What You Need to Know About the Spain Digital Nomad Visa

All Blogs

visas

When it was announced, Spain’s digital nomad visa was one of the most highly anticipated remote working visas announced for location-independent workers. Spain has long been a hot destination for expats, remote workers, and digital nomads and now there is a means for digital nomads to reside legally in the country.

Known as the International Teleworking Visa, the Spanish digital nomad visa allows remote workers to live and work in the country for up to 12 months. However, you can renew to up to five years, as long as you consistently meet the visa's stringent requirements.

Find out everything you need to know about the Spanish digital nomad visa, learn exactly what remote working requirements are enforced, and how to apply for the visa in our overview below.

READ MORE: 10 Cheapest Countries in Europe to Visit on a Workation

What is the Spain Digital Nomad Visa?

The Spain digital nomad visa, known as the International Teleworking Visa, allows international remote workers to live and work in the country for a 12-month period.

The visa is great news for remote workers looking for a longer taste of the Spanish sunshine. Currently, as part of the Schengen Zone, Spain offers travelers 90 days inside of 180 days that they can visit the country.

The digital nomad visa unlocks the ability to spend up to five years total, allowing for slow-paced nomads to make the most of their time in Spain. Alongside the increased stay length, the remote working visa offers both individuals and companies a range of tax benefits

Why is the Spain Digital Nomad Visa Better Than a Tourist Visa?

he majority of non-EU nationals can stay in Spain on a tourist visa for a total of 90 days within a 180-period. This is extended up to a maximum of 12 months with the digital nomad visa with the possibility of a five-year extension, providing that applicants remain eligible during the visa period.

Spain Digital Nomad Visa Requirements

As the remote working visa has not yet been launched, the full list of digital nomad visa requirements has yet to be finalized by the Spanish government. Remote workers should, however, expect the following information requirements when applying for the digital nomad visa:

Valid Passport: The applicant's passport must be valid for the entire visa duration and must have at least two blank pages.
A Clean Criminal Record: When applying, you will need to apply a copy of a criminal record certificate from your most recent country of residence.
Minimum Monthly Income: Applicants are expected to meet a minimum income requirement of £2140 per month or £25,700 per year qualify for the nomad visa.
Proof of Remote Work: Applicants are required to provide proof of remote work with income from outside of the Spanish borders. You will need to be able to show that you have been working for a foreign company for at least the three months prior to applying.
Copy of University Degree or Professional Certificate: This is required to show that you have at least three years of experience in your field.
Health Insurance: Applicants must provide proof of health insurance for the duration of the visa period.
‍

One unique requirement enforced in the criteria for the digital nomad visa is that only 80% of income must be earned from outside of Spain. Officials will allow freelancers to accept work from within the country, providing that less than 20% of total income comes from Spanish clients. The full list of Spain's digital nomad visa requirements will be updated upon the release of further information.

How to Apply

The Spanish digital nomad visa was expected in early summer 2022 but has been unexpectedly delayed until later in the year. The details of the digital nomad visa launch are still unclear. Once government guidelines have been announced, our step-by-guide detailing exactly how to apply will be uploaded.

Why Choose Spain for Your Next Remote Working Trip?

Spain has long been a hotspot for holiday makers, expats, and digital nomads looking to live life in the European sun.

Step 1: Fill out a visa application form and gather your documents.

You will need to complete the visa application form and gather additional documents like the criminal background check and proof of remote work. You will also need to include a passport photo and apply for a NIE (Foreign Identity Number).

Step 2: Get apostilles and sworn translations.

All certificates, bank statements, background checks, degrees, and proof of employment will need to be translated into Spanish by a sworn translator. Official government documents must also be submitted with an apostille, which is applied for in the originating country of each document.

Step 3: Submit your application to the nearest consulate.

Once all your documentation is ready, you will bring all your documents and your passport in person to the nearest consulate office. They may hold your passport and documents for while reviewing your application, and may request additonal documents or a personal interview. Decisions are meant to be reached in 10 days, but this could be longer if they need more information from you.
‍
If your application is denied, you can submit an appeal within one month of the day you are notified. This appeal should be mailed in and addressed to the visa department.

Step 4: Collect your visa.

‍
Visas must be picked up in person within one month of approval.

Remote Work Culture in Spain

Despite the late launch of the digital nomad visa, Spain has always been a popular destination for remote workers. Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia are among the top destinations on the mainland, but the Canary Islands is also one of the best places for digital nomads to enjoy the sun and sand.

The islands of Gran Canaria, Tenerife, and Fuerteventura offer unique landscapes and fantastic coworking options for digital nomads with the bulk of the options found in the island's cities. These offer a lower cost of living for digital nomads without sacrificing the quality of life that Spain has to offer.

Cost of Living and Quality of Life in Spain

In the 2021 Legatum Prosperity Index, an independent method of ranking countries utilizing 104 different indexes, Spain ranks 24th out of the 167 countries included.

The cost of living in Spain is approximately 34% lower than in the United States with the rental prices in Spain approximately 57% lower than in the States. The estimated cost of living (excluding rent) for a single person in Spain is approximately $650 per month with the estimated cost of a family of four approximately $2,250 per month.

The living conditions in the country are very good and score highly on the index with a value of 92.11/100. With the combination of the comparatively low cost of living and the very good quality of life, it’s easy to see why just so many choose this European country as their remote working base.

Healthcare in Spain

The healthcare available in Spain is rated as very good with ranking of 21st of 167 in the 2021 Legatum Prosperity Index. Healthcare in the country scored 80.48/100 on the index and most public healthcare is free to Spanish residents. Despite this, small payments are often required for some prescriptions, although this is often at a reduced rate.

Health insurance is typically paid by Spanish social security payments by residents. Digital nomads will be required to show proof of health insurance coverage when applying for the remote working visa for successful application.

Our Take

The arrival of the Spanish digital nomad visa is fantastic news for nomads, who have long-term plans for Spain, but the application process is rigorous and will require tenacity to gather all the necessary documents. The minimum income requirements are not outrageous, but self-employed digital nomads especially may find it more difficult to prove their work status.