"Wouldn't have been possible to get my digital nomad visa if it wasn't for Matutto! It was a really great experience. The onboarding was easy and the process was systematic. My advisor was very easy to speak to and helped so much throughout the process."
Nihal
Spain is often voted as one of the best places in the world to live and work from as a Digital Nomad. So naturally, the government has created a Visa option that specifically targets people working remotely, giving them a path to reside and work from anywhere in Spain. This is the Digital Nomad Visa, and in this blog we will share everything you need to know about it. From the Documents you need, to the requirements to apply. After reading this article, you leave having full understanding of how the Remote Work Visa in Spain works! And if you’re interested in applying for it and need support, you can contact us here to connect with one of our Spanish Advisors.
The Digital Nomad Visa is a residence permit for NON-EU citizens who want to live in Spain while working remotely for a company located in another country. To qualify as a Digital Nomad you need to be working “exclusively through the use of a computer and telecommunication media and systems”, which is the Government’s way of saying “online”. You can apply for this visa as an Employee or as a Self-Employed Individual as long as your work falls into one of these two categories:
Remote job: “The employee must work for a company located outside the national territory” (a.k.a outside of Spain)
Professional activity (a.k.a Self-Employed): “the worker is allowed to work for a company located in Spain as long as this activity does not exceed 20% of his total professional activity.” This means that, if for example you’re a freelancer, your professional activity in Spain must constitute less than 20% of your total work.
If you have a Remote Job and choose to apply for this Visa, your employer must give you a letter confirming they approve of you working remotely. This letter may be requested from you during the application process for the Visa.
What are the requirements to apply for a Spanish Digital Nomad Visa?
The first requirement is that you must be from a country outside of the EU. If you are a citizen from the EU or EEA - European Union or European Economic Area, you don’t need a Digital Nomad Visa to work remotely and live in Spain.
But even if you’re from outside the EU and you work remotely - Please note that not everyone is eligible for the Digital Nomad Visa in Spain. Before you even start thinking about applying, you should know (and comply with) the following requirements set by the Spanish Government:
You must have graduated from a prestigious university or business school, received professional training, or have work experience of at least 3 years
Demonstrate you have sufficient financial means (minimum of €31,752 in annual salary)
You need to have private health insurance with full coverage in Spain - we recommend Feather Insurance (use our Discount Code: MATUTTO! to get €15 off)
If you’re an employee, you must have been continuously employed for at least 3 months with the company for which you are working remotely. This company must also give you a certificate to authorize you to work remotely
If you’re an employee, the company you work for must have been operating in the market for at least 1 year - i.e. It can’t be a brand new Startup
If you qualify as “Professional activity” (self-employed), you must prove that your work in Spain does not represent more than 20% of your total income.
You must not have a criminal record
Post-getting your Digital Nomad Visa, you are required to stay for at least 6 months of the year in the country - just something to keep in mind. And if you meet most of the requirements but are unsure about 1 or 2, simply reach out to us - we’ve helped others successfully secure their Digital Nomad Visa and can advise you on how to do it too!
What are the benefits of getting a Spanish Digital Nomad Visa?
Obtaining a Digital Nomad Visa will give you more benefits than you think - Apart from being able to work from Spain, here’s all the things you get the right to with this visa:
Freedom of movement as a European Union Citizen - You can travel to other countries in the Schengen Area with the same rights as EU citizens
Pay a flat tax rate of 24% on your income via the Beckham’s Law, instead of a progressive rate up to 48%
Be considered a non-resident for tax purposes for 5 years and avoid paying wealth tax
No need to complete and submit the asset declaration model 720 - Less paperwork!
Retain your Digital Nomad status for up to 3 years (with the option to entend to 5)
The years under your Digital Nomad Visa count towards acquiring Permanent residence if you wish to in the future!
These benefits are applicable only to individuals who successfully apply and obtain their Spanish Digital Nomad Visa and respective Tax Exemption via Beckham's Law. But don’t stress out, we can help you with both! Get in touch with us if you’re thinking about applying for a Digital Nomad Visa, and we’ll be happy to help.
"I couldn't have gotten my Digital Nomad Visa without the Support of Matutto" - Nihal
How do I apply for the Spanish Digital Nomad Visa?
You can either apply from your Home Country’s Spanish Embassy, or in Spain after you arrive as a tourist (as long as you’re within your allowed period of stay in the country, which is normally 90 days). But generally, the Step-by-Step guide of how to apply for the Spanish Digital Nomad Visa is as follows:
Apply for a White NIE - Normally the first step for applying for a Spanish Visa is getting a NIE Number (a Spanish ID number). You can apply for it at the same Spanish Embassy where you will apply for your Visa, or you can also do it in person in Spain if this is the route you decide to take. You can learn more about the NIE and how to apply for it here.
