The Digital Nomad Visa represents a dynamic opportunity for individuals seeking to embrace a lifestyle that seamlessly blends work and exploration, all while residing in the captivating landscape of Spain.
At MySpanishResidency, our specialized immigration law firm, we understand the unique needs and aspirations of digital nomads, offering expert guidance to facilitate your transition to Spain. In this guide, we’ll navigate the intricacies of the Spanish Digital Nomad Visa, outlining the eligibility criteria, benefits, and essential steps for securing this pathway to a flexible and enriching lifestyle in Spain.
Unlock the potential of a borderless career while savoring the cultural richness and scenic beauty of Spain. The Digital Nomad Visa is your gateway to a life where work and wanderlust harmoniously coexist
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But if you want to be a digital nomad in Spain, you must have a visa unless you’re an EU citizen. Interestingly, there are various visas you can choose to use. The non-lucrative visa and golden visa are the common options.
Others consider the non-lucrative visa though it’s not advisable. The Spanish government is becoming stricter, and you may lose the chance to become a digital nomad in Spain.
The good news? The Spanish government plans to launch a new visa for digital nomads to leverage the remote working areas increased by the coronavirus pandemic.
What’s more, the Spanish parliament recently introduced the Startup Act, which will allow people working remotely for any foreign company to live in Spain without owning a full Spain work visa.
By doing so, the country is looking to boost talent and investment opportunities in Spain. With digital nomad visa Spain, the country will likely improve its status as a worldwide business center.
With this detailed guide, you’ll get to know everything a digital nomad in Spain should know.
Who is a Digital Nomad Spain?
A digital nomad is someone who works online on projects or business ventures. Digital nomad Spain refers to a person who is living and working in Spain. They are independent, not chained to the cubicle for eight hours straight.
They may be either entrepreneurs or freelancers who work on their laptops almost everywhere they go around the world. With no fixed abode, digital nomads can truly concentrate on what matters most, which is their work.
A digital nomad is very much like a freelancer but not completely the same. A freelancer works for different companies based on set terms whereas, digital nomads are constantly moving from one place to another looking for better working opportunities or perks.
Why Become a Digital Nomad in Spain?
If you value your time and passion for work, Spain is the best place to be. This country has proven to be an attractive location for remote working because of its great weather, excellent internet connectivity, affordable cost of living, and several other reasons.
Location
Spain is in Europe that’s not too far from Scandinavia or Northern Europe. The location is very strategic, and it boasts of a mild year-round climate with temperatures averaging around 20 degrees Celsius. It is the fifth-largest country in Europe and has a population of over 46 million people.
The country consists of two major geographical regions: the Iberia Peninsula and five large islands (the Balearic Islands). Spain has the third-largest economy in Europe, and it is highly diverse, especially in terms of geography, which means there’s something for everyone.
Spain has many coastal areas with beautiful beaches to relax and explore. Small towns to live quietly, big cities where you can meet interesting people and learn new things every day, excellent food culture, incredible historical sites that will mesmerize your mind, etc.
Its capital, Madrid, is one of the biggest metropolitan cities in Europe, with a population of over 3 million people. The city has some great places to live, work, and play.
The best part about Spain is that it has tranquil towns, allowing you to enjoy your time with peace of mind without having too many distractions. If you like a wide variety of cultures and people, Spain is the place for you.
Cost of Living in Spain
Your cost of living depends on your lifestyle. If you are moving to Spain for work but don’t have a regular income pouring in, it is best to manage your expenses judiciously.
You should consider living in the outskirts of the city so the cost of transportation will be less. If you are also looking for cheaper flights, various offers are available online with great discounts if you know how to look for them.
Working in Spain
People from other countries tend to think that Spain is only about Flamenco, bullfighting, and tapas, but it has so much more than that to offer. If you work remotely or thinking about starting up your own business, there are many great opportunities available in this country.
Spain has the fourth-largest number of startup companies in Europe after the UK, France, and Germany. If you are a serious working professional with great ideas to translate into leading Spanish businesses, this is the place for you.
Free Wifi Connectivity
The internet speed in Spain is very good with 91% population having access to broadband connection through their homes. Most restaurants, cafes, bars, and other places have Wifi connectivity.
Mobile Connectivity
Spain has good mobile connectivity with an average 4G speed of 6.4Mbps. So you can do your online business. It’s a great country for working from home if you are not comfortable working at the office.
