The digital nomad visa in Spain is a residence permit designed for workers who embrace the workcation lifestyle, a growing trend among young professionals seeking to blend work and vacation. The shift in lifestyle for Generations X, Millennials, and Z after the Covid-19 pandemic has revolutionized the job market. Countries with favorable climates, like Spain, are using this to attract remote workers.
At Golden Partners, we offer a comprehensive guide to the opportunities provided by the digital nomad visa in Spain. Before making a 180-degree change towards an improved quality of life, explore the benefits of more daylight hours, delicious cuisine, and a rich cultural and leisure scene. Discover how the digital nomad visa can enhance your work-life balance in Spain.
and start saving on taxes while improving your quality of life!
Why Choose Spain and Madrid?
There are many reasons to choose Spain as a place to live, such as its climate, quality of life, cuisine, culture and heritage, infrastructure, language, and geographical diversity. Here are six key reasons summarized:
Cultural and economic center
Madrid offers great job opportunities in key sectors: technology, software development, digital marketing and SEO, graphic and web design, writing and content creation, consulting and advisory services, online education and tutoring, e-commerce, video and photography production, finance and trading, and professional coaching.
Efficient public transportation
The city has a robust public transportation system, including an extensive metro network, buses, and commuter trains, making it easy to travel within the city and to other parts of Spain. You can travel across a city of 6.7 million people in just 20 minutes.
Ocio nocturno
y cosmopolita
Known for its vibrant nightlife, Madrid offers a wide range of bars, restaurants, and nightclubs to suit all tastes and budgets across numerous diverse neighborhoods. Additionally, it is a cosmopolitan and diverse city, known for being open and tolerant, making it a welcoming place for people from all over the world.
Excellent educational centers
Madrid is home to some of the best universities and most prestigious business schools in Spain and Europe, such as the Complutense University of Madrid and IE Business School.
Parks and green spaces
The city offers parks and gardens, such as Retiro Park and Casa de Campo, which provide a break from the urban hustle. In fact, it is the European capital with the most green areas within the city.
Many coworking spaces
Throughout the city, there are various coworking centers designed for remote workers who want to share spaces with others in similar work situations.
What is the digital nomad visa in Spain?
The digital nomad visa in Spain is a residence permit designed for international remote workers, meaning foreigners residing outside the European Union, to perform work or professional activities remotely for companies located outside Spain.
This digital nomad visa applies to both employees working for a company and to self-employed individuals, such as freelancers and contractors.
It is estimated that currently there are more than 150,000 digital nomads residing and working in Spain, aged between 25 and 45.
This special visa is regulated by the Startup Law, which the government approved at the end of 2021 (see regulation in the Spanish Official State Gazette), and it serves as an open door for digital nomads and remote employees who wish to experience life in Spain.
Although Spain has always been a favorite destination for digital nomads, thanks to its enviable climate, fascinating cities like Madrid, Barcelona, Marbella, and Valencia, and reasonable living costs, visa restrictions previously limited their stay to 3 months, like any tourist, without allowing them to work legally. With the digital nomad visa in Spain, freelancers and remote workers from outside the EU can not only live but also work legally in Spain, enjoying additional tax benefits. This marks a new era for those seeking a work-life balance in one of Europe’s most attractive destinations.
The digital nomad visa in Spain: requirements
To obtain the digital nomad visa in Spain, you must meet the following requirements:
- Have at least 3 months of employment with the company or client.
- Possess a university degree or at least three years of professional experience.
- Provide a bank certification with a minimum of 25,000 euros.
- Have no criminal record.
- Have private health insurance.
- Demonstrate that the company you work for has real and ongoing operations.
- Provide documentation that shows the employment or professional relationship with the company is conducted remotely, as well as documents that demonstrate the terms and conditions of remote work.
Benefits of the digital nomad visa in Spain
Below is a list of all the benefits of the digital nomad visa:
Three-year duration, renewable for 2 more years
You can apply for a residence permit in Spain to work remotely for additional periods of up to 3 years, renewable for 2, provided you maintain remote employment, have sufficient income to support yourself, and have private health insurance. Additionally, from the second year, if you are a Hispanic-American citizen or from another nationality with which Spain has historical ties, you can access Spanish nationality (after 10 years in other cases). Also, from the fifth year, you can obtain permanent residence in Spain.
Taxation at 24% on part of your income.
You can benefit from the special tax regime for expatriates, known as the Beckham Law, which allows you to pay a 24% tax rate on your personal income tax (IRPF) for the first 600,000 euros, with the excess taxed at the marginal rate, during the application year and the following five years. Additionally, except for salary, you would only be taxed on income from Spanish sources, so income generated in your home country (from bank accounts or real estate) would not be subject to taxation in Spain.
Exemption from the Wealth Tax and Form 720
You will not be subject to the Wealth Tax or Form 720, the declaration of assets and rights abroad, so the Spanish tax authorities will not be informed about what you leave in your home country.
Benefits extendable to close family members
The spouse and children under 18 who accompany the visa holder can also apply for the Non-Resident Tax under the same duration and conditions.
How to apply for the digital nomad visa
Applying for the digital nomad visa in Spain involves following a series of well-defined steps, meeting certain deadlines, and contacting the relevant institutions, both inside and outside Spanish territory:
- Verification of preliminary requirements (employment contract or offer letter, proof of income, health insurance).
- Preparation of documents (passport with at least 6 months’ validity, criminal record certificate from the country of origin or where you have resided in the last 5 years, and proof of residence such as a rental contract).
- Visa application at the Spanish consulate or embassy abroad by scheduling an appointment and completing the official visa application form.
- Payment of fees.
- Review of the application by the consulate or embassy: the resolution period usually ranges from 1 to 3 months, depending on the consulate’s workload and its complexity.
- Arrival in Spain and registration: upon arrival in Spain with the intention of residing and working, the foreigner must apply for the TIE (Foreigner Identity Card) within 30 days of arrival at the foreigner’s office or the police station corresponding to the place of residence. Additionally, it is advisable to register at the town hall of the place where you will reside.
While the application can be made from abroad, and it is recommended to start at least 3 months in advance, the renewal of the digital nomad visa in Spain can be requested from within Spain. In any case, it is advisable to seek the assistance of experts in immigration and taxation to ensure compliance with all the requirements for obtaining it.
Golden Partners is here to guide you through the process of obtaining your digital nomad visa in Spain. Our experienced team of immigration and tax lawyers specializes in streamlining the visa application process, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free experience for you.
For expert advice and a no-obligation consultation, reach out to us through our contact form today. Let us help you enjoy the benefits of living and working in Spain as a digital nomad.
