Digital Nomad Visa in Spain: Everything You Need to Know and More

11/10/2022

This article was updated on February 21, 2023. Additionally, the figures noted as the financial requirements should be confirmed directly with the appropriate Spanish government website at your time of application due to the fact that Spain is raising the minimum wage threshold, which will impact the associated financial requirements for digital nomads.

If you’re a US citizen or resident looking to move abroad, it’s hard to beat Spain. Beyond the great weather and relatively low cost of living, Spain has a rich culture and tons of amazing destinations to explore. And thanks to some recently-approved legislation, they now have a digital nomad visa.

Read on to learn what Spain’s digital nomad visa will include, who will qualify for it, and more.

The Spain Digital Nomad Visa has arrived!

The Spanish government has officially opened the doors to applications from extranjeros for its much-awaited new digital nomad visa. An individual approved for this visa is referred to as a “teletrabajador de carácter internacional.”

Spain Digital Nomad Visa Requirements FAQ

There are various citizenship, educational/work experience, financial, and healthcare requirements an applicant must fulfill in order to successfully obtain a digital nomad visa for Spain.

Who can apply for the digital nomad visa in Spain?

The Spanish digital nomad visa is open to nationals from countries outside the EU and the European Economic Area. This means that US-Americans are eligible to apply for a digital nomad visa in Spain. Additionally:

Applicants may not be residing illegally in Spain at the time of application, nor may they have resided there within the past five years.
Applicants must pass a criminal background check (specifically: an applicant cannot have a criminal record in Spain or anywhere else for two years prior to applying).

What work or education experience is necessary to qualify for the digital nomad visa in Spain?

Successful applicants for the digital nomad visa in Spain must be able to:

Demonstrate work with companies based outside of Spain for at least three months prior to their application
Be able to provide qualifications to work in their field via a university degree or at least three years’ worth of work experience.

What kind of work contract is needed to qualify for the Spanish digital nomad visa?

The work contract must be for remote work. Also known as teleworking or working from home, the essential premise here is that you must be conducting your work online.
You must also be able to provide proof of a work contract for at least three months prior to your application. This work contract must also specifically state that it allows remote work.
The remote work contract must be with a company outside of Spain, or the digital nomad must be self-employed with multiple clients.

Can digital nomads in Spain work for Spanish companies?

Yes, they can. However, the majority of work carried out by a digital nomad in Spain must be with a foreign company or multiple foreign freelance clients; a digital nomad is not permitted to receive more than 20% of their income from companies within Spain.

Can digital nomads in Spain travel to other countries?

Yes! The Spanish government will permit people residing in Spain as digital nomads to live outside the country for up to six months a year while still retaining the right to the visa.

Does a digital nomad in Spain need health insurance?

Yes, digital nomads will be required to have public insurance or purchase a private plan via an insurance company authorized to operate in Spain.

For how long is the Spain digital nomad visa valid?

The Spanish digital nomad visa is issued for the duration of the contract period, up to 12 months at a time. Thus, it would behoove applicants to be able to provide a work contract for at least one year in order to receive the maximum amount of months. The digital nomad visa can be renewed up to five times.

How much money is needed to qualify for the digital nomad visa in Spain?

Successful applicants need to demonstrate that they will earn at least 200% more than the Spanish minimum wage. The minimum wage is in the process of being changed, but currently, the amount a prospective digital nomad will need to earn is at least 28,000 EUR (29,800 USD) a year. You can prove this figure by including items such as contracts, bank statements, invoices, and pay stubs in your application.

Can you move your family to Spain on a digital nomad visa?

Yes, however you will need to be able to prove a higher amount of funds:

If a partner is joining the digital nomad, the digital nomad must be able to prove an additional 75% of Spain’s monthly minimum wage, which amounts to about 875 EUR a month, or 930 USD.
An additional 25% of Spain’s monthly minimum wage, which amounts to about 292 EUR, or 311 USD, will be required for each additional family member.

Spanish taxes on digital nomads in Spain

The Spanish government has created a very attractive tax bracket for prospective digital nomads. So long as the digital nomad makes less than 600,000 EUR a year, they will be taxed at 15% for the first four years of their residency. The standard tax rate in Spain is 24%.

