Spain has always been a favourite destination for tourists, and even more so for digital nomads. We absolutely love Spain. Not only will you find world-renowned cuisine and tons of amazing places to visit, but it also has a relatively low cost of living.
Spain, eager to grow its economy and take advantage of the global trend towards remote work, has a visa project for digital nomads and remote workers called la Ley de Startups. In other words, a digital nomad visa to Spain!
The Spanish Congress of Deputies finally approved the law in December 2022, and the Government will begin to receive applications from early 2023. At last, digital nomads will be able to live and work in Spain for an extended period of time.
We’re going to provide you with all the new information you’ll need to apply for the long-awaited digital nomad visa to Spain, which was designed specifically for nomadic travellers and remote workers eager to travel and live in Spain.
What is a digital nomad visa?
Following the pandemic-driven teleworking boom, countries have finally started to offer visas for digital nomads, and now there is a digital nomad visa to Spain.
Although our nomadic lifestyle has been around for a long time, it wasn’t until 2020 that visas for remote workers started to emerge. Estonia was the first country to grant a visa for nomads, and they also offer e-residency for remote digital entrepreneurs.
This type of visa is ideal for remote or self-employed workers who take the opportunity to spend long periods of time abroad, without the time constraints of tourist visas.
The “digital nomad visa” works differently in each country, and can even be called by different names. However, this type of visa is generally characterised by the fact that it is:
- A residence permit for more than 6 months (most of them for 1 year)
- only applicable for persons who have a foreign company or work remotely for companies outside the national territory.
- A visa with no right or permission to work locally.
How to apply for the digital nomad visa to Spain?
If you want to apply for the digital nomad visa to Spain, you have two options. Apply directly through a consulate or embassy in your home country, or you can enter Spain using a tourist visa and apply from inside Spain, but don’t wait more than 3 months.
The application process requires various documents, including:
- The application form
- Proof of payment of the administrative fee
- A copy of your passport
- Proof of your qualifications or work experience
- Proof of employment and income
- Evidence that the company has been in operation for over a year
- A letter of authorisation from your company to work in Spain
- Proof of a clear criminal record
- Proof of health insurance
It is expected that you will be able to apply for the digital nomad visa to Spain online shortly, although a streamlined online application process is yet to emerge.
If you want to be among the first to receive news regarding the digital nomad visa to Spain, and others like it from around the world, subscribe to our newsletter.
Visa delivery time
The delivery time for this visa for digital nomads to Spain is approximately 20 working days from the moment you start the process, whether you apply online or in person.
How does the digital nomad visa to Spain work?
Thanks to the Startups Act, digital nomad visas to Spain will be granted to remote workers and digital entrepreneurs. This residence permit was designed to attract international talent and investment, while boosting digital entrepreneurship in Spain.
This visa is only available to non-European Economic Area (EEA) nationals. People with a European passport can work remotely for up to 6 months without the need for official registration, thanks to being part of the EEA.
The digital nomad visa to Spain will also bring tax benefits for both companies and employees, as the Startup Act offers measures that are much more favourable than the country’s other permits.
Digital nomads will have to pay the non-resident income tax (IRNR), but not the income tax on non-resident persons (IRPF). Also, the usual foreigner identification number (NIE) will not be expressly required, just the Spanish tax identification number (NIF).
With this law, Spain also appeals to expatriate Spaniards who have not resided in the country for at least 5 years, who are digital nomads or entrepreneurs. In these cases, the same visa benefits will apply.
Duration of the digital nomad visa to Spain
The duration of the digital nomad visa to Spain will be one year, with the opportunity for successful remote workers to extend their visa to up to five years.
After this period, you should be eligible to apply for permanent residency in Spain. Please remember, however, it’s still essential to take out travel insurance!
Advantages of the digital nomad visa to Spain
Visa applicable without risk of refusal.
Possibility to live in Spain for up to 5 years.
Being able to register a company with tax benefits.
Return opportunities for UK citizens and businesses affected by Brexit.
The creation of more Co-working and Co-living spaces in Spain.
