🇪🇸 The Ultimate Guide to Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa (DNV)

Introduction

Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa (DNV) has quickly become one of Europe’s most sought-after residence permits — designed for remote workers, freelancers, and entrepreneurs who want to live legally in Spain while working for companies abroad.

Created under Spain’s Startup Law (Ley 28/2022), it offers a blend of lifestyle, legal certainty, and tax benefits that’s hard to beat: live under the Mediterranean sun, work remotely, and qualify for the Beckham Law’s 24% flat tax rate on foreign income.

This guide goes far beyond the basics — drawing on real experience from Spanish immigration lawyers who’ve successfully processed hundreds of DNVs. You’ll find practical advice, legal nuances, and insider tips to make your move to Spain seamless.

1. What the Digital Nomad Visa Is (and Isn’t)

The DNV lets you live in Spain for up to five years while working remotely for non-Spanish employers or managing your own international business. It’s not for people working locally in Spain or running a business whose clients are primarily Spanish.

Feature	Detail
Initial validity	1 yr (abroad) / 3 yrs (in Spain)
Renewal	Up to 5 yrs total
Eligible work	Remote for foreign company or freelance (≤ 20% Spain)
Family	Spouse / dependents may join
Tax benefits	Beckham Law – 24% flat ≤ €600 k
Permanent residency	Eligible after 5 yrs

2. Who Qualifies (Eligibility Criteria)

To qualify, you must meet both professional and financial criteria.

Professional

You must be a remote employee of a non-Spanish company who’s worked for at least 3 months, and whose company allows remote work; or a freelancer/self-employed professional with mostly international clients. You’ll also need either 3+ years of professional experience, or a university or graduate degree related to your work.

Financial

As of the latest published guides and consular updates, applicants must typically demonstrate a **gross monthly income of about** €2,762 for the main applicant, which corresponds to 200 % of Spain’s Minimum Wage (SMI). Because Spain’s SMI is periodically adjusted, and because some calculations are done on a 12-month vs 14-month basis, this figure should always be verified against the SMI in effect at the time of application.

For family members, common thresholds are ~ 75 % of SMI for the first dependent and ~ 25 % for additional dependents. If you see older sources (or even some consulates) quoting €2,450 or €2,650, that likely reflects older SMI baselines or different payment assumptions — but using a buffer above the estimated threshold is smart practice.

🟡 Beacon Insider Note #1 — Income Proof Is Scrutinized

Consulates and UGE often reject applications supported only by bank statements. Use a combination of three proofs: (1) payslips or invoices, (2) bank statements showing payments received, and (3) your contract or employer letter confirming income. Convert everything into euros, and include a one-page summary table — this small step dramatically improves approval rates.

3. How and Where to Apply

You can apply in one of two ways:

Option A — Apply From Abroad (via Spanish Consulate)

You’ll receive a 1-year visa.
Once in Spain, you’ll exchange it for a 1-year residence card (TIE).
Before it expires, you’ll be able to apply for a 2-year renewal, and then renew it again for another 2 years, allowing you to stay in Spain for up to 5 years in total.
Recommended for those who require a visa to enter Spain due to their nationality, or for those who prefer to secure approval before moving.

Processing time: 6–10 weeks (varies by consulate). Several personal appointments will be needed.

Option B — Apply From Within Spain

If you’re already in Spain legally (on a tourist visa, for instance), apply directly to UGE-CE (Unidad de Grandes Empresas).
You’ll receive an initial residence authorization valid for 3 years once your Digital Nomad Visa application is approved by the Unidad de Grandes Empresas (UGE-CE).
After receiving the approval resolution, you’ll still need to complete fingerprinting and obtain your TIE card (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero) at the local foreigners’ office — typically within 30 days.

Processing time: 20 working days.

🟡 Beacon Insider Note #2 — Consulate vs UGE Standards Differ

Consulates focus on document authenticity (apostilles, translations, originals). UGE focuses on economic and remote-work credibility. If applying via UGE (inside Spain), the application will need to be submitted by a representative with a verified electronic signature.

4. Step-by-Step Process

Step 1 — Prepare Documents

Here’s the breakdown of which documents must be apostilled, which must be translated, and which can remain as-is — plus why. Just to note, some countries are not part of the Hague Convention and their public documents need to be "legalized".

🧾 Document-by-document breakdown

Document	Apostille	Translation	Notes
Passport (≥1 yr)	❌ No	❌ No	If not in Roman alphabet (e.g. Cyrillic, Chinese), a notarized translation of the bio page may be requested.
Qualifications / Degree	✅ Yes (if abroad)	✅ Yes (sworn)	If no diploma, employer letters plus official employment records are acceptable.
Employment contract / client letters	❌ No	✅ Yes	Translate into Spanish if not already; digital signatures acceptable.
Company certificate	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	Must come from an official registry (Companies House, Secretary of State, etc.).
Police check	✅ Yes (req.)	✅ Yes	Issued ≤ 90 days, original + apostille. Common rejection point—avoid photocopies.
Proof of income	❌ No	❌ No	Use official bank PDFs or accountant letters; no apostille needed.
Health insurance	❌ No	✅ If not ES	Must show full coverage in Spain with no co-pays or deductibles.
Social-security coverage	—	—	Provide A1 / Certificate of Coverage (employees) or employer’s Spanish SS registration.
Résumé (CV)	❌ No	❌ No	No apostille; must be in Spanish—simple translation (Google Translate, ChatGPT) fine.

