Digital Nomad Visa in Spain
Spain provides a specific immigration route for certain non-EU professionals who want to live in the country while working remotely for companies or clients mainly located abroad. This guide explains how Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa works, the main requirements, the documentation that may be needed and how to prepare an application.
Everything You Need to Prepare Your Spain Digital Nomad Visa
Explore the main guides covering eligibility, documentation, financial requirements and other important parts of the application.
What Is Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa?
Spain’s international remote work regime allows certain third-country nationals to live in Spain while carrying out employment or professional activity remotely, mainly for companies located outside Spanish territory.
The activity must be capable of being performed remotely through computer, telematic or telecommunications systems without requiring the applicant’s habitual physical presence at the foreign company.
However, the conditions are not identical for employees and independent professionals. Therefore, one of the first steps is to identify the applicant’s professional relationship correctly.
Digital Nomad Visa or Residence Permit
An important distinction is whether the application is submitted from outside Spain through the visa process or from within Spain through a residence permit application when the applicable requirements are met.
Remote Work Visa
The consular route allows qualifying applicants to apply for a visa before moving to Spain to carry out international remote work.
Residence Permit for Remote Workers
When an applicant is legally present in Spain, it may be possible in qualifying circumstances to apply for an international remote worker residence permit.
Who Can Apply for Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa?
Being able to work from a computer is not enough on its own. Applicants must also meet professional, financial, documentary and personal requirements.
Third-Country National
This immigration route is primarily intended for nationals who do not benefit from EU free movement rights.
Genuine Remote Activity
The employment or professional activity must genuinely be capable of being performed remotely through digital means.
Active Foreign Company
The existence and genuine activity of the foreign company or companies connected to the application must be demonstrated.
Previous Professional Relationship
A sufficient prior employment or professional relationship with the company or clients supporting the application must exist.
Qualifications or Experience
Applicants must also demonstrate the professional qualifications or experience required for this residence route.
Financial and Personal Requirements
Income, criminal records, health coverage, Social Security and other personal circumstances must also be reviewed.
Employee or Self-Employed Professional?
Spanish law distinguishes between employment relationships and professional or commercial relationships. Therefore, the documentation and some requirements may vary depending on the applicant’s situation.
Employees
Employees must demonstrate an employment relationship with a company located outside Spain and show that their work can be performed remotely.
The foreign company’s documentation and the applicant’s Social Security position must also be reviewed carefully.
Digital Nomad Visa for Employees →Freelancers and Self-Employed Professionals
Independent professionals must demonstrate a genuine commercial or professional relationship with companies or clients mainly located outside Spain.
Professional activity with Spanish companies may also be possible within the limits established by the applicable regulations.
Digital Nomad Visa for Self-Employed Professionals →How to Prepare a Spain Digital Nomad Visa Application
Review Eligibility
First, the applicant’s employment or professional situation is assessed to determine whether it fits the international remote work regime.
Prepare Documents
The professional, corporate, financial and personal documentation required for the application is then collected.
Submit the Application
The appropriate application route is then used according to the applicant’s particular circumstances.
Follow-Up
Finally, notifications, requests for additional documentation and the administrative decision are monitored.
Documents for Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa
Meeting the requirements is not sufficient if they cannot be properly demonstrated through supporting documentation.
Depending on the application, relevant documents may include contracts, company certificates, corporate records, evidence of remote work, qualifications, professional experience, financial resources, criminal records and documentation relating to Social Security or healthcare coverage.
Certain foreign documents may also require additional formalities before they can be used in Spain. For this reason, they should be reviewed before the application is submitted.
Can Your Family Move to Spain With You?
Spain’s international mobility framework allows the circumstances of certain qualifying family members connected to the main applicant to be considered.
When a family intends to relocate together, it is advisable to coordinate the applications. Including family members may also affect both the documentation and the financial resources that must be demonstrated.
Review the requirements applicable to accompanying family members before preparing the applications.
View Family GuideSpain Digital Nomad Visa Guides
Each guide covers a specific part of the application, allowing you to go directly to the information relevant to your situation.
Requirements
Review the main professional, corporate, financial and personal requirements.
View Requirements → DocumentationDocuments
Review the documents used to demonstrate compliance with the requirements.
View Documents → FinancialIncome Requirements
Review the financial resources applicable to the main applicant and family members.
View Income Requirements → EmploymentEmployees
Learn how this immigration route works when you are employed by a foreign company.
Employee Guide → ProfessionalSelf-Employed Professionals
Review the specific requirements applicable to freelancers and independent professionals.
Self-Employed Guide → ComplianceSocial Security
Understand why Social Security can be an important part of the application.
View Guide → FamilyFamily Members
Review the position of qualifying family members accompanying the main applicant.
Family Guide → ResidenceRenewal
Learn what should be reviewed as the renewal of your residence permit approaches.
Renewal Guide → Legal AssistanceApplication Denied
Review the possible next steps following an unfavorable immigration decision.
View Options →
Digital Nomad Visa Lawyer in Spain
Lino García advises international professionals who want to move to Spain while continuing their employment or professional activity remotely.
Legal assistance includes an initial assessment, document review, application preparation and follow-up. Communication is directly with the lawyer.
Book a ConsultationOfficial Sources
Spain’s international remote work regime is regulated within Law 14/2013 on support for entrepreneurs and their internationalization. The Large Companies and Strategic Groups Unit also publishes specific information for international remote workers.
Questions About Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa
What is Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa?
It is the commonly used name for Spain’s international remote work immigration regime, which allows qualifying third-country nationals to live in Spain while carrying out eligible remote work.
Can an employee apply?
Yes, when the employment relationship, the remote nature of the work and the other applicable requirements can be properly demonstrated.
Can a freelancer or self-employed professional apply?
Yes. Independent professionals may also qualify when they demonstrate an eligible professional relationship and meet the other applicable requirements.
Can I apply while legally in Spain?
In qualifying circumstances, an international remote worker residence permit may be applied for while legally present in Spain, provided the applicable requirements are met.
Can I include my family?
Certain qualifying family members may be included when the corresponding conditions are met and the required documentation is provided.
Do I need to prove sufficient income?
Yes. The application must demonstrate sufficient financial resources according to the applicable requirements at the time of filing.
Is Social Security important?
Yes. Social Security should be assessed according to the applicant’s professional relationship, country of origin and any applicable international agreements.
Do I need a lawyer to submit the application?
A lawyer is not mandatory in every case. However, legal assistance can help assess eligibility, review documentation and respond to requests for additional information.
Thinking About Living in Spain as a Digital Nomad?
Before applying, it is advisable to review your professional activity, company or clients, income, Social Security position and supporting documentation.
Book a consultation and briefly explain your professional situation.
Book a ConsultationThe information provided on this page is general in nature and does not replace an individual legal assessment of each case.