Spanish Digital Nomad Visa: How to Apply (Updated for 2025)

Are you ready to start your new life in sunny Spain as a digital nomad? Whether you're drawn to the vibrant culture, stunning landscapes, or incredible food, Spain is an ideal destination for remote workers. This post will guide you through everything you need to know to get the Spanish Digital Nomad Visa in just four simple steps, so you can work and explore this beautiful country without hassle. Let’s get started!

Step 1: Figure out if you meet the requirements

Before you waste any time, it's important to see if you meet the criteria. 

Can you tick all of the boxes below?

Financial Resources For 2025

Work Experience & Qualifications

Absence of a Criminal Record

Step 2: Apply for a Social Security Certificate (if applicable)

We've put this as the second step as it's likely to take time. 

• If your country has a reciprocal agreement with Spain, your employer can request a certificate of social security coverage from your country.
• You or your employer can register and pay social security directly in Spain. 

How to Apply if you are an Employee

The first thing to do is find out if your country has a social security agreement with Spain.

In the case of the UK, your employer can apply for a certificate from HMRC which you could use in the digital nomad visa application. If you are from the US, read more about the process here.

If there is no agreement, there's also the option for your overseas employer to register to pay social security in Spain (read more here) through a legal representative located in Spain. 

How to Apply if you are Self-Employed

If you are going to register as self-employed in Spain, you don't need to apply for any social security certificate. 

Paying social security in Spain may not be cheap, but it's straightforward if you are self-employed. As part of your residency application, you can 'pledge' to register after being approved. 

For the first year you will pay a flat fee of approx. 87 euros per month (reimbursed by the government if you are in Madrid, Andalusia or Murcia) and then in 2025, between 230 and 590 euros per month, depending on how much you earn. 

Step 3: Start preparing all of the other documents

Here's a list of everything you'll need – we've started with the documents which will take the longest time to get and which require translating and legalisation. 

a) Criminal Record Certificate

b) Evidence of Having Worked for at least 3 months for your Employer/Clients

c) Professional Qualifications or Work Experience

You'll need to provide ONE of the following:

If you go for the second option, UK employees can download the work history report here and the self-employed can use the self-employment pages from your self-assessment return. If you are from the US, you can use W2s and 1099s. 

If your profession is regulated in Spain (i.e. if you are a lawyer, architect etc.), we recommend that you work with an experienced professional for the application as care must be taken. 

d) Curriculum Vitae

e) Declaration That You Will Sign Up As Self-Employed OR S1 Form OR Private Medical Insurance

Step 4: Submit your Application

There are two ways to apply for the Digital Nomad visa/residency:

• In Spain
• Through a Consulate abroad

If you apply in Spain, you'll receive a 3-year residency approval OR the length of your longest contract or A1 form (if shorter). 

If you apply in a Consulate, you'll only get a 1 year visa and will have to do the whole Spain process anyway. For this reason, unless you hold a passport which needs a Schengen tourist visa (i.e. doesn't get the 90/180 allowance), we recommend that you apply within Spain. 

To apply from within Spain, you have two choices:

1. Get a NIE and Digital Certificate, then apply by yourself 
2. Use a representative such as Move to Spain Guide (No NIE or Digital Certificate is needed).

1. Apply by yourself

This is an option for those in Spain or who have already got an NIE, Digital Certificate and (preferably) a Spanish bank account. 

A NIE (número de identification de extranjero, or foreigner's identification number) is an essential part of living in Spain. You'll be surprised at how often you need it once you live here: it's used for everything from taking out a mobile phone contract to accepting a parcel. 

Note: It is usually much easier to get a NIE from a consulate in your home country. If you try to get it from a police station in Spain, it's very hit-or-miss if the police will be willing to give it to you.  

You can find out how to apply for a NIE in Spain here

A Digital Certificate is an electronic form of identification that will allow you to do a wide range of administrative processes from your own computer, from changing your address with each government agency to paying your car tax without queuing at an office. 

Get a Digital Certificate here 

Note: it's also possible to apply for the Digital Nomad visa using a Cl@ve but a Digital Certificate is more useful as you can do more with it.

Once you've got your NIE and Digital Certificate, you can apply for the digital nomad residency online here. 

If you have a Spanish bank account, the application process will be much smoother as you will be able to pay the application fee online. 

2. Use a Representative

Since the Digital Nomad Visa is still new and the requirements change often (it launched in January 2023), we suggest working with an experienced representative to handle your application.

By hiring a representative, you can bypass the need for a NIE or digital certificate. A skilled representative will guide you in presenting your application effectively, thereby enhancing your chances of success.

Apply For The Digital Nomad Visa with Move To Spain Guide

Maximise your chances of success with our expert guidance! We’ve been there from the start, helping individuals navigate the complexities of the application process. With over 1,000 successful applications under our belt, we know exactly what it takes to get your residency approved. Let us guide you every step of the way to make your move to Spain smooth and stress-free.