The possibility to obtain permanent residence in Spain.
Spain has the potential to become a hub for digital entrepreneurship.
Disadvantages of the digital nomad visa to Spain
Disadvantages of the digital nomad visa to SpainThe requirements may seem demanding.
Ownership of a digital business is not a sufficient requirement.
Startups older than 5 years cannot apply for this visa (or 7 years for startups in strategically important sectors).
No more than 20% of the total revenue can be generated locally.
Digital nomads would enter the tax system with payment of tax.
Requirements for the digital nomad visa to Spain
To obtain the digital nomad visa in Spain, you must meet the following requirements:
- Proof of a minimum duration of one year (continuously) with at least one company.
- Certificate that your work can be carried out remotely.
- Carry out activities for a company located outside Spain.
- No criminal record.
Supporting documents
According to the draft Startup Law, applicants for the digital nomad visa to Spain will also have to comply with some specific requirements:
- Proof of employment relationship with the foreign company for at least 3 months prior, and then for a period of at least 1 year;
- Document proving work experience for more than 3 years;
- Highly qualified vocational qualification such as a bachelor’s degree, postgraduate degree, business school-leaving certificate, etc;
- Authorisation for telecommuting or teleworking.
Remember, the digital nomad visa to Spain is for non-European Economic Area (EEA) nationals. European citizens can live and work remotely in Spain for up to 6 months without applying for a specific visa.
What activities are permitted and prohibited?
In terms of the work activities that can be carried out with this visa, the visa states that all those that can be carried out remotely, and through the use of computer systems, are permissible.
In addition, they emphasise that the main source of income must come from companies based abroad or a portfolio of clients also from outside Spain. In this sense, Spanish companies can work if the profits do not exceed 20% of the total turnover.
What nationalities are permitted and prohibited?
Regarding the nationalities allowed, the visa for digital nomads in Spain allows any non-EU worker to apply for this visa. However, it is essential that they have professional training, a university degree or more than three years’ experience in the relevant field of work.
It is also important that the digital nomad has not resided in Spain for the last 5 years prior, and does not have a criminal record.
Can you apply for a digital nomad visa if you are in Spain?
If you are in Spain on holiday, you should know that it is also a good opportunity to apply for the digital nomad visa, and 100% online!
The process is very simple and is done from the website of the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Can you take a partner or children with you on a nomad visa in Spain?
Many digital nomads want to know if they can take their partner or children with them when they embark on this adventure. Well, in the case of Spain, yes, you can!
Both the partner or spouse, and the children, can obtain the same visa as the applicant as long as they can prove that they have sufficient funds to cover the cost of living for each of them.
Is travel insurance mandatory for Spain?
For the digital nomad visa to Spain, you do need private health insurance.
For general travel to Spain, there is no requirement to have travel insurance when visiting the country. However, Spain’s official tourism website does highly recommend taking out insurance before arriving, especially for non-EEA citizens.
It’s worth mentioning here that this website also has a page dedicated to providing information for British passport holders travelling to Spain following Brexit.
What is the best travel insurance for Spain?
After having tested a wide variety of travel insurance options over the years, we’ve been able to identify which insurance providers offer the best deals specifically for digital nomads.
If you want to get a digital nomad visa to Spain, and live and work in the country, here’s a great limited time promotional offer for an insurance policy that will keep you covered:
Get a 5% discount on Heymondo until 07/12/2023. Get in quick!
Activate Discount Here
- Fill in your trip info
- Click on “Calculate Price”.
- All done! The discount will be applied automatically.
Some of the most useful benefits of Hey Mondo travel insurance for digital nomads include:
- 24/7 assistance platform.
- Repatriation and early return.
- Travel expenses for a family member if you are hospitalised for over a week.
Comparative table of travel insurance to Spain
To help you reach the right decision on travel insurance, I’ve created a comparative table of the best travel insurance policies to Spain in December 2023.
The benefits and coverage in this table have been chosen specifically to meet the needs of digital nomads.