Collect the necessary Documents - You can read the Documents list in the point below, but in short this will include your Passport, Visa application Form, Employment Contract, Employer Letter (Or Self-Employment details), Proof of Funds and Health Insurance.
Book an appointment - In this step you will need to request an appointment by sending in a request, in which you have to submit your personal details, contact information, NIE number, and information about your Visa application and dependents. You will also need to make a payment of about €80, but the steps booking an application and costs vary depending on where you are applying from.
Attend the appointment with all the supporting documents - You will need to do this in-person at your country’s Spanish Embassy (or in Spain, if you’re already there). Here you will need to take with you all the necessary documentation for your application and answer questions they may have about your application for the Visa.
Collect your Visa - The information will be reviewed and it normally takes between 15 and 45 days for the Visa to be issued. During this period they can also request more information in case they need it.
How much does it cost to apply for a Spanish Digital Nomad Visa?
If you reach out to a law firm based out of Spain, expect to be charged between 1,000€ and 2,000€ - This is because they will do all the paperwork submission on your behalf. When applying for your Visa, you have three options:
Request support from a Matutto Advisor, who can guide you throughout the process, while you submit the documents yourself. This will be much more cost-efficient while still getting the support you need for your application. Contact us if you’d like to discuss this option.
Make the application by yourself. This can be tricky but doable if you speak Spanish and are comfortable navigating legal paperwork. The price for the government application is around €80.
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What documents do I need to apply for a Spanish Digital Nomad Visa?
When applying for a Spanish Digital Nomad Visa, there is a number of Documents you will need to have ready, and even though is depends on your country and particular situation, as a rule of thumb you should have the following ready:
A passport with over 1 year of validity and a few blank pages for the Spanish Digital Nomad Visa to be added
Two passport type photographs
The Visa application form, correctly filled out, which will be provided by the Embassy where you’re applying from.
Proof of employment (in case you are working remotely for another company) - this is typically an employment contract
Proof you are allowed to work remotely - typically a letter from your employer confirming you have the permission to work from abroad (in this case, Spain)
Proof that your employer has been active for at least one year - This can be an official document from the country your company operates from.
A valid Health Insurance Plan - We highly recommend you to use Feather Insurance (use the Promo Code MATUTTO! to get a €15 Discount)
Your latest Bank Statements and/or payslips to prove your income meets the minimum thresholds
Your University Degree, Professional Qualifications and/or proof you have at least 3 years of professional experience
A Criminal Record Certificate form your home country of the last 5 years - with an apostille, and an extra copy
If you are planning on bringing dependents or family members to Spain with you, you need to make sure you fill the appropriate paperwork for them as well. This includes filling the visa application form correctly for each dependent, and proof of family relationship - this can be birth certificates for your kids or a marriage certificate for your spouse.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring my family to Spain if I’m the Holder of a Digital Nomad Visa?
As part of your application for the Digital Nomad Visa, you are eligible to bring your dependents with you to Spain. You will need to use separate Visa application forms filled in correctly for each individual dependent, but it should be submitted under your application.
How long does it take to get a Spanish Digital Nomad Visa?
The Digital Nomad Visa in Spain typically takes between 15 and 45 Days to be issued if all information has been provided correctly from the start. However, the Spanish Government may request more information and delays can occasionally happen.Generally, account for up to 2 weeks to collect all Documents and prepare the Application, 2-4 weeks to get an appointment, and up to 6 weeks for the Visa to be issued from the appointment date.
Do Digital Nomads have to pay income taxes in Spain?
The short answer is yes. You will technically become a Tax resident in Spain and will be required to pay income taxes. The actual value will depend on your tax bracket and country’s tax agreement with Spain.
If you’re from the US, Canada, Australia or New Zealand, you can apply for the Digital Nomad Visa and not have to worry about paying taxes in both your home country and in Spain - this is because there is a double taxation agreement between the countries that prevents that.
Can Digital Nomads apply for the Beckham Law in Spain?
Yes! Recently the option for remote workers was added to the requirements of the Beckham Law. Now, if you are a Digital Nomad or work remotely from Spain you can benefit from this tax break. You can learn more about the Beckham Law and how to apply for it here.
Can I apply for the Spanish Digital Nomad Visa from abroad?
Yes. You can apply from your country’s Spanish Embassy or Consulate. In fact, we recommend this option as currently applications are Spain are saturated and can get delayed.
✔️ Apply for your NIE or TIE ✔️ Get access to Cl@ve ✔️ Apply for Beckham’s Law (Tax Benefit for Expats) ✔️ Do your Empadronamiento ✔️ Register for National Healthcare ✔️ Access a Monthly Call with a Relocation Advisor
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