RemotePad Logo
  • Guides

What is an Employer of Record

How to hire globally with an EOR

What is a Global PEO

An alternative to EOR

What is a PEO

Hire locally with a PEO

Our Methodology

Why you can trust our guides

Hire Globally

Find international talents

Outsource Recruitment

How to outsource recruitment

Work Visas

How to get a work visa

Digital Nomad Visas

Get a digital nomad visa

  • Best Providers

Best Employer of Record (EOR)

Hire globally with the best EOR companies

Best Contractor Management

Hire and pay contractors and freelancers

Best Global PEO

Discover the best international co-employers

Best PEO Companies

Save on payroll and HR costs

Best Background Check Companies

Screen employees before hire

Best Global Payroll Providers

Outsource international payroll

Best Relocation Services

Relocate employees internationally

Best International Recruitment Agency

Find global talent

International Company Registration

Get help to incorporate overseas

All Reviews

Compare all providers

  • Best EOR

1. Horizons

Best Global EOR

2. Remote

Best EOR for Compliance

3. Deel

Best EOR Platform

4. Papaya Global

Best EOR for Payments

All EOR Reviews

Compare all providers

Where do you need a service provider?

All Countries

Explore our detailed guides for professional advice on international growth, recruitment, compensations strategies, and a curated list of top service providers.

Country Guides
Request proposal - it's free
Spain digital nomad visa
  • By Travis Kliever
  • Updated October 23, 2023
Travis Kliever
Travis Kliever
Linkedin
Travis is a global business development advisor. He has spent the last 14 years supporting business establishment and development in North America, Southeast Asia, and throughout the world. With multiple degrees from the University of Oregon, Travis currently splits his time between the US, and Bali, Indonesia. At RemotePad, Travis writes about remote work, hiring internationally and PEO/EOR business models.
RemotePad editorial guidelines

Spain Digital Nomad Visa: Procedure and Requirements

In this article

 show

Spending too much on recruitment, payroll or global HR?

We help you find the Best Providers at the lowest cost.

Get Started

Key Takeaways

  • Many countries now offer visas for remote workers, including Spain
  • A digital nomad visa is not the same as a traditional work or business visa
  • A Spain digital nomad visa is initially valid for 12 months but can be renewed for up to five years
  • You can apply for the Spanish visa either before you enter the country or soon after arriving
  • You’ll need to provide several supporting documents with your application.

With growing numbers of professionals now choosing to work remotely, the digital nomad movement – working remotely whilst travelling – is also growing. As a consequence, numerous countries around the world are now offering new visas aimed at these workers. More than 40 countries worldwide now issue digital nomad visas, allowing you to stay in the country for a longer period whilst working remotely for an employer or clients based outside of the country.

Spain is one country that has recently launched its own digital nomad visa (variously translated as the Spain remote work or teleworking visa) and it’s an attractive prospect for many digital nomads. If the idea of working in Spain appeals to you, keep reading to learn more about the Spain digital nomad visa and how you can apply for one.

What is the Spain digital nomad visa?

The Spain digital nomad visa was approved by the Spanish parliament in November 2022. This visa allows remote workers to stay in the country for an initial period of 12 months whilst they work, but it can be renewed for up to five years.

Both in Spain and in other countries that offer it, a visa for digital nomads is different to a work or business visa: Business visas allow you to enter a country for a short period of time to conduct business activities.  A business visa does not permit you to start a new job with an employer in the country; a Spain work visa allows the holder to remain in the country for a longer period, often years, and take up employment in the country, but for a Spanish employer. 

The difference with the Spanish digital nomad visa is that it does not permit you to find employment with a Spanish company, and is specifically designed for employees working for a company based abroad. This requirement is similar in other countries with digital nomad visas including Croatia, Estonia and Costa Rica. 

It’s important to be aware that it’s not always necessary to apply for a visa to stay in Spain for an extended period. As a member of the European Union (EU), nationals of other EU member states can relocate to Spain without the need for a visa or residence permit.

What are the key requirements for the digital nomad visa?

