All You Need To Know: Applying for the Digital Nomad Visa

We’ve been waiting for Spain to confirm the terms & conditions when applying for a digital nomad Visa. Here’s everything you need to know, from who is eligible to how to apply.

Spain has been a first choice destination for years when it comes to digital nomads, due to its great weather, incredible cities, affordability and excellent internet speeds. But up to now, nomads have only been able to stay for a maximum of three months on a tourist visa. Not only did this mean that they couldn’t stay very long, but they weren’t supposed to working either.

As the number of remote jobs and digital nomads continues to rise, particularly since many people started working from home, many countries have been introducing digital nomad visas.

Spain aims to attract remote workers and digital nomads, which was finally approved by the Spanish government in November 2022, after much debate and is finally coming into force this year.

One of the most anticipated parts of this law is the digital nomad visa which will allow non-EU freelancers and remote workers entry and residency rights in Spain, as well certain tax benefits.

Who can apply?

• If you’re a freelancer or remote worker outside of the EU, as long as no more than 20 percent of your income comes from a Spanish company.

• You can either be self-employed and work for various clients or you can be employed by a particular company that has given you permission to work abroad remotely.
• You must have had a professional relationship with your clients or worked for your company for more than 3 months before your application.
• The company you work for must have been in operation for at least one year.
• You must have at least 3 years’ experience working in your field or must prove that you have the specific qualifications to do so, such as a degree or professional certificate from a recognised school or course.
• You cannot have lived in Spain during any of the 5 years previous to your application.
  
• You must not be living illegally in Spain at the time of your application.
  
• You must not have a criminal record and must be able to prove this.

What do I need to apply?

You must prove that you have sufficient finances to support your move to Spain. This is equal to 200 percent of the SMI or Minimum salary. On January 31st 2023, the Spanish government announced they would raise the minimum wage to a gross payment of €1,260 across 12 months. 

This means that you must be able to show that you will have an income of at least €2,520 per month or €30,240 per year. You can prove this amount either by showing your job contracts, invoices or bank statements.

You must also make sure that you have either private health insurance, simply getting travel insurance with health coverage is not enough.

How do I apply?

You can either come to Spain on a tourist visa and apply during the first 3 months or you can apply directly from your country through a consulate or embassy.

 As well as the form, there are several documents that you will need to show. Which are:

• A photocopy of your passport
• Proof of having paid the administrative fee on the application form.
• Professional accreditation or proof of professional relationship of at least 3 months prior to the date of application.
• Proof that the company you work for has existed for more than one year.
• A letter from the foreign company you work for, authorising you to work from Spain and detailing your role, salary other conditions.
• A copy of your degree or professional certificate of the job you will be carrying out or evidence of professional experience.
• Poof of a clear criminal record from the country you have lived in for the past 2 years, plus a sworn statement saying that you don’t have a criminal record from anywhere within the last 5 years.
• Public or private health insurance.
• Proof of income or funds.

Reports from various law firms around the country are saying that the process will take between 20 days and 3 months, but as this is a new visa it hasn’t yet been officially confirmed.

Written by BayRadio