How to get a digital nomad visa in Spain (2023)

Do you dream of working remotely in another country? Maybe you've always wanted to live in a certain country or you want to travel the world.

If you want to become a digital nomad, there is arguably no better place to do so than sunny Spain. From delicious tapas to beautiful beaches, this popular holiday destination has it all.

Spain is also a great option for remote workers. Their cities have everything you need to get online, from coworking facilities to high-speed internet. If you're looking for a lower cost of living, there are also plenty of smaller cities to choose from.

But before you embark on your Spanish adventure, you'll need to get your paperwork in order. In this guide, we will show you how to get a digital nomad visa for Spain. This will give you legal permission to live, travel and work remotely.

We'll also show you a great way to receive payments in nearly a dozen currencies and spend in your local currency around the world - usingwise multicurrency account.

What is a digital nomad?

For those unfamiliar with the concept, a digital nomad is someone who travels freely while working remotely. All you need is a laptop and an internet connection.

Although, of course, this depends on the work you do, as not every type of work lends itself to the digital nomad lifestyle.

Digital nomads usually work in coffee shops, coworking spaces or even public libraries. Some people stay in one place for a while, while others travel.

The beauty of this lifestyle is that you can work whenever you want. All this while exploring a new country and absorbing the local culture. And of course, earn money to pay for travel and basic expenses.

Telecommuting versus earning in Spain

For tax and visa purposes, there is a difference between working remotely as a digital nomad and actually working in Spain.

The first thing to know is the tax residence. Here, you are considered a tax resident of a country if you live there a certain number of days a year.

Under Spanish tax laws, you are considered a tax resident if you stay for 183 days or more in a given calendar year.¹

If this applies to you and your circumstances, you will have to pay income tax. However, there are some advantages. The first is that the UK and Spain have a double taxation treaty.² This means you won't pay tax twice on the same income.

The second is that with a digital nomad visa, remote workers will benefit from lower tax rates than standard resident rates. You'll pay just 15% to 24% in tax on your income, compared to a rate of 48% for top earners.³

However, to get this favorable rate, you must apply to the Spanish tax authorities within 6 months of your arrival in Spain.³

Types of visas for digital nomads in Spain

Spain is one of several European countries that have introduced the new digital nomad visa.

After being announced in 2022, it was launched in January 2023. According to Economy Minister Nadia Calviñoas, the country intended"attract and retain international and national talent, helping remote workers and digital nomads establish themselves in Spain."⁴

Previously, anyone who wanted to visit Spain as a digital nomad had to get a tourist visa or something called a non-profit visa (NLV).

Neither option was ideal for remote workers, as they did not allow you to legally work or earn money in Spain. In fact, the NLV was intended for retirees who were no longer generating an active income.

But now that Spain has introduced its own digital nomad visa, that's all changed. The country is now much more welcoming to remote workers from around the world, including the UK.

Digital nomad visa in Spain

So what is a digital nomad visa in Spain? In short, it is a visa that gives you permission to live and work in Spain for up to 12 months. After this period, you will have the option to extend it for up to 3 years.⁵

This is ideal for anyone looking to work in Spain and then move on. But there is also an option for those who want to settle in Spain, because after 5 years of living in Spain with this visa you can apply for permanent residence.

Moreover, as a holder of this visa you will also benefit from lower tax rates, as we have seen above.

However, there are some limitations. You can do any type of work, but you must have specific knowledge in your field. Also, most of your work will have to be for clients or employers in another country. You can work for Spanish clients, but they cannot represent more than 20% of your total income.⁵

Eligibility requirements for a digital nomad visa in Spain

There are a number of requirements that you must meet and documents that you will need to provide in order to apply for a digital nomad visa in Spain.

Let's start with eligibility. You must fulfill the following:⁴

• Be a citizen outside the EU outside the EEA
• Do not live illegally in Spain at the time of application
• You must not have lived in Spain for 5 years before enrollment
• Work remotely for mostly non-Spanish companies
• Earn at least €2334 per month
• Qualified or experienced in their field.

What documents do you need?

In order to prove that you meet the requirements above, you will need to submit the following documents as part of your application:³

• Your passport (original and copies)
• If you are employed, a copy of your work contact. If you are self-employed, proof of previous contracts with clients showing wages for at least 3 months. For both, you'll need to prove you meet a minimum income threshold.
• Evidence of current or future contracts of several months to one year, in the case of self-employed workers.
• Proof that the company you work for has been established for at least one year, if you are an employee.
• Approval from your employer that you can work remotely in Spain.
• Proof that you have at least 3 years of work experience or a relevant professional qualification
• Proof that your work can be done remotely
• Proof of sufficient health insurance.

How to Apply for a Digital Nomad Visa in Spain (Step by Step)

Have you got your papers in order? You are now ready to apply for a digital nomad visa in Spain. There are several ways to apply, from abroad or from Spain.

Apply from abroad³

If you haven't started your journey yet, you can apply for a Spanish Digital Nomad visa in the UK. You will need to visit the nearest Spanish consulate or embassy with your documents, to initiate the application and pay the fees.

If you succeed, you will receive a one-year visa. If you want, you can change it later to get a temporary residence permit that is valid for three years.

Subscribe to Spain³

It is possible to apply for a digital nomad visa after arriving in Spain with a tourist visa. This is the cheapest option, with a lower fee than applying abroad (we'll look at application fees below).

You will need to bring all your documents with you and apply to the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. If your application is successful, the next step is to go to the nearest police station to register your fingerprints and get your physical residence card.

How long does it take to get a digital nomad visa in Spain?

You will be pleased that the application process for this visa is quite fast, provided of course that you have all the paperwork in order.

Although it varies, the average processing time is around 20 days. There may also be an additional background check, which may take several weeks.³

How much does a digital nomad visa cost in Spain?

Finally, you'll want to know how much it costs to apply for a Spanish digital nomad visa.

The good news is that the fee is quite low, around €75. However, it is possible to pay additional consular fees, in addition to €15 for the residence card when you arrive in Spain.⁶

Using Wise for foreign visa and currency payment

Has your Spanish visa been taken care of? The next step is to book your flights, but it's also worth thinking about how you'll manage your money while you're in Spain.

Payment will be one of the main priorities when working abroad. Instead of opening a Spanish bank account, you might want to check out Wise.

It's quick and easyopen a Wise multi-currency account online. With Wise you can manage your money in 50 currencies at the same time, including EUR and GBP.

It's easy to quickly and securely receive payments in your customer's local currency and convert your earnings to your chosen currency withmid market rate.

If you need to send money abroad, you can do it in just a few clicks - and all with low, transparent fees.

There is even asmart debit cardfor cheap consumption in 174 countries, including Spain and the rest of Europe.

With a Wise account, you will be able to spend like a native - wherever you are in the world.

have a lookTerms of usefor your region or visitfor the most up-to-date information on pricing and fees.

Fonts used:

1. PwC - World Tax Briefs - Spain
2. Optimize Accountants - UK Spain Tax Treaty
3. IAS Services - Spain Digital Nomad Visa
4. Euronews - Spain's digital nomad visa is finally available. Here's everything you need to know
5. CitizenRemote - Spain Digital Nomad Visa
6. Schengen Visa Information - News - Everything you need to know about the Spanish Digital Nomad Visa

Sources last checked: May 5, 2023