The Spain Digital Nomad Visa is an excellent option to live and work in Spain. This residence permit is great for digital nomads, remote workers, and freelancers. And employees of non-Spanish companies can use it as a Spain Remote Work Visa. We’ll look at who qualifies, how to apply, and the 2023 financial requirements for the Spanish Digital Nomad Visa.
Our Spanish Immigration Law partner, Raquel Moreno from BeGlobal Attournys in Barcelona, approved this content in March 2023.
Spain Digital Nomad Visa – 7 Important Features
- Your application assesement will take less than 20 days – the fastest Spanish Immigraisotn process.
- The initial visa is valid for one year, and you’re eligible for two-year renewable residence permits.
- You’ll need to show qualifying income – we’ll cover this requirement in detail below.
- At least 80% of your qualifying income must come from non-Spanish sources.
- Lower tax rates are available if you work in Spain on this visa.
- You can bring your immediate family (spouse and children) to live in Spain.
- You can qualify for Spanish Permanent Residency (PR) after five years. There is a pathway to Spanish citizenship and an EU passport after ten years.
Who Can Use the Spain Digital Nomad Visa?
The visa is open to non-EU/EEA citizens over the age of 18 years. It will suit:
- Digital Nomads (nómadas digitales).
- Location-independent business owners.
- Remote Workers employed by non-Spanish companies.
- Freelancers or self-employed (With 80% of revenue from outside of Spain and established clients).
- Consultants (With 80% of revenue from outside of Spain and established clients).
Spain Remote Worker Visa Requirements
To use this as a Spanish Remote Work Visa, you’ll need to meet these standards:
- You have a permanent position employment contract with a non-Spanish company.
- The company has been trading for at least one year.
- The company has employed you for at least three months.
- Your employer has given you permission to work remotely (trabajo de manera remota) in Spain.
Qualifying Income for the Spanish Digital Nomad Visa
You’ll need to show you can meet at least twice the Spanish minimum wage. The Spanish goiverment raised the 2023 minum wage to €15,120 a year.
- Primary Applicant: €30,240 (200% of Spain’s 2023 minimum wage)
- Dependent Spouse or Partner: €13,340 (75% of Spain’s 2023 minimum wage)
- Additional Dependents: €3,780 each (25% of Spain’s 2023 minimum wage)
How to Prove Your Financial Qualification
There are three options to show you can support yourself.
- Proof of a salary or income.
- A bank certificate that shows savings.
- A mix of income and savings.
Application Process
There are two ways to apply for this visa:
1) Enter Spain on a Spanish SCHENGEN tourist visa and apply in Spain. You’ll be able to get a three-year residence permit immediately.
2) Visit your nearest Spanish Embassy or Consulate and get a 1-year Digital Nomad visa. You can use the visa to enter Spain and then apply for your residence permit in Spain.
You’ll get an answer quickly – The Spanish government has just 20 days to assess your application.
Either way, you’ll need to visit your local police station when you move to Spain. They’ll take fingerprints and issue your residence card (T.I.E. or Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero).
Application Requirements
Complete the application form
Provide evidence of qualifying employment or income.
Show that you have:
1. Qualifying Spanish private health insurance coverage.
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2. Proof of accommodation in Spain.
3. No disqualifying criminal convictions
4. Pay the application fee of €73.26.
Note: There are specific requirements for translation and certification of documentation. Check with your Spanish immigration lawyer to get this right the first time.
At this appointment, the local police will take your fingerprints and issue your identity card (TIE).
Once You Arrive in Spain
You have 30 days to register your residency in Spain with the local municipality after you travel to Spain. This is the standard residency registration, and your immigration lawyer should be able to assist.
Tax Benefits for Digital Nomads and Remote Workers in Spain
You won’t pay Spanish tax until you are a Spanish tax resident, usually when you live in Spain for 183 days. However, the new law has a big tax break. You can opt to pay non-resident income tax rates (IRNR) instead of resident income tax rates (IRPF). That gives you a flat 24% tax rate (up to an income of €600,000) instead of the progressive rate that can reach 48%. These rates last for up to five years.
And you’re exempted from Spain’s Wealth Tax.
This allowance is part of the Startup Law passed on the 23rd of December 2022, which aims to boost entrepreneurship in Spain.
Spain Digital Nomad Visa vs. Spanish Non-Lucrative Visa
Historically, some digital nomads and remote workers have used Spain’s Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV). However, the NLV prohibits work, and some embassies (but not all) rejected applications from remote workers.
The key differences:
- The non-lucrative visa does not allow working in Spain.
- You cannot apply for a non-lucrative visa in Spain.
- There are no preferential tax rates or exemptions on the non-lucrative visa.
Remote workers or digital nomads living in Spain on a non-lucrative visa should explore an immigration status change. So, you’ll be 100% on the right side of the law and may get a nice tax break in the bargain.
If you want to find out how this could help you, please speak to our Spain Immigration Lawyer partner.
Next Steps
Does living in and working in Spain on a low tax rate appeal? If so, please book a consultation with our Spain Immigration Lawyer partner today. They’ll be happy to answer any questions about Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa.
