Spanish Residency Step-by-Step Guide

The Spanish Digital Nomad residence, introduced in January 2023, is tailored for remote workers earning at least €2646 monthly. Suitable for both employees of overseas companies and independent contractors, it’s an ideal option for those who fit the criteria.

•  Have you been working remotely for a company established over a year ago for at least three months?

•  Is your income at least €2646 per month, equivalent to twice the minimum wage (SMI)?

•  Do you hold a relevant degree or have at least three years of professional experience?

If you answered “yes” to all these questions, congratulations, you qualify as a digital nomad!

Two Application Routes

From Your Home Country

You’ll receive a one-year visa that can be converted to a three-year residency after arriving in Spain. This visa may be utilised solely for entry followed by immediate residency conversion, or you may choose to stay in Spain for the full year and initiate the conversion process two months before the visa expires. Choosing the latter option means you won’t receive a residency card during that year, and the time spent will not count towards future long-term residency eligibility.

From Within Spain

If you’re in Spain legally on any visa or document, including a tourist Schengen visa, you can immediately apply for a three-year residence permit. This permit is renewable for an additional two years.

Essential Eligibility Criteria for Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa Application

• Lawful presence within the country
• No criminal history in Spain or in any nation where residency exceeded six months over the past two years

Financial Thresholds

➡️ for the principal applicant: 2646€ (equivalent to 200% of the Spanish Minimum Income (SMI) monthly. For the year 2024, the SMI is set at 1323€ per month)

➡️ for an additional adult family member: 993€ (amounting to 75% of the SMI)

➡️ for each dependent child: 331€ (constituting 25% of the SMI)

For a household of three, the requisite monthly income (pre-tax) stands at 3970€

Proof of income can be furnished via an employment contract, an employer/client endorsement, invoices (for independent contractors), and a financial institution statement.
For the digital nomad visa application, the tasa 790-038 fee is applicable to each candidate, with the charge for the year 2023 and 2024 being €73.26.

Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores, Unión Europea y Cooperación

Check-list for Digital Nomad application

Scans of all pages of the passport stamped entering Spain

• Certificate of no criminal record
• Declaration of no criminal record within the last five years
• Paid state fee
• Form MI-T
• Remote work documents (contract, letter, bank statements)
• Certificate of insurance coverage in Spain
• Spanish health insurance (only for employees)

What does a typical process looks like:

1. Visa Application

Allow for a processing time of 6-8 weeks to obtain a Spanish Schengen visa. It’s advisable to initiate this step well ahead of time. Applications for Schengen visas from other EU nations are also an option.

2. Document Preparation

Begin compiling all necessary documents as outlined in our complimentary guide. Alternatively, consider utilizing our services for support.

3. Entry into Spain

Remember to secure a distinct entry stamp or an entry declaration upon your arrival in Spain, especially if you’re entering from another EU country.

4. Residence Acquisition

Proceed to submit your application and await confirmation. Should you opt to prepare all documents independently, our Verified Application service is available for a thorough review.

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1. Criminal Records

Obtain a Criminal Record Certificate and Sign a Declaration of No Criminal History for the Past Five Years

Criminal Record Certificate

All applicants aged 18 and above are required to provide a criminal record certificate from their nation of citizenship or from any country where they have resided in the past two years. The certificate must be accompanied by an apostille from the nations where you have lived for at least six months within the last two years and must be translated by a sworn translator.

Declaration of No Criminal History

Declaration of No Criminal History Within the Last Five Years Simply complete the form and provide your signature.

Step 2. Securing a Work Contract, Remote Work Authorization, and Company Registration Proof

Work Contract

Valid Work or Service Contract must be in effect for over three months and include:

• Terms
  The contract must be of long duration (at least three years) or open-ended, with explicit authorization for remote work.
  
• Position
  Your job title and the services you provide should be clearly stated in the contract.
  
• Earnings
  The contract must specify your monthly earnings. For hourly wages, it should estimate the number of work hours per week or month.
  💡The contract requires a sworn translation jurado.

