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Digital Nomad Visa
In 2013, the government published the Entrepreneurs Law, a regulation intended to attract foreign talent and investments to Spain. Along with it, the visa for Entrepreneurs appeared, as well as the investor visa and many other types of residences.
But that law was not enough.
With the same impulse and with a very similar objective, the Government is now publishing a new law, this time very focused on startups, talent and innovation.
A law much more adapted to the current needs of the market, called the Startups Law.
Its goal is to position Spain as one of the leading countries in attracting entrepreneurs, investors and skilled workers. This creates the perfect mix as a country, as Spain also offers everything one might need when looking for the ideal living conditions (especially for remote workers).
Or perhaps the most important measure of the Startups Act is the one that focuses on recovering and bringing new international talent to the country, favoring the establishment of remote workers and digital nomads.
And that is done through the new Digital Nomad Visa.
What is the visa for digital nomads in Spain?
The visa for digital nomads is a residence permit that can be extended for a total of 5 years and that will allow non-EU citizens (from outside the European Union) to live and work remotely from Spain (exercising activities as digital nomads).
Yes, working remotely!
At last, foreigners who wish to move to Spain and continue working for a company abroad, or who have clients spread all over the world, will find a residence permit that perfectly suits their needs (instead of having to end up applying for a Non-Profit Visa which, in fact, does not allow them to work).
One of the great advantages of this residence is the double application option:
- On the one hand, you can apply directly from Spain with a tourist visa, obtaining directly the 3-year residence card.
- And, on the other hand, you can apply at the Spanish Consulate in your country of origin, which allows you to obtain a 1-year visa, and then, once you are in Spain you can renew this twice to a 2-year card.
Do these years count towards nationality?
The answer is yes. The years with this 3-year card (and its subsequent renewals) count for both Spanish nationality and permanent residency (which you can get after 5 years as a remote teleworker in Spain).
Apart from the tax advantages that we will explore later in this post, this permit will also allow you to include your spouse, children and parents in the same application; so you will be able to move with your family to Spain.
But that’s not all, because being framed within the Entrepreneurs Law, you will also benefit from an express resolution in just 20 days, and the applicable administrative silence is positive (so if you have no response within this period, the resolution is considered approved).
In addition, you will be able to move freely throughout the EU with this residence card.
As we have mentioned, this visa is oriented to non-EU citizens, since Europeans can work remotely for up to 6 months in the country (and if they wish to extend their stay, they only have to obtain their NIE as a resident).
Residency requirements for digital nomads
Below, you will find the complete list of final requirements.
But before going into detail with each requirement, you should keep in mind that there are two different profiles of foreigners who can obtain this permit (with slightly different requirements):
- Employees whose company allows them to travel and work remotely from another country (in this case Spain).
- Self-employed workers with several clients spread all over the world, or sources of income derived from online activities spread out in different countries but outside Spain.
So, if you want to apply for this remote work in Spain:
- The company/s for which you work must be located outside Spain
- Income received in Spain or from Spanish companies cannot represent more than 20% of the total.
- You must prove that you have been working for your company or have had a freelance relationship for your clients for at least 3 months prior to application
- Contract with the same company for at least 1 year.
- You have two different options to demonstrate that you have sufficient experience and training to be able to complete the application. Either demonstrate 3 years of work-related experience prior to application, or be a graduate or post-graduate from prestigious universities, vocational training and business schools.
- You must not have a criminal record, nor be banned from entering Spain. For this you must provide your criminal record certificate, with a minimum validity of 90 days, legalized and apostilled.
- Submit a sworn declaration of no criminal record in the last 5 years.
- You will have to fill in the corresponding application form (you can download it here).
- Pay the corresponding fee, in this case 790/038.
- Take out private medical insurance, with full coverage throughout Spain.
- A bank certificate proving a monthly income of €2,520, which represents 200% of the SMI. If the application includes more family members, proof of additional income is required and varies based on the number of applicants.
Finally, there is a difference depending on whether you work for an employer or are self-employed:
- If you have a contract with a foreign company (as an employee), it is essential that the company has been in operation for at least 1 year prior to your application. In addition, this company must state that teleworking for your position is allowed, and that it authorizes you to do so.
- If you are self-employed, you must be working for at least one company (which must be outside Spain), and it will be through the conditions of your contract where the possibility of telecommuting is specified.
