The Complete Guide to the Spain Digital Nomad Visa
If you have been searching “move to Spain from the US” or “can I work remotely from Spain,” this is probably not a random idea.
For many Americans and Canadians, the thought starts quietly. Another long winter. Another year of rising healthcare costs. Another season of working constantly but feeling like life is passing quickly in between meetings.
Spain begins to appear in your searches.
Not just for vacations, but for living.
You start wondering if it is possible to relocate without giving up the career you worked hard to build. You ask yourself whether you could keep your remote job, continue running your business, and legally live in Spain.
The answer, in many cases, is yes.
The Spain Digital Nomad Visa was created specifically for remote professionals who want to live in Spain while working for a foreign employer or running an international business. It offers a legal pathway to residency without requiring you to find a Spanish job.
But while the concept is simple, the process is technical. Below are the most common questions people ask when researching the Spain Digital Nomad Visa, along with clear answers to help you understand what is realistic and how to approach the move strategically.
Yes. If you are a non European Union citizen and your work is location independent, the Spain Digital Nomad Visa allows you to live in Spain while continuing to work remotely for a company or clients outside Spain.
You do not need a Spanish employer. Your income must primarily come from abroad, which makes this visa particularly attractive for professionals based in the United States and Canada.
If you are already working remotely, Spain does not require you to change your professional model. It requires you to document it correctly.
Yes, provided your employer authorizes remote work and your employment relationship meets the required criteria.
You must prove that you have been working with the company for at least three months before applying, and that the company itself has been operating for at least one year. Your contract or employer letter must clearly confirm that your role can be performed remotely.
This is one of the main reasons remote professionals are choosing Spain. You can maintain financial stability while changing your environment.
The income requirement is based on Spain’s minimum wage index. For a single applicant, the threshold is typically around 2,500 euros per month. If you are moving to Spain with a spouse or children, the required income increases depending on the number of dependents.
Immigration authorities carefully review income documentation. Contracts, invoices, and bank statements must demonstrate stability and consistency. Applications are often delayed when income proof is unclear or does not align with Spanish administrative standards.
Meeting the threshold is not enough. Presenting it correctly matters just as much.
Yes. The Spain Digital Nomad Visa allows family members to apply alongside the main applicant.
If you are planning to move to Spain with family from the US or Canada, you can include your spouse or partner and dependent children. Income requirements will increase, but family relocation is fully supported under this visa category.
Many families consider Spain because of its public healthcare system, safety, transportation infrastructure, and lifestyle balance. Planning in advance is essential, especially when coordinating schooling, health insurance, and documentation for multiple applicants.
If you reside in Spain for more than 183 days in a calendar year, you will generally become a Spanish tax resident.
Spain offers a special tax regime, often referred to as the Beckham Law, which may allow eligible applicants to benefit from a reduced tax rate for a limited period. Whether you qualify depends on your specific professional and contractual situation.
For Americans and Canadians, it is also important to understand how double taxation treaties apply between Spain and your home country. Tax planning should be part of your relocation strategy from the beginning, not an afterthought.
Processing times vary depending on where you apply.
If you apply from within Spain while legally present, decisions are often issued within approximately twenty working days after submission. If you apply through a Spanish consulate in your home country, timelines may vary depending on the location.
Preparation time is equally important. Apostilles, official translations, compliant health insurance policies, and properly drafted employment letters can take several weeks to organize before submission.
You can apply for the Spain Digital Nomad Visa either from your country of residence, such as the United States or Canada, through a Spanish consulate, or directly from Spain if you are legally present.
Many applicants ask whether they can apply while in Spain as a tourist. In most cases, yes, provided you are still within your 90-day legal stay at the time of submission. Timing is critical. If your tourist status expires before you apply, your situation can become more complicated.
In practice, our immigration lawyer often recommends applying from Spain during those 90 days whenever possible. One of the main advantages is speed. Applications submitted from within Spain through the Large Companies Unit are often resolved in approximately 15 to 20 working days.
In addition, certain administrative steps are easier to manage while physically in Spain. Obtaining a NIE number, arranging compliant private health insurance, and registering as self-employed if required are processes that tend to move more efficiently when handled locally.
Applying from a consulate abroad is also possible, but processing times can vary significantly depending on the location.
Relocation is not just about entering Spain. It is about entering with a clear strategy, proper documentation, and the right timing.
While each case is unique, applicants generally need a valid passport, proof of remote work relationship, proof of sufficient income, private health insurance valid in Spain, a clean criminal record certificate with apostille, and documentation proving professional qualifications or experience.
All foreign documents must be legalized and officially translated into Spanish. Technical errors in translations, missing apostilles, or inconsistencies between documents are common reasons for delays.
The visa is straightforward in theory but precise in execution.
Yes. Freelancers and self employed professionals can apply as long as most of their income comes from outside Spain. Generally, no more than twenty percent of total income should originate from Spanish clients.
Freelancers must demonstrate consistent professional activity and financial stability. Contracts, invoices, and client agreements are reviewed carefully.
For online business owners and consultants, this visa can provide a structured way to live in Spain while continuing international operations.
Search trends show a steady increase in phrases like “move to Spain from US,” “live in Spain long term,” and “work remotely in Europe.”
Spain offers a lower cost of living compared to many major North American cities, a strong public healthcare system, reliable infrastructure, and a culture that prioritizes social connection and balance.
For remote professionals, there is also economic flexibility. You can continue earning in dollars while living in euros. That combination makes Spain an increasingly attractive relocation destination.
The digital nomad visa transforms what once felt like a distant idea into a structured legal possibility.
Relocating internationally is not just about immigration forms. It is about deciding what kind of life you want next.
For many professionals in the United States and Canada, the Spain Digital Nomad Visa is not simply a residency permit. It is a bridge between career stability and lifestyle change. It allows you to keep your income while choosing a different rhythm of life.
Spain will not solve every problem. No country does. But it offers something many people are actively seeking: balance between ambition and wellbeing.
If you are seriously considering moving to Spain and working remotely, the most important step is clarity before action. Understanding whether you qualify, how your income structure fits the requirements, and which application strategy protects you best.
We support remote professionals and families who want to relocate to Spain with structure and confidence. And if your case requires deeper legal precision, you can book your consultation with our immigration lawyer, who will be happy to guide you through the process with professionalism and peace of mind.
A new chapter does not begin with a flight. It begins with a plan.
If Spain has been on your mind for a while, this may be the right moment to explore it properly.
📩 Email us at vainmadrid@gmail.com to schedule your initial assessment and take the first step toward living and working in Spain.
