Digital nomad visa

Description

The residence authorization for international remote workers allows non-EU foreign nationals to reside in Spain while providing professional services remotely, using exclusively computer, online and telecommunication tools. It is designed for people who work, as employees or as independent professionals, for companies located outside Spain on a remote basis.

Advantages

• Lets you reside legally in Spain while working for foreign companies
• Family members can apply jointly with you
• Fast processing by the Large Companies Unit (Unidad de Grandes Empresas), with positive administrative silence
• Access to public healthcare once you hold the municipal registration certificate (empadronamiento) and meet the requirements
• Facilitates mobility and stays within the Schengen Area of up to 90 days per six-month period

Who can apply? (including family members)

• Main applicant profile
• Non-EU foreign nationals who work as employees or as self-employed professionals for companies located outside Spain, using technology to do so.
• Who must be the main applicant
• The international remote worker who meets the conditions set by the regulations in force.
• Family members who may be included in the same application

The following family members may be included in a joint application:

• Spouse or unmarried partner (pareja de hecho)
• Minor children, or adult children financially dependent on the applicant
• Dependent ascendants who live with the applicant

Requirements

For the visa (when applying from outside Spain):

• Not be in Spain unlawfully
• Have worked for at least 3 months for the foreign employer or client
• Show experience or training in your professional field (at least 3 years of experience, or a university degree or equivalent qualification)
• Provide an employment contract or documents proving the professional relationship
• The foreign company must have been operating for at least one year
• Have public health insurance, or private health insurance with a company authorized to operate in Spain
• Have no criminal record over the last 5 years in the countries where you have lived
• Have sufficient financial means (at least 200% of the monthly SMI, the Spanish minimum wage, for the main applicant)

For the residence authorization (when you are already in Spain legally):

• Be in lawful status in Spain (for example, with a valid visa or another type of stay)
• Meet the same requirements listed above for the visa

Required documents

Application process

1. 1

   Gathering the documents

   Gather all the documents required for your type of application (visa or residence).

2. 2

   Filing the application

   From abroad: at the competent Spanish consulate. From Spain: with the Large Companies and Strategic Groups Unit (Unidad de Grandes Empresas y Colectivos Estratégicos, UGE-CE), if you are in lawful status

3. 3

   Decision and visa issuance

   The authorities have 20 business days to decide. If they do not respond, the application is deemed granted by positive administrative silence (silencio administrativo positivo).

4. 4

   Entry into Spain and final steps

   Once the visa or authorization is granted, the applicant may enter Spain and must apply for the foreigner identity card (TIE) within 30 days of entry or of the favorable decision.

Duration and renewal

Initial term:

• The initial authorization is granted for up to 3 years, unless a shorter period is requested.

Renewal:

• It may be renewed for 2-year periods, provided the conditions on which it was originally granted continue to be met.

FAQ

Applicable law

1. Ley 14/2013, de 27 de septiembre, de apoyo a los emprendedores y su internacionalización
2. Reglamento (UE) 2016/679 del Parlamento Europeo y del Consejo, de 27 de abril de 2016 (en materia de protección de datos personales, para tratamiento de la información del solicitante)