Many people who work from home dream of living in Spain. The country has nice weather all year, tasty food, beautiful beaches, and friendly people. In 2025, the Spain digital nomad visa requirements and application steps 2025 make it simple for remote workers from outside the EU to move there. This special visa lets you live in Spain and keep your job with a company or clients not in Spain. You can stay for one year at first, and then renew it for longer.
Spain started this visa in 2023 to bring in smart remote workers. It helps freelancers, company employees, and business owners who do their work online. With this visa, you can travel easily in many European countries. You can also bring your family. After some years, you might get to stay forever. This long guide tells you everything you need to know. We cover who can apply, what papers you need, how to apply, and tips to make it work.
Many digital nomads love working near the beach in places like Barcelona.
Why Spain Is Great for Digital Nomads
Spain is one of the best places for people who work online. The cost of living is not too high. You can rent a nice apartment in cities like Madrid or Valencia for less than in many big cities. The Internet is fast almost everywhere. There are many cafes and co-working spaces to work from.
People enjoy the lifestyle. You can walk on the beach, eat fresh food, and join festivals. Spain has good trains and planes to travel around Europe. The healthcare is high quality too. Many speak English in big cities, but learning some Spanish helps.
In 2025, more remote workers will choose Spain because the visa is easy to get and the rules are clear.
Working in a cozy cafe in Madrid is a common sight for nomads.
What Is the Spain Digital Nomad Visa?
The Spain digital nomad visa is also called the International Telework Visa. It lets non-EU people live in Spain while doing remote work. Your main job must be for companies or clients outside Spain. Freelancers can earn up to 20% from Spanish sources.
If you apply from outside Spain, the visa is for one year. If you apply while already in Spain on a tourist stay, you can get three years at once. You can renew it for two more years each time, up to five years total. Family members like your spouse and kids can come too.
This visa gives you a residence permit. You get a special ID card called TIE. With it, you can open bank accounts, rent homes, and use services easily.
Who Can Apply: Eligibility Rules
Not everyone can get this visa. You need to meet certain rules.
You must:
- Be from a country outside the EU or EEA.
- Do work that is fully remote, using only computers and the internet.
- Have your employer or most clients outside Spain.
- Have worked for your current job or clients for at least three months.
- Show you are skilled: have a university degree, professional certificate, or at least three years of experience.
- Have no crimes on your record in the last five years.
- I have not lived in Spain as a resident in the last five years.
Employees can apply if their company lets them work from Spain. In 2025, even some full-time salaried workers from places like the US have gotten approvals.
Freelancers fit well if they have long-term contracts with foreign clients.
Spain Digital Nomad Visa Requirements 2025: Income and Money Rules
Money proof is very important. You need to show you can support yourself without needing help from the government.
The digital nomad visa spain income requirements are based on Spain’s minimum wage, called SMI. In late 2025, the SMI is €1,184 per month. You need at least 200% of that for yourself. That means about €2,368 per month as the base.
Some official sources and recent updates show the required amount as €2,763 per month for one person. This can change with wage updates. Check the latest at your consulate.
For family:
- Add 75% of SMI for your spouse or first dependent.
- Add 25% for each child.
For example, for a family of four, you might need over €4,000 per month.
You prove income with bank statements, pay slips, contracts, or tax returns from the last year.
Full List of Documents You Need
To meet spain digital nomad visa requirements 2025, gather these papers early.
Main documents:
- Your passport, valid for at least one year, with blank pages.
- Filled spain digital nomad visa application form. You can download it from consulate sites.
- Recent passport photos.
- Proof you work remotely: letter from employer saying you can work from Spain, or client contracts.
- Proof your company or clients are outside Spain and have been for at least one year.
- Your qualifications: degree copy or work experience letters.
- Private health insurance that covers all of Spain, from a company allowed there.
- Criminal record check from your home country and any place you lived in the last five years. It needs an apostille and translation.
- Proof of a place to live in Spain, like a rental contract or hotel booking.
- Money proof, as above.
For family, add marriage certificates, birth certificates, all apostilled.
All non-Spanish papers need apostille (a special stamp) and often translation into Spanish by an official translator.
Here is how a typical visa application looks with forms and passports.
Visit the spain digital nomad visa official website at your local Spanish consulate for the exact list. For example, check sites like the one for London or Washington.
Step-by-Step: How to Do the Spain Digital Nomad Visa Application
Here is a simple guide to the spain digital nomad visa application.
- See if you qualify: Check income, work type, and rules.
