Required Documents for the Spain Digital Nomad Visa

One of the most difficult parts of applying for a digital nomad visa is collecting the right documents. To make your visa process easier, we’ve created a complete list of documents for the Spain digital nomad visa application. 

Along with the actual application form, your documents prove that you meet the visa requirements and will determine whether your application is approved. 

Gathering your documents for the Spain digital nomad visa application can take some time. You’ll need to get documents from your country of origin, apostilles, translations, and even documents from your employer if necessary. It can take months to obtain all of the required documents! 

When applying for a digital nomad visa, it is your responsibility to gather all of these documents, even when you’re working with one of Nomads Embassy’s hand-selected local immigration lawyers. So, planning your timeline accordingly is crucial! 

Nomads Embassy is committed to helping our members experience an informed and smooth visa application process. That’s exactly why we have resources like this article with a list of required documents for your Spain digital nomad visa application and an explanation of what they should have. 

Every visa application is different depending on the applicant’s situation. So, the below list of documents for the Spain digital nomad visa is a general one. Depending on your situation, you may require additional documents. 

Don’t worry; our immigration lawyer partners will tell you exactly what documents you need when you choose our Done-for-You Digital Nomad Visa Service! 

What is the Spain Digital Nomad Visa?

The Spain digital nomad visa was launched in 2022 and has welcomed thousands of digital nomads to live in the country since. 

This visa allows remote workers to live in Spain for 12 months, with the option to renew their visa for up to five years. After five years of continuously living in Spain, digital nomads can apply for permanent residency. 

The Spain digital nomad visa allows applicants to bring their spouse and minor dependents with them. So, you can have the whole family experience the slow and beautiful Spanish lifestyle. 

It’s also important to note that digital nomads will pay taxes in Spain when they become residents there. However, there are talks of a decreased tax rate for digital nomads. 

All in all, Spain is an excellent digital nomad visa option for remote workers. With an affordable cost of living, beautiful weather, and great digital nomad cities in the country, you can’t go wrong applying for the Spain digital nomad visa! 

Spain Digital Nomad Visa Eligibility Requirements

Before we dive into the list of documents for the Spain digital nomad visa, we should first make sure that you are eligible for the visa. 

To be eligible for the Spain digital nomad visa, you must meet the following requirements:

• Valid Passport – You must have a valid passport valid or at least 12 months at the time of applying
• Work Remotely – You must prove you are a freelancer with foreign clients, a startup owner or entrepreneur, or an employee of a foreign company located outside of Spain and have held your position for at least one year before applying for the visa
• Earn 2,646€/month – You must meet the income requirement, which is double the national minimum wage in Spain
  • For couples, this amount increases to 3,641€ per month
  • The minimum income requirement increases by 335€ for each child dependent applicants bring with them
• Have a Degree – You must have an undergraduate, postgraduate, vocational training, or business school degree and be considered a highly qualified professional
• 3 Years of Industry Experience – If you do not have a degree, you must prove you have worked in your industry for the last three years

• 3 Months of Remote Work Experience – You must have worked remotely in your current position for at least three months before applying
• 1 Year of Operation – Your company or business must have been established at least one year ago outside of Spain
• Have Not Lived in Spain for 5 Years – To be eligible for the Spain digital nomad visa, you must not have lived in the country for the last five years or be there illegally

If you meet these requirements, then you’re eligible to apply for Spain’s digital nomad visa! 

What Are the Required Documents for the Spain Digital Nomad Visa Application?

As mentioned previously, it can take weeks or even months to fully gather all of the documents you need to apply for the Spain digital nomad visa. 

Before you start collecting these documents, remember to consult with your immigration lawyer (we can introduce you!) or the consulate where you will apply for an official list of required documents. 

Copy of Passport

You must submit a color copy of the biometrics page of your passport. It should also be valid for at least 12 months at the time of submitting your visa application. 

Two Passport Photos

With your application, you must submit two color copies of your passport photos. Make sure they meet the Schengen Visa photo requirements to qualify. 

Proof of Remote Work

You will need to submit proof of remote work as one of the documents for the Spain digital nomad visa application. 

For remote employees, this can be an employment contract. It’s better if your contract has a clause that states you can work remotely.  

Freelancers can show proof of remote work through client contracts. However, it could be a good idea to set up a sole proprietorship or LLC for yourself when applying for a digital nomad visa. 

Business owners with digital businesses can show proof of remote work through their business establishment records and proof of business. 

