration status.

  
  

For this reason, it is advisable to review the full application before filing it.

Can I Apply If I Am Self-Employed?

Yes. The international remote work residence route also applies to self-employed professionals.

In this case, professional activity with a company based in Spain may be permitted, provided that this activity does not represent more than 20% of the applicant’s total professional activity.

The applicant must still prove the professional relationship, the activity carried out and compliance with the remaining applicable requirements.

Can I Include My Family?

When family members are included in the application, additional financial resources must be demonstrated in addition to those required for the principal applicant.

The exact documentation will depend on the family relationship and the circumstances of the application.

How Long Can the Digital Nomad Residence Permit Last?

When the application is submitted from Spain, the residence permit may be granted for up to three years, unless a shorter period is requested.

If the relevant requirements continue to be met, it may later be renewed for two-year periods.

When applying from abroad through a visa, the visa may be valid for up to one year, unless the proven work period is shorter.

Legal Assistance with Your Digital Nomad Application

Every application should be assessed individually.

Before filing, it is important to review the applicant’s relationship with the foreign company or client, the duration of that relationship, company documentation, financial resources, professional qualifications, healthcare cover, Social Security position and any documents issued abroad.

At Delgado Garrucho Abogados, we review your employment or professional circumstances, assess the viability of your application and check that each document properly demonstrates the relevant requirement.

We can also assist you throughout the Digital Nomad Visa or international remote worker residence permit process.

Do You Want to Know Whether You Meet the Requirements?

Contact Delgado Garrucho Abogados for an individual assessment of your case before submitting your application.

Important Information

This content is provided for general information only and does not replace individual legal advice.

Administrative criteria, financial thresholds and document requirements may vary depending on the circumstances and the date of application.