How to Qualify for Spain's Digital Nomad Visa: Requirements Explained
Spain recognises the growing sector of remote workers and digital nomads and offers visas for these work arrangements. The country's fantastic scenery, weather, beaches, culture, and high living standards make digital nomad life an attractive prospect.
But before we get ahead of ourselves, let’s define terms and see if you qualify for this type of visa. If you do, know the steps and requirements to proceed with your application as you say hola! to your Spanish work-setting dream.
Who Are Considered Digital Nomads in Spain?
Digital nomads in Spain are foreigners working remotely for a company or an employer outside the country’s national territory. This includes the mainland, the Canary Islands, the Balearic Islands, a few smaller islands, and the cities of Ceuta and Melilla in North Africa.
If your employer or company is located in these areas, you are not considered a digital nomad and are not eligible to apply for this visa.
The most common digital nomad jobs include virtual assistants, programmers, graphic designers, freelance writers, transcriptionists, video editors, online instructors, web or app developers, and consultants. The ever-evolving technology landscape means this list is constantly expanding, making the digital job market a robust element of the global economy.
Digital nomads have the freedom to travel while working virtually across the world if they want to and if their host country allows them to. If you’re a digital nomad who intends to make Spain your next work-travel destination, your Schengen visa will allow you to do so for 90 days.
However, if you intend to stay long-term, the digital nomad visa route is the perfect solution if you are qualified and have submitted the required documents.
Digital Nomad Visa Qualifications
According to the Spanish government's Minister of External Affairs and EU Cooperation, the requirements to qualify for a digital nomad visa in Spain are as follows:
- Your work exclusively uses computer telematics and telecommunication media and systems.
- You have an undergraduate or postgraduate degree from a reputable university, college, or business school or at least three years of work experience in your current field.
Self-employed workers and those who wish to work for a company in Spain can do so. However, they must ensure that this particular work does not exceed 20% of their total professional activity.
A digital nomad visa may also be obtained for an applicant’s spouse or unmarried partner, dependent children, and relatives of the same family unit.
How to Apply for a Digital Nomad Visa
Step 1: Secure an NIE
The applicant must first apply for an NIE (Número de Identificación de Extranjero) or Foreigner Identity Number. An NIE is a personal, unique, and exclusive number assigned to foreigners engaged in economic, professional, or social activities related to Spain. It is for purposes of identification in the country.
Note that having an NIE does not entitle the bearer to residence in Spain or require proof of residence in Spain. However, it is a basic requirement for obtaining a digital nomad visa.
Applicants should request an NIE directly in Spain or a Spanish consular office, personally or through a duly authorised representative. Personal appearance is mandatory. Book an appointment in advance to help facilitate the process.
The requirements for the NIE application include:
- Electronically completed and printed application form that specifies the reason for applying for an NIE
- A document that proves the need for an NIE
- Original valid passport and a copy of the passport’s biodata page
- If applying via a representative: Original and copy of the representative’s ID or passport, and apostille power of attorney
- If the applicant is a minor or incapacitated: Proof of relationship to the parent or guardian, such as birth certificate, family record book, or guardianship document, plus the parent or guardian's valid passport or ID
- Proof of residence in the Consular area
- Form 790, Code 12
- A fee of £8.45 to be paid at the Consular office
Step 2: Prepare the Document Requirements for the Visa Application
After obtaining your NIE, you must collect the other required documents for the worker and family members interested in residing in Spain via a digital nomad visa:
- The national visa application form must be filled out and signed by the applicant or authorised representative.
- Recent passport-size photo with a light background, front-facing, and without eyewear or anything that conceals the face.
- Original valid passport and copy of the biometric data pages. It must be valid for at least one year and have at least two blank pages. Passports issued over ten years ago will not be accepted.
- Original and copy of the Association of Chief Police Officers Criminal Records Office (ACRO) certificate and a declaration confirming the absence of criminal records for the last five years.
- Proof of legal residence in the Consular district.
- If applying via a representative: Proof of the representative’s identity and capacity, such as a valid passport, ID, and an apostille power of attorney.
- Payment of visa fee in local currency.
- Original and copy of the applicant’s health insurance certification accredited with an insurance entity duly licensed to operate in Spain. The insurance policy must cover all health risks covered by Spain's public health system, including the S1 form and proof of registration with the Spanish National Social Security.
In addition to the above, the following documents must be provided by international workers:
- Certificate of employment or work for at least three months before visa application duly issued by the company.
- A certificate issued by the Government Companies House contains public records of the company that serve as official proof of its legal status in the UK.
- If the applicant is registered with the British National Social Security: Responsible declaration by the applicant (if self-employed) or the company (if employed) of their commitment to comply with the British social security system policies before engaging in any work-related activity. The A1 form issued by His Majesty's Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is also required.
Note that a different set of requirements applies if the company or the self-employed applicant decides to register with the Spanish National Social Security:
- Documentary proof of financial capacity based on Spain’s minimum wage. This can be in the form of work contracts, payslips, bank statements, proof of other sources of income in their country of origin, etc.
- Copy of University degree, professional certificate, or UK government-issued employment history proving at least three years of working in their field.
If the applicant wishes to bring their family to Spain via the digital nomad visa route, specific requirements must also be submitted, such as proof of their relationship, proof of their financial dependence and civil status, and proof of being under their care.
Step 3: Proceed to the Spanish Consular Office in Your Consular District
Submit your requirements personally or via an authorised representative to a Consular Office.
In London, you may submit it to BLS. Spain Visa Application Centre, 20 St Andrew Street, London EC4A 3AG
Proof of Receipt
The Consular Office will provide the applicant with proof of receipt of the application and a code to check the application status online. Depending on the assessment of your documents, the consulate may request additional documents or a personal interview.
Notification and Collection
A decision may be reached within ten days, but this timeline could be extended if there are requests for more documents or an interview. The Consular Office will send a notification when the visa has been approved and other procedural instructions regarding the return of passports and other submitted documents.
The applicant or representative should collect the visa within one month from the day of notification issuance.
Appeal
If the application is refused, the Consular Office will send a written notification. An appeal may be filed within one month after the refusal notice. It should be addressed to the Visa Department and posted by Royal Mail or another courier.
Effect and Validity
Once issued and received, digital nomads can enjoy the privilege of legal residency in Spain. The visa is valid for a maximum of one year.
Once in Spain, the worker may voluntarily apply for a Residence Permit Card in the nearest Oficina de Extranjeria or Comisaria de Policia in Spain.
Ready to Move? We Got You!
So, you’re set to make that big move to sunny Spain? The last challenge you’ll face is packing and storing your belongings or shipping it to your new residence. The good news is that you don’t have to do any of it on your own; you can use our reliable service to help you.
Gentlevan Removals & Storage assists individuals and families in relocating without the baggage—literally—of moving goods safely to a storage facility or to their new home.
Contact us today for a free online quote. We’d love to help you make your move to Spain (or any location) hassle-free. Say hello to your new environment as a digital nomad, seamlessly blending your work and travel life.