Who Can Become a Digital Nomad?

The pandemic period has changed the workdays for many people. What remained in the shadows before 2020 has now become accessible and popular: remote work. As a result, programs for those adopting a digital nomad lifestyle have been emerging worldwide each year.

Digital Nomad visas are now available in Europe, America, Asia, and Africa. More than 40 countries have adopted digital nomad laws, and another dozen are preparing to do so: Serbia, South Korea, and even Japan, known for its secrecy, are seeking nomads. Today, we’ll discuss who can become a digital nomad in Spain and what steps you need to take.

Digital Nomad in Spain: Do I Fit into This Category?

First, answer the following questions:

  1. Do I work for a company/as a self-employed person outside of Spain?
  2. Has the company been operating for more than 1 year?
  3. Do I work remotely?
  4. Is my contract valid for at least 3 months?
  5. Is my income over 2,520 euros?

If you answered “yes” to all these questions, congratulations, you can start gathering documents for your application.

At this stage, we recommend consulting with us to ensure that you fit perfectly into the digital nomad category.

What Documents Do I Need to Gather?

Below is a list of documents required for an employee:

  1. A contract with an employer signed more than 3 months ago;
  2. An extract from the Unified State Register of Legal Entities;
  3. A letter from the company confirming the possibility of remote work;
  4. A copy of your diploma (if your work experience is less than 3 years);
  5. A resume;
  6. A certificate of departure;
  7. A criminal record certificate with an apostille;
  8. A passport stamp upon arrival in Spain or a declaration of entry;
  9. Forms MI-T;
  10. Health insurance;
  11. Paid fee of €73.

For freelancers/self-employed individuals:

  1. Contracts with clients signed more than 3 months ago (preferably LLCs/sole proprietors);
  2. A statement from the Unified State Register of Individual Entrepreneurs or a certificate of self-employment;
  3. An extract from the Unified State Register of Legal Entities of your clients;
  4. A letter from a client-entrepreneur/self-employed person confirming remote work;
  5. A copy of your diploma;
  6. A resume;
  7. A certificate of departure. If this is not available, the self-employed person attaches a handwritten letter of obligation to register with the Spanish social security system as a local entrepreneur;
  8. A criminal record certificate with an apostille;
  9. Completed statement of no criminal record in Spanish;
  10. Passport stamp upon arrival in Spain or a declaration of entry;
  11. Forms MI-T;
  12. An obligation to register with the social security system;
  13. Paid fee of €73.

By the way, there are other differences between an employed nomad and a self-employed nomad. Stay tuned for our next article to learn more.

What If I Want to Move with My Family?

As an applicant, you can apply together with family members. In addition to an increased document package, the required income will also change. We’ll discuss this below.

Required income level for a digital nomad:

  • €2,520 (200% SMI*) for one applicant;
  • €3,465 (+75% SMI) for a family of two;
  • €3,780 (+25% SMI) for a family of three;
  • €4,095 (+25% SMI) for a family of four.

*SMI is the minimum income. As of 2023, the minimum income in Spain is €1,260.

Let’s Summarize

There are four main groups of applicants for a digital nomad visa and residence permit:

  1. An employee hired by a company from the Russian Federation/Belarus.
  2. An employee of a company from a country that has a social security agreement with Spain.
  3. An employee of a company from a country that does not have a social security agreement with Spain.
  4. A self-employed person/freelancer.

If after reading this article you’ve realized that you fit the nomad criteria perfectly, feel free to apply. You’ll open up endless travel opportunities and the ability to work from anywhere in the world.

And we, EL Relocator, will be happy to help you and be a guiding light in the dark.

See you in the next articles!