Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa - Eligibility & Benefits Explained
Spain, a popular destination for tourists and expats, is now welcoming digital nomads to work and live in the country with its new digital nomad visa. The country introduced the visa in January 2023, as a response to the growing trend of remote work and the increasing number of people who are looking for a place to work and live without the need for a physical office.
Read on as we discuss Spain’s digital nomad visa, including its requirements, benefits, and limitations.
The Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for Spain’s digital nomad visa, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Be a citizen of a country outside the European Union (EU) or the European Economic Area (EEA), or Switzerland.
- Be able to work remotely or freelance for one or more companies that are not based in Spain.
- Have higher education related to the position or proven experience of at least 3 years.
- Proof that the work has been carried out for at least 3 months prior to application
- Have a minimum monthly income of €2.520, which is the Spanish minimum wage.
- Have a minimum yearly salary of €30.240
- Have medical insurance contracted with a Spanish insurance company.
- No criminal record for the last 2 years.
The Top 4 Benefits of the Digital Nomad Visa
Spain’s digital nomad visa provides several benefits to its holders, including:
- Legal residency: Holders of the digital nomad visa will be legally allowed to live and work in Spain for up to 3 years and renewable for 2 more years.
- Access to healthcare:Holders of the digital nomad visa can access the Spanish health system if they are registered and pay social security contributions.
- Ease of travel: Holders of the digital nomad visa will be able to travel freely within the Schengen Area, which includes 27 countries in Europe.
- Quality of life: Spain offers a high quality of life, with a warm climate, beautiful beaches, and a rich culture.
Apply for your Nomad Visa today
Start Now!The Limitations of the Digital Nomad Visa
- Income Requirement: Applicants must have a minimum monthly income of €2,520 to be eligible for the digital nomad visa, which may be challenging for some digital nomads who are just starting out.
- Freelance Work Only: Holders of the digital nomad visa are not allowed to work for a Spanish company or establish a business in Spain.
- Minimum stay requirement: Digital nomads must stay in Spain for at least 6 months per year in order to be able to renew their visa after 3 years.
Understanding the Application Process
The application process for Spain’s digital nomad visa is straightforward and must be done online once the applicant is in Spain. The following steps are required:
- Gather required documentation: Applicants must provide a valid passport, proof of remote work or freelance status, proof of health insurance, and proof of income.
- Pay the application fee: The fee for the digital nomad visa when applying from Spain is €73,26.
- Wait for approval: The processing time for the digital nomad visa is 20 working days.
- Get the fingerprints: after the approval, the applicant must get an appointment to attend the police station for fingerprinting.
- Pick up the residency card: after 1 month, the card will be ready to pick up. The residency card is valid for 3 years.
Conclusion
Spain’s digital nomad visa offers a great opportunity for remote workers and freelancers who are looking for a new place to live and work. With its mild climate, beautiful beaches, and rich culture, Spain is a popular destination for tourists and expats, and now digital nomads can enjoy the benefits of living and working in the country legally. The benefits of legal residency, access to healthcare, ease of travel, and quality of life make it an attractive option for many digital nomads.
Are you interested in Spain’s digital nomad visa? NIM Immigration Lawyers is a team of professional digital immigration lawyers in Barcelona. We are here to help you travel, visit, live, and work in Spain. Contact us to get started today!