Verification of Employer/Client’s Registration

Documentation from the official registry in the employer/client’s country, verifying the company’s registration for over one year.

💡This document must be apostilled and undergo sworn translation jurado.

Company Letter Granting Remote Work Permission

This letter should confirm the company’s name, your role, contract initiation date, salary (in both local currency and its equivalent in EUR), contract conditions, and explicit consent for remote work, including within Spain. A Spanish translation is required.

✅ The document should encapsulate the service contract and its appendices.

The letter sample

This letter is to certify that Name Surname is currently a service provider to/employee of XXX (hereinafter “the Company”) based on the indefinite contract No XXX as of XXX. Name Surname is a provider of the following services: XXX/ holds the position of XXX. He is authorised to work remotely from Spain. Name Surname’s gross payment is XXX US Dollars per month (XXX EUR per month). If you have any questions regarding Name Surname’s services to the Company, please do not hesitate to contact the Company at hr@XXX.com

Step 3. Curriculum Vitae and Verification of Professional Expertise

Your CV can be self-prepared and translated into Spanish using Google Translate or Deepl.
Acceptable Documents for Experience Verification:

• Diploma
  Only if your current job role aligns with your academic qualifications.
• Proof of 3-Year Professional Experience
  Employment records, past employment agreements, professional development certifications, or, if necessary, signed recommendation letters from former employers.

If you work in you current place more than 3 years, you still need to provide any confirmation of previous experience.

💡 Documents should be translated jurado

Step 4. Acquire a Three-Month Bank Statement

For Employed Individuals
Provide a bank statement from the past three months showing salary transactions that correspond with the income detailed in your contract. For statements with multiple transactions, color-highlight the salary entries.
For Self-Employed Professionals/Freelancers
Submit your bank statement along with pertinent invoices or receipts issued to clients over the last three months. Occasionally, a payment intermediary (like DEEL) might manage these transactions for you.
The documentation should reflect:
The scope of work completed.
Earnings for the designated timeframe.
Work hours logged (applicable for hourly payment agreements).

Step 5. Proof of Social Security Insurance Coverage in Spain

For Employed Individuals:
Spanish authorities require proof that your employer will continue to contribute to social security when granting residence permits to employed digital nomads. If your employer is from a country with a bilateral social security agreement with Spain (for instance, Russia), you’re in luck—simply request the necessary certificate and proceed with your application. If not, your employer must either register with Spanish social security by establishing a representative office in Spain or you must switch to a service contract, wait for three months, and then apply as a self-employed individual.

For Self-Employed Individuals:
You must provide a certificate that verifies your registration as self-employed, which should:
Be currently valid,
Show that you have been registered as self-employed for at least three months.
If you lack this certificate, don’t worry—it can be replaced with a written explanation confirming that the laws in your client’s country permit the provision of services as an individual. We have a template ready for you! hug Additionally, you’ll need to sign a declaration committing to register as an ‘autónomo’ and to enroll in social security upon receiving approval.

Tips for getting SS oficial form

🇷🇺 In Russia

In Russia, you can obtain this certificate at the Pension Fund branch offices (SFR) based on your employer’s registration location or your registered address. If we’re talking about Moscow and the Moscow Region, you can try to visit other branches as well. The process is not that easy, but it is still possible to obtain the certificates.

Many branches strictly require advance appointments, so you can schedule an appointment here.

🇪🇺 In EU countries

If your employer is from the European Union, you will need to request an A1 form. This certificate can be requested either through your employer or directly from the social insurance authority of the specific EU country. Its cons include the long waiting time and coverage limitation: the standard A1 form is issued for only 1 year, and with some effort, you can extend it to 2 years. It’s important to understand that the validity period of the A1 form will directly impact the duration of the residence permit you receive.

Step 6. Spanish health insurance

Core requirements:

👉 The insurance is valid for one year with automatic renewal.
👉 The insurance policy should be without additional payments (sin copago) and exclusion periods (sin carencia).
👉 The insurance should cover all family members.
👉 With repatriation – con repatriación
👉 With hospitalization – con hospitalización
👉 Coverage amount at least 30.000 €

Documents to be provided

• • An insurance policy that clearly states what services are included and especially emphasizes that there are no surcharges or limitations.

