The Spain Visa Guide: Complete Application Guide, Timeline & Costs (2025)
The Digital Nomad Visa in Spain: Complete Application Guide, Timeline & Costs (2025)
Spain's digital nomad visa is among Europe's most flexible and accessible. Unlike most EU countries' restrictive remote worker visas, Spain's welcomes genuine nomads: freelancers, entrepreneurs, remote employees—anyone working for non-Spanish employers and making stable income.
This guide walks through exactly what you need, how to apply, realistic timelines, and costs so you can plan your move.
What is Spain's Digital Nomad Visa?
Spain's Digital Nomad Visa (DNV) is a residence permit allowing non-EU/non-EEA citizens to legally live and work remotely in Spain for 1-2 years. It's not designed for tourism; it's designed for people actually living and working there.
Key difference from other visas: It's NOT a work permit. You're not working in Spain—you're working for foreign employers while based in Spain. This distinction is important.
Eligibility Requirements
You must meet ALL of these criteria:
1. Remote Employment
- Work for a non-Spanish employer or client (must be your primary income)
- OR own a business (business must not generate Spanish-source income)
- Have authorization from your employer to work from Spain
2. Income Requirements (2025)
| Applicant | Monthly Income | Annual Income |
|---|---|---|
| Main applicant | €2,763 | €33,156 |
| + First family member (spouse) | €1,036 additional | €12,432 additional |
| + Each additional member | €345 additional | €4,140 additional |
You must demonstrate stable income, typically via:
- Bank statements (last 3 months showing deposits)
- Employment contracts
- Invoices/receipts (for freelancers)
- Tax returns
3. Work History
- Minimum 3 years of professional experience in your field
- OR higher education degree
- Must prove you have expertise/stability
4. Company Requirements
Your employer/client company must:
- Have been operating for at least 1 year
- Provide written authorization for you to work from Spain
- Not be a visa-sponsoring shell company (must be legitimate)
5. No Criminal Record
- Criminal background check from your home country (must be apostilled)
- Must show no serious crimes in the past 5 years
- Different countries have different requirements; check yours
6. Health Insurance
- Valid health insurance covering Spain
- Can be from your home country (if recognized)
- Or Spanish private insurance (recommended for clarity)
- OR employer-provided coverage
7. Proof of Accommodation
- Rental contract, purchase agreement, or hotel booking
- Must show you have legitimate housing in Spain
Application Process: Step-by-Step
Step 1: Gather Documents (2-3 weeks)
Essential documents:
- Valid passport (6+ months validity)
- Birth certificate (apostilled, original + copies)
- Criminal background check (from your home country, apostilled)
- Employment/Client proof:
- Employment contract (or letter from employer confirming remote work authorization)
- Last 3 months of bank statements (showing salary deposits)
- Company registration extract (showing employer has been operating 1+ years)
- Proof of income (payslips, invoices, tax returns—last 3 months typically)
- Health insurance proof (policy documents, certificate of coverage)
- Proof of accommodation (rental contract, booking confirmation, purchase agreement)
- Cover letter (explaining why you want to live in Spain, your situation)
- Curriculum vitae/resume (1-2 pages with work history, education)
EU citizens: Different documentation (contact your specific consulate)
All foreign documents must be:
- Apostilled (official certification that legalizes foreign documents)
- Translated into Spanish (by certified translator if not in English/Spanish)
Step 2: Obtain Your NIE (1-2 weeks)
Before visa application, you need a NIE (Número de Identificación de Extranjero).
- Apply at your Spanish consulate, OR
- Apply in-country after arrival
- Cost: €9.84
- Processing: 5-10 days (in-country) or 2-4 weeks (consulate)
The consulate may issue NIE as part of visa process automatically.
Step 3: Book Consulate Appointment (2-6 weeks)
Contact your nearest Spanish consulate:
- Request digital nomad visa appointment
- Each consulate has different procedures (email, online booking, phone call—check yours specifically)
- Book 4-12 weeks in advance (varies widely by location and season)
- Pay visa application fee: typically €70-120 (varies by consulate)
Step 4: Prepare Official Application Form
- Download visa application form (your consulate provides it)
- Complete in Spanish (machine-translate if needed)
- Print; sign it
- Bring originals + copies to appointment
Step 5: Attend Consulate Appointment
Bring all documents (originals + 1-2 copies of each). The officer will:
- Review your documents
- Verify your employment/income
- Check criminal background
- Possibly ask questions (Why Spain? How long? What work do you do?)
- Take passport (they keep it during processing)
- Issue receipt with processing information
Timeline: Processing takes 15-45 days after appointment
Step 6: Receive Approval
You'll be notified (usually by email) when visa is approved. You have ONE MONTH to collect it from the consulate.
What you receive: Visa stamp in your passport; residence authorization.