Things To Know Before Moving to Spain like a digital nomad
If you’ve never been to Europe, we’d advise that you research more about various things before moving to any European country such as:
• Language (most Europeans speak English)
• Culture Currency
• Health care
• Education system
• Visa requirements
• Weather
• Vaccination Card
• Driving license
The different regions in Spain have different habits, cultures, and traditions so you should know more about the particular area where you’ll be staying. But generally, Spanish people are very welcoming, and the pace is exhilarating to live and work in.
Digital nomad visa for spain
Australia, Japan, Mexico, and Taiwan are visa-free countries whose citizens can relocate to Spain without visas. But if you come from other parts of the world, you’ll need a tourist visa to get into the country.
The Spain digital nomad visa is particularly the visa for remote workers. It permits them to live and work in Spain.
For you to get one, go to the Spanish embassy or consulate near you.
Documents required:
• Digital Nomad Visa Spain application form
• Two passport size photos
• Private Health insurance
• A valid passport
• Travel itinerary
• Proof of financial means
• Proof of accommodation
• Proof of employment and income tax return
These documents are standard requirements for traveling abroad. Your Spanish embassy or consulate will provide you with the correct information you need and fill in the digital nomad visa Spain application form correctly.
Since Spain doesn’t offer specific tourist visas, you may need a Schengen tourist visa if you plan to tour the country. Here, you’ll get 90 full days in the location, including 25 other participating countries.
While the Spanish embassy or consulate countries accept digital nomad visa applications, it is vital to apply with your main destination’s diplomatic office.
As a remote worker from a visa-free country (Canada, Japan, United States, and EU member countries), you will freely visit Spain until 2022 ends.
After that, you’ll need to get an ETIAS Visa Waiver with a 3-year expiry and offers you access to any destination within the Schengen area.
With the Schengen tourist visas, you’ll travel as many times as you want to 26 destinations. However, you’ll only stay for 90 days within 180 days.
The golden visa for remote workers is a suitable option for digital nomads looking for a long term or permanent residency. To qualify, you must be willing to invest 500,000 Euros in real estate.
You’ll get the family permanent residency after staying in the country for 5 years. After another 5 years, you’ll get Spanish citizenship.
Moreover, a digital nomad in Spain can also gain entry using the Spanish non-lucrative visa. This Spain digital nomad visa permits remote workers to live in Spain for a long term while traveling and working from home.
Many non-EU remote workers relocated to Spain post-COVID-19 using non-lucrative visa. However, during the pandemic, most digital nomads got their visa applications rejected.
Hopefully, the Spanish government will introduce other digital nomad visas like freelance or self-employment visas and entrepreneurship visas.
Can Spain Digital Nomads Pay Taxes?
Yes, digital nomads must file their tax returns on their worldwide income in their countries of origin. Spanish government offers a 183-day rule.
So if you’re going to live and work in Spain for over 183 days in a year, you’ll be seen as a Spanish tax resident. If you’re staying with a non-lucrative visa, it’s mandatory to file returns on your assets.
Just make sure you are a legally recognized digital nomad in Spain. Get all your residence permits, insurance, and personal documents checked at the airport. Plus, ensure you deal with all your clients through a highly reputable financial institution.
With N26 virtual bank, you can enjoy tax incentives. The bank offers zero fees on ATM withdrawals. Paypal is also an incredible platform to receive money globally. Digital nomads need to have a suitable banking option to avoid getting stranded in a foreign country with a non-functioning card.
Read More: About taxes in Spain for Expats
Top 5 Places for Digital Nomads to Live in Spain
Once you get your nomad visa in Spain, the next thing to do is choose the best city to live in a while working from home for a foreign company.
Spain boasts an impressive coastline and mountainous landscape. The country also has famous historical landmarks and fascinating metropolitan charm.
Let’s briefly examine the top 5 best places to work remotely and live in Spain:
1. Madrid
Madrid is the capital city of Spain. It’s the home to plenty of well-developed digital nomads in Spain.
You’ll find this city with exciting boulevards with beautiful parks and public spaces. It has an airport, hence an excellent area to stay.
2. Barcelona
This city is known for its beaches, lovely Mediterranean climate, and incredible architecture. The city has an excellent digital nomad community with grand coworking spaces.
You’ll find bustling nightlife in both Madrid and Barcelona. Both cities have numerous opportunities for remote working in Spain to try different foods in nice restaurants. This makes them one of the most loved cities for remote workers looking to move to Spain.
