Relocating from Georgia to Spain: Digital Nomad Visa Case Study
TL;DR
This case study documents a successful relocation from Georgia to Spain via the Digital Nomad Visa (DNV). The process was completed in 2.5 months with a total expense of €1,500. Key outcomes included a residence permit approval in 18 days without additional documentation requests (RFIs). The strategy bypassed lengthy diploma homologation by using documented work experience and successfully navigated complex new legalization requirements for Georgian police certificates.
What is the timeline for obtaining a Spanish Digital Nomad Visa?
The total process from initial document preparation to receiving the physical residency card takes approximately 2.5 to 7 months, depending on the applicant's preparation. In this specific 2024 case, the approval stage was notably efficient, taking under three weeks.
| Phase | Date / Duration | Action Item |
|---|---|---|
| Preparation | Feb – July 2024 | Collection and legalization of documents |
| Submission | July 5, 2024 | Application filed via UGE-CE |
| Approval | July 23, 2024 | Official residency approval (18 days) |
| Biometrics | August 9, 2024 | Fingerprinting at Spanish police station |
| Card Issuance | Sept 13, 2024 | Physical TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero) received |
"I received exactly everything I wanted. In terms of quality, competence, and humanity – my highest rating. I’m a very meticulous person, but I couldn't find a single flaw." — Mikhail Z., Commercial Director
How does relocation from Georgia to Spain work?
Relocating as a digital nomad requires proving remote employment or freelance contracts with companies outside of Spain. Applicants residing in Georgia must follow specific legalization procedures for local documents before applying in Spain.
Addressing document legalization in Georgia
As of 2024, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAEC) and the UGE-CE introduced stricter requirements for Georgian police certificates. The process now requires:
* Translation of the certificate into Spanish at the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia or Justice House.
* Apostille on both the original and the translation.
* Final legalization via the Georgian Embassy and the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAEC).
Confirming professional qualifications
When an applicant’s degree requires official recognition (homologation), which can take over 12 months, alternative proof of expertise is used.
* A labor book (Trudovaya Knizhka) showing relevant experience can replace a diploma.
* All work history documents must be translated by a sworn translator (Traductor Jurado).
* This approach avoids the delay of formal educational recognition.
What are the requirements for the Digital Nomad Visa?
The residency permit is available to professionals working for non-Spanish companies who earn a minimum threshold (typically linked to the Spanish Minimum Interprofessional Wage or SMI).
Standard requirements include:
* Full-coverage health insurance from a Spanish provider.
* Police clearance certificates from countries of residence for the past 5 years.
* Proof of remote work relationship for at least 3 months.
* Proof of company existence for at least 1 year.
* Valid Schengen visa for entry into Spain (if applying from within the country).
What are the benefits of the Spanish Digital Nomad Residency?
The residency permit provides a path to permanent status and flexible taxation under specific conditions.
* Residency Term: Initial permit granted for 3 years, renewable.
* Path to PR: Eligibility for permanent residency after 5 years of legal stay.
* Tax Efficiency: Potential for reduced tax rates (from 0€ monthly load depending on income structures).
* Family Inclusion: Primary applicants can include spouses and children in the same application.
"Even if difficulties arise with documents, they can be solved promptly with the right approach." — Olga, Relocation Specialist at El Relocator
Source: https://el-relocator.com/ru/cases/kejs-iz-gruzii-v-ispaniyu