Spain's Digital Nomad Visa — officially the Visado de Nómada Digital — opened a legal pathway for remote workers to live in one of Europe's most vibrant countries. Introduced in 2023 under the Startup Act (Ley de Startups), it is designed for non-EU nationals who work remotely for companies or clients based outside Spain.
This guide covers everything you need to know for 2025: who qualifies, income thresholds, the full document list, the step-by-step process, and the most common pitfalls that delay applications.
Who Qualifies?
To be eligible you must meet all of the following conditions:
- You are a non-EU / EEA national
- You work entirely remotely — either as an employee of a foreign company, or as a self-employed freelancer / entrepreneur
- If employed: at least 80% of your income must come from non-Spanish clients or employers. If your employer is a Spanish company, they must have operated internationally for at least one year
- You have documented remote work activity for at least the past 3 months
- You hold a relevant university degree or vocational qualification, OR have at least 3 years of professional experience in your field
- You have no criminal record in Spain or any country of residence over the past 5 years
Income Requirements in 2025
Spain requires proof of sufficient income tied to the Spanish Minimum Interprofessional Wage (SMI). The 2025 thresholds are:
- Applicant alone: minimum 200% of SMI — approximately €2,646/month
- With one dependent: add 75% SMI (~€993/month)
- Each additional dependent: add 25% SMI (~€331/month)
Evidence of income is typically provided through the past 3–6 months of payslips, bank statements, or client invoices. Cryptocurrency income is generally not accepted without conversion to a traditional currency account.
Required Documents
Personal Documents
- Valid passport (at least 1 year of validity beyond your planned stay)
- Completed visa application form (EX-01)
- Recent biometric passport photograph (white background)
- Criminal record certificate from your home country — apostilled and officially translated into Spanish
- Criminal record from any country where you have resided for the past 5 years
- Private health insurance covering Spain with a minimum of €30,000 coverage
Proof of Remote Work
- Employees: employment contract, letter from your employer confirming remote work is permitted, company registration documents, proof the company has been operating for at least 1 year
- Freelancers / self-employed: signed client contracts, invoices for the past 3–6 months, proof of business registration or professional activity in your home country
Professional Qualifications
- University degree or vocational qualification — apostilled and officially translated, OR
- Evidence of 3+ years professional experience: recommendation letters, LinkedIn profile, employment history documents
Step-by-Step Application Process
Step 1 — Gather and Apostille Documents (6–8 weeks)
Start well ahead of your intended move date. Any document issued outside Spain must be apostilled under the Hague Convention (or legalized if your country has not ratified it) and officially translated by a sworn translator recognized in Spain. Do not use a standard notarization — it will be rejected.
Step 2 — Submit at the Spanish Consulate
Applications are submitted at the Spanish Consulate or Embassy in your country of legal residence. Processing typically takes 10–20 working days, though some consulates can take longer depending on volume. Booking a consulate appointment can itself take several weeks in high-demand cities.
Step 3 — Enter Spain Within 90 Days
Once you receive your visa, you have 90 days to enter Spain. Keep your visa documents and income evidence handy — border officers may ask questions.
Step 4 — Register and Obtain Your TIE Card
After arrival you must register at your local Oficina de Extranjería within 30 days to obtain the physical residence card (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero — TIE). This card is your proof of legal residence for everyday purposes: opening a bank account, signing a lease, enrolling children in school.
Step 5 — Consider the Beckham Law (Optional)
Many digital nomads in Spain apply for the Beckham Law (Régimen Especial para Impatriados), which allows qualifying individuals to pay a flat 24% tax rate on Spanish-source income for up to 6 years, rather than the standard progressive rate of up to 47%. Applications must be submitted within 6 months of your initial registration.
Duration and Renewal
The initial visa is valid for 1 year. Before expiry, you can convert it into a 2-year residence permit, renewable for a further 2 years. After 5 years of continuous legal residence, you may apply for long-term EU residence status. After 10 years (or 2 years for citizens of Ibero-American countries), you may be eligible for Spanish citizenship.
Common Mistakes That Delay Applications
- Missing apostille on criminal records or academic certificates — a standard notarization is not enough
- Sworn translation from an unrecognized translator — Spain requires translators listed in the official MAEC directory
- Bank statements older than 3 months — financial evidence must be recent
- Employer letter that doesn't explicitly confirm remote work — a standard employment letter is not sufficient; it must specifically state remote work is permitted from abroad
- Underestimating timelines — the full process from document gathering to TIE card can take 3–5 months, longer in peak seasons
Is This Visa Right for You?
The Digital Nomad Visa suits professionals who earn above the income threshold primarily from non-Spanish clients, and who want legal certainty during their stay in Spain rather than overstaying a tourist allowance.
If your income is below the threshold, or you plan to rely partly on Spanish clients from day one, the Non-Lucrative Visa or other Spanish residence options may be a better fit and are worth discussing with an advisor before you apply.
Need Help with Your Application?
Navigating Spanish consulate requirements, coordinating sworn translations across multiple documents, and sequencing the application correctly is time-consuming — and a single error can set you back weeks. Savali Immigration handles the entire process: eligibility assessment, document preparation, sworn translation coordination, and application submission.
Request a free consultation to discuss your situation and get a clear timeline for your move.