As we mentioned in a previous post, the Spain Digital Nomad Visa offers an exciting opportunity for foreigners who wish to reside in Spain while working remotely for a company located outside of Spain. Whether you’re employed or self-employed, this visa allows you to enjoy the vibrant Spanish lifestyle while pursuing your professional goals.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the application process for the Spain Digital Nomad Visa, providing clear and concise instructions.
Eligibility Requirements for the Spain Digital Nomad Visa:
- Residency and Remote Work: You plan to live in Spain as a resident while working remotely for a company or employer located outside of Spain, using computer telematics and telecommunication systems.
- Self-Employment Limit: If you’re self-employed, your work for a company located in Spain must not exceed 20% of your total professional activity.
- Educational Qualification or Work Experience: You must have an undergraduate or postgraduate degree from a prestigious university, college, or business school. Alternatively, you should have a minimum of 3 years of work experience in your current field.
Visa Application Process for the Spain Digital Nomad Visa in the UK:
Step 1: Obtain an NIE Number
Before applying for the visa, you must obtain an NIE (Número de Identificación de Extranjero) number. Visit THIS LINK for detailed information on how to obtain an NIE number.
Step 2: Gather Required Documents.
To ensure a smooth application process, gather the following documents for yourself and your family members:
- National Visa Application Form: Fill and sign the visa application form for each applicant or their representative.
- Photographs: Provide a recent passport-size color photograph taken against a light background. The photo should show your face clearly without any dark or reflective glasses or garments.
- Valid Passport: Submit the original and a photocopy of the page or pages with the biometric data. Your passport must be valid for at least 1 year and have a minimum of two blank pages. Passports issued over 10 years ago are not accepted.
- Valid UK Residence Permit: Non-British nationals must provide a copy of their valid residence permit in the UK.
- Criminal Record Certificate: Applicants of legal age must submit the original and a copy of the criminal record certificate(s) issued by their country or countries of residence for the past 2 years. Additionally, provide a responsible declaration confirming the absence of criminal records for the last five years. The certificate must not be older than 6 months unless stated otherwise.
- Proof of Residence: Provide proof of your legal residence in the consular district. Visit the relevant web section of the Consulate to verify your consular district.
- Proof of Representative’s Identity and Capacity: If you’re applying through a representative, submit a copy of their ID card or passport and a copy of the power of attorney or official document accrediting representation. Originals must be shown at the time of application. Foreign documents must be legalized or apostilled and accompanied by an official translation into Spanish, if applicable.
- Payment of Visa Fee: Pay the visa fee at the time of application. The fee must be paid in the local currency and is subject to regular changes due to currency fluctuations. Refer to the Consular fees list for the current fee.
- Health Insurance: Provide the original and a copy of the certificate accrediting public or private health insurance contracted with an authorized insurance entity in Spain. The insurance policy must cover all the risks insured by Spain’s public health system.
Specific Requirements for International Workers
To apply for the Spain Digital Nomad Visa in the UK, you need to meet specific requirements and provide supporting documents:
- Certification of Work for a Foreign Company:
- Obtain a certificate from your employer, stating that you have been working for at least 3 months for the company before applying for the visa.
- If you’re an employee, the certificate should mention the length of your contract and explicit consent to work remotely in Spain.
- If you’re self-employed, the certificate should include the length of your contract and the terms and conditions for working remotely in Spain.
- Certificate from the Government Companies House:
- Obtain a certificate from the Government Companies House declaring the date of creation of your company (or companies) and its nature of business.
- If Registered with the British National Social Security:
- Complete the S1 form and provide proof of registration with the Spanish National Social Security. You can find more information and access the form at Link to Spanish National Social Security registration.
- If you’re an employee, submit a responsible declaration from your company stating your commitment to comply with the British social security system obligations before starting any work-related activity.
- If you’re self-employed, submit a responsible declaration stating your commitment to comply with the British social security system obligations before starting any work-related activity. Include the A1 form issued by HMRC, which can be obtained from Link to HMRC A1 form.
- If Registered with the Spanish National Social Security:
- If you decide to register with the Spanish Social Security System, provide a certificate proving your company and employee’s registration.
- If you’re self-employed, provide a certificate of registration with RETA (Régimen de Trabajadores Autónomos de la Seguridad Social española).
- If you’re an employee, submit a responsible declaration from your company stating your commitment to comply with the Spanish social security obligations before starting any work-related activity. If you’re still registered with the British social security system, explicitly confirm it in the responsible declaration.
- Documentary Proof of Financial Means:
- Show proof of financial means equivalent to at least 200% of the monthly Spanish national minimum wage (approximately £2140 per month or £25700 per year).
