Viva La Remote Work! Spain Welcomes Digital Nomads

Key Takeaways

• Introduces a digital nomad visa valid for up to five years for non-EU/EEA nationals.
• Requires income from remote work, specific earnings, health insurance, clean record, and options for family inclusion.
• Visa holders can bring dependents, earn locally, and work part-time for Spanish companies.
• Apply via Spanish consulates or within three months of entering Spain on a tourist visa.

Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa Launch

Madrid, Spain–Spain officially launched its digital nomad visa, approved into law by Congress in late December last year, adding itself to the list of 50+ countries worldwide currently offering a visa designated for remote workers.

Spain’s remote worker visa, part of the “Ley de Startups (or Startup Act),” is valid for one year and is extendable up to five. However, applicants must be in the country for at least six months per calendar year to continue maintaining requirements.

Targeting what the Spanish government calls ‘international teleworkers,’ these are the requirements to be eligible:

• Must earn their income through activities using a computer or other means of telecommunication
•   Must be nationals of countries outside the EEA and EU (plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway)
•   be self-employed or working for a company operating outside of Spain
•   Have a minimum income of $2,680 per month
•   Show proof of qualification to work in the field (a college degree or work experience of three years) 
•   Freelancers should show proof of a three-month running contract 
•   Have health insurance valid in Spain
•   Remote workers have to pay a 15% tax on their income during the first four years of their stay
•   Have no criminal record in Spain or anywhere else for five years before applying

Facets and Goals of the Nomad Visa

Moreover, this digital nomad visa allows applicants to bring their dependents along.

An additional monthly income of $1,000 for the first family member and about $335 for each person after that would qualify families interested in living in Spain under this new scheme (visit Spain’s official portal here).

If you plan on applying, Spanish authorities allow holders of this visa to earn an equivalent of 20% of their salary locally (working for a Spanish company).

Note: Interested applicants must visit the Spanish consulate or embassy in their home country or can enter Spain on a tourist visa and apply within the first three months of entering.

Over the last two years, many countries worldwide have embraced the remote working community, seeing its potential benefits for local economies.

Spain was among the countries hit hard by the pandemic. Its tourism industry, a key driver of the economy, suffered significant losses due to travel restrictions and lockdowns.

Per another report, the Spanish government received $33.69 billion in relief funds from the EU during the last quarter of 2022 and is expected to ask for a further $89 billion in loans as a part of its COVID relief package.

The digital nomad visa was designed to attract the global remote working community to help nurture and develop the entrepreneurial and technological ecosystem in the country.

Spain’s Efforts and Future Expectations

Spain’s pleasant weather, delicious food, rich culture, and location in the Mediterranean region have historically been significant sources of mass tourism. Authorities hope that the new visa and their efforts toward becoming nomad-friendly will help them catch the shifting wind.

What We Think

Spain’s initiative with the digital nomad visa showcases a strategic step to revive its economy post-pandemic.

By attracting remote workers through favorable visa terms and leveraging its appealing lifestyle, Spain aims to rejuvenate its tourism-reliant economy and foster a thriving entrepreneurial and technological landscape.

This move aligns with global trends of countries embracing the remote work culture and demonstrates Spain’s determination to harness the potential of digital nomads for its economic recovery.