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Spain Digital Nomad Visa
EU Helpers Leading Poland-based overseas career consulting company

Live and Work Remotely from Spain

Spain's Digital Nomad Visa (DNV) allows non-EU remote workers to live legally in Spain for up to 5 years while continuing to work for their foreign employer or international clients. Launched in 2023 under Spain's Startup Law, it's now one of Europe's most popular remote work visas.

Who Can Apply?

* Non-EU/EEA citizens
* Employed remotely by a company outside Spain OR freelancing for international clients
* At least 80% of your income must come from non-Spanish sources
* Your employer's company must have been active for at least 1 year

Income Requirement — 2026

The main applicant must generally demonstrate financial resources equal to 200% of Spain's monthly minimum wage.

Spain's 2026 SMI is €1,221 per month.

Applicant Minimum Monthly Financial Means
Main applicant €2,442
First accompanying family member + €916
Each additional family member + €305–€ 306. Confirm the exact amount and calculation method for the application route you are using. You can generally demonstrate financial means through documents such as employment contracts, company certificates, bank statements, or payslips.

Documents Required

The exact documents depend on your employment status and personal circumstances. Common requirements include:

1. Valid passport (min. 1 year validity)
2. DNV application form
3. Proof of income: 3 months of bank statements + payslips or invoices
4. Employment contract or freelance contracts (active min. 3 months)
5. Employer letter confirming remote work permission, your role & salary
6. Proof employer has been active for at least 1 year
7. University degree OR proof of 3+ years relevant work experience
8. Private health insurance (no co-payments, full coverage, Spanish-authorised provider)
9. Criminal record certificate from your home country (issued within 6 months)
10. Proof of accommodation in Spain (hotel booking is sufficient initially)

The exact checklist can vary by consular office and by whether the applicant applies for a visa from abroad or for residence authorisation in Spain.

How Long Is It Valid?

There are two main routes:

Application Route General Validity
Digital Nomad Visa through a Spanish consulate Up to 1 year
Residence authorisation applied for in Spain Up to 3 years

Applicants legally in Spain may be able to apply directly for the residence authorisation without first obtaining the visa, subject to the applicable requirements. Renewal and longer-term residence options depend on continued eligibility and the applicable Spanish immigration rules.

Can Your Family Join You?

Yes. Eligible family members may also apply. This can include:

  • Spouse or unmarried partner
  • Dependent children
  • Certain dependent relatives in the ascending line

Additional financial resources are required for accompanying family members, and supporting documents proving the family relationship may be required.

Tax Considerations

Digital Nomad Visa holders may qualify for Spain's special tax regime for certain inbound workers, commonly known as the "Beckham Law", if they meet the separate tax requirements. This is a tax matter and is not automatically granted simply because someone holds a Digital Nomad Visa. Tax residency, income sources, previous residence and other personal circumstances can affect the outcome. We recommend obtaining advice from a qualified Spanish tax professional before making tax-planning decisions.

Why Choose Spain?

Spain offers international remote professionals the opportunity to:

  • Live legally in Spain while continuing qualifying remote work
  • Enjoy a European lifestyle and extensive connectivity
  • Travel within the Schengen Area subject to applicable rules
  • Bring eligible family members
  • Build a longer-term residence plan, subject to meeting the relevant requirements.

How EU Helpers Can Assist

EU Helpers provides professional consultancy and application support for eligible applicants. Our assistance can include:

Service Support
Eligibility Review Initial assessment of your profile
Document Checklist Personalised list of required documents
Application Support Guidance throughout the application
Document Preparation Assistance with organising application documents
Translation & Apostille Guidance Guidance on legalisation and translation requirements
NIE Guidance Assistance with the NIE process
Family Applications Guidance for eligible accompanying family members
Additional Requests Support if further documents or clarification are requested
Post-Arrival Guidance Assistance with relevant next steps, where included in your service

EU Helpers does not guarantee visa approval. The competent Spanish authorities make the final decision.

