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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Spain Digital Nomad Visa
The Digital Nomad Visa (Visado para Teletrabajadores de Carácter Internacional) allows non-EU citizens to legally live in Spain while working remotely for companies or clients located outside the country.
It’s ideal for remote employees, freelancers, and self-employed professionals who want to enjoy Spain’s culture and lifestyle without giving up their international work.
To qualify, you must be a non-EU citizen who works remotely for a non-Spanish company or clients mainly based outside Spain. You need at least 3 months of work or freelance experience with your current employer or clients, and the company you work for must have existed for at least 1 year. You also need a degree or 3 years of relevant work experience, and of course, no criminal record in the last 5 years.
If you apply from outside Spain, you’ll first get a 1-year visa. But if you apply while already in Spain, maybe you’re on a tourist visa or another residence permit, you can go straight for a 3-year residency, which you can renew later on.
The term “Digital Nomad Visa” is often used loosely to describe both the actual digital nomad visa and the residence permit for remote workers, even though they are distinct.
The visa is applied for in your home country through the Spanish consulate and grants you a one-year stay in Spain. The residence permit, on the other hand, is applied for while you’re already in
Spain as a tourist and provides up to three years of residency.
Another key advantage of the residence permit is that it can be processed by a legal representative or visa specialist on your behalf, making the process easier and faster.
Whenever possible, it’s recommended to apply for the residence permit, as it offers more benefits and greater convenience overall.
Yes! You can bring your spouse or partner, children, and even parents as dependents. Just make sure you can show enough income to support everyone. If you’re bringing parents or adult kids, you’ll need to prove they’ve been financially dependent on you for at least a year before you apply.
For Main Applicant:Passport — scan all pagesTasa Modelo 790, Código 380 — that’s the government fee, €73.26MIT application formWork contract / agreement — with sworn translationBank statements (no translation needed) — highlight the transactions that match your invoices/payslipsThree months of invoices/payslips (no translation needed)Certificate of Good Standing / Company Registration Certificate — with apostille and sworn translationLetter from your client or employer authorizing remote work — with sworn translationDiploma or degree certificate — with apostille and sworn translation. If your degree isn’t related or you don’t have one, show proof of at least 3 years of work experienceCurriculum Vitae — with simple Spanish translationPledge to register as autónomo — with simple translationPolice Clearance or Criminal Record Certificate — with apostille and sworn translationResponsible declaration of no criminal record — with simple translation
For Dependent Spouse/Partner:Passport — scan all pagesTasa Modelo 790, Código 380 — that’s the government fee, €73.26MIF application formMarriage Registration Certificate — with apostille and sworn translation. If you are unmarried, you need to show proof of relationshipPrivate Health InsurancePolice Clearance or Criminal Record Certificate — with apostille and sworn translationResponsible declaration of no criminal record — with simple translationSpecial Power of Attorney — with apostille and sworn translation. Only needed if the dependent is not in Spain at the time of application
For Dependent Minor Children:Passport — scan all pagesTasa Modelo 790, Código 380 — that’s the government fee, €73.26MIF application formBirth Certificate — with apostille and sworn translationPrivate Health InsuranceAffidavit of Consent — notarized, with apostille & sworn translation. Only needed if one parent is not coming or the parents are separated
For 2026, if you’re applying inside Spain, here’s the monthly requirement:
€2,849 for one person€3,917 for main applicant + 1 dependent€4,273 for main applicant + 2 dependents€4,629 for main applicant + 3 dependents€4,985 for main applicant + 4 dependents€5,341 for main applicant + 5 dependents
If you’re applying from your home country, it might vary depending on your local consulate.
If you’re just short by around €100–€200, don’t panic! You can make up for it with savings. Just multiply the shortfall by 36 months, and if you have at least that much in the bank, you’re good.
Yes, absolutely! You can combine income from multiple clients as long as your total monthly income meets the minimum requirement for the Digital Nomad Visa. Just make sure you submit invoices, contracts, and proof of payments for each client to show that your income is stable and consistent.
If only one person is the primary applicant and the other is applying as a dependent, you cannot combine both incomes to meet the threshold. In that case, the primary applicant must meet the required income for the total number of dependents included in the application.
Since you need to present a contract, letter of authorization, and company certificate, income from individual freelance or project-based clients typically won’t be counted for the Spain Digital Nomad Visa.
The UGE looks for an ongoing, verifiable relationship with a company rather than separate short-term clients.
If this applies to you, here are two possible options:
Work through a company – You could explore doing additional remote work for an existing company and use that contract and supporting documents as part of your application.
Use or establish your own company – If you already have a registered business (or plan to start one), you can use that company to aggregate your freelance income and pay yourself through it.
Keep in mind: the company must have been in existence for at least 1 year, and you’ll need at least 3 months of work history with it at the time of application.
The DNV is for remote international work, so you can’t take a local job. However, you can earn up to 20% of your income from Spanish clients. And here’s a cool part: if your spouse or partner is your dependent, they can work locally in Spain with full employment rights.
You’ve got two options:Apply from your home country through a Spanish consulate or embassy,or apply online in Spain through the UGE-CE portal if you’re already there legally.
If you apply through UGE in Spain, it usually takes around 20 working days.If there’s no response by then, you can file for something called “positive administrative silence”, which basically means it’s automatically approved.If you’re applying through a consulate, the timeline depends on your country.
Here’s the thing... If you’re already in Spain, applying through UGE is usually faster and smoother, plus you can go straight for a 3-year residency instead of a 1-year visa.But if you’re outside Spain, applying through your local consulate is the right move. It just might take a bit longer depending on your location and requirements can differ depending on the consulate handling your application.