Three Months of Bank Statements

To prove that you meet the minimum income requirement, you must show at least three months of bank statements with your income deposits.

Payslips from Clients or Employers

Along with bank statements, you must also present at least three months’ worth of payslips from your freelance clients or employer. 

Business owners must pay themselves a personal salary to prove their income for the Spain digital nomad visa. 

Documents of Company Incorporation

Whether you are employed by a company or own your own business, you must prove that the company has been operating for at least one year. 

To do so, you must submit documents stating when the company was incorporated. 

Letter of Remote Work Authorization

As an employee, you will need to acquire a letter of remote work authorization from your company. This is to acknowledge that you are allowed to relocate to Spain and work remotely for the company from there. 

Social Security Certificate

When you apply for the Spain digital nomad visa, you will become a tax resident in Spain. This is when things can get a bit complicated. 

One of the required documents for the Spain digital nomad visa application is a social security certificate from your company for the social security taxes that come out of your paycheck. 

Resume or CV

All applicants are required to submit their full resume and/or CV with the documents for the Spain digital nomad visa application. This is to prove that you have at least three years of experience in your industry if you do not have a graduate degree and have worked in your current position for at least one year. 

Accredited Degrees

If you have an undergraduate or postgraduate degree, you must submit a copy of your accredited degree, especially if you do not have three or more years of experience in your current industry.

Motivational Letter

Put your writing skills to the test! 

One of the documents for the Spain digital nomad visa application you’ll need is a motivational letter stating why you want to relocate to Spain. Explain what you do for remote work and how you will support yourself without relying on Spain’s social services or job market. 

Certified Criminal Background Check

You must obtain a criminal background check from your country of residence. It should be clean of marks, especially within the last five years. 

You will need to get this document certified or apostilled if your country is part of the Hague Convention. 

It’s important to note that your background check should not be more than six months old when submitted.

You can read our article about how to obtain an FBI background check as a US resident here.

International Health Insurance Policy

To be eligible to apply for the Spain digital nomad visa is to have an international health insurance policy that covers you for the duration of your stay in Spain.  

Once you obtain this policy, you will submit a visa letter stating you have coverage with your application. 

Nomads Embassy has partnered with Genki to provide our members with international health insurance when they apply for digital nomad visas worldwide.

Proof of Relationship to Dependents (if applicable)

If you plan to bring a spouse or minor dependents to Spain with you, then you will need documents proving your relationship. 

These documents include marriage, birth, and adoption certificates. These must be certified with an apostille.

If you and your partner are considered a de facto couple and are not legally married, you may still apply as a couple. However, there is an additional couple registration process you must complete when submitting your digital nomad visa application. 

Completed Visa Application

The last and most important document for the Spain digital nomad application is the actual visa application form. 

You can download the National Long Stay Visa Application form here. 

Do Documents Need to be Translated into Spanish?

Yes, some consulates require your documents to be translated into Spanish by a certified judicial translator. 

Official documents, such as your criminal background check and proof of relationship to dependents, are likely to require translation. 

It’s important to check with your immigration lawyer or the consulate where you will submit your application about which documents must be translated into Spanish. 

What Documents Need an Apostille or Notarization?

Official documents generated by your country of residence will require an apostille or certification of authenticity. 

These documents for the Spain digital nomad visa application include marriage and birth certificates and criminal background checks. 

You can read about how to get an apostille in the US here.

If you’re applying for the Spain digital nomad visa while already in Spain and require an apostille from abroad, Nomads Embassy has partnered with Apostille USA for express services and delivery.  

Get Personalized Assistance with Your Spain Digital Nomad Visa Application

As you can see, there is no straightforward instruction or process when it comes to applying for a digital nomad visa. 

There are many factors that need to be considered, including your eligibility situation, where you submit your application, and when you plan to relocate to Spain. 

This process can take weeks or even months. However, the first and often longest part is gathering your documents for the Spain digital nomad visa application. 

After spending all that time preparing these documents, the last thing you want to do is forget a document or apostille. When you work with Nomads Embassy’s hand-selected local immigration lawyers, you can rest assured that your application is compliant and has all of the necessary documents. 

With our Done-for-You Digital Nomad Visa Service, you’ll work one-on-one with our immigration lawyer partner to prepare your application, submit it, and have all of your questions answered by a legal professional. 

Are you ready to sit down and speak with an immigration lawyer about the possibility of relocating to Spain and applying for the digital nomad visa?

Request our free Spain digital nomad visa eligibility assessment by completing the form above.