Spain’s long-awaited Digital Nomad Visa has finally been launched by the Spanish government, allowing non-EU citizens to live and work remotely within Spain on an easier basis than ever before. The announcement comes as part of Spain’s new ‘Law for the Promotion of Start-up Ecosystem Companies’ (or ‘Start Up Law’), an initiative from the Spanish government to make Spain an attractive destination for ‘digital nomads’ and start-up companies looking to base themselves in the country.

Since the United Kingdom left the European Union in 2020, many people’s dreams of moving to Spain took a huge blow. However, thanks to the creation of the Digital Nomad Visa, it’s become much easier for many people to start their new lives in Spain.

What is the Digital Nomad Visa?

The Digital Nomad Visa is a residence permit that allows you to live and work remotely within Spain for up to 5 years. Until now, British citizens could only move to Spain through a work employment visa, ‘Golden Visa’, or by applying for the Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV), which prohibits working and economic activity.

Thanks to the new Digital Nomad Visa, non-EU citizens will now be able to work remotely from Spain for a company outside Spanish territory that allows remote working, or work as a self-employed freelancer for clients around the world. This news has been met with relief by many British citizens wanting to make the move to Spain, particularly those who are looking to work abroad, rather than retire.

Why choose the Digital Nomad Visa?

Perhaps one of the most advantageous aspects of the Digital Nomad Visa is the shortened application process. Unlike other visas, which often require applicants to apply from their home country, applicants can instead choose to apply when they arrive in Spain on a tourist visa, shaving a significant amount of time off the waiting period. Though if preferred, you are still able to apply in your home country.

In addition to a shorter application process, the visa also allows primary applicants to bring their spouse and dependent family members to live in Spain too.

What are the tax benefits of the Digital Nomad Visa?

As part of Spain’s new Start Up Law, those who are residents via the Digital Nomad Visa will also have access to preferential tax rates, namely the Non-Resident Income Tax Regime – an advantageous 24% tax rate on income up to €600,000, instead of the regular progressive rate.

Applicants will be able to benefit from this scheme on the year of the relocation, as well as the following 5 tax years, before switching to the regular tax scheme.

Who is eligible for the Digital Nomad Visa?

There are two main types of applicants that are eligible to apply for the Digital Nomad Visa. These are:

1. An employee of a company outside of the EU/EEA, that has permission to live and work remotely in Spain
2. Self-employed individuals with multiple different sources of worldwide income

Applicants for the Digital Nomad Visa will also need to meet the following criteria:

• The company of the employee must be located outside of Spain
• Of the total worldwide income earned by the self-employed worker, no more than 20% of it can be from Spanish companies
• Employees must have been employed by, or have a freelance relationship with their clients, for at least 3 months and have a work contract with that same company for a period of at least 1 year
• Supply proof of having €25,000 in the bank (for the primary visa applicant) and €9441 for each subsequent family member
• Have private health/medical insurance for Spain
• Demonstrate and supply proof of a clean criminal record

How to apply for the Digital Nomad Visa

If you’re looking to move to Spain via the Digital Nomad Visa, you will need to apply via a Spanish consulate in your home country, or as soon as possible once you have arrived in Spain. Consult the Spanish government’s website for the most up to date information.  

Moving to Spain

Are you ready to make your dream of living in Spain a reality? As your trusted real estate on the Costa del Sol and Costa Blanca, we’re here to guide you through every step of the process.

Whether you’re looking for a cosy townhouse in Nerja, a luxury villa in Benalmádena, or an apartment in bustling Torrevieja, Propertissimo have an extensive property portfolio that caters to a range of styles, tastes and budgets.

Our high standards have allowed us to curate the very best collection of properties, and together with our exceptional customer service and attention to detail, you can trust Propertissimo to be your REAL real estate agents in both the Costa del Sol and Costa Blanca. Get in touch with our team today to start your search for your dream property in Spain.