Step 7: Apply for NIE & TIE In-Country (1-2 weeks)
Once in Spain with your visa:
- Apply for NIE (if you haven't already)
- Apply for TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero—physical residency card)
- Visit local immigration office (Oficina de Extranjeros)
- Takes 1-2 weeks for physical card
- You can use NIE number immediately while waiting for physical card
Realistic Timeline: Total Processing
| Step | Duration |
|---|---|
| Document gathering & translation | 2-3 weeks |
| NIE application (consulate) | 2-4 weeks |
| Booking consulate appointment | 4-12 weeks |
| Consulate appointment (happens 1 day) | 1 day |
| Visa processing | 15-45 days |
| Visa collection + travel to Spain | 1-4 weeks |
| TOTAL | 10-20 weeks (2.5-5 months) |
Pro tip: Start this process at least 4-5 months before your intended move date.
Cost Breakdown
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Apostille of documents (varies by country) | €20-100 |
| Spanish translations (€15-25 per document, typically 5-10 docs) | €75-250 |
| NIE application | €9.84 |
| Visa application fee (consulate) | €70-150 |
| Travel to consulate (if not local) | €0-500 |
| Health insurance (annual, private Spanish) | €400-800 |
| TIE issuance (in-country after arrival) | €0-30 |
| TOTAL | €575-1,830 |
Most people spend: €1,000-1,200 total
Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Not Getting Documents Apostilled
Apostille is a specific certification that proves foreign documents are legitimate. Don't skip this or use regular notarization—it won't work.
Solution: Order apostille 6-8 weeks before consulate appointment.
❌ Incomplete or Wrong Translations
Spanish government requires certified translations. Google Translate won't work.
Solution: Hire certified translator (€15-25/page is standard).
❌ Gaps in Income Documentation
If your bank statements don't show consistent income, expect rejection.
Solution: Submit last 6 months of statements, not just 3. Show stability.
❌ NIE Before Visa
Some people apply for NIE thinking it's the visa. NIE is just the tax ID; you still need the visa.
Solution: Understand: NIE = tax number (applied to consulate), Visa = residence permission (separate application).
❌ Waiting for Physical TIE
You don't need to wait for the physical card. Your NIE number is your legal ID. Card is just backup.
Solution: Get NIE number immediately; use it to open bank account, sign lease, register utilities.
After Visa Approval: Your First Months
Week 1-2 in Spain
- Apply for NIE (if not done at consulate)
- Register at town hall (empadronamiento)—creates official residency proof
Week 2-4
- Open Spanish bank account
- Register utilities (electricity, water, internet) to your name
- Sign rental contract
Month 2+
- Register for Spanish healthcare (optional if you have private insurance)
- Get Spanish phone number
- Build your life
Key Advantages of Spain's Digital Nomad Visa
- ✅ 1-2 year duration (longer than most EU digital nomad visas)
- ✅ Allows self-employment/freelancing (not just employed remote workers)
- ✅ No minimum investment required (unlike many countries)
- ✅ Eligible family members can join
- ✅ Can renew once in-country
- ✅ After 1 year residency, eligible for Spain's public healthcare (Convenio Especial, ~€60/month)
- ✅ Spain consistently ranked #1 for digital nomads globally
FAQ
Q: Can I work for a Spanish company?
A: No. You must work for a non-Spanish employer. This is the core requirement.
Q: What if my company is registered in Spain but I'm the owner?
A: You can qualify if the business revenue doesn't come from Spanish-source income (i.e., you're providing services internationally).
Q: Can family members join?
A: Yes. Spouses, children, and dependent relatives can apply. Income requirements increase (see table above).
Q: What if I get laid off after visa approval?
A: You have some grace period to find new employment before visa revocation. Check with immigration office for specifics (typically 1-3 months).
Q: Can I renew the visa?
A: Yes, but you must renew before expiration. Renewal process is similar to initial application.
Q: Do I pay Spanish taxes?
A: If you're a legal resident, yes. Consult a tax professional. Some countries have tax treaties with Spain.
Final Checklist
- Confirm you meet all eligibility requirements
- Gather documents (passport, bank statements, employment proof, insurance, etc.)
- Order apostilles (6-8 weeks before appointment)
- Get documents translated to Spanish (certified translator)
- Contact Spanish consulate 4-6 months before target move date
- Book visa appointment
- Submit application with all documents
- Wait for approval (15-45 days)
- Collect visa from consulate
- Travel to Spain
- Apply for NIE + TIE in-country
- Register at town hall
- Open bank account
- Begin your Spanish digital nomad life
Bottom Line
Spain's digital nomad visa is worth the effort. It's more straightforward than most EU options, it's affordable, and it gives you 1-2 years of legal residency. Start the application process now if you're even considering Spain for 2025.
Your Spanish adventure awaits. Make it official.