Is the Spain Digital Nomad Visa Right for You?

This route may be suitable if you already:

  • Work remotely
  • Have a stable international income
  • Work for a foreign company or have international clients
  • Have the required professional experience or qualification
  • Want to live in Spain while continuing your existing remote career

It is not a job-seeker visa and is not designed for people who want to move to Spain and find a local job.

Just 3 Easy Payments. No Hidden Fees.

Start Your Spain Work Journey with 100% Transparent Pricing.

✅ Pre-Payment – € 2000

Eligibility review, income assessment and personalised document checklist.

✅ Second Payment – €2500

Full document verification, apostille and translation coordination, referral to a licensed Spanish immigration lawyer.

✅ Final Payment – €2000

Arrival and settling-in support.

Note: What’s Not Included in the Service Fee

Please note that the following costs are not covered under our service fee:

  • Flight or travel expenses
  • Medical tests or health insurance
  • Visa application or embassy fees
  • Courier or document delivery charges
  • Any personal or miscellaneous expenses
Payment Terms & Conditions: We will not accept payments after visa approval. We do not offer salary deduction or post-arrival payment options

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a job offer before the visa process begins?

No. This route is the opposite of a standard work permit. You keep your existing employer or clients outside Spain and continue working for them from Spain. A Spanish job offer would not help — employees on this route are not permitted to work for Spanish companies at all.

How much income do I need to prove?

The threshold is 200% of the Spanish minimum wage, which currently works out at roughly €2,849 a month for a single applicant. Add around €1,068 a month for a first adult dependant and €356 for each further dependant. This figure is gross, before tax, and changes whenever Spain revises the minimum wage.

How long does the process take?

Applications filed inside Spain have a stated decision window of 20 working days. Consular timelines vary by post. In practice, gathering documents, obtaining apostilles and arranging sworn translations takes considerably longer than the decision itself, so build that into your planning.

Can I apply from inside Spain on a tourist entry?

This is currently unsettled, and you should not plan around it. Reports indicate the authorities will no longer allow a switch into this permit from a tourist entry, a non-lucrative visa or another non-work status inside Spain, while other practitioners say the route remains open. Confirm your own position with a Spanish immigration lawyer before booking travel.

How long is the permit valid?

A consular visa runs for one year and then converts into a residence permit. A permit granted from inside Spain can run for up to three years. Renewals run in two-year blocks, to a total of five years, after which you may apply for long-term residence.

Can I bring my family to Spain?

Yes. You can include a spouse or registered partner and dependent children on the same application from the outset, unlike routes that require a waiting period. The income you must prove rises for each family member.

Do I get public healthcare in Spain?

Not automatically. You must hold private insurance to apply, and access to the public system depends on paying into Spanish social security. If you register as self-employed, you gain access. If you contribute to another country's system instead, you stay on your private policy. After twelve months of registered residence, a scheme called the Convenio Especial lets you pay into the public system.

What is the Beckham Law and does it apply to me?

It is a special tax regime that sets a flat 24% rate on Spanish employment income up to €600,000 for the arrival year plus five more. You elect it by filing Modelo 149 within six months of your social security registration or your first day of work in Spain. It does not exempt your remote work income — work performed in Spain is Spanish-source. It generally leaves foreign dividends, rent, interest, and capital gains untaxed. Treatment of self-employed applicants varies, so take advice from a Spanish tax adviser.

Why are applications refused?

Most refusals are document problems rather than eligibility problems: bank statements that do not match the declared contract income, insurance policies with co-payments or from an unauthorised insurer, missing social security documentation, criminal record certificates that are out of date or not sworn-translated, and Spanish client income above the 20% cap. All of these can be fixed before filing.

Does EU Helpers apply for the visa on my behalf?

No. EU Helpers provides work permit document support and connects you with licensed Spanish immigration lawyers, authorised insurers and Spanish tax advisers. We do not process visas or residence permits, and we do not give legal or tax advice.