The Spanish Nomad Visa (Digital Nomad Visa a España) is a permit to enter and reside in the country for applicants who work remotely in digital telecommunications and IT technology. Applicants must be officially employed by a foreign company or provide services to foreign companies. The Digital Nomad Visa takes 10 days to process, is valid for 12 months, and allows you to obtain a Spanish residence permit for 3 years at once. This permit differs from most other types of visas in that it is faster processed and allows you to stay in Spain for more than one year.
Applicants for the Digital Nomad Visa must have an income of at least 2646 EUR per month, a university degree or work experience in the field of digital communications. The main advantage of the Nomad Visa is that it allows the applicant to move to Spain for a longer period of time with their spouse or partner, children and parents who are dependent on them. How a freelancer can get a Nomad Visa for Spain in 2025, what are the requirements and where to apply – read on.
Benefits of Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa
The program for nomads in Spain (Digital Nomad) is very popular among foreigners who work remotely and choose a country for permanent residence based on personal preferences. In addition to the warm climate and high standard of living in the kingdom, holders of the Digital Nomad Visa a España receive a whole lot of other benefits:
- Registration of residence permit for 3 years at once, with the possibility of renewing the status;
- Service in European banks on the rights of residents of Spain;
- Preferential taxation and doing business with the support of the state;
- The right to travel freely in Schengen countries (up to 90 days);
- The opportunity to provide services to Spanish companies, as long as the volume of work does not exceed 20% of the total number of orders;
- Opportunity to relocate with family members who can work and study in Spain.
Spain Digital Nomad Visa Laws and Regulations
The basic rules for the entry and stay in the Kingdom of Spain of foreigners who are of economic interest to the country are regulated by Laws 14/2013, of September 27, “On Support for Entrepreneurs and their Internationalization” and 28/2022, of December 21, “On Start-ups”. According to these official acts, digital nomads, as well as their family members, are granted a freelancer visa for 12 months, followed by a three-year nomad residence permit of Spain. Such immigration conditions contribute to the influx of foreign professionals who choose the country to live.
In addition to the Nomad Visa, the legislation of the Kingdom provides other available ways to move to the country. For example, investors, entrepreneurs, highly qualified employees have the right to obtain a Spanish residence permit for 3 years.
Eligibility Requirements for Spain Digital Nomad Visa
Citizens of non-EU countries who work remotely in a company registered abroad or who provide services to various foreign organizations as a freelancer can obtain a Nomad Visa in Spain. Digital nomads should carry out activities in the field of telecommunications and IT technologies. The main requirements for applicants are:
- Over 18 years of age;
- An official employment contract with a foreign company or a service contract specifying the remote form of cooperation;
- Proof of graduation from a reputable university or professional experience of at least 3 years;
- Proof of remote employment for at least one year for employees and 3 months for self-employed;
- Having sufficient income to live in the country;
- No criminal record in the country of permanent residence;
- Public or private medical insurance.
Among foreigners working remotely in the field of digital technology, this type of immigration to Spain is very popular.
Income requirements for the applicant
Nomad visa applicants in Spain must prove that they have the means to stay at 200% of the SMI (Salario Mínimo Interprofesional), the minimum interprofessional wage set by the government. The figure for 2024 is 15,876 EUR (100%) for 12 months. Since 200% of the one-year SMI equals 31,752 EUR, the digital nomad’s income should be from 2,646 EUR per month.
The main applicant who plans to move to Spain with his family should also have additional funds to support close relatives. Digital nomads are required to provide 75% SMI (approximately EUR 992 per month) for spouse and 25% SMI (EUR 331 per month) for each child under 18 years of age.
The full cost of processing the freelancer visa will be calculated .
Documents Required for Spain Digital Nomad Visa
When preparing the Nomad Visa a España application file, certificates and testimonies obtained by the applicant in the country of permanent residence must be translated into Spanish (with the help of a sworn or consular translator). In addition, applicants should confirm the authenticity of documents of foreign origin through legalization – affixing an apostille or stamp of a diplomatic mission. To apply for a digital nomad visa, you will need:
- An application form in the required form;
- A valid international passport and copies of its pages;
- A recent color photo;
- Proof of means to stay in the country (income statement, bank statement, employment contract);
- Proof of remote employment or business activity for at least 3 months (employment or cooperation agreement);
- Certificate of no criminal record (for the last 5 years);
- Proof of actual uninterrupted activity for at least one year in the organization where the freelancer works or provides professional services;
- Health insurance policy for one year;
- Documents proving higher education or work experience in the field of telecommunications and IT technologies (CV, professional diploma, work reference, business report);
- Receipt of consular fee for national visa D (80 EUR);
- Declaration of responsibility to fulfill social obligations;
- Proof of family ties in case of joint relocation with spouse and children (marriage, birth, adoption, guardianship certificates);
- Proof of residence in the consular district where the application is submitted.