• • Payment document showing that the insurance has been paid for.

• • If possible, a certificate from the insurance company that the insurance policy has been paid.

Popular spanish insurance companies

🟢 Sanitas (the most expensive here)
‍This office in Barcelona issues the insurance contract in 1 day without Spanish account and through payment in cash at the cash office (ATM) of any bank. The insurance must be signed for 1 year.

🟢 Asisa
Payments in cash are available, the Spanish account should be specified for further extension. You can indicate an account of your friend or relative and change it after approval of the residence permit and obtaining a bank account.

🟢 DKV
‍DKV has good prices and exclusion periods, but you need a bank account in Europe.

Step 7. Pay state fee and fill in required forms

Tasa 790-038

To apply for a digital nomad, you need to pay tasa 790-038 for each applicant, the cost is €73.26. You can generate it at the link, for this you need a digital signature. You can pay the fee at the cash desk of any bank until 11 am. And here we prepared detailed instruction specially for you how to pay in ATMs either by cash or by card. Important ATMs may NOT accept payments after 11pm :).

How to pay in ATM?

👉 CaixaBank: with card of any other bank. English interface can be selected. The approximate path is: insert the card —> payments —> without bar/QR code —> A.E.T.A

👉 BBVA: with cash, the amount should approximate the value of the fee (EUR 73.26). English interface can be selected. The approximate path is: transactions without card —> payments —> bills, taxes and utilities —> with payment document —> enter data manually —> by form

Forms MI-T for you and MI-F for your family members

All forms should be printed signed and scanned for upload.

Representative designation (optional)

This document you need in case if someone else is uploading documents for you.

If the main applicant with a digital certificate is submitting documents on behalf of family members, they will also need this authorisation form. In the text of the designation form include the phrase “Autorización de Residencia de Teletrabajador de carácter internacional.”

Step 8. Scans of all pages of the passport with proof of entry in Spain

Scan your passport with which you want to apply.

For proof of entry there are two options: clear and visible stamp if Spain was you first EU country (you came from Turkey or Serbia etc) or declaration of entry if you entered Spain from another EU country

💡 It is also important that you are in Spain legally, i.e. do not overstay your visa and do not break the 90/180 day stay.

How to get declaration of entry?

You can get it during first 72 hours after your arrival to Spain. The easiest way is to get it in the airport upon arrival. If you came by car, go to the nearest police station after crossing the border.

• • Barcelona
    🛫 The police office is located in Terminal 1 Departures, far left corner when viewed from the street. Near the door you will see a phone, call 2 and say that you need Declaración de entrada.
    🌇 In the city you can visit police office at Passeig de Sant Joan, 189 no later than 72 hours after arrival.

• • Madrid
    🛫 The police office is located in Terminal 4 Departures behind the check-in desks, McDonalds and farmacy.

It is also worth noticing that you can try visiting not only CNP (national police offices), but also offices of Immigration Police. The full list of offices can be found here.

Step 9. Collect all the necessary documents for your family

Additional documents for family members:

• • Form MI-F – Familiar

• • Proof of relation

• • Certificate of no criminal records for over 18

• • Scan of passport with proof of entry

• • Health insurance

• • Representative designation
    Power of attorney for each family member if the nomad uploads with his signature. For child the document is signed by the parent indicated on the child’s MI0F form under Representante Legal.

💡 Proof of relation documents should be translated via sworn translation “jurado”.

Proof of relation types

• • Spouse/Partner
    Marriage certificate, pareja de hecho certificate, notarised acta de manifestaciones, etc.

• • Child under 18
    Birth certificate is sufficient.

• • Child over 18
    You need to demonstrate that the child is financially dependent: a student, not earning money, financially supported by the main applicant, etc. Documents may include joint residence, proof of education, regular financial support, etc.

