Spain introduced its digital nomad visa in January 2023 under the Startup Law (Ley de Startups). It's designed for remote workers and freelancers who want to live in Spain while working for companies or clients based outside the country.
Here's what you actually need — no padding.
Who is it for?
The digital nomad visa is for non-EU/EEA nationals who:
- Work remotely for a company or clients based outside Spain, or
- Are self-employed (autónomo) with clients mostly outside Spain
EU/EEA citizens don't need this visa — they have free movement rights and can live and work remotely in Spain without any permit. If you're EU, get an NIE registration certificate instead.
The "mostly outside Spain" rule means no more than 20% of your income can come from Spanish clients. If you earn more from Spain, you'd need a different permit.
Income requirement
Minimum ~€2,300/month (200% of Spain's minimum wage, salario mínimo interprofesional).
For each dependent family member you bring: add 75% of the minimum wage per person (~€850/month per family member in 2025).
Crucially, this income must be documentable. Bank statements showing regular transfers are stronger than invoices alone — both together is best.
Two routes to the visa
Route 1 — Initial visa (applying from outside Spain)
Apply at the Spanish consulate in your country before you travel. The consulate processes your application and issues a D-type national visa, valid for 1 year.
Timeline: typically 20 working days once all documents are submitted. Some consulates are faster, some significantly slower.
After arrival in Spain, you then apply to convert the visa into a 3-year residency permit (within the first year).
Route 2 — Change of status (already in Spain)
If you're already in Spain legally — on a tourist visa, student visa, or other permit — you can apply directly for the 3-year residency permit without going through the consulate first.
Applications go through the UGE-CE (Unidad de Grandes Empresas y Colectivos Estratégicos), a specialised immigration unit that handles digital nomad, highly-qualified worker, and startup permits. Everything is done online.
You must have valid legal status when you apply — you cannot apply as an overstayer.
What documents you need
Everyone needs:
- Valid passport (at least 1 year validity remaining)
- Application form (national visa form from consulate, or EX-17 for change of status)
- 3–6 months of bank statements showing income above the threshold
- Criminal record certificate from every country you've lived in for the last 5 years, apostilled (and translated into Spanish if required)
- Private health insurance covering Spain with no co-payments and no deductibles — EHIC/GHIC is not accepted
- 2 passport-style photos
If employed by a company abroad:
- Employer letter on company letterhead confirming: your position, salary, that you are permitted to work remotely from Spain
- Proof the company has been trading for at least 1 year (registration documents, accounts)
If freelance/self-employed:
- Signed client contracts or invoices demonstrating your work and income
- Evidence that less than 20% of income comes from Spanish clients
Qualifications — one of the following:
- University degree certificate (apostilled, potentially translated)
- OR evidence of 3+ years of professional experience in your field (detailed CV, employment certificates, recommendation letters)
The criminal record certificate problem
This is the most common cause of delays. A criminal record certificate must be obtained from every country you've lived in for the last 5 years. It must be:
- Apostilled — officially certified for international use
- Translated into Spanish by a sworn translator (traductor jurado) if not in Spanish
For UK nationals: apply via ACRO Criminal Records Office. Standard processing takes 10 working days; expedited is faster.
For the US: certificates vary by state — FBI background check is most commonly accepted.
Start this step first — it takes the longest.
Health insurance — what qualifies
The policy must:
- Cover all medical treatment in Spain
- Have no co-payments (you cannot pay any percentage per treatment)
- Have no deductibles (no fixed amount you pay before insurance kicks in)
- Cover the full planned duration of your stay
Commonly accepted providers: Sanitas, Adeslas, AXA Partners, Cigna Global, Allianz Care. Nomad-specific policies like SafetyWing are not always accepted — check with your consulate.
What happens after approval
Initial visa route: You arrive in Spain on the 1-year visa and within that year apply for the 3-year residency permit at the UGE-CE.
Change of status route: You receive the 3-year residency permit directly.
Both routes allow you to:
- Register as autónomo (and benefit from tarifa plana if you're doing so for the first time)
- Access the Spanish healthcare system (though private insurance remains required for the permit)
- Bring family members on dependent permits
- Apply for long-term residency after 5 years
Common reasons for refusal
- Income below the threshold or poorly documented
- Health insurance with co-payments or deductibles
- Criminal record certificate missing a country, not apostilled, or not translated
- Company letter too vague or missing key details
- Company less than 1 year old
- More than 20% of income from Spanish clients
If you're borderline on income or unsure about your situation, a gestoría or immigration lawyer specialising in nomad visas is worth the consultation fee — a rejection delays you by months.
Cost summary
| Item | Approximate cost |
|---|---|
| Visa / permit fee | ~€75 (consulate) or ~€200 (change of status) |
| Criminal record certificate + apostille + translation | €50–200 depending on country |
| Degree apostille + translation (if required) | €80–200 |
| Health insurance (annual) | €600–1,800 depending on provider and age |
| Gestoría fee (optional) | €300–800 for full application support |