Spain National Digital Nomad Visa: 2025 Eligibility Guide

Key Takeaways

• Spain’s Type D Digital Nomad Visa lasts up to one year (or three years if applying from Spain).
• Applicants must show at least €2,763 monthly income, clean criminal record, and qualifying remote work arrangement.
• Applicants need apostilled, translated documents and must attend a consulate appointment before receiving approval.

The Spain National (Type D) Digital Nomad Visa offers remote workers the chance to live and work from Spain 🇪🇸 for up to one year (or three if applying from within Spain), making it a great choice for people who want to experience Spanish culture while continuing their career online. This guide explains everything you need to know about getting this visa in 2025. You’ll find straightforward details about eligibility, required paperwork, fees, processing time, and each step you need to take. Tips are included to help you avoid common mistakes and prepare for a smooth application process.

Checklist for the Spain National (Type D) Digital Nomad Visa

Before we start with the step-by-step guide, here’s a quick checklist of what you’ll need:

• Meet all eligibility criteria, including the minimum monthly income.
• Gather all required documents (with Apostille and translation if needed).
• Schedule and attend your appointment at a Spanish consulate or embassy.
• Pay the application and related fees.
• Wait for visa decision and collect your paperwork.
• Enter Spain 🇪🇸 and finish your residency registration.

Now, let’s go through each step in detail.

1. Understanding the Type D Digital Nomad Visa

The Spain National (Type D) Digital Nomad Visa lets qualified people live and work in Spain 🇪🇸 while working for a company outside of Spain or serving international clients. This visa is helpful for digital workers who want to spend time in Spain 🇪🇸 without needing to get another work permit. As reported by VisaVerge.com, the demand for digital nomad visas has grown quickly in recent years, making Spain 🇪🇸 a top choice for remote workers around the world.

2. Eligibility Criteria

It’s vital to check the eligibility criteria before preparing your application. If you don’t meet all these points, your application will likely be rejected.

Key Criteria:

• Age and Citizenship: You must be over 18 and a non-EU/EEA citizen. This means citizens of the European Union 🇪🇺 or European Economic Area are not eligible.
• Criminal Record: You need a clean criminal record with no serious convictions in the last five years. You cannot apply if you were refused entry to any Schengen country.
• Health Insurance: You must have valid health insurance that is authorized to operate in Spain 🇪🇸. The coverage should be at least €30,000 per person per year. Freelancers working only for foreign companies may be allowed to use insurance from outside Spain 🇪🇸, but most need Spanish-approved coverage.
• Accommodation: Proof of accommodation in Spain 🇪🇸 is required. A rental contract, hotel booking, or property deed will work. For initial application, temporary bookings are accepted.
• Remote Work Proof: You must work for a company outside Spain 🇪🇸 or be self-employed with mostly non-Spanish clients. If self-employed, up to 20% of your income can come from Spanish sources.
• Minimum Monthly Income: The base requirement is at least €2,763 per month. This is double the Spanish minimum wage for 2025. You must prove stable income for at least the previous three months.
  • If you are bringing family:
    • Add €1,035 per month for a spouse, partner, or adult relative.
    • Add €346 per month for each child.
• Professional Qualifications: You need either a university degree or at least three years of work experience in your field.
• Work Relationship: You must have worked with your current employer or client for at least three months before applying. The company must have been in business for at least one year.
• Previous Residence: You cannot have lived in Spain 🇪🇸 illegally or have resided in Spain 🇪🇸 within the past five years.

Tip: Review each item carefully and make notes on how you meet each point. If you miss even one, your application could be denied.

3. Required Documentation

Bringing the correct paperwork is one of the most important parts of the application process. You will usually need both originals and clear copies. Some documents will need an Apostille (an official stamp that proves the document is real) and an official translation into Spanish.

Main Documents:

• Visa Application Form: Fill out the Spain National (Type D) Digital Nomad Visa application form for each person applying (including dependents).
  • Official Application Form from Spanish Government
• Valid Passport: Your passport should be valid for at least one year and have two blank pages.
• Photos: Two recent passport photos that match Schengen rules.
• Proof of Employment:
  • Employee: Employment contract and a company letter that says you are allowed to work remotely.
  • Freelancers/Self-Employed: Contracts with clients, proof your business is real, and proof that no more than 20% of income comes from Spanish clients.
• Proof of Qualifications: A university degree, a professional certificate, or proof of at least three years’ relevant experience.
• Criminal Record Check: A criminal background certificate from each country you’ve lived in during the last five years. Must include an Apostille and be translated into Spanish.
  • All adult family members must include this document.
  • Add a sworn statement declaring you have no convictions in the previous five years.
• Health Insurance: A valid health insurance policy that meets the requirements for Spain 🇪🇸. Coverage should show names of all family members included.
• Proof of Accommodation: Lease agreement, hotel booking, or deed.
• Family Members: Marriage certificate, birth certificates, or documents showing dependency (all with Apostille and translation if needed).

Note: Requirements for translation can vary by consulate. Check with your local consulate for details about languages accepted.

Tip: Start collecting and legalizing documents early. Getting Apostilles and translations can take several weeks.

