How to Get a Digital Nomad Visa in Spain: requirements
Spain has become one of the most attractive destinations for digital nomads and remote workers from different parts of the world. With an excellent climate, rich culture, relatively cheap living, and now a specific legal framework for remote workers, Spain provides an ideal setting for professionals interested in working remotely with the possibility of enjoying the Mediterranean lifestyle. The Digital Nomad Visa, under Law 14/2013 and significantly updated by Law 28/2022, offers a clear legal avenue for international remote workers to live and work in Spain while continuing to be employed by foreign companies or clients. This detailed guide will take you through every requirement, document, and step to be taken for successfully obtaining your Spanish Digital Nomad Visa.
Understanding the Digital Nomad Visa Framework
The official name of the Spanish Digital Nomad Visa is the visa and residence authorization for international teleworking. It's designed for foreign nationals who work remotely for companies or clients located outside of Spain. This visa takes into consideration modern realities related to remote work, giving digital professionals, freelancers, and remote employees legal status to establish their base in Spain, all while continuing their international professional activities.
Legislation has differentiated between the visa itself, which can allow entry and stay for up to one year, and residence authorization, which extends the stay up to three years. Such flexibility makes Spain attractive not only for digital nomads who want to test the waters but also for long-term remote workers looking to establish more permanent bases in Europe.
One of the most important aspects of applying for the Digital Nomad Visa is proving to have sufficient economic resources for one's subsistence and that of the family members accompanying them while in Spain. In this respect, the Spanish government has set certain financial limits that an applicant must fulfill.
For the individual visa holders applying alone, you will have to show that you possess economic resources that correspond to 200% of the minimum interprofessional wage, Salario Mínimo Interprofesional or SMI for Spain. For 2025, Spain's minimum wage is €16,576 gross per year, which means €1,381 every month. This implies, therefore, that you must demonstrate, as a sole applicant, annual economic resources of €33,152.
The requirements are somewhat modified when one is applying as a family unit in order to accommodate the family structure. In this regard, for a family unit consisting of two people-that is, the primary applicant and a dependent family member-each person must show proof of at least 75% of SMI, which is a total of €12,432 per person annually, making a cumulative total of €24,864 for both people. The reason the percentage is lower for the family application is that the law recognizes economies of scale under family reunification regulations.
For every additional family member beyond the first two, 25% of SMI is added, which means an extra person costs €4,144. The scaling method pays attention to the fact that although large families tend to require more, economies of scale reduce some of that per-person cost as the household grows in size.
The Spanish authorities accept various forms of proof for these financial requirements. You can use employment contracts, firm job offers, commercial or service contracts for professional activities, bank statements, investment portfolios, or any other legitimate documentation that proves ownership, legality, and availability of the required funds. What matters is that authorities analyze applications on an individual basis, so you should provide extensive documentation, demonstrating your economic stability and how you can support yourself without resorting to Spanish social welfare. Digital_nomad_spain.webp81.46 KB
2. Criminal Background Requirements
Like most countries, Spain wishes to ensure that visa applicants present no security or public safety risk. You will be required to provide documentation pertaining to a criminal history, or lack thereof.
You must provide a certificate issued by the competent government agency of those countries where you have resided in the previous two years, relatively recent, and official. Also, it is necessary to provide a sworn statement (declaración responsable) that no criminal record exists for a period of five years.
This five-year lookback is longer than the two-year certificate requirement because official certificates of criminal records may only be available for countries of recent residence, yet you remain obligated to disclose any criminal history for the full five-year period.
❗️There is one important exception to these criminal background requirements: if you already hold a residence authorization or legal stay permit in Spain that is longer than six months, then you are NOT required to provide these criminal background documents again. This exception exists because you would have already undergone this verification for your existing Spanish authorization.
So, in the case of criminal background certificates issued by foreign countries, bear in mind that such documents need authentication through apostille procedures under the Hague Convention, provided that your country is a signatory thereof, or through consular legalization if not. All those documents not in Spanish must be officially translated by a sworn translator.
3. Health Insurance
Applicants for the Digital Nomad Visa must have comprehensive health insurance coverage. The Spanish government wants to be sure that foreign residents will have access to healthcare and will not burden the public health system, and you are protected in case of medical emergencies.
