Why did the Spanish government introduce the new visa for nomads?

Spain is committed to attracting international talent and skills in the digital and technological sectors.

To this end, the government has passed a new bill with various purposes. They include:

• Facilitate paperwork for startups.
• Reduce the tax burden of companies and entrepreneurs.
• Streamline the process of creating a company.
• Introducing a digital nomad visa.

What can you do with a Spanish digital nomad visa?

The Spanish nomad visa is designed for foreigners who want to work remotely from Spain. With this visa, a foreigner can stay in Spain for up to 5 years and apply for residence. And This visa gives you access to 26 Schengen countries!
Anyone who is accepted for the Spanish digital nomad visa will have visa-free access to all countries of the “Schengen Area” of the European Union for the duration of its validity. Currently these are 26 countries.

Some similar nomad schemes from other European countries have not included this free access, making it a huge advantage over other digital nomad visas.

For which nationalities is the Spanish digital nomad visa valid?

Any nationality but it is mainly for non-EU members and for Spaniards who have been outside of Spain for at least five years.

Tax benefits and implications for digital nomads in Spain after obtaining the digital nomad visa

There are a number of benefits and tax implications for digital nomads in Spain after obtaining the digital nomad visa. These include:

• be able to work and live in Spain for up to one year without having to obtain a work permit
• be exempt from paying income tax on your worldwide income (including earnings from working online)
• be able to access the Spanish public health system
• be able to apply for a long-term residence permit after two years of living in Spain with the digital nomad visa

Requirements to obtain the Spanish Digital Nomad Visa

To apply for the Spanish Digital Nomad Visa, you will need the following:

• A valid passport
• Proof of health insurance
• Proof of income (or funds to support yourself)
• A detailed plan of your activities while you are in Spain

Once you have gathered all the required documentation, you can begin the online application process. The application is relatively simple, but be sure to answer all questions honestly and accurately. You will also need to pay a non-refundable processing fee.

Once your application has been submitted, you will need to wait for a decision from the Spanish authorities. If your application is approved, you will be issued a visa that will allow you to stay in Spain for up to one year. You will need to renew your visa before it expires if you wish to continue living and working in Spain as a digital nomad.

What are the income requirements?

Digital nomad visa applicants for Spain must have more than twice the salary of an average worker in Spain. This means you need at least €2,100 (or about $2,200) of “verifiable monthly income.” The actual minimum financial income could be even higher.

When will the new law take effect?

Early 2023, probably January. The law has been approved in both chambers of the Spanish parliament (Congress and Senate), by majority vote. We anticipate that the digital nomad visa will arrive in Spain in January 2023

Digital Nomad Visa Spain Alternatives

There are a couple of Spain digital nomad visa alternatives if you do not meet the requirements or if you simply want to consider other options. The first option is the Schengen Visa, which allows you to travel and stay in any of the 26 Schengen countries for up to 90 days. The second option is the Iberian Peninsula Visa, which allows you to travel and stay in Portugal, Spain, Andorra or Gibraltar for up to 90 days. Finally, there is always the possibility of applying for a regular tourist visa, which would allow you to stay in Spain for up to 90 days.

Visas for digital nomads in Europe (EU)

Digital nomads have flocked to Spain in recent years, drawn by the country’s relaxed visa rules and abundance of coworking spaces. But, what is the digital nomad visa situation really like in Spain?

The good news is that, as an EU citizen, you do not need a visa to live and work in Spain. You can stay up to three months without a visa and, if you want to stay longer, you can apply for a residence permit.

There are a few different types of residence permits available, but the most common for digital nomads is the non-profit visa. This allows you to live and work in Spain for up to one year, and can be renewed indefinitely.

To apply for a non-profit visa, you will need to show that you have enough money to support yourself (about €2,000 per month) and that you have health insurance. You will also need to provide proof of accommodation, such as a rental contract or hotel reservation.

Once your application is approved, you will be issued a Residence Card, which allows you to live and work in Spain for up to one year. You can renew your Residence Card every year, as long as you continue to meet the requirements.

These are currently the other EU countries with digital nomad visas:

• Latvia
• Malta
• Romania
• The Netherlands
• Norway
• Croatia
• Cyprus
• Estonia
• Greece
• Hungary
• Iceland

OFFICIAL PRESENTATION OF THE STATE ON THE INTRODUCTION OF THE STARTUPS LAW IN SPAIN:

In this video you can see the official presentation of the new law of Startups in Spain. Download here the official PDF in English of the state on the introduction of the Startup Law and here in Spanish.

How can I get my visa as a foreign digital nomad?

If you want to get your digital nomad visa to stay more than 90 days in Spain and work remotely, we can help you and connect you with our visa specialist partner. Send us a message and we will inform you how to get your nomad visa or any other visa for Spain.