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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | ⭐️⭐️⭐️ | ⭐️⭐️ | |
IATI Insurance | Long Stay Premium | Cap Adventure | Nomad | Explorer | |
Price for 3 months | 338€ | 210€ | 174€ | 126€ | 195€ |
Discount valid until 07/12/2023 | – 5% | – 5% | – 15% for families | ❌ | ❌ |
Activate Discount | Activate Discount | Activate Discount | Get a Free Quote | Get a Free Quote | |
Legal assistance | 3.000€ | 12.000€ | 13.000€ | ❌ | ❌ |
Covid-19 | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Medical expenses | 1.000.000€ | 500.000 € | 200.000€ | 222.600€ | £10,000,000 |
Hospitalization | Actual costs | 500.000€ | 200.000€ | 250.000€ | £10,000,000 |
Theft or loss of luggage | Optional | 2.000€ | 2.670€ | £2000 | 2.500€ |
Repatriation | Actual costs | Actual costs | 17.800€ | Actual costs | Actual costs |
Sports activities | ✅ | Optional | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
Phone theft | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
Camera or drone theft | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
Recommended for | All types of stays | All types of stays | All types of stays | Digital nomad | All types of stays |
Review | IATI travel insurance | HeyMondo insurance | Chapka insurance | SafetyWing insurance | Word Nomads Insurance |
Discount > | Promo Code IATI | Promo Code HeyMondo | Promo Code Chapka |
How to travel to Spain at the best price in 2023
If you’re headed to Europe on a digital nomad visa to Spain, you want to save money where you can, so you can make the most of your experience.
Choosing insurance that is tailored to your needs is vital, but remember that the following factors play a crucial role as well:
- Flights
- Accommodation
- The card you use
- How you book your activities
If you follow the following tips, you’ll have more money left over to enjoy your time in Spain and do the things that make you happy!
Fly to Spain at reduced prices!
You know, flights don’t cost the same from all countries! To pay for my cheapest flights, I use NordVPN.
Basically, it’s a private network that allows you to access Internet sites from locations other than your own, and this can have some serious benefits:
In December 2023, enjoy a 59% discount on NordVPN.
Click here to activate your discount
Flights from Barcelona to Buenos Aires don’t cost the same if you buy them from Spain as from India, for example. So, once you’ve installed NordVPN, simply access websites like Skyscanner and compare prices by entering as if you were browsing from different countries.
The 8 countries from which it is cheapest to buy flights are: Malaysia, Bulgaria, India, Turkey, Romania, Indonesia, Portugal, and Thailand. Once you have NordVPN, head over to Skyscanner and start paying reduced prices for flights all over the world!
Stay at a discount in Spain all year round
Access Booking.com now and get discounts of up to 15% in December 2023 by becoming a Genius user.
There are also ways to save money when booking your accommodation with Booking. The first of which is becoming a Genius user, something you get from making 2 bookings (Genius level 1), and 5 bookings (Genius level 2).
As a Genius user in Booking.com, you can enjoy:
- Discounts on room rates.
- Free breakfast.
- Upgrades to superior room categories.
- Free parking.
- Late check-out.
- Welcome gifts.
In addition, there are hotels in Booking.com that directly offer you a 10 to 15% discount on your rate for being a Genius user.
Access to get discounts of up to 15% by becoming a Genius user.
Finally, Booking.com has a Minimum Price Guarantee program, so if you find a cheaper price for your hotel on any other website, they’ll match it!
Reserve your entertainment and sightseeing in advance
GetYourGuide is an indispensable tool for organising any trip to any destination. It’s a platform that helps you book tourism and leisure activities for your trip.
With GetYourGuide, you can book your activities online to avoid queues, and take advantage of a discount for online bookings. This way, you save time and money, so you can enjoy more activities during your trip!
Get the best travel card for Spain
If you travel frequently, the Revolut Metal Card is another great way to save money. For starters, they offer you unlimited currency exchanges without paying any fees!
The Revolut Metal Card allows you to make unlimited domestic transfers free of charge, and withdraw up to £800 a month from international ATMs.