✅ = Required ❌ = Not required — = Not applicable

🔍 General rules of thumb

Apostille = only public documents (issued by a government, university, registry, or notary). Private contracts or invoices never get apostilled.
Translation = anything not originally in Spanish that will be reviewed by Spanish officials.‍
Sequencing tip: Apostille first, then translate the apostilled version (the translator must see the apostille page too).

🟡 Beacon Insider Note #3

Never translate before apostilling. The apostille itself must also be translated.
Bundle translations — multiple related docs (e.g., payslips) can often go in one sworn translation file, reducing cost.
Digital is fine — UGE accepts digitally signed apostilles and digital sworn translations with certified electronic signatures. However it’s worth noting that for consulate appointments you will need the original documents.
Keep digital and paper copies. Consulates sometimes ask for originals at your appointment, even if UGE already has them digitally.

Step 2 — Translate All Non-Spanish Documents

Translations must be done by an official sworn translator (traductor jurado) authorized by Spain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAEC). 👉 Official List: MAEC List of Sworn Translators and Interpreters

Each translation must carry:

The translator’s seal
Signature on every page
Certification clause in Spanish

🟡 Beacon Insider Note #4 — Digital Sworn Translations Save Time

UGE accepts digitally signed sworn translations, which are faster and equally valid. Ask your translator for a qualified electronic signature (firma electrónica cualificada) — it avoids courier delays.

Step 3 — Submit Your Application

At consulate: Book an appointment, bring originals and copies (some accept postal submissions).
In Spain (UGE): Submit online through the UGE portal or via your lawyer’s digital certificate.

Step 4 — Wait for Resolution

By law, UGE must respond within 20 working days. If they don’t, your application is approved by positive silence — but you still need a formal resolution letter before the police will issue your TIE.

🟡 Beacon Insider Note #5 — “Administrative Silence” in Practice

Even though your application is legally approved after 20 working days, Spanish police require a certificado de acto presunto confirming that silence-based approval. Only a lawyer can request this certificate — without it, your TIE appointment may be refused.

Step 5 — Get Your TIE (Residence Card)

Once approved:

Book an appointment at your local Oficina de Extranjería
Bring passport, resolution letter, ID photos. Some police stations require you to provide proof of address
Fingerprints are taken; TIE arrives 2–3 weeks later

💶 5. Tax Implications — The Beckham Law Explained

[Note: we recommend engaging a tax lawyer for tax planning prior to your move - Beacon works with trusted partners who we can connect you with]

Spain’s Beckham Law (Régimen fiscal especial para trabajadores desplazados) offers one of the best expat tax regimes in Europe — and it’s now available to Digital Nomad Visa holders under the Startup Law. It allows foreign workers to pay a flat 24% tax only on Spanish-source income for up to 6 years, instead of up to 47% on worldwide income under standard rules.

⚖️ How It Works

Normally, if you live in Spain more than 183 days a year, you’re a tax resident and owe Spanish tax on everything you earn globally.

Under the Beckham regime:

Only Spanish-source income is taxed
A flat 24% rate applies up to €600,000/year (47% above that).
Foreign income, dividends, and assets remain untaxed in Spain.
You are exempt from wealth tax on non-Spanish assets.
The regime lasts six tax years.

✅ Eligibility (for Digital Nomads)

You can apply if you:

Haven’t been a Spanish tax resident in the past 5 years.
Hold a Digital Nomad residence permit.
Work for a foreign company.
Apply within 6 months of obtaining your TIE or registering with Social Security.

Category	Beckham Law	Regular Tax
Tax base	Spanish income only	Worldwide income
Rate	24% flat	19–47% progressive
Wealth tax	Only Spanish assets	Worldwide assets
Duration	6 yrs	—

🟡 Beacon Insider Note #6 — Apply Early for Beckham Law

The 6-month deadline starts the day your TIE is issued, not when you enter Spain. Many applicants miss it by days — have your lawyer prepare the form (Modelo 149) immediately after approval.

6. Family Members

Spouses and dependent children can join the main applicant through a dependent residence permit.

You’ll need:

Marriage certificate or proof of partnership
Birth certificates for children
Proof of financial capacity

🟡 Beacon Insider Note #7 — Apostille & Translate Dependents’ Docs

Apostille and translate every family document (marriage, birth, adoption). Some consulates reject documents older than 6 months — reissue fresh copies before apostilling.

7. Renewals and Permanent Residency

The first residence (1 or 3 years) can be renewed for 2 more years.
After 5 years of legal residence, you can apply for long-term EU residency.
After 10 years, most nationalities can apply for Spanish citizenship.
However, this period is reduced to two years for nationals from Ibero-American countries, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, or Portugal, as well as for individuals of Sephardic origin.

Avoid absences longer than 6 months per year, as they can break continuity.

8. Living Practically in Spain as a Digital Nomad

Empadronamiento (town hall registration) is mandatory for most admin tasks.
Get a Spanish bank account for rent and utilities.
Buy private health insurance before applying (note, that this is required if you do not register for Social Security contributions as a self employed individual, i.e. a freelancer or contractor).
Learn basic Spanish — it transforms your experience.

9. Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Mistake	Consequence	Fix
Expired police check	Auto rejection	Use cert <180 days old
Apostilled photocopy	Rejected doc	Only original certified copies
Vague employer letter	Delays / denial	State clearly “remote work”
No translator seal	Invalid translation	Use MAEC-certified translator
Missed Beckham Law	Higher taxes	Apply < 6 mo after TIE

10. Final Thoughts

Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa is not just a bureaucratic checkbox — it’s a gateway to a whole new life in Europe. The process demands precision, but with the right preparation and guidance, it’s smooth, fast, and rewarding. Let Beacon handle the bureaucracy, so you can focus on your next adventure.

👉 Begin your move to Spain