What's the digital nomad visa for Spain?

You’ve probably imagined yourself more than once starting a new life in Spain… sunbathing on the beaches of Fuerteventura, enjoying Mediterranean food in Jávea or trekking through the breathtaking landscapes of the Cordillera Cantábrica. Before you know it, you’re searching for information on how to move to Spain without running into administrative issues or unexpected obstacles.

Thanks to the global shift towards remote work, professionals are turning this dream into a reality. If you want to be one of them, this guide will walk you through what’s the Digital Nomad Visa for Spain and how you can make the most out of it. You’ll also find information about the protections needed to make this new chapter even smoother.

Digital nomads in Spain

Globally, nearly 20 countries offer some form of digital nomad visa. However, among them, Spain has quickly become one of the most attractive destinations for international remote workers. According to a recent report by Global Citizen Solution, Spain ranks as the best country for digital nomads.

But what is exactly a digital nomad, and could you become one?

In most cases, digital nomads are remote professionals whose work can be carried out entirely online. Although the term originally referred to freelancers, today it includes both employees working remotely for a company abroad and freelancers with international clients.

Spain’s Startup Act and the Digital Nomad Visa

Since 2021, Spain has been working on its Startup Act with the goal of creating a more competitive economy, support entrepreneurship, reduce bureaucratic barriers, attract international investment and, most importantly, bring global talent into de country.

This last objective led to the creation of the Spain Digital Nomad Visa, a renewable permit that allows non-EU citizens to live in Spain while working remotely for international companies or clients. Understanding how it works begins with recognizing its main features:

• An initial 1-year visa, extendable up to 5 years.
• Eligibility for Spain’s special expat tax regime.
• The possibility to bring family members (spouse, children, and dependent parents).
• Freedom to travel throughout the Schengen Area.
• A potential pathway to permanent residence after 5 years.

In other words, it’s not just a temporary permit, but a doorway to a long-term life project in Spain.

Who can apply for the Digital Nomad Visa for Spain?

Not everyone qualifies for the Digital Nomad Visa, as it is designed for remote workers and freelancers who meet specific professional, financial, and legal requirements. Find out whether you are eligible:

1. 1. Eligible profiles for Spain Digital Nomad Visa:

• Non-EU/EEA citizens, since EU citizens do not need this visa to live or work remotely in Spain.
• Remote employees of companies based outside Spain with:
  • At least one year of employment relationship with your company.
  • At least 3 months of seniority at the time of applying for the visa.
• Self-employed professionals with:
  • At least one client based outside Spain.
  • No more than 20% of income from Spanish clients.
  • A minimum of 3 months of freelance experience.

1. 2. Income requirements

2. Although it can vary slightly, the general rule is a minimum income of 200% of IPREM (Indicador Público de Renta de Efectos Múltiple). If applying with family members, you must demonstrate additional income for each dependent.

3. 3. General requirements and documents:

   • A relevant academic background or three proven years of experience.
   • A clean criminal record, usually from the past five years.
   • No entry ban in Spain or the Schengen Area.
   • Private health insurance with full coverage in Spain.

4. If you want to check how this insurance would apply to your situation, you can easily review it through Caser Expat online quotation tool.

   Before submitting your visa application, you’ll also need your NIE (Número de Identificación Extranjero). In addition, you and your family (if applicable) must submit:

   • National visa application form.
   • Recent passport-size photo.
   • Valid passport.
   • Criminal record certificate.
   • Proof of residence in the consular district.
   • Payment of the visa fee.

   Having all the documentation properly prepared helps prevent delays, especially during peak periods at consulates.

5. 

6. Insurance for digital nomads in Spain

7. Once you’ve been granted your Digital Nomad Visa, moving to Spain becomes a reality, and this is the perfect moment to ensure you have the right protection for everything that matters. Your health insurance will already be in place as you need it for the visa, but feeling fully prepared often means looking beyond the essentials.

   Caser Expat Insurance offers a range of policies designed for professionals who seek stability when starting a new life in Spain, whether temporarily or for the long run:

   • Caser Expat Home Insurance:

   Whether you buy a sunny flat in Mallorca or rent a cozy apartment in Madrid, having a solid home insurance plan provides essential protection against issues like water damage or theft (the type of situations that can easily disrupt your routine while adjusting to a new country).

   • Caser Expat Auto Insurance:

   As great as public transport can be, if you plan to drive it is mandatory to have valid insurance. With Caser Expat you can choose from different levels of coverage, add optional protections and access roadside assistance whenever you need it.

   • Caser Expat Travel Insurance:

   As a digital nomad, travel may become part of your lifestyle: going home for Christmas, taking a short break to Madeira or flying for work events. Travel insurance adds predictability to those journeys, protecting you from unexpected medical expenses, trip cancellations, assistance for your pets and even legal defense for your claims.

   • Caser Expat Pet Insurance:

   Your pet is part of this new adventure too. Since veterinary care in Spain is private, having a reliable insurance plan helps you manage unexpected treatments, accidents or illnesses so your companion can adapt to the new environment with ease.

A new life begins with the right preparation

Understanding what’s the Digital Nomad Visa for Spain is just the first step for any professional that wants to work remotely from the country. For digital nomads, this visa goes beyond simple paperwork, it sets the basis for maintaining an international career while creating a new life in Spain.

As you settle in and start organizing your day-to-day life, having the right protection becomes an essential part of the transition. Insurance helps you manage practical matters with clarity, avoid unnecessary seatbacks and move forward with confidence.

Caser Expat Insurance offers the support needed to build this stage on stable foundations, so you can focus on your career and shaping your life in Spain as a digital nomad.