For many years, Spain has been one of the most well-liked travel locations. It is easy to understand why every year more than 83.7 million tourists visit the country with its great weather, stunning beaches and diverse culture.
Spain is not only a popular destination for tourists seeking sun and surf fun, but more and more people are considering Spain as a place to call home. A total of 7.2 million people, or about 15% of the total Spanish population, were born abroad.
What is the Digital Nomad Visa
Some countries are beginning to offer the “digital nomad visa,” a special type of visa. With the introduction of this visa, Spain joins a list of more than 50 countries, including Germany, Italy and Portugal. Non-EU citizens can stay in a country for a certain period of time – usually 12 months – and have the option to extend their stay using a digital nomad visa. During their stay in the country, they are self-employed or work remotely for their current employer.
Due to the surge in remote and hybrid work, more people are traveling for longer lengths of time and contributing to the economy since the pandemic. This has led to an increase in these types of visas. In exchange, some visas provide digital nomads with additional advantages including tax exemptions.
How does the Spanish Digital Nomad Visa work?
Starting in early 2023, Spain began issuing digital nomad visas to anyone who has worked remotely for more than a year and has not lived in Spain in the last five years. This visa for non-EU citizens and non-Spanish corporate employees is specifically for digital nomads. Digital nomads are only allowed to earn up to 20% of their income from Spanish companies, according to the application requirements.
Quick facts regarding the Spanish visa for digital nomads:
- Visa fees: $265
- A monthly income of at least $2,215 is required.
- Visas are valid for a year with a possible extension of up to four years.