What You Should Know About the Spanish Digital Nomad Visa

The official debut of Spain's Digital Nomad Visa program, which seeks to draw in foreign talent, is one step closer.

The Spanish Congress of Deputies approved the country's new digital nomad visa in a plenary session in December 2022, and at the time, officials said that the new visa would be introduced in 2023.

The eligibility requirements and application procedures should be reviewed in advance by anyone wishing to apply for Spain's new Digital Nomad Visa, even though the authorities have not yet made an official announcement about more details.

Who Qualifies for the New Spanish Digital Nomad Visa?

The Digital Nomad Visa is open to all nationals of non-European Union countries who are self-employed or who work for a non-Spanish corporation that has operations outside of Spain, according to the Washington Post.

The same also notes that applicants for the Digital Nomad Visa may be freelancers.  However, the percentage of this group of workers' income that comes from Spanish businesses cannot exceed 20%.

The minimum income criteria for Spain's Digital Nomad Visa is between €2,000 and €3,000 per month, and candidates must meet it in order to be considered.

The Spanish Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security, and Migration adds that candidates must also demonstrate that they have no criminal records in Spain or in any other country where they have lived in the previous five years.

Applicants must also obtain private health insurance, demonstrate that they have a place to live in Spain and have enough money to support themselves while living there.

The Washington Post further states that candidates must have worked remotely for at least a year and at least three months with their present firm in order to qualify for Spain's Digital Nomad Visa.

It has been made clear regarding the language requirement that applicants are not obliged to study the language in order to acquire a visa. Learning the language is still beneficial, though, as it makes it simpler for digital nomads to converse while traveling throughout Spain.

The Spanish Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security, and Migration adds that in addition to the aforementioned, family members of those who are granted a Digital Nomad Visa may also be given permission to live in Spain.

A person with a Digital Nomad Visa may leave the country for a maximum of six months per year, according to the Ministry.

According to the Ministry's statement, "They can be absent a maximum of six months per calendar year to continue maintaining the requirements for obtaining the authorisation."

Application Cost, Time, and Process

Anyone interested in applying for Spain's Digital Nomad Visa can do so either directly in Spain or at a Spanish embassy or consulate abroad.

A valid passport, a clean criminal record, two passport-size photos, proof of insurance, proof of employment, and the application fee must all be presented when applying for a Digital Nomad Visa. Applicants must also schedule an appointment via email and bring their application form and supporting documents.

Although candidates have the option of submitting their applications either in Spain or from their home country, immigration expert Maximiliano Agazzi Paulet has advised doing it from Spain.

Paulet has recommended everyone who intends to apply for Spain's Digital Nomad Visa to first enter the country on a tourist visa before submitting their application and all other necessary paperwork. The authorities may prolong the applicant's legal stay while the application is being considered, and once it is accepted, they may remain in Spain.

Including the consulate charge, the application for the Digital Nomad Visa in Spain costs about €75. Applicants will need to pay an additional fee of roughly €15 for the residency card should their application be accepted.

Regarding the processing period, it has been reported that generally speaking, consulates or embassies take two months to make a decision on applications for digital nomad visas.

However, it has been noted that applying in Spain may result in a quicker processing time. The officials, however, have not yet provided any additional details on the situation.

Beneficiaries of the new Digital Nomad Visa will pay less in taxes overall. The Corporation Tax for digital nomads would drop from 25% to 15%, the Spanish government said in December 2022.

Residency in Spain

Spain is one of the most well-liked travel locations in Europe, and regardless of personal tastes, everyone may find their own "home" there. A digital nomad should think about relocating to Spain in any number of places, but the IT centres of Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia are the most suggested.

The countryside is still a viable alternative for individuals who do not like cities and desire cheaper cost of living, however, because the benefit of the Digital Nomad Visa is that you can work from wherever you wish.

Contrary to Spain, which has yet to formally introduce its Digital Nomad Visa Program, a number of EU nations now provide this kind of visa for overseas nationals.

Croatia, Cyprus, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Latvia, Malta, Romania, the Netherlands, and Norway are among the EU nations that grant digital nomad visas.

By fLEXI tEAM