You have to acquire public or private health insurance from an entity authorized to operate in Spain. This is an important detail: in other words, the insurer must be duly licensed in Spain. Standard travel insurance policies do not count toward this, since they are normally issued for stays and not for residence.
Private health insurance must be provided by a company officially registered with Spain's DGSFP (Dirección General de Seguros y Fondos de Pensiones), a department belonging to the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Tourism. You are expected to check that your selected insurer is properly registered through the list published on their official website. The insurance should cover you for the whole validity period of your residence authorisation.
If you need help obtaining an insurance please note that we work with one of the best insurance companies in Spain Catalana Occidente. Feel free to contact us for more information.
4. Social Security Obligations
Digital Nomad Visa holders will have to comply with the Social Security of Spain, and proper knowledge in this respect is crucial for a successful application and legal residence in Spain.
This principle largely implies that, whether you work for an employer with a head office in Spain, or remotely for a foreign company, you have obligations regarding payment to the Spanish Social Security system except in those cases where you have coverage under one of the international social security coordination agreements. For digital nomads, there are no particular exemptions or simplified procedures; the general obligations apply regarding business registration, worker enrollment, and social security contributions.
Your visa application must be accompanied by a responsible declaration that commits you to fulfilling all the obligations regarding Social Security before the beginning of the work or professional activity. In cases where a foreign company employs you, it should come from the company itself. However, if you are self-employed or a freelancer, you will have to provide this declaration yourself.
The content of this declaration is the following: it has to include the commitment of compliance with all the Spanish Social Security regulations that are applicable to your case, from before it actually starts.
If your home country has a bilateral or multilateral social security agreement with Spain, and you'll remain enrolled in your home country's social security system during your time in Spain within the scope and duration established by the applicable agreement, then you have to document this situation differently. You will write in your responsible declaration that you are facing this circumstance and should join it to the certificate of applicable legislation issued by the corresponding social security institution from your country of origin. This serves as proof that you are covered legally under your country's system and, depending on the terms of the agreement, possibly exempted from parallel Spanish contributions.
If the employed worker is cuenta ajena and there were no international social security agreements where you are a resident, there is another requirement. The foreign company that employs you needs to be registered with Spanish Social Security. If you are going to apply while in Spain, you will have to provide proof that it is already registered. If applying for the visa from outside Spain, you need to prove that at least the registration process with the Spanish Social Security has been initiated by the employer.
This sometimes proves difficult for foreign companies who are not used to Spanish administrative procedures; this is the area in which professional assistance may be indispensable in guiding the employers through the registration process. Please feel free to contact us if you need help with Digital Nomad Visa application.
5. Professional Qualification Requirements: Proving Your Expertise
Not every remote worker can acquire Spain's Digital Nomad Visa. The law specifically mentions qualified professionals, and you need to prove that you fit into those qualification standards.
The main means of fulfilling this requirement is to show that you are a graduate or postgraduate of a prestigious university, vocational training institution, or business school. You do this by submitting a copy of your degree or diploma.
However, the law considers that formal education is not the only indication of professional qualification. You can alternatively prove that you have at least three years of professional experience in functions analogous to the position you are going to execute as an international teleworker. Such experience needs to be equivalent to the formal qualification requirement and relevant to the remote work or professional relationship for which authorization will be sought.
When applying for documentation of your professional experience, be prepared to submit detailed documentation such as employment letters, letters of reference, detailed descriptions of your roles and responsibilities, samples from a portfolio, or any other documentation that clearly shows the nature, duration, and level of your professional activities.
According to the Administrative Procedure Law of Spain, application documents might be asked to be supported by original documentation in order to prove their authenticity. So, make sure your documentation is original and sufficiently legalized.
If your future professional activity in Spain refers to one of the regulated professions, including medicine, law, architecture, engineering, or any other profession that requires specific licensure, you need to prove that your degree has been officially recognized or homologated according to Spanish regulations with respect to that specific regulated profession. Regulated professions have additional requirements with regard to public safety and professional standards.
For applicants who have vocational training credentials, if there is any doubt about the equivalence of your training with Spain's educational system, authorities may require validation of your credentials by the competent Spanish educational authority.
❗️One important exclusion: this Digital Nomad Visa is not available if your circumstances fall within the scope of intra-company transfer residence authorizations, which are governed by different articles of the law. Intra-company transfers have their own specific regulations and procedures.