To be eligible for a digital nomad visa in Spain, the applicant will need to demonstrate: 

  • That they are employed by a non-Spanish employer, and that no more than 20 percent of that company’s clients/customers are based in Spain. This requirement reflects the desire of the Spanish government to ensure that digital nomad visas do not impact negatively on local employment opportunities
  • That they earn a relatively high income — 200 percent of a designated minimum amount (the amount is subject to change, see more information on the amount below)
  • That they have sufficient qualifications and/or experience for their role — the digital nomad visa is not intended for entry-level or low-skill roles
  • That they can meet relevant health insurance, social security and background check requirements (more on this below). 

How do I apply for the Spain digital nomad visa? 

Applying for the digital nomad visa is generally straightforward. You can make your application before arriving in Spain or in the 30 days after you’ve entered the country with a tourist visa. It’s possible to apply for this visa online without the need to visit an embassy or consulate but you are able to apply at an embassy if you’d prefer to. Applying once you’ve arrived in Spain will give you a permit lasting for three years, which you can later extend for a further two years.

To apply for the visa:

  1. Complete the visa application form and pay the application fee
  2. Provide a copy of your passport
  3. Provide the relevant documentation (see below).

Once you’re in Spain you’ll also need to visit a local police station to have your fingerprints taken and obtain a physical residency card.

Which documents are required for the Spain digital nomad visa?

When you’re applying for the Spain digital nomad visa there are a number of different documents that you’re required to submit. It’s essential to be aware of what is required because an application with missing documents may be delayed or declined. If your application is rejected it might affect your ability to reapply for a Spanish visa in the future.

On March 30 2023 the Spanish Government confirmed the official documentation requirements for the visa as follows:

  1. Passport — a photocopy is required of all pages
  2. Proof of payment
  3. The signed digital nomad application form
  4. Proof that you have been employed for at least three months with your current employer
  5. Proof that your employer has existed for at least one year
  6. A letter from your current employer authorizing you to work remotely from Spain
  7. Documents that prove the “terms and conditions under which the professional activity is going to be carried out remotely”. For example, this might be a contract that specifies remote work
  8. Proof of sufficient income. For an individual applying, this means proving that you earn at least 200 percent of the Spanish Minimum Income (SMI): In 2023 this means each individual applicant must earn €2520 per month at a minimum. For each subsequent person attached to the visa (such as partner and children), the amount is 75% (for the second individual) and 25% for each subsequent person.
  9. Criminal background checks for all places taht the applicant has lived in the past five years. As well as translated, this document must be apostilled
  10. Certificate of Coverage proving eligibility and coverage in Spanish social security. Alternatively, applicants can provide proof of enrollment in ‘Seguro SocialC’.
  11. Documentation of degree certificates/qualifications or proving professional experience of at least three years in a specific field
  12. Documentation for partner or family joining in the application. For example, this  includes marriage certificate for spouses and birth certificates for children. All certificates must be apostilled.

Note that every document that is not in Spanish must be translated by an official Spanish translator. from the Government’s list.

Work remotely in Spain

If you’re a remote worker who is interested in working in Spain and experiencing Spanish culture, the new digital nomad visa might be the right choice for you. This is especially true if you’d like to stay in Spain for a longer period instead of just briefly visiting the country as part of your ongoing travels. Thorough research into the Spanish digital nomad visa and how to apply for it is important —this ensures that you can make an application smoothly, and ensures that this type of visa is the right fit for you.

If you would like support in applying for visas in Spain, including work and digital nomad visas, it is worth considering the services of a global mobility company — professional firms that support individuals with immigration, visa and relocation issues internationally. 

FAQs

A digital nomad visa for Spain costs around €75 or approximately $79. It’s essential to pay the correct application fee and provide proof of this when you submit your application. As well as needing to pay this fee, you’ll also need to provide evidence that you meet certain income requirements.

More than 50 countries around the world now offer specific digital nomad visas (read more in our global guide to digital nomad visas). With the trend continuing to grow, it’s likely that we’ll see more countries offering this type of visa in the future. Some of the countries that already offer this option include Estonia, Costa Rica, Croatia and Colombia.  

As it is a relatively new process, it may take up to 90 days or longer for applicants to get their visa, though some have reported receiving them within 2-4 weeks. 

Search

Search