3. Valencia
Valencia is the third-largest city in Spain. It’s known for its maritime vocation, historic landmarks, and food culture.
You’ll find plenty of coworking spaces and incubators here. Moreover, it has a glorious seacoast and beautiful beaches like those in Costa Blanca.
4. Cordoba
This city boasts attractive historical landmarks, nightlife, and pleasant weather conditions. Cordoba is home to multiple coworking spaces that offer flexible Portugal remote work contracts to digital nomads living in Spain.
5. Seville
Seville sits in the southern part of Spain. It has beautiful historical landmarks and beautiful beaches. Moreover, it’s a very affordable city to live in compared to other parts of Spain. This makes it one of the best places to work remotely for a foreign company while living in Spain.
Ideal Romote Working Jobs for A Digital Nomad Spain
Before you even apply for a digital nomad visa in Spain, it’s critical to know whether you’ll fit in the digital nomadic lifestyle or not. We all admire having careers that will allow us to travel around the globe and get paid.
Using the internet and technology for remote working is lucrative and exciting. But it is worth knowing what career path to take while living in Spain.
Some of the most common remote careers include:
• App developer
• Affiliate Marketing
• Customer Support Representative
• Digital Entrepreneurship
• Programmer
• SEO Expert
• Social Media Marketer
Benefits of Becoming a Digital Nomad in Spain
Digital nomadism is quickly gaining popularity. Lots of freelancers and professionals are quickly adapting to the digital nomadic lifestyle. Honestly, this lifestyle is beneficial. Below are a few benefits you can get by living as a digital nomad in Spain:
• Flexible workspace to boost productivity
• Excellent work and life balance
• Its less stressful
• Networking opportunities
• Flexible working schedule
• Generate income as you tour many fascinating places
• Enjoy delicious and authentic food
Limitations?
• High cost of living in high-end cities like Barcelona
• The most spoken language is Spanish
• It can be a challenge to find public transportation
Essential Tips for Living and Working as a Spanish Digital Nomad
We’ve discussed the reasons why it’s important to be a digital nomad in Spain. But there are challenges you’ll face while living and working in Spain. Fear not, you can solve them by employing these strategies:
• Find a destination with an already existing digital nomad community
• Decide on the most suitable banking and credit cards to use
• Do a lot of research on everything about Spain to be knowledgeable
• Learn some Spanish before you settle there so that you can communicate with locals easily
When it comes to working remotely in Spain:
• Decide on how you’ll be generating money while in Spain
• Make a clear boundary between your work and travel life
• Tour places in turns (plan properly) and do not rush to explore all the destinations
• Get travel insurance to cover you in case of crisis
You’ll need a digital nomad visa Spain to move around and work remotely in the country. You’ll get numerous job opportunities if you decide to emigrate since Spain is slowly becoming a hub for digital nomads who want to work remotely while traveling.
The most popular cities where digital nomads can work remotely include Sevilla, Cordoba, and Valencia. All these cities have a low-cost of living and excellent working opportunities.
To this end, you can confidently become a nomad in Spain without a hassle. Get everything in line, and you’ll be good to go!
Hi, I am software Engineer hoping to migrate to Spain using the Digital Nomad visa.
We can help you through the whole process for the digital nomad visa.
Hi,
I am in Spain on a non lucrative visa but wanted to know if I could change to a digital nomad visa while staying in Spain? If not, can I stay on a non lucrative and show that I am making a monthly income to stay if I don’t have double the annual savings?
One of our lawyers will help you through the entire process for the digital nomad or renew your non-lucrative visa.
Hi – if I move to Spain with my family using a digital nomad visa and remote working for a UK company, what restrictions will be placed on my wife working in Spain? Is she only able to have 20% of her income derived from Spanish businesses too?
And what happens at the end of the five years of extensions? Can we apply for permanent residency then, or do we need to return to the UK?
You will be renewing your digital nomad visa and if you meet the requirements after 5 years to obtain permanent residency you will be able to apply for it.
I have property in Spain and currently my job is mostly remote and based in the UK. I would like to come to Spain for short periods of time and work remotely. I am very part time and would work less than a day a week. Mostly dealing with emails with an occasional meeting. I would not breach the 90 day rule and continue to pay UK tax. What visa do I need please?
If you are going to stay less than 90 days you do not need any visa in Spain.