Guide: Spain's International Telework Authorization (Digital Nomad Visa) - Self-Employed Applicants

This guide provides a foundational overview of the authorization for international teleworkers (commonly known as the Digital Nomad Visa or DNV) for self-employed individuals (freelancers, independent contractors) wishing to reside and work remotely from Spain primarily for companies located outside Spanish territory.

Note on employed applicants: while this guide focuses on self-employed individuals, employed applicants can also apply for the DNV. The main difference lies in the Social Security requirements: the foreign employer generally needs to register in Spain solely for contribution purposes, unless a Certificate of Coverage under a bilateral agreement applies.

Disclaimer: This document is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Each case requires a specific professional assessment.

1. Definition and Eligibility Requirements

What is it?

The Digital Nomad Visa allows non-EU/EEA nationals to legally reside and work remotely from Spain. The initial duration is one year if applying for a visa from abroad, or three years if applying for the authorization directly from within Spain. It is renewable as long as the conditions are met for subsequent periods of two years.

Who is it for?

This guide focuses on self-employed individuals (freelancers, independent contractors). A key condition is that your professional activity must be carried out remotely for one or more companies located entirely outside of Spain. You are permitted to derive up to 20% of your total professional income from clients located within Spain.

2. Core Requirements & Necessary Documentation

To be eligible as a self-employed applicant, you must meet the following key conditions and provide the corresponding documentation:

A. Non-EU/EEA Nationality

Requirement: You must be a citizen of a country outside the European Union or European Economic Area.

Proof: A complete, legible copy of your current, valid passport (all pages).

B. Remote Work Capability

Requirement: Your professional activity must be performed 100% remotely using telecommunication means.
Proof: A detailed job description or statement outlining your daily tasks and arguing why these services can be rendered remotely from Spain.

C. Foreign Clients & Company History

Requirement: Your client companies must be located outside Spain and have been active for at least one year prior to your application.
Proof: An official public document for each client company (apostilled/legalized) proving their incorporation/activity for at least one year. Examples include:

• Certificate of Incorporation / Good Standing

• Incorporation Deeds

• Notarized Certificate confirming activity

• Recent Financial Report or Corporate Tax Filings

D. Established Professional Relationship

Requirement: You must prove a professional relationship of at least three months prior to the application with the foreign client(s).
Proof (Combination Required):
1. Service Agreement(s): Signed contracts with the foreign client(s) dated at least three months prior to application. Include a letter from the client confirming remote work is permitted if not explicitly stated in the contract.
2. Invoices: Copies of invoices issued to the foreign client(s) over the previous three months.
3. Proof of Freelancer Status: An official public document from your home country (apostilled/legalized) showing you have been registered as a freelancer/self-employed for at least three months (e.g., certificate from the tax office, social security, or trade registry).

E. Professional Qualification

Requirement: Demonstrate you are a graduate/postgraduate from a reputable university, vocational training institution, or business school, OR prove a minimum of three years of relevant professional experience.
Proof (Choose ONE option):
1. Academic: University Diploma (or equivalent) related to your professional activity, duly apostilled/legalized.
2. Experience: Detailed experience letter(s) from previous employers or clients AND an official public document (e.g., tax records, social security certificate), apostilled/legalized, backing the dates and roles stated in the letters.

Additionally: An updated Curriculum Vitae (CV).

F. Sufficient Financial Means

Requirement: Prove sufficient resources for yourself and any accompanying family members. The minimum for the main applicant is 200% of Spain's Minimum Interprofessional Salary (SMI) per month (approx. €2,334/month or €28,000/year gross in 2025 – note: this is subject to annual change). Add 75% of SMI for the second family member and 25% for each additional member.
Proof: Bank statements from the last three months showing regular income meeting the requirement. It is highly recommended these statements clearly show payments matching the invoices submitted. If income is slightly below, provide proof of sufficient savings via updated bank certificates.

G. International Social Security Compliance

Requirement: You must be covered by a social security scheme.
Proof (Choose ONE option):
1. Certificate of Coverage (CoC): Issued under a bilateral social security agreement between Spain and your home country explicitly covering remote work from Spain. Note: Obtaining a CoC for remote work can be challenging as many existing agreements do not explicitly cover this scenario. If the CoC does not include health coverage in Spain, you must also provide proof of private health insurance.
2. Commitment to Register in Spain: A signed declaration committing to register with Spain's special regime for self-employed workers (“RETA”) upon approval and before starting your activity.

H. Clean Criminal Record

Requirement: No criminal record in the countries where you have resided for the past two years (for applicants of legal age).
Proof:
1. Police Clearance Certificate(s) from the relevant federal/national authorities, duly apostilled/legalized.
2. A signed declaration stating you have no criminal record in the past five years.

I. Supporting Documents

• Completed and signed Application Form (MIT).

• Proof of payment of the government application fee (Form 790 038).

• Proof of valid Health Insurance in Spain (if relying on Option G.1 without health coverage, or if required before RETA registration). Must be comprehensive coverage comparable to the Spanish National Health System, without co-payments or waiting periods.

J. Direct relatives

Requirement: Direct family members can apply for residency alongside the main DNV holder. Eligible relatives typically include spouse or registered partner, minor children, adult children who are financially dependent on the main applicant and unmarried, dependent ascendants (parents/parents-in-law) who are under the applicant's care.
Note: Specific conditions apply to prove dependency for adult children and ascendants.
Crucially, the main applicant must demonstrate sufficient financial means to support all accompanying family members (as outlined in section F).

Proof: Official certificates proving the family relationship (e.g., marriage certificate, birth certificate), recently issued (usually within the last 3-6 months depending on the issuing country's practice), duly apostilled/legalized, and accompanied by a sworn translation into Spanish. Additional proof of dependency is required for adult children and ascendants.

Important Notes:
Translations: Official documents not originally in Spanish must be accompanied by a sworn translation into Spanish.
Legalizations/Apostilles: Public documents issued by foreign authorities must be properly legalized or carry the Hague Apostille.

3. The Application Process Overview

You can initiate the process either from your home country (visa application) or directly from Spain if legally present.

A. Application from Abroad (Visa Route)

1. Submit the visa application and all required documents to the Spanish Consulate in your country of residence.

2. If approved, you will receive a one-year Digital Nomad Visa allowing entry into Spain.

3. Upon arrival in Spain, you must apply for your physical Foreigner Identity Card (“TIE”) within one month.

4. During the validity of this one-year visa, you can then apply to the UGE-CE for the three-year residence permit authorization.

B. Application from Spain (Authorization Route)

1. If you are legally present in Spain (e.g., as a tourist within the 90/180 day Schengen limit, or holding another valid permit like a student visa), you can apply directly for the three-year residence authorization.

2. The application is submitted electronically to the Unit for Large Companies and Strategic Collectives (UGE-CE), either personally (with a Spanish digital certificate) or through an authorized representative (like Navian Law).

3. The legal resolution timeframe is 20 business days If no response is received within this period, the application is considered approved by positive administrative silence.

4. If approved, you must then apply for your physical Foreigner Identity Card (“TIE”).

C. Key Deadlines

Renewals: Renewal applications should typically be submitted within 60 calendar days before or 90 calendar days after the expiration date of your current authorization.
Notification of Changes: You must inform the UGE-CE within 30 days of any significant changes affecting the conditions of your authorization (e.g., changing main client, significant income drop).

This guide provides a general framework. The specific nuances, strategic considerations, and potential challenges for a successful application require personalized legal advice tailored to your unique situation.