Required Documentation: Your Complete Application Package
Completing a full application package correctly determines one's success. Any missing documents or incorrectly prepared materials serve to delay the processing or lead to denial. Here is the comprehensive list of required documentation:
A complete passport copy
Application fee paid, at the current rate of €73.26
The official application form
Documentation proving that you have an existing employment or professional relationship of at least three months' duration with the foreign company or companies for which you work. This might include employment contracts, service agreements, invoices, or other documentation showing a preexisting working relationship prior to your application for a visa.
Proof that the foreign company or group of companies you work with has been conducting real and continuous business activity for at least one year. This helps you be sure you are working with established, legitimate businesses, not just shell companies. It may require business registration certificates, tax filings, company financial statements, or any other official documents that prove the continuity of business operations. 80% of your clients must be from outside Spain.
If you are an employee working under a traditional employment relationship, a letter from your foreign employer stating that you are allowed to work remotely from Spain. The said letter should be on company letterhead, signed by an authorized representative, and state overtly that the company approves your transfer to Spain while continuing your employment.
Working as a freelancer or contractor without being an employee will require you to have a document that distinctly establishes the terms and conditions under which you will practice your profession remotely. Examples of such documents include service contracts, engagement letters, or any other agreements that describe your professional engagements.
Proof of adequate economic means (200% of SMI if a sole applicant, 75% of SMI if applying as a family)
The criminal background certificate from countries of recent residence and a sworn declaration as to criminal history for the past five years.
Public or private health insurance coverage.
Responsible declaration about your commitment to fulfill the obligations with Spanish Social Security, and, where applicable, as an employee under a non-covered situation, proof of your employer's registration with Spanish Social Security.
Copies of your educational credentials or documentation of at least three years of relevant professional experience as outlined in the section on professional qualification.
❗️Language requirements, all acts should be in Spanish due to the content of the Law on Administrative Procedure of Spain. Documents in any other language than Spanish must be officially translated by a sworn translator recognized in Spain. Do not underestimate that requirement; unofficial translations will not be taken into consideration.
Digital Nomad Visa Validity and Residence Authorization
Understanding the timeline and validity periods for your Digital Nomad Visa is important in planning your stay in Spain. The initial Digital Nomad Visa itself is enough to allow one to stay and work remotely in Spain during its validity period.
The maximum validity is one year, though if your work arrangement is for a shorter period, the visa will match that shorter duration. Once you are in Spain on your Digital Nomad Visa, or if you're in Spain legally for any other reason, you can then apply for a residence authorization for international teleworking.
This residence authorization can be granted for as long as three years and thus gives you far longer-term stability than the initial visa. A two-tier structure is in place that provides a measure of flexibility. You can start with the one-year visa, test whether living in Spain works for your lifestyle and professional needs, and then transition to the longer three-year residence authorization if you decide to stay longer term.
Conclusion
Spain's Digital Nomad Visa represents an excellent opportunity for qualified remote professionals to live and work in one of Europe's most attractive countries while maintaining their international careers. While the application process involves substantial documentation and specific requirements, the rewards of legally residing in Spain with full authorization to continue your remote work are significant.
By carefully preparing your application, ensuring you meet all financial, professional, insurance, and documentation requirements, you can successfully navigate the process and begin your Spanish adventure as a legal digital nomad resident. However, we understand that the complexity of Spanish immigration procedures, language barriers, document translation requirements, and navigating bureaucratic processes can feel overwhelming, especially when you're unfamiliar with the Spanish administrative system.
This is where we at Delonix Relocation Agency can make all the difference. We would be happy to assist you with obtaining your Digital Nomad Visa in Spain and help with any other immigration processes you may need. Our experienced team specializes in Spanish immigration law and procedures, and we can guide you through every step of the application process. From reviewing your documentation to ensure completeness and accuracy, arranging official translations, preparing your application package, scheduling appointments with immigration authorities, and accompanying you to appointments to provide translation and support, we handle the complex details so you can focus on planning your new life in Spain.
Whether you need help with your initial Digital Nomad Visa application, transitioning to a long-term residence authorization, obtaining your NIE (foreigner identification number), registering for empadronamiento, navigating Social Security registration, arranging appropriate health insurance, or any other aspect of relocating to Spain, Delonix Relocation Agency is here to support you throughout your entire relocation journey. Contact us today to learn how we can help make your move to Spain smooth, stress-free, and successful.