• • Elderly Relative
    The principle is similar to that of a child over 18: demonstrate that the relative is financially dependent on you and cannot live independently. Documents may include joint residence, regular financial support, proof of medication and medical expenses payment, etc.

Step 10. Apply for a residence

In order to apply you need digital certificate which can be received only if you have NIE (Spanish ID number for foreigners).

✅ 1st step: Choose Alta Solicitud
‍✅ 2nd step: Authenticate with the digital certificate.
✅ 3rd step: Click Solicitud (Inicial, Renovada o Prorrogada)

✅ 4th step: Fill the form the same way as MI-T and attach all the documents

Numero de referencia: you get get this number when you pay the fee. It is essential for the application. This number will appear after your payment for tasa on the receipt.

It looks something like this:

💡 Is it worth getting NIE in advance in order to apply myself?

‍‍Frankly, it is not. You can do it via Spanish consulate in your country of residence while still preparing documents. However, in Spain the process of getting NIE is not a piece of cake – you need to schedule an appointment to the police office and provide a truthful reason, why do you need this number. The thing is that you are assigned NIE right after the documents submission.

If you don’t have time for all the red tape, we recommend uploading documents by proxy. You can ask a friend with a certificate. Or you can use our online submission service 🙂

Step 11. Appointment to the police and application for a residence card

After getting the approval of your residence permit, you should go to the police office to do fingerprints for a residence card TIE. The appointment can be booked here.

💡 How do I know what cita I need?‍

You are in Madrid? Then choose special cita POLICÍA-EXPEDICIÓN DE TARJETAS CUYA AUTORIZACIÓN. The location of the police office is Santa Engracia 18, Madrid, 28071.

In other provinces you can pick classic cita for fingerprints – POLICIA-TOMA DE HUELLA.

💡 Do I need a registration in apartment?

• • You are Digital Nomad, and in MI-T questionnaire for residence you indicated an address in Barcelona or Madrid and are going to do fingerprints in the very same locations? You DO NOT need registartion. Indicate in TIE questionnaire the same address as in MI-T questionnaire.

• • Other visa type? You do fingerprints in other province? In MI-T questionnaire you indicated location not in Barcelona or Madrid? You NEED registration.

Digital Nomad can try to avoid this requirement for other provinces as well, as the registration is not on the official documents’ list issued in accordance with the Law 14/2013. However, you have to be very convincing and persuade a police officer in Spanish

Document for application for a residence card:

1. 1. Confirmation of your cita (appointment)

1. 1. Confirmation of your residence approval (a paper with CONCEDER)

1. 1. MI-TIE and EX17 questionnaires (it is better to fill in both). Fill it in as MI-T.

1. 1. Pasport and scan of its first page

1. 1. Photo 32х26 mm (check Google-maps for foto para carne de conducir)

1. 1. Paid tasa 790-012 (16,08€)
      The easiest way – to pay tasa in cash in the BBVA ATM with bar code scanner. You can do it up to 11 pm

How to fill in tasa:

• • The first part IDENTIFICACIÓN fill in like in MI_T (NIE, name, address)

• • Then check scans bellow:

• • City, date

• • Forma de pago – to pay in cash

💡 How to check if the card is ready?

If you need a cita to collect the card, then you can easily check if the card is ready – just select your office and service RECOGIDA DE TARJETA. On the next page you will see the current lot with cards.

If it’s possible to pick up your card without an appointment, a little creativity might be necessary: consider phoning the police station to inquire about the current queue number, stopping by to verify in person, or browsing TG, WA, and Twitter conversations where updates on queue numbers are occasionally shared. Each method has the potential to be effective.

Should these alternatives not be viable, you may opt to wait until the specified deadline. wink

Here’s a rephrased version for tips on scheduling an appointment:

If there is no other way you can wait until the mentioned deadline.😉

Tips for appointment booking

1. Check for citas beforehand, while you are still waiting for residence approval (it may take more than 20 working days)

2. If you do need a registration in the apartment, this quest should be completed in advance. You will need a long-term contract (3-6 months minimum depending on the province)

3. Sometimes it is not that easy to find an appointment yourself, you can reach out to us for help.