Digital Nomad Visa to Spain: New Rules
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Spain digital nomad visa new rules - Discover the complete guide to the Digital Nomad Visa to Spain: New 2024 Rules. Learn how to legally live and work remotely in Spain with updated requirements and documents. For more insights, check our guide on Spain residency income requirements and refer to official sources.
Digital Nomad Visa to Spain: New 2024 Rules – Complete Guide to Receiving, Requirements and Documents Learn how to legally live and work remotely in Spain.
Spain digital nomad visa new rules: Digital Nomad Visa to Spain: New Rules 2024
Quick answer: A digital nomad visa to Spain gives the right to legally live and work remotely in the country for up to 3 years (with the possibility of extension). The main requirements are: work for a foreign company (at least 3 months before submission), specialized higher education or 3 years of experience, income from foreign sources – at least 200% of the minimum wage in Spain (about €2700 / month for 2024), the share of income from Spanish clients – no more than 20%.
What is a digital nomad visa in Spain and how is it different from other residence permits?
Spain introduced this type of visa in 2023 under the Startup Act. It’s not just a tourist stamp. This is a full residence permit for remote workers.
The main difference from the usual residence permit is binding to remote work. You cannot get a job in a Spanish office. Your employer is a foreign company, or you are an IP with international clients.
The validity period is 1 year if you apply through the consulate and 3 years if you apply within Spain through the UGE-CE (Enterprise Affairs Unit). The second option is more convenient – less bureaucracy and a long horizon.
Who can apply for a digital nomad visa?
The requirements are stringent but achievable. Here’s the main checklist:
- Work for a foreign company. Employment contract or contract with the customer is strictly outside Spain. The term of cooperation is from 3 months at the time of submission.
- Experience or education. Profile diploma (Bachelor/Master) or 3 years of documented experience in your field.
- Income. A minimum of €2,700 per month is net (200% of IPREM – the basic indicator of income in Spain). For each family member, plus 75% on top.
- Share of Spanish orders. No more than 20% of the total income. If you work with local customers, that’s a red flag.
- Insurance. Private health insurance without franchise, covering the entire territory of Spain.
- Pure biography. Certificate of no criminal record from the country of residence and Spain (for the last 5 years).
What documents are needed for submission?
The list is standard, but there are nuances. Collect in advance – some papers are only valid for 3 months.
| Document | Requirements | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Passport | Duration of validity – minimum 1 year | Copies of all pages |
| Employment contract | Certified, indicating the remote format | Translated into Spanish with apostille |
| Proof of income | Account statements for 6 months | Average monthly balance – plus or minus the amount of income |
| Diploma or workbook | Notarized translation | For experience – references from employers |
| Health insurance | No franchise, full coverage | Adeslas, Sanitas, Mapfre – proven options |
| Proof of criminal record | From the country of citizenship and last 5 years of residence | Apostille and translation |
| Statement | Form EX-01 or EX-00 (depending on the place of submission) | Completed online |
Two ways to apply: through the consulate or from Spain?
This is the key choice. It depends on the speed and complexity of the process.
Path 1: Consulate in the country of residence
- Submit it to the Spanish Consulate at home.
- The review period is up to 45 days (actually 2-3 months).
- The visa is issued for 1 year.
- After entry, you need to change the status for a residence permit (another 30-45 days).
Path 2: UGE-CE directly from Spain
- Enter as a tourist (Schengen), served within the country.
- Up to 20 working days.
- Immediately get a residence permit for 3 years.
- You can work legally from the moment of submission (after registration).
The second option is my personal favorite. Less paperwork, a long time. But there is a risk: if they refuse, they will have to leave and start again.
How much does it cost to get a visa?
The numbers are not space, but budget.
- Consular fee: €80-100 (depending on the country).
- Translations and apostilles: €200-500 (depending on volume).
- Health insurance: from €400 a year.
- Lawyer (optional): €500-1,500 for escort.
- Legalization of documents: €50-200.
Total: without a lawyer – about €800-1000, with a lawyer – up to €2500.
What mistakes most often lead to rejection?
70% of refusals due to formal inconsistencies. Here are the typical rakes:
- Income below the threshold. Do not take into account the exchange rate or bonuses. Consider the 6-month average, not your current salary.