4. Application Fees and Other Costs

You must pay all required fees before or during your appointment. The exact amounts can change, so check with the consulate.

Typical Fees (per person):

Other out-of-pocket costs include:

• Background checks: Around $160 (can vary by country).
• Health insurance: Starts at €50 per month.
• Notarizations and Translations: These can easily total over €1,000 if you have many documents to process.

Caution: Fees aren’t usually refunded if your application is denied, so double-check your paperwork before submitting.

5. Validity Period of the Visa

• If you apply from outside Spain 🇪🇸 at a consulate or embassy, your first digital nomad visa can last up to one year.
• If you apply from within Spain 🇪🇸 using the UGE (Unidad de Grandes Empresas) process, your visa can be granted for up to three years.

Both options make it possible to renew as long as you still meet the requirements and spend at least 183 days per year actually living in Spain 🇪🇸.

Note: You must physically be in Spain at least half the year to keep your residency.

6. Processing Time

Getting your visa is not instant. Here’s what you can expect:

1. Gathering Documents: Collecting paperwork, getting Apostilles and translations takes at least 2–4 weeks, sometimes more.
2. Consulate Appointment: Booking can take 2–4 weeks, since most consulates now require you to make an appointment ahead of time.
3. Visa Processing: After submission, you can expect to wait 2–6 weeks for a decision.

Total Estimate: 4–12 weeks from start to finish.

You’ll get a tracking link or reference number from the consulate so you can check your status.

Tip: Don’t book travel until you receive your visa.

7. Step-by-Step Application Procedure

Step 1: Gather Documents

• Make sure you have all the required paperwork listed above.
• Check if documents need apostille or certified translation.
• Organize documents by type to speed up checks at your appointment.

Step 2: Book Your Appointment & Pay Fees

• Find the nearest Spanish embassy or consulate’s website.
• Booking is usually done by email or an online portal.
• Be sure to note the process for your specific area as it can differ.
• Pay any required fees as instructed.

Step 3: Attend the Appointment

• Bring everything: all originals and copies.
• The consulate staff may ask you questions about your job, clients, accommodation, and income.
• Your passport stays at the consulate, but original supporting documents are returned after viewing.
• Calmly answer all questions and stick to the facts.

Step 4: Wait for Processing

• Go home and wait for your decision. Use the tracking reference provided to check your status online.
• Processing usually takes 2–6 weeks.

Step 5: Collect Your Visa

• You’ll be notified when your visa is ready.
• Bring your receipt and photo ID to collect your passport and visa.

Step 6: Arrive in Spain & Register Residency

• Enter Spain 🇪🇸 while your visa is still valid.
• Register your local address (this is called “empadronamiento”).
• Apply for your residence card (TIE) and get your tax number (NIE) within 30 days.

8. What to Do if Denied or Delayed

If your application is not approved, check the reason for rejection. You may appeal, reapply, or fix any missing paperwork. If you don’t get a decision within 12 weeks, contact the consulate to make sure your file is still active.

9. Special Considerations for Families

• Children under 18 and other dependents are allowed, but you must show proof they cannot support themselves.
• All adults in the application must provide their own criminal background certificate and health insurance coverage.
• Each added dependent increases the required minimum monthly income.

10. Life After Approval: Your First Weeks in Spain

Once you arrive in Spain 🇪🇸 on your Spain National (Type D) Digital Nomad Visa:

• Register your address at your local town hall.
• Visit the immigration office to apply for your TIE (residence card) and get your NIE (tax ID number).
• Open a bank account if needed.
• Adjust to life and local rules—such as required health insurance and tax reporting.

11. Where to Find More Help

Help is available if you have problems with your application. For the most up-to-date information and answers to common questions, visit the official Spanish government’s page on Digital Nomad Visas or consult your nearest Spanish consulate.

Summary

The Spain National (Type D) Digital Nomad Visa is an excellent option for remote workers, freelancers, or entrepreneurs who wish to stay in Spain 🇪🇸. Meeting the eligibility criteria—including the minimum monthly income requirement—collecting the right documents, and following each step as described in this guide will make your application process much easier and more likely to succeed. Keep in mind the extra requirements if you plan to bring your family. If you have questions, always look to official sources for updates.

With careful planning and attention to detail, you could soon be living and working from the sunny beaches, historic cities, and lively towns of Spain 🇪🇸. Good luck!

Learn Today

Apostille → An official certification attached to documents for international use, confirming authenticity for legal or immigration purposes.
Consulate → A government office located abroad that handles visas, legal documents, and support services for its country’s citizens.
NIE Number → Spanish Foreigner Identification Number necessary for residency, tax, and legal transactions in Spain.
TIE → Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero, the residence card proving legal stay and identity for foreign nationals in Spain.
Empadronamiento → The process of registering your address at the local town hall in Spain, required for residency and access to services.

This Article in a Nutshell

Spain’s Type D Digital Nomad Visa lets remote workers live and work in Spain for up to one year. Applicants must show qualifying remote employment, minimum €2,763 monthly income, proper health insurance, and comply with paperwork requirements. Planning ahead and reviewing eligibility details is vital for a successful application.
— By VisaVerge.com

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