What You Need to Know About Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa
Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa offers a unique opportunity for remote workers and freelancers to live and work in Spain. This visa is available to non-EU/EEA citizens who wish to reside in Spain while working for an employer or company outside Spanish national territory.
Launched in January 2023 as part of the new Startup Act, this visa aims to attract international talent and boost foreign investment in Spain. In this article, we will discuss the process, requirements, and other information to inform you about Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa.
Step 1: Acquire All Necessary Documents
The first step in applying for Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa involves gathering all relevant documents. These are some of the requirements needed:
- National Visa Application form
- Passport with two passport photos
- Proof of employment
- Proof of income
- Proof of education
- Health insurance
- Criminal record check
- Proof of familial relationship to other applicants
Some documents with the applicant’s local language are valid. Applicants need to check up on the validity of each requirement in terms of the needed language.
Step 2: Appointment Booking
Applications are submitted at the local Spanish Embassy or Consulate . Appointment booking details are available on the embassy’s website, and applicants must include personal information and visa type in the email.
Once booked, applicants receive instructions to pay the visa fee, typically around €80, via bank deposit.
Step 3: Appointment
During the appointment, applicants present their full documentation and must answer initial questions. You must submit your passport to the embassy while the application’s assessment occurs.
Step 4: Collect Your Visa
Processing the visa application takes between 15 and 45 days. Successful applicants receive a notification via email and must collect their visa within a month. In case of refusal, applicants have the right to appeal with additional documentation within a month.
Step 5: Apply for Your NIE and NIF
Upon arrival in Spain, the first thing needed is a national identity number (NIE) and a tax number (NIF). The application is at the Foreigner’s Office or Police Station and the Spanish Tax Agency, respectively.
Proving that you are a remote worker
Applicants must demonstrate that they are remote workers who completes their jobs from Spain via an internet connection. This involves providing evidence of a university degree, professional certificate, or three years of work experience.
Employment for at least three months before applying and a contract for the proposed stay duration are also required. Freelancers must show long-term contracts as proof of stability.
Financial Statements
Applicants need to prove that their work provides sufficient income to support themselves while in Spain. The minimum required earnings are €2,400 per month or €28,800 per year.
Income brackets increase if accompanied by a partner or children, with specific thresholds for families of various sizes.
Health Insurance
Full health insurance from a Spanish provider is mandatory for the duration of the stay. This covers the applicant and any accompanying family members.
A Clean Criminal Record
Applicants must provide a clean criminal record from all countries where they have lived in the past five years. Moreover, the record’s validity takes place if it is only in Spanish and apostilled for international use.
Minimum Stay Requirement
Applicants who lived in Spain for the last five years are not allowed to have the visa and cannot apply from Spain if they are there illegally. There is no minimum period for the initial visa application, but for renewals, staying in Spain for at least six months within a 12-month period is required.
Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa offers an exciting opportunity for remote workers and freelancers to live and work in one of Europe’s most vibrant countries. By meeting specific requirements, such as proving remote work status, financial self-sufficiency, and having adequate health insurance, applicants enjoy up to five years in Spain.
This visa not only facilitates living in Spain but also provides a gateway to the wider European Union. With a streamlined application process and potential tax benefits, Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa is an attractive option for international remote workers.
Global People is a leading local employment solutions provider for national and international corporations and can advise and escort you in your next destination.
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