Obtaining a Nomad Visa and residence permit with the help will allow you to significantly reduce the time required to prepare the application and avoid many risks due to incorrectly executed documents.
Spain Digital Nomad Visa Application Process
Foreigners who plan to obtain a freelancer visa in Spain need to go through certain steps:
- Dossier formation. The applicant collects a package of documents and completes them according to the legal requirements. The digital nomad may also apply for an NIE (Número de Identificación de Extranjeros) at a foreign embassy before applying for a visa or obtain it from the Immigration Service after entering the Kingdom.
- Application for a National Visa type D. An application for a Nomad Visa a España is submitted by a digital nomad to the Spanish Embassy in the place of permanent residence. The applicant should make an appointment by email and submit separate applications for each family member. The consular fee must be paid before the application is processed.
- Obtaining Digital Nomad Visa. The diplomatic mission has 10 working days to process the visa application. The immigrant then receives a passport with a stamped permission to enter and stay in the Kingdom. Type D visas are valid for one year from the date of issue. Upon arrival in Spain, the applicant must go to one of the offices of the Immigration Service or a police station to register his/her residence and obtain a TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjeros).
- Formalization of a temporary residence permit. Digital nomads from other countries have the right to apply for a Spanish residence permit through the Nomad Visa 60 days before the end of its validity. The applicant must go to one of the offices of the Large Business Unit and Strategic Groups UGE-CE (La Unidad de Grandes Empresas y Colectivos Estratégicos) and make the relevant application. The freelancer must have an NIE number and a TIE identity card at the time of application. The residence permit will be issued within 20 working days.
will do all the work to collect and process the dossier, help with opening an account, registering residence and obtaining a tax number.
Spain Digital Nomad Visa Tax Rules
Digital nomads who have been issued an NIE number pay a special simplified non-resident income tax IRNR (Impuesto sobre la Renta de No Residentes) within the territory of the Kingdom for the first 5 years. The fixed rate for freelancers is 24%. If Digital Nomad’s profit for the year is more than 600,000 EUR, he/she will remit 47% of the excess amount. The freelancer’s spouse and children under the age of 25 can also opt for the IRNR non-resident income tax exemption.
Moving to Spain with Family on a Digital Nomad Visa
A foreigner may issue a nomad’s visa to a spouse or partner, minor children, and parents if they are in his or her custody. The digital nomad must provide proof of sufficient funds for the stay of all family members, as well as accommodation. According to reviews, the Spanish nomad visa is in demand among foreigners because of the possibility of moving together to a warm country with a high standard of living, as well as the right of the nomad’s spouse and partner to work and do business in the Kingdom.
Apply for a Spanish residence permit and unlock new opportunities
- Experience life in a developed country
- Secure a residence permit for all family members
- Explore prospects for permanent residency and citizenship
- Travel visa-free throughout Europe
Leave an application and get a consultation with an immigration specialist
Obtaining permanent residence permit and Spanish citizenship
Digital nomads can extend their residence permit for 2 years one month before the end of the initial 3-year period of stay in Spain. The applicant must meet the general requirements of the legislation, maintain the required level of income, and pay taxes and social contributions on time. Digital Nomads have the right to obtain permanent residency after 5 years of total stay in the Kingdom as a temporary resident. Spanish citizenship is available to Digital Nomads after the same period.
Get Help with Spain Digital Nomad Visa Application
Nomad Visa a España has become popular due to the ease of applying for a 3 year residence permit for the whole family. Remote telecom and IT workers who want to move to Spain quickly can make the process much easier with the help of specialists. Lawyers will help prepare documents, advise on the application process, and accompany the nomad through all stages of obtaining the visa and residence permit, including registration of NIE and TIE, bank account, residence registration. Usually, the applicant’s presence is required only when submitting the documents and obtaining the ID card.
Foreigners who are not familiar with the details of the Spanish legislation or uncertain whether their type of activity meets the definition of a digital nomad, can consult with specialists to clarify these issues. Qualified lawyers will examine all the details of the applicant’s personal situation and help them apply for a Digital Nomad Visa or offer an alternative option for moving to Spain.
