Spain introduced its digital nomad visa in January 2023 as part of the Startup Act. Here are some of the benefits of being a Digital Nomad in Spain:

• Digital nomad tax regime: During the first four years of living in Spain, digital nomads will pay a 15% tax instead of the standard base of 24%.
• Facilitated process of business establishment: The Startup Law will make it easier for you to establish a business.
• Fast application process: The application process takes between 15 to 45 days.
• Travel opportunities: With the Spain digital nomad visa, you can travel visa-free in other Schengen countries.
• The right to reside in Spain for five years: With a digital nomad visa, you can stay up to one year. After that, you can apply for a three-year residence permit and renew it for two years. After spending five years in the country, you can apply for permanent residence.
• Family members can join you: Under the digital nomad visa scheme, family members such as your spouse, partner, or children under the age of 18 can accompany you to Spain.
• Affordable living costs: Despite having a reputation as one of the most expensive regions in the world, especially in terms of housing, Spain is nevertheless very affordable.
• Work for other companies: You can work for a Spanish company, but the earnings from Spanish clients cannot pass 20% of your total income.

Requirements

• You are a non-EU/EEA citizen.
• Your company allows you to work remotely.
• You are self-employed with many clients worldwide or receive income from different sources from online activities outside Spain (if applicable).
• You must have been working remotely for at least one year.
• You are working for companies outside Spain.
• You have a clear criminal record.
• You are allowed entry to Spain.
• You have health insurance that has full coverage throughout Spain.
• You have proof of your experience and technical knowledge of your job.
• You have not been a resident of Spain in the past five years.
• You must prove you have an income of €2,334 per month or €28,000 per year.

Taxes

Digital nomad visa holders in Spain are subject to a special tax regime:

• Digital nomads are considered non-residents for tax purposes.
• They face a fixed tax rate of 24% on the incomes they obtain in Spain (not worldwide income) up to €600,000.
• For any income that exceeds €600,000, the fixed rate would be 47%.

Required documents

To apply for the digital nomad visa in Spain, you need to prepare the following documents:

1. National visa application form: Each applicant, or their representative, must fill and sign a visa application form.
2. Photography: A recent, passport-size, colour photograph, taken against a light background, facing forward, without dark or reflective glasses, or any garments concealing the oval of the face.
3. Valid passport: Original and a photocopy of the page or pages with the biometric data. The passport must be valid for at least 1 year and must have at least two blank pages.
4. Criminal record certificate: Applicants of legal age who apply for a visa must submit the original and a copy of the criminal record certificate(s) issued by their country or countries of residence for the past 2 years.
5. Proof of residence in the consular district: The applicant must provide proof of their legal residence in the consular district.
6. Proof of the representative’s identity and capacity: If the visa application is submitted through a representative, a copy of the ID card or passport of the representative and a copy of the power of attorney or official document accrediting representation must be submitted.
7. Proof of employment: You must provide a work contract.
8. Proof of insurance: You need to show proof of health insurance that has full coverage throughout Spain.
9. Payment of the visa fee: You need to pay the application fee.

Application process

The application process for the digital nomad visa in Spain involves the following steps:

1. Schedule an appointment with the nearest Spanish embassy or consulate.
2. Prepare the required documents. These include your national visa application form, valid passport, clean criminal record, two passport-size pictures, proof of insurance, proof of employment, and the payment of the application fee.
3. Pay the visa fee.
4. Attend the visa appointment.

You can apply for the digital nomad visa to Spain directly through a consulate or embassy in your home country, or you can enter Spain using a tourist visa and apply from inside Spain. However, if you choose the latter option, make sure not to wait more than 3 months. Once approved, you can stay in the country for one year.