- Get all documents ready: Start apostilles and translations. This can take months.
- Book a meeting: Go to your nearest Spanish consulate or a visa center like BLS. Book online.
- Go to the meeting: Bring everything, pay the fee (about €80-100), and give fingerprints if needed.
- Wait for answer: The spain digital nomad visa processing time is usually 15 to 45 days. Sometimes faster, like 20 days.
- If approved, go to Spain: Enter within the visa time.
- Get your ID card: Within 30 days, apply for the TIE card at a police station.
- Register at town hall: Get your local padron certificate for services.
You can start some parts of the digital nomad visa spain apply online, but you must go in person for the main submission.
Many people apply while on a tourist visit in Spain to get a longer stay right away.
Tips to avoid problems:
- Make copies of all papers.
- Use only approved insurance companies.
- Show clear proof of remote work.
- Start 3-6 months early.
Costs You Will Have
The visa is not free. Plan for these costs:
- Visa fee: €80 to €100.
- Health insurance: €50 to €150 per month.
- Apostilles and translations: €300 to €800.
- Travel to consulate: varies.
- Total for one person: around €1,000 to €2,000 to start.
Living in Spain costs about €1,500 to €2,500 per month in cities, less in smaller towns.
Taxes and Special Benefits
If you stay more than 183 days a year, you pay taxes in Spain on all your income.
Normal rates go up to 47%. But some can use the Beckham Law. This gives a flat 24% tax on income up to €600,000 for six years. Only foreign income is not taxed in Spain under this.
In 2025, some remote employees can use it if they qualify. Freelancers often cannot. Ask a tax expert1.
You might pay social security too, depending on your country’s agreements.
Benefits of This Visa
Why get it?
- Live legally in a great country.
- Bring your family.
- Travel in the Schengen area without extra visas.
- Possible lower taxes with special rules.
- Path to permanent stay after five years.
- Good internet, food, and fun life.
Many nomads say Spain feels like home fast.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
People sometimes get denied because:
- Not enough income proof.
- Wrong insurance.
- Missing apostilles.
- More than 20% Spanish income for freelancers2.
- Bad criminal check.
Double-check everything.
Best Cities for Digital Nomads in Spain
- Barcelona: Beaches, culture, many nomads.
- Madrid: Big city, jobs, nightlife.
- Valencia: Cheaper, beach, good food.
- Malaga: Sunny, growing nomad spot.
- Canary Islands: Warm all year, nature.
Pick based on what you like.
How to Renew the Visa
After your first period, renew before it ends. Show you still meet rules, like income and work. Renewals are for two years.
After five years, apply for permanent residency.
FAQs About Spain Digital Nomad Visa Requirements and Application Steps 2025
What is the minimum income for the Spain digital nomad visa in 2025?
You need at least 200% of Spain’s minimum wage (SMI). The SMI for 2025 is €1,184 per month (paid over 14 payments). This means about €2,368 per month for one person. Some consulates and recent updates list €2,763 per month for applications in certain cases (like from inside Spain). Add 75% for a spouse and 25% for each child. Prove it with bank statements or payslips.
What are the main spain digital nomad visa requirements 2025?
You must be non-EU, work remotely for non-Spanish companies or clients (up to 20% Spanish income for freelancers), have 3 months with your job, show skills (degree or 3 years experience), have private health insurance, no criminal record, and enough money.
Where can I find the spain digital nomad visa official website?
Each Spanish consulate has its own page. For example, check this London consulate page or your local one.
Can I include my family in the spain digital nomad visa application?
Yes! Bring your spouse, partner, children, or dependent parents. They need extra income proof and family documents (like marriage or birth certificates, apostilled).
Do I need health insurance?
Yes, full private insurance from a company is allowed in Spain. It must cover everything like the public system, no co-pays.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Spain digital nomad visa requirements and application steps 2025 give remote workers a great chance to live in a wonderful place. Follow the rules, prepare papers well, and you can enjoy Spain soon3. With good income proof and planning, most people succeed. Have you picked your favorite Spanish city yet? What questions do you still have about applying?
References
- Citizen Remote – Spain Digital Nomad Visa – Checklists, timelines, and advice for freelancers, employees, and expats. ↩︎
- Spanish Consulate Example (London) – Official requirements, forms, and rules from the government. ↩︎
- Get Golden Visa – Spain Digital Nomad Visa Guide – Covers income, documents, process, and tax tips for remote workers and families. ↩︎