You’ll need a sworn translator accredited by the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, also known as a traductor jurado. You can find the official list on the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs website — just search for “Lista de Traductores Jurados MAEC.”
We also have a sworn translator working with us. Most translators charge around €30–35 per page, but ours offers a much lower rate. If you’re applying for a DNV and need sworn translations, feel free to message us and send your files. We can provide you with a quote. We assure you’ll get the best rate you won’t find anywhere else.
Not really. For online applications through UGE, you only need to scan and upload digital copies of everything: your documents, apostilles, and sworn translations. Just make sure they’re clear, complete, and properly signed or stamped by the translator or issuing authority. You’ll only need to show the originals if immigration specifically asks for them later on.
If you are applying from the consulate in your country of residence, you need to submit original copies of the documents with apostille. The sworn translations can just be printed from the scanned copy.
No, you don’t have to hire a lawyer. It’s totally possible to submit your Digital Nomad Visa application on your own, especially if you’re organized and follow the checklist carefully.
But some people still choose to hire an immigration lawyer, gestor, or a professional DNV consultant like us to make the process smoother, double-check the documents, and handle submission with UGE and monitor the notifications. It really depends on how confident you feel doing paperwork. Again, it's not required, but really helpful if you want peace of mind.
Our Spain Digital Nomad Visa assistance packages have different payment structures depending on the type of service. The Semi-DIY / Submission-Only package and the Reapplication in Spain after Consulate Approval are both one-time payments.
For the Comprehensive Assistance package, payment is divided into two parts — 70% to start and 30% on or before submission day. The initial 70% covers the majority of the work, as most of the process takes place during the document preparation and pre-submission phase, which requires extensive coordination, document review, and ongoing support to make sure all requirements are properly met.
We accept payments through Wise and EUR bank transfer within Spain. Credit card payments are also available; however, please note that an additional 4% processing fee applies for card transactions.
We assist clients of all nationalities, no matter where they’re from. The Spain Digital Nomad Visa application can be completed entirely online when applying from within Spain, so we can support applicants anywhere in the world.
We also cater to applications submitted through the Spanish consulates abroad, regardless of nationality. Please note that consulate applications require the applicant’s personal appearance for document submission and biometrics.
If you’re applying for the Spain Digital Nomad Visa through us, you don’t need an NIE. Since we submit the application on your behalf, we use our own digital certificate to access the platform and file your documents.
If you’re applying through a Spanish consulate, you’ll need an NIE, as it’s required for the in-person submission process.
If you plan to apply on your own from within Spain (DIY), you’ll also need your own NIE in order to obtain a digital certificate, which is required to access the online application system.
Generally, documents should be issued within the last 6 months when you submit your Spain Digital Nomad Visa application. This includes police clearance certificates, company registration, birth certificates, marriage certificates, and other civil documents — you’ll need certified copies dated within that timeframe.
However, some documents like diplomas or academic records can be older, since the information doesn’t change. The apostille on your diploma can also be more than 6 months old.
If you’re preparing documents early, make sure the key certificates are still valid when you’re ready to submit. If needed, you may have to request updated versions before your final submission.
You can request administrative silence any time after 20 working days from the date your application was officially submitted. In most cases, we recommend waiting an additional couple of days, especially if there were public holidays during that period, as these can sometimes affect response times.
We suggest waiting up to 5 extra business days, but it isn’t required. Once the 20 days have passed without a decision, you are already allowed to request administrative silence.
If you don’t have a university degree, you can still qualify for the Spain Digital Nomad Visa by proving at least three years of professional experience in your field. This is typically done by providing three years of tax documents, such as tax returns if you are self-employed or annual tax summary statements if you were employed.
In addition, you must submit a letter from any of the companies listed on those tax documents confirming that you worked for them and briefly explaining the work you performed. All tax documents must be legalised or apostilled, and all documents must be sworn translated into Spanish to be accepted.
Even though the Spain Digital Nomad Visa (DNV) application is submitted online through the UGE platform, the law requires applicants to be physically present in Spain when applying for residency from within the country.
The in-Spain application is considered a residency authorisation, not a consulate visa, and Spanish authorities are strict about verifying that you are inside Spain at the time of submission. You must show proof of entry, such as a passport stamp or an entry declaration form, before submitting your application.
If you prefer not to travel yet, you can apply instead through your home country’s Spanish consulate.
Yes. You can travel outside of Spain or the Schengen Area while your Digital Nomad Visa application is being processed, as long as you are able to return to Spain legally once the visa or residency is approved. This means you must have a valid Schengen visa if your nationality requires one, or be within the 90-day visa-free allowance to re-enter Spain after approval. If you are already in Spain on a tourist stay and plan to apply from inside the country, make sure you can lawfully return once your application is approved.
Yes. If you submitted your Digital Nomad Visa application while you were legally in Spain, you are allowed to remain in Spain while waiting for the decision, even if your tourist stay or visa expires during the processing period. Your stay is considered legal as long as the application was filed before your permitted stay ended. However, you should not leave Spain during this time unless you are sure you can legally re-enter, as exiting the country may affect your ability to return.
Once your Digital Nomad Visa is approved, you’ll need to attend your TIE appointment in Spain to obtain your residency card. Make sure you prepare the following:
Required Documents:
DNV Approval Resolution - The official acceptance letter from UGE confirming your residency approval.
Valid Passport - Your physical passport (not a copy).
TIE Application Form (EX-17) - The completed residency card application form required by your province.
Tasa Payment Receipt (Modelo 790) - Proof that you have paid the TIE fee at a bank before your appointment.
Passport Photos - One or more recent passport-sized photos. Requirements may vary by province, so it’s best to bring a few extras.
Padrón Certificate - Required in many provinces. Check the requirements of your specific appointment location.
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