Become a digital nomad in Spain – how to apply

The biggest benefit of Spain’s digital nomad visa is being able to legally live and work in Spain. As an applicant, you are allowed to apply from outside of Spain or from within, so long as you are within the 90-day legal tourist period. The steps to apply are as follows:

Ensure your passport is valid
Make an appointment with the nearest consulate or embassy
Prepare the digital nomad application form and the application materials
Pay the application fee

Additional background on the Spanish digital nomad visa

Spain’s digital nomad visa comes as part of a larger legislative package referred to as la ley de startups, or the Startup Act. This law is intended to drive economic growth and promote technological innovation in the country by attracting startups, digital nomads, and investors.

The Startup Act was initially proposed nearly five years ago. After going through various rounds of negotiations, revisions, and approvals, the law was approved by both chambers of the Spanish legislative branch — the Congress of Deputies and the Senate — in November 2022. On December 1st, the government publicly announced and published the text of the startups law. It went into effect a few weeks later.

Thinking of moving to Spain? You’re not alone!

While it’s impossible to pinpoint the exact number of Americans living in Spain, recent estimates peg the US citizenship-holding population at around 300,000. The growing remote workforce, coupled with the benefits and now a digital nomad visa, has the US expat population in Spain on the rise.

Where Digital Nomads Live in Spain

Americans living in Spain have a number of different locations to choose from, many of which have established digital nomad and expat communities. And thanks to the significantly lower cost of living in Spain vs. the USA, living in Spain as an American is comfortable just about anywhere.

Here are a few of the most popular choices:

Madrid

If you love the hustle and bustle of big cities, it’s hard to beat Madrid. Besides being the official capital of Spain, Madrid is also often considered the cultural capital, with an abundance of incredible museums, theaters, concert venues, and gourmet restaurants. From the alternative Lavapiés to the hipster Malasaña to the posh, professional Salamanca, there’s a barrio for just about everybody.

Barcelona

Barcelona boasts a cultural scene just as impressive as Madrid’s, plus a beach to boot. The city prides itself on its strong Catalonian identity, with its regional language, cuisine, and traditions all giving it a completely unique feel from the rest of Spain. Art and architecture fans will no doubt appreciate the almost tangible presence of Gaudi throughout the city, from the Sagrada Familia to Park Güell to Casa Batlló.

Valencia

Valencia’s laidback beach town vibe, thriving nightlife, and lower cost of living has led some to declare it as the best place in the world to live and work abroad. From legendary cuisine (Valencia is the home of paella, after all) and the world-renowned City of the Arts and Sciences — a museum that’s just as fascinating on the inside as it is gorgeous on the outside — Valencia is one Spanish city that’s not to be missed.

Canary Islands

Las Islas Canarias are a beautiful, subtropical island chain off the west coast of Africa. They aren’t Spain’s most populous region, but the digital nomad population has been exploding in recent years. The temperature is pleasant year-round, making any day a great day to go to one of their many beaches. The Islands are also legendary for their party scene, but it’s easy to retreat into nature to rest and recharge when needed.

Want to learn more about living in Spain? Check out our comprehensive guide for US expats living in Spain.

Taxes and moving to Spain as a US expat

American citizens and green card holders must continue filing US taxes even when they’re abroad. This is because the US tax system operates on a citizenship basis, meaning that whether you’re in Spain or Siberia, when tax season rolls around, you need to file.

It’s common for expats to have questions such as “Will I be double-taxed if I live in Spain?” or to wonder about filing state taxes from abroad.

Getting ahead of tax planning while applying for a digital nomad visa is one of the best ways you can set yourself up for financial success. Many expats are pleasantly surprised to learn that tax season can be financially net-positive for them if they file strategically.

Expat tax provisions for Americans filing US taxes in Spain

There are a few key starting points for expats to dig into learning about how taxes work when living abroad. These include the:

Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE)
Foreign Tax Credit (FTC)
Foreign Bank Account Report (FBAR)
Child Tax Credit (CTC)
Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA)

Ready to be a digital nomad in Spain? Bright!Tax is here to support you

With Spain offering an incredibly low tax rate to digital nomads, it’s in your best interests to minimize your US tax liability. To do so, you’ll want to work with a tax professional like the ones at Bright!Tax. Moreover, we may also be able to offer recommendations for a Spanish accountant or wealth managers more generally. Get started today to learn about our offerings and how we can help you!