It’s finally here! Digital Nomad Visa for Spain 2023 ✈️👨‍💻 UPDATED 02.15.2023

In just a few years, Europe has become a popular destination for digital nomads and it is at the forefront of these changes. It is offering attractive environments and excellent connectivity are the ideal attraction for qualified professionals and entrepreneurs of various origins.

European Union countries are hoping to attract professionals and the economic boost they often bring. Countries such as Estonia, Greece, Germany & Portugal have special visas for this type of profile, thus facilitating their relocation and stay in the chosen locations.

What’s a digital nomad visa? 🌍

Citizens who can work from anywhere in the world are in legal limbo. They are usually professionals specialized in technology, but the pandemic has caused companies in all sectors to start offering remote jobs.

On the one hand, digital nomads cannot apply for a traditional work visa, as in many cases it requires a contract with a local entity and/or a letter of invitation. On the other hand, they may want to stay in the country longer than a tourist visa allows.

Even those who do not need a visa to travel to Europe may only stay for a short period of time. This is where the digital nomad visa comes into play.

Countries around the world have taken the time to determine how to include digital nomad visas in their visa policies. As digital nomads are relatively recent professional figures, many nations are now implementing specific rules and visas for them.

Work from Spain with the digital nomad visa 🇪🇸

In a previous post, we informed you about the start-up regulations in Spain. The race to attract digital talent is not only focused on tax advantages but also a special visa and residence authorization for digital nomads. That is a specific work permit for those professionals who do not need a fixed office and perform their functions over the internet.

Spain has always been an attractive destination and continues growing for those lucky to be able to work from anywhere. Finally, Spain is recognizing that and, with the aim of attracting global talent, promoting entrepreneurship, and boosting investment, has developed a new digital nomad visa. The visa will have a maximum duration of one year and will be renewable. There is also a residence authorization that may be requested from Spain, which will be valid for a maximum of 3 years. Then it will be renewable for periods of 2 years.

Thanks to such visas, those who can work remotely for foreign companies, will be able to settle in Spain for stays longer than the 30 or 90 days offered by tourist visas and with all the guarantees to develop their projects. 

Frequently asked questions

– For whom is it intended?

Foreigners that work remotely in Spain for companies based outside of Spain.

Those known as digital nomads are people who in many cases have different sources of online income and who travel from one country to another.

– Main requirements

While the digital nomad visa is open to all nationalities from outside the EU, there are certain requirements for eligibility.

Initially, you’ll need to obtain a visa in your country of origin. In order to qualify, you’ll need to comply with the following:

• Be a highly qualified professional. You’ll need to accredit whether you are a university graduate or postgraduate; OR have at least 3 years of professional experience.
• Carry out work or professional activity remotely for companies located outside Spain. (If you provide a professional activity, at least 80% of the total professional activity must be provided to companies located outside Spain).

Additionally, you’ll have to accredit:

• You have been employed or working as a freelancer for at least 3 months for a foreign company.
• Obtain at least 80% of their income employed for a non-Spanish company.
• Your International employer authorizes the performance of remote work.
• The company to which you provide services or for which you work (or a group of companies) has a real continuous activity of at least 1 year.

Once this visa has been granted, you’ll be able to enter and work from Spain.

– How long will I be able to reside in Spain?

The digital nomad visa will have a duration of one year. During this period, you’ll be able to work from Spain remotely for your foreign company. At its expiration, you’ll be able to obtain a residence authorization if requested within 60 days prior to its expiration. At that moment, you’ll still have to comply with the requirements of the initial application.

Subsequent residence permits will be valid for a maximum of three years and may be renewed for additional periods of two years, provided that the conditions for their granting are maintained. After 5 years, you’ll be eligible to obtain permanent residency.

– Would I be eligible to work for a Spanish company while on my digital nomad visa?

Under this residence permit, you can work (as an employee) for companies located outside Spain. In case you’re working as an entrepreneur (not an employee) you will be allowed to work for companies located in Spain as long as the activity for national companies does not exceed 20% of your total activity.

– When will this visa be available?

This digital nomad visa for Spain is framed in the “Start-ups Law” (‘Ley 28/2022, de 21 de diciembre, de fomento del ecosistema de las empresas emergentes’) which was published in the BOE on December 22, 2022. The law will come into force today, December 23, 2022. There are still several aspects of the law to be developed by regulation.

Do you see yourself working from Spain in the near future? 👩‍💻🏝 Talk to us & let’s start planning your application right away!

It also may be of your interest…

 ⭐️DIGITAL NOMAD VISA FOR PORTUGAL 🇵🇹

In Portugal, there is a temporary resident visa for freelancers and entrepreneurs.

It allows its holder to stay in the country for more than 1 year and can be extended. Unlike other digital nomad visas, this one can be used as a basis to obtain permanent residency.

Also, it is very interesting the project launched by the local government of Madeira: “Madeira Digital Nomads”. The Nomad Village in Ponta do Sol allows professionals to set their homes there from 1 to 6 months and enjoy their 1st class amenities such as wi-fi connection, coworking stations, and special networking events.