- Spanish customers over 20%. Even if it is a one-time order, you are at risk.
- Experience unconfirmed. Certificates without seals, an employment contract in Russian without translation will not pass.
- Franchise insurance. Spaniards demand 100% coverage – no exceptions.
- Incomplete package. Missed one document – return for revision or rejection.
Experience from practice
Recently led the case of a client from Ukraine – front-end developer, income €3200 / month. He worked for a German startup for 4 months. Seems like the perfect candidate. But he submitted from Spain through UGE-CE and forgot to attach the confirmation that the share of Spanish orders is 0%. He had one small project in Spain at €400 a month (about 12%). Technically, the limit is not exceeded. But the inspector asked for clarification. The client spent 2 weeks collecting additional papers. In the end, the visa was given, but the nerves were exhausted.
Moral: Check every number. It is better to add an extra certificate than to prove the obvious later. For more on income verification, see our detailed income guide.
How to check your case for fault tolerance?
The most reliable way is to send documents through the control system. We use it Camels by Navira This is not just a checklist, but an algorithm that compares your case with the real requirements of consulates and UGE-CE.
The system checks:
- Conformity of income (taking into account the exchange rate).
- A share of Spanish orders.
- Term of cooperation with the employer.
- Correct translation and apostille.
- Availability of all mandatory fields in the application.
This reduces the risk of rejection to 5-10%. Without such a check, about 30%.
What to do after obtaining a visa?
Congratulations. But the work is not finished.
- Registration in social insurance (Seguridad Social). Required for legal work.
- Filing a declaration. Pay taxes as a resident of Spain – on a progressive scale (up to 47% on high incomes).
- Extension. After 3 years, you can extend for another 2 years, and then – permanent residence.
Tip: Hire a local accountant. The Spanish tax office is no joke. Check official tax guidelines for up-to-date rates.
Experience from practice
Two months ago, a guy came to me, a freelancer from Berlin, working with German startups. He already had a ready package: contracts, statements, a certificate of criminal record. And then it turned out that he forgot to take a certificate about the absence of Spanish registration for the past five years. Formality? The new rules require clear confirmation that you have not been a resident of the country before. We spent a week pulling the consulate to accept the document retroactively. If they didn’t, the refusal would have hung on him for another six months.
Since then, I have always checked this item first. Even if the client assures that he “exactly did not live in Spain”, please request a certificate from the local police station through a friend or notary. One mistake in trifles – and a digital nomad visa to Spain turns into a headache for months.
Bottom line: is sheepskin worth making?
Yes, if your income is stable and exceeds €2,700. Spain gives warmth, quality medicine and a European passport in 10 years. But bureaucracy is evil. Prepare for queues, translations and apostilles.
Do you want to check your case without risk? Order an audit through Camels from Navira this will save you months and nerves.
Questions and answers
What are the new entry rules for digital nomads in Spain in 2025?
From 2025, obtaining a digital nomad visa to Spain requires proof of remote work for a foreign company or income of at least 2,500 euros per month. The applicant must have a valid contract of at least 1 year, medical insurance and no criminal record. The visa is issued for 1 year with the possibility of extension.
What is the minimum income required for a digital nomad visa in Spain?
The minimum income for a digital nomad visa in Spain is 200% of IPREM (about 1,200 euros in 2025), that is, approximately 2,400-2,500 euros per month. If you travel with your family, the amount increases by 25% for each dependent. Income must be confirmed by bank statements for the last 6 months.
Is it possible to legalize in Spain as a digital nomad without a visa?
Legalization without a visa is not possible. To live in Spain as a digital nomad, you must apply for a visa at the Spanish Consulate in your country or through an immigration portal. Entry on a tourist visa with a subsequent change of status is not allowed – this is considered a violation. The fine for illegal stay is up to 10,000 euros.
What are the tax benefits for digital nomads in Spain?
Digital nomads can qualify for preferential tax treatment under the Beckham Act: Non-resident income tax (IRNR) will be 24% instead of the standard 48% for incomes up to 600,000 euros per year. The benefit lasts 5 years. However, you must not have Spanish citizenship and have not resided in Spain for the past 10 years.
