6 steps to apply for a Digital Nomad Visa (DNV) for Spain

As remote work becomes increasingly common across different parts of the world, you might be considering becoming a digital nomad. To support this lifestyle, Spain has introduced the Digital Nomad Visa (DNV), allowing remote workers to live in one of Europe’s culturally richest countries.

Obtaining the DNV is straightforward if you want to work from the Iberian Peninsula, but it’s important to follow a specific procedure. Here are the 6 steps to apply for a DNV for Spain.

How to apply for a DNV for Spain

Applying for a Digital Nomad Visa (DNV) for Spain allows you to reside in this country without tax obligations while continuing to work for an international company or your own project. Follow these detailed steps to guide you through the application process:

Preliminary Requirements Before starting the application process, ensure you meet the following requirements:

• Remote Worker: You must work for a foreign company or be a freelancer providing services to foreign clients.
• Non-EU Citizen: The DNV is exclusively for non-EU applicants.
• Sufficient Income: You need to demonstrate sufficient income to support yourself while living in Spain.

Required Documentation Gather the following documents:

• Valid Passport: Ensure your passport is valid for at least one year.
• Proof of Remote Employment: Work contract with a foreign company or proof of your freelance activities.
• Proof of Income: Bank statements or tax documents showing your income.
• Health Insurance: Private health insurance covering your entire stay in Spain.
• Criminal Record Certificate: Issued by the authorities of your home country or where you have lived in the past five years.
• Application Form: Complete the corresponding visa application form.

Submission of the Application Submit your DNV application at the Spanish embassy or consulate in your country of residence. Follow these steps:

• Schedule an Appointment: Make an appointment at the Spanish embassy or consulate.
• Prepare Documentation: Ensure you have all the documents ready and in the required format.
• Pay the Application Fee: Check with the embassy or consulate for the current fee and accepted payment methods.
• Submit the Application: Attend the appointment and submit all the documentation.

Evaluation Process

• Document Review: Authorities will review your application and the submitted documents.
• Interview: In some cases, an interview may be required.

Decision and Visa Issuance

• Processing Time: The process usually takes approximately three weeks.
• Notification: You will receive a notification of the decision. If approved, the DNV will be issued.

Arrival in Spain

• Registration in Spain: Upon arrival in Spain, you must register at the Foreigners’ Office and obtain your Foreigner Identification Card (TIE).
• Census Registration: Register at the town hall of your place of residence.

By following these steps, you can successfully apply for a Digital Nomad Visa and enjoy living and working in Spain.

Additional tips

1. Consult with a Lawyer: Consider consulting an immigration lawyer to ensure you meet all the requirements and that your application is strong.
2. Stay Updated: Check the latest information on the Spanish embassy or consulate website, as requirements and procedures may change.
3. Use a Certified Translator: Make sure all necessary documents are translated by a certified translator to ensure they are official and accepted by Spanish authorities.

What is a DNV Certificate?

The DNV Certificate (Digital Nomad Visa) is a visa introduced by the Spanish government in January 2023 to attract professionals who work remotely from abroad. This visa offers a simplified way to reside and work in Spain without requiring a significant investment or local employment sponsorship.

Since June 2023, 58 countries worldwide, including at least 11 in the EU, have implemented some form of digital nomad visa, reflecting the growing popularity and demand for this type of visa.

Main Features and Advantages of the DNV

• Tax Benefits: The DNV offers tax benefits designed so that holders pay little to no taxes in Spain. This is a distinctive feature compared to other visas available in the country. It is based on a legal fiction where the visa holder is treated as a non-tax resident in Spain, even though they are administratively considered fully resident.
• Duration and Limitations: The visa has a maximum duration of five years, reflecting the intent to attract talent without allowing indefinite stays under these favorable tax conditions.
• Speed of the Application Process: Applications are quick and efficient, with a processing time of approximately three weeks to determine if it has been accepted.
• Inspiration and Model: The DNV follows the model of the 2015 Beckham Law, which applied to EU residents and was inspired by the UK’s non-domiciled taxpayer regime.
• Requirements and Eligibility: For Non-EU Applicants the DNV is exclusively aimed at non-EU applicants, meaning individuals who are not citizens of the European Union.
• Remote Work: It is designed for people who generate income by working remotely for companies outside Spain, allowing them to live in Spain without changing their employer or working conditions.

At Hisparos, we translate your documents for your DNV Application

At Hisparos we offer specialized translation services for your Digital Nomad Visa (DNV) application for Spain. We translate essential documents such as passports, criminal record certificates, health insurance policies, employment contracts, proof of income, and visa application forms.

Our team of professional translators ensures accuracy and speed, guaranteeing that your translations are accepted by Spanish authorities. Additionally, we provide official certification for each translation. Contact us through our website for more information and to start your translations.

Follow these steps to apply for a DNV for Spain and achieve the work freedom you’re seeking on the Mediterranean coast.