SPAIN DIGITAL NOMAD VISA PROGRAMME
Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa (often associated with the Startup Act / Ley
de Startups) is a residence route for non-EU nationals who want to live
in Spain while working remotely using digital tools. It is commonly used by:
- Remoteemployees working for an employer outside Spain
- Freelancers/contractors providing services mainly to clients outside Spain
Who it’s for (typical profiles)
- Professionals with stable remote employment and an employer that allows remote work from Spain
- Freelancers with ongoing international client work, contracts, and
invoice history - Applicants who can demonstrate clear, lawful income sources and a
consistent work track record
What the visa can allow
- Legal residence in Spain as a remote worker
- In many cases, family members may be included (eligibility depends
on the case profile) - Depending on the applicant’s situation, it may be possible to apply either:
- From abroad via the Spanish consulate, or
- Frominside Spain (only if eligible and legally present)
Core eligibility requirements
Applicants generally need to show:
- Non EU/EEA/Swiss nationality
- Remote work capability using digital/telecoms tools
- A valid employment or professional relationship with a company/client(s) outside Spain
- Sufficient income to support themselves (and dependents if included)
Financial requirements
Spain’s DNV financial requirement is typically calculated as 200% of Spain’s Minimum Interprofessional Salary (SMI) for the main applicant, plus additional amounts for dependents.
Minimum Requirements:
- Main applicant: €2,849/month (≈ €34,188/year)
- Add spouse/partner (first dependent): +€1,069/month (≈ €12,828/year)
- Add each additional dependent (commonly each child): +€357/month (≈ +€4,284/year)
Adding beneficiaries (family members)
In many cases, the following family members can be included as dependents (subject to eligibility rules and evidence requirements):
- Spouse or unmarried partner
- Dependent children
- In some cases, dependent relatives in the ascending line (e.g., parents) if dependency can be proven.
Processing timelines (practical expectations)
Timelines vary based on where you apply and appointment availability, but planning ranges are often:
- Document preparation: 2–6+ weeks (police certificates, apostilles,
translations, insurance) - Decision/processing: commonly ~2–10+ weeks depending on route and workload
- Post-approval steps (if applicable): biometrics and residence card formalities can add additional weeks depending on local appointments