If you spent £650 abroad in a month using a standard card, and withdrew £350 at ATMs, you would have paid around £44 in fees.
With the Revolut Metal card, you would have paid £0 in fees.
Keep up to date with future digital nomads visas in 2023!
If you want to be among the first to know about news regarding digital nomad visas around the world, subscribe to our newsletter to receive the latest updates:
Which countries offer visas for digital nomads?
Although many countries have yet to grant this visa, the number of places where we can explore, work and live as digital nomads is growing.
The digital nomad visa to Spain is a relatively new arrival, but to date, over 40 countries are granting temporary residence permits for travellers who are working from all over the world.
Each visa has different application conditions, varying lengths of time, and requirements may be more flexible or demanding, depending on the country.
Here’s a list of the countries that offer visas for nomads, depending on the region you want to visit:
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Planet-Nomad.com | |||||
41 / 195 | Trend in | Duration | Tax | Mandatory insurance | Proof |
COUNTRIES | December 2023 | in month | to pay | See recommanded | of income |
Anguila | 12 | $2000 | Yes | Yes | |
Antigua Barbuda | 24 | $1500 | Yes | Yes | |
Aruba | 3 | $75 | Yes | No | |
Barbados | 12 | $2000 | Yes | Yes | |
Bermuda | 12 | $260 | Yes | Yes | |
Brazil | 🆕 | 🆕 | Yes | Yes | |
Cape Verde | 6 | $60 | Yes | Yes | |
Colombia | 🆕 | 🆕 | Yes | Yes | |
Costa Rica | 24 | $550 | Yes | Yes | |
Croatia | 12 | $155 | Yes | Yes | |
Curaçao | 6 | $300 | Yes | No | |
Cyprus | 12 | $65 | Yes | Yes | |
Dominica | 18 | $900 | Yes | Yes | |
Ecuador | 24 | $450 | Yes | Yes | |
United Arab Emirates | 12 | $610 | Yes | Yes | |
Estonia | 12 | $100 | Yes | Yes | |
Georgia | 12 | $35 | Yes | Yes | |
Germany | 36 | $100 | Yes | Yes | |
Grenada | 12 | $1500 | Yes | Yes | |
Greece | 12 | $90 | Yes | Yes | |
Hungria | 🆕 | 🆕 | Yes | Yes | |
Iceland | 6 | $60 | Yes | Yes | |
Indonesia | 🆕 | 🆕 | Yes | Yes | |
Italy | 🆕 | 🆕 | Yes | Yes | |
Latvia | 🆕 | 🆕 | Yes | Yes | |
Cayman Islands | 24 | $1470 | Yes | Yes | |
Seychelles Islands | 12 | $50 | Yes | Yes | |
Malta | 6 | $315 | Yes | Yes | |
Malaysia | 🆕 | 🆕 | Yes | Yes | |
Mauritius | 12 | $0 | Yes | Yes | |
Mexico | 12 | $45 | Yes | Yes | |
Montserrat | 12 | $500 | Yes | Yes | |
Norway | 48 | $630 | Yes | Yes | |
Panama | 9 | $300 | Yes | Yes | |
Portugal | 12 | $165 | Yes | Yes | |
Czech Republic | 12 | $165 | Yes | Yes | |
Romania | 12 | $125 | Yes | Yes | |
Saint Lucia | 12 | $70 | Yes | Yes | |
Spain | 🆕 | 🆕 | – | – | |
Sri Lanka | 12 | $500 | Yes | Yes | |
Thailand | 🆕 | 🆕 | Yes | Yes |
4 thoughts on “Digital Nomad Visa to Spain: requirements to apply in 2023”
The link to the application form is broken
The link to the application form is broken
Do you know what exch rate we use to calculate the Salary requirement in Sterling for the Digital visa? I can see its €30k in Euros
Hey Tina,
The exchange rate changes daily, so when you apply I would suggest you do it in a period where the rate is steady. If that is not possible, reach out to the Nomad’s Office at the country of choice to see if they would consider pounds at a steady rate there.
Good luck