Do you dream of living life as a digital nomad in sunny Spain? Whether you want to set up a base in modern Madrid, a beach in Mallorca, sun-drenched Malaga, or any other city or town in Spain, you’re in luck. The Spain Digital Nomad Visa is now available for non-EU nationals, allowing them to live and work in Spain for up to five years.
Do I Need a Digital Nomad Visa in Spain?
If you’re a national or resident of an EU member country, you will not need a digital nomad visa in Spain. You already have the right to live and work in Spain as much as you’d like.
If you’re a citizen or resident of a non-EU country, the new digital nomad visa program is perfect for you if you’re looking to live in Spain.
The visa applies to all regions of the country, so it doesn’t matter in which city you wish to live.
Digital Nomad Visa in Spain
Introduced as part of the Startup Act in November 2022, Spain’s digital nomad visa is now available for eligible applicants.
Key Features of the Digital Nomad Visa in Spain
Spain’s digital nomad visa allows foreign citizens to work remotely for a non-Spanish company while residing in Spain. The visa is initially valid for 12 months or the duration of the employment period if it is shorter than 12 months. It can be renewed for up to five years.
One of the main perks of the digital nomad visa in Spain is its tax benefits. Remote workers can pay a reduced tax rate of 15% during the first four years of their stay, provided they earn below €600,000 a year, instead of the usual 24% rate.
Family members such as spouses and children can also join the visa holder in the country with proof of sufficient funds.
Qualifications and Requirements for a Digital Nomad Visa in Spain
To be eligible for Spain’s digital nomad visa, applicants must meet certain professional requirements, including demonstrating work experience or qualifications. They must also prove that they earn enough money to be self-sufficient, with the income threshold set at 200% of Spain’s monthly minimum wage, which currently amounts to €2,334 per month or €28,000 per year. Health insurance is also required.
You can apply for Spain’s digital nomad visa directly through a consulate or embassy in your home country or enter Spain on a tourist visa and apply within the first three months.
Why Be a Digital Nomad in Spain?
With its strategic position in southwestern Europe, relatively low cost of living and affordability, as well as an abundance of culture and a pleasant climate, Spain is a great place to become a digital nomad.
Spain also offers an abundance of international airports and a well-connected railway system, meaning that traveling around Europe is easy and affordable if that’s something important to you.
Where Should I Become a Digital Nomad in Spain?
Cities such as Madrid, Barcelona, Bilbao, and Valencia offer modern amenities, plenty of cultural experiences and museums, co-working facilities, and comfortable cafes where you can relax and work.
If you’re a beach bum or love to be by the sea, consider cities along the Costa del Sol, such as Malaga or Marbella. White-washed cities on the Costa Brava, such as Tarragona or Cadaques offer a more intimate setting.
Lovers of nightlife will be happy to know that they can be based on one of the Balearic islands, such as Ibiza or Mallorca. The Canary Islands have some of the highest concentrations of expats in Europe, so you will have no trouble making friends and finding like-minded people there.
What We Know So Far About a Digital Nomad Visa in Spain
This new Spanish initiative is part of the Startup Act. Its purpose is to set up a special digital nomad visa as well as a fiscal regime for startups. As of now, in spring 2022, the law is only a draft. That means that it has yet to pass a parliamentary vote to become a law. It needs a majority of votes in order to pass. Once the draft law is in the hands of the parliament, it is expected to take weeks of deliberations before a vote is held.
The law that is drafted does give us some insight into what to expect from a digital nomad visa in Spain. So far, we know that foreign citizens will have the right to work remotely for a non-Spanish company while residing in Spain. This is not the same as a full work visa, as you won’t be able to work for a Spanish company or work non-remotely.
The visa will be valid for a period of between six months to one year. It will be eligible for renewal up to two times, allowing you to live and work remotely in Spain for a period of up to three years.
One of the main perks of the digital nomad visa in Spain is its purported tax breaks for digital nomads. Digital nomads would be subject to a non-resident income tax, meaning they would only pay 15% taxes as opposed to the usual 25%.
Family members such as spouses and children would also be included on the digital nomad visa in Spain.
Qualifications and Requirements for a Digital Nomad Visa in Spain
As of yet, we do not know all of the specific requirements that will be in place to get a digital nomad visa in Spain. According to speculation, we know the following:
You will probably need to prove that you’ve worked remotely for at least one year.
You will likely need to fill out an application, provide bank statements providing proof of economic solvency (i.e., that you are capable of supporting yourself in the country), and provide a letter from an employer or client(s) proving that your work position is remote and for a non-Spanish company. You will also likely need to prove that you’ve been with the said company for at least three months.
This is all still hearsay, however. Hopefully, we will know more in the coming months as the situation develops and the draft law is voted on by the Spanish parliament.