Digital Nomad Visa Spain Requirements
To apply for Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa or international teleworker residence permit, applicants must meet a number of professional, employment, financial and documentary requirements. Therefore, it is advisable to review the case before filing the application.
Who Can Apply for Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa?
This immigration route is intended for nationals of third countries who want to live in Spain while working remotely for companies or clients located mainly outside Spain.
In addition, the professional activity must be capable of being performed remotely through computer, telematic or telecommunications systems. Therefore, the work must genuinely be compatible with a remote-working arrangement.
Furthermore, it is important to distinguish between employees and self-employed professionals because some requirements differ depending on the type of professional relationship.
Working From a Laptop Is Not Enough
The application must demonstrate that there is a genuine professional activity, that the relationship with the employer or clients satisfies the applicable requirements and that the work can genuinely be carried out remotely from Spain.
Therefore, each application should be assessed individually.Main Requirements for Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa
Although each application must be assessed individually, these are some of the main requirements that applicants generally need to demonstrate.
Company Active for at Least One Year
It must be demonstrated that the company or group of companies with which the applicant has an employment or professional relationship has carried out real and continuous business activity for at least one year.
Work Must Be Compatible With Remote Working
Documentary evidence must show that the professional or employment activity can be performed remotely through computer or telematic systems.
At Least Three Months of Prior Relationship
As a general rule, the employment or professional relationship with the foreign company or clients must have existed for at least three months before the application is filed.
Qualifications or Professional Experience
Applicants must demonstrate suitable higher education, vocational qualifications, certain recognised business-school studies or, alternatively, at least three years of professional experience.
Sufficient Financial Resources
The applicant must demonstrate sufficient financial resources to support themselves in Spain and, where applicable, the family members included in the application.
Personal and Documentary Requirements
In addition, matters such as criminal records, healthcare coverage, Social Security and immigration status must be reviewed.
Requirements for Employees and Self-Employed Professionals
Spanish law distinguishes between employment relationships and professional relationships. Therefore, it is important to determine the correct category before preparing the supporting documents.
Remote Employee
If you work as an employee for a foreign company, the employment relationship must be demonstrated together with evidence that the company authorises or permits you to work remotely from Spain.
Freelancer or Self-Employed Professional
If you work independently, you must demonstrate a genuine professional or commercial relationship with one or more companies or clients located outside Spain.
How Much Income Do You Need to Show?
The Large Companies and Strategic Groups Unit uses percentages linked to Spain’s Minimum Interprofessional Wage as a reference. Therefore, the exact monetary amount may change when the minimum wage changes and should be checked when preparing the application.
Criminal Records, Healthcare and Immigration Status
Criminal Record Requirements
Applicants must comply with the applicable criminal-record requirements in Spain and in the relevant countries of residence.
Healthcare Coverage
Valid healthcare coverage must be available, either through Social Security or, where applicable, through equivalent private health insurance.
Social Security
Social Security must be analysed according to the type of work, the country involved and any applicable international agreements.
Legal Status in Spain
When applying for the residence authorisation from within Spain, the applicant must be legally present in the country.
Can a Digital Nomad Work for Clients in Spain?
In an employment relationship, the applicant works for companies located outside Spain. However, in a professional relationship, Spanish law allows services to be provided to companies located in Spain provided that this activity does not exceed 20% of the applicant’s total professional activity.
After Checking the Requirements, Review the Documents
Meeting the requirements is not enough if your documents do not demonstrate them properly. Therefore, the next step is to prepare contracts, certificates, background checks, corporate documentation and other supporting evidence.
Official Spanish Sources
The requirements for international teleworkers are mainly established under Law 14/2013 and through the guidance published by Spain’s Large Companies and Strategic Groups Unit.
Digital Nomad Visa Spain Requirements FAQ
How long must the company have been operating?
The company or group of companies must generally demonstrate real and continuous business activity for at least one year.
How long must I have worked with the company?
As a general rule, an employment or professional relationship of at least three months before the application must be demonstrated.
Do I need a university degree?
Not necessarily. The rules allow applicants to demonstrate certain qualifications or, alternatively, at least three years of professional experience.
Can I work for a Spanish company?
In a professional relationship, services may be provided to Spanish companies within the legal limit of 20% of the applicant’s total professional activity. In an employment relationship, the work must be performed for companies located outside Spain.
Do I need private health insurance?
Valid healthcare coverage is required. Depending on the specific circumstances, this may arise through Social Security or require equivalent private health insurance.
Can I apply if I am already in Spain?
The residence authorisation for international teleworkers may be requested from within Spain when the applicant is legally present and meets the other applicable requirements.
Do You Meet the Requirements for Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa?
Every application can involve important differences. Therefore, we review your professional activity, employer or clients, income, Social Security and documentation before preparing the application.
Book an English-language consultation and briefly explain your professional situation.
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