- For each family member, you need to prove additional financial means. The first family member requires at least 75% of the Spanish minimum wage (approximately £800 per month or £9600 per year), and each additional applicant requires 25% of the Spanish national minimum wage (approximately £270 per month or £3200 per year).
- Acceptable means of proof include work contracts, bank statements, payslips, and any other supporting documents.
- Copy of University Degree or Professional Certificate:
- Include a copy of your university degree or professional certificate confirming that you have at least 3 years of experience in your business activity.
Also, employment history issued by the UK government is accepted. You can obtain it from Link to UK government proof of employment history.
Specific Requirements for Family Members:
If you’re applying for the Spain Digital Nomad Visa in the UK and have family members who will accompany you, there are specific requirements you need to fulfill. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you through the process:
Documents Proving Family Relationship:
– Prepare the necessary documents to prove your family relationship with the worker, such as birth or marriage certificates issued by the civil registry, a certificate of registration as an unmarried couple, or any other document that demonstrates an unregistered partnership. Foreign documents must be legalized or apostilled, and if required, provide an official translation into Spanish.
– In the case of adult children, you’ll need documents that prove their financial dependence and civil status. Again, foreign documents must be legalized or apostilled, and if necessary, provide an official translation into Spanish.
– For relatives in the ascending line, provide documents that demonstrate they are under the care of the investor. Ensure foreign documents are legalized or apostilled, and if required, provide an official translation into Spanish.
Procedure: How to Apply for Spain Digital Nomad Visa in the UK
1. Visa Application Submission:
– The Consular Office in your jurisdiction is responsible for accepting visa applications from applicants residing in the consular district.
– Applicants must submit their visa applications in person, except for minors who can have one of their parents submit the application on their behalf. Alternatively, applications can be submitted through a duly accredited representative.
– If submitting through a representative, provide a copy of the representative’s ID card or passport, and a copy of the power of attorney or official document accrediting representation. Original documents must be shown at the time of application. Foreign documents must be legalized or apostilled, and if necessary, provide an official translation into Spanish.
2. Place of Submission:
– Residence and work visa applications must be submitted in person at the BLS INTERNATIONAL CENTRE, not at the Consulate. An appointment is necessary.
3. Booking an Appointment at BLS Centre:
– To book an appointment at the BLS Centre, send an email to cog.londres.viscp@maec.es with the subject line “DIGITAL NOMAD VISA.”
– In the email, include your given name, surname, passport number, email address, phone number, place of residence in the UK. Specify that you are applying for the Digital Nomad Visa.
– Attach your NIE certificate or proof of having applied for the NIE certificate (copy of the receipt from the Consulate).
– Each appointment is for one person and passport. Family members accompanying the applicant need to book additional appointments, even if they are minors.
– Once your documents have been verified, you’ll receive an email with a username and password to complete the appointment process. You can choose the date and time of your appointment and make modifications or cancellations if needed.
4. Proof of Receipt:
– The Consular Office will provide applicants with a proof of receipt with a code that allows them to check the status of their application through this link: [Link to check application status]
5. Completing the Application:
– The Consulate may request any missing documents or additional documents and data from the applicant. They may also request a personal interview if necessary.
6. Decision Deadline:
– The legal timeframe for reaching a decision is 10 days. This may be extended if an interview or additional documents are requested.
7. Collecting the Visa:
– The applicant or their representative must collect the visa in person within 1 month from the day after the date of notification.
– The Consular Office will provide instructions on the procedure for the return of the passport and any other original documentation.
8. Visa Refusal and Appeals
– Visa refusals will be communicated in writing.
– The applicant has the option to submit an appeal for reconsideration to the Consular Office within 1 month from the day following the date of notification if a visa is refused. The appeal must be addressed to the Visa Department and posted by Royal Mail or another courier service provider.
– Alternatively, a legal appeal can be submitted to the High Court of Justice of Madrid within 2 months from the day following the date of notification of the visa refusal or the dismissal of the reconsideration appeal by the Consulate.
9. Validity of the Visa:
– The Spain Digital Nomad Visa is valid for a maximum of 1 year or the same duration as the authorization granted to live and work in Spain.
– While it’s not compulsory to obtain a Residence Permit Card once in Spain, as the visa itself serves as proof of legal residency, you have the option to apply for a Residence Permit Card voluntarily at the nearest OFICINA DE EXTRANJERIA or COMISARIA DE POLICIA in Spain.
NOTE: Sworn Translations and Legalizations:
– All documents must be translated into Spanish by a Translator-Interpreter.
– Foreign documents must be legalized by the consulates of the issuing country or, if the country is a signatory to the Hague Convention of October 5, 1961, hold the Hague Apostille. Official documents issued by a Member State of the European Union do not require legalization.
