Can You Get Permanent Residency with Spain Digital Nomad Visa?

Not only can you live in the top-rated digital nomad country in the world, but you can also get permanent residency with Spain’s digital nomad visa. 

Yes, you read that right! 

When you apply for the Spain digital nomad visa, you could become eligible to apply for permanent residency after living in the country full-time for five years. This means you can permanently live in Spain and even get on a path to citizenship. 

In this article, we’ll discuss the digital nomad visa, the eligibility requirements, and how you can become eligible for permanent residency in Spain. 

What is the Spain Digital Nomad Visa?

Spain introduced its digital nomad visa in 2023 and has since become the most popular digital nomad visa in the world.  With a fairly application process that can be done either from your country of residence or directly in the country as a tourist, digital nomads can get approval for their application in just 30 days!

While the visa itself is valid for one year, you can choose to extend your stay by applying for a three-year residence permit. This is also renewable for another two years… which adds up to five years, meaning you can get permanent residency with Spain digital nomad visa. 

Spain Digital Nomad Visa Requirements

To be eligible for Spain’s digital nomad visa, you have to meet the following criteria:

• 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 
• Earn 2,646€/month Gross – 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

If you believe you meet these requirements, request Nomads Embassy’s free eligibility assessment by completing the form in this article. 

Can You Get Permanent Residency with Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa?

Yes! You can get permanent residency with Spain’s digital nomad visa. 

After living in Spain full-time for five years, you may be eligible to apply for permanent residency and receive your Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero (TIE), which is an identification card for foreign residents. 

Spain Permanent Residency Eligibility Requirements

To obtain permanent residency in Spain, you must meet additional requirements outside of the digital nomad visa. 

• Reside in Spain for 5 Years – You must have legally lived in Spain for the past five years
• Have an NIE Number – You must have a registered NIE number, which is your foreign tax ID number
• Have Not Left Spain for More than 10 Months – You must have met the minimum stay requirement having not left Spain for more than 10 months in the five-year period
• Health Insurance – You must either have public or private health insurance coverage in Spain

And that’s it! 

Is There a Minimum Stay Requirement to Get Permanent Residency in Spain?

Yes, there is a minimum stay requirement to be eligible for Spain’s digital nomad visa. 

Within the five year period, you must have not left Spain for more than ten months in total. In other words, you have an allowance to leave Spain for two months each year.  

Additionally, with the digital nomad visa, you must stay in Spain for at least 183 days out of the year, not leaving for more than six months at a time. 

You can request an official statement for how long you have lived in Spain from the local police department. This document is called a Residence Certificate or certificado de residencia. 

What Does It Mean to Be a Permanent Resident in Spain?

Being a permanent resident in Spain allows you to live and work in the country and access to the public health care and education system. While it is called permanent residency, you will have to renew your residency every five years. 

It’s important to understand that permanent residency does not give you the right to vote in national elections or obtain a Spanish passport. 

Can I Get Citizenship with the Spain Digital Nomad Visa?

Technically, yes, you can get Spanish citizenship with the digital nomad visa. 

After living in Spain for ten years full-time and passing an A2 level Spanish exam, you could apply for Spanish citizenship. However, it’s important to note that Spain does not allow dual citizenship except with countries that were once a Spanish colony, such as the Philippines, Portugal, and Spanish-speaking Latin American countries. 

If you wish to become a Spanish citizen and are not from a country that was formerly a Spanish colony, you must renounce your original citizenship. 

Becoming a Spanish citizen allows you to vote in national elections, hold a Spanish passport, and have access to the rest of the European Union as an EU citizen. 

Will I Owe Taxes in Spain as a Permanent Resident?

Yes, even as a temporary resident with the digital nomad visa, you will owe taxes in Spain. 

Remember, to be eligible for permanent residency with Spain digital nomad visa, you must have an NIE number. So, the first year that you live in Spain, no matter if you are on a digital nomad visa or a permanent resident, you will owe taxes on your worldwide income and wealth. 

Get on a Path to Permanent Residency in Spain with Nomads Embassy 

Are you ready to spend the next five years in Spain and get permanent residency with Spain’s digital nomad visa?

Nomads Embassy is here to help! 

We have partnered with hand-selected local immigration lawyers to create a comprehensive Done-for-You Digital Nomad Visa Service that includes everything you need to legally relocate to Spain and get on a path to permanent residency.  

Want to see if you qualify for Spain’s digital nomad visa? Complete the form in this article to request our free eligibility assessment today!