Nomad Residence Permit and Visa D for self and family

In August 2024, Maxim approached us wanting to relocate to Europe with his family. He hadn’t chosen a specific city in Spain yet — he wanted to travel around the country to understand where it would be comfortable to live with children. Freedom of movement across Europe was also an important condition.

The digital nomad program perfectly suited these requirements thanks to its flexibility and the possibility of remote family reunification. Since the applicant wanted to delegate the processing as much as possible, he chose the “all-inclusive” package, which allowed us to handle most document requests and sworn translation payments.

1. Document Preparation

The applicant works as an auditor and provides services to Russian companies through his individual entrepreneurship. His higher education diploma in state and municipal administration served as proof of professional qualification.

What we did to prepare the perfect document package:

1. Independently requested an extract for the counterparty and obtained an apostille
2. Prepared all necessary sworn translations
3. Helped to draft additional agreements
4. Paid fees on behalf of the applicant

2. Document Submission

Submission date: September 13, 2024

After arriving in Spain, the applicant sent us his passport page with the entry stamp, and we submitted his documents using an electronic signature.

3. Approval Receipt

Approval date: October 3, 2024

All documents were provided completely from Russia. The process went through without additional requests.

Digital Nomad Residence Permit approval document

4. Fingerprinting and Residence Card Receipt

After approval, the applicant scheduled fingerprinting in Madrid. We prepared the necessary forms and fee slip that needed to be brought to the procedure. After 30 days, Maxim received his residence card.

5. Opening Autónomo and Social Security Registration

After receiving the residence card, Maxim started opening a bank account so we could register him as autónomo and enroll him in Spanish social security.

Banks suitable for social security payments:

• BBVA
• Sabadell
• Santander

Not suitable banks:

• Revolut
• Wise

Important: the first year in Madrid social security is completely free, but the system is set up so that money is first withdrawn and then returned to the applicant’s account at the end of the year.

After opening the account, we remotely registered the applicant for social security and opened his individual entrepreneurship in Spain.

6. Family Reunification

In parallel, we submitted documents for residence permits for family members. This can be done remotely, which is especially convenient for families with small children — there’s no need to obtain Schengen visas for everyone and fly to Spain.

After residence permit approval, we helped schedule an appointment at the Spanish Consulate in St. Petersburg for Spanish National visa stamps. The following were needed for submission:

1. Main applicant’s residence card
2. Family members’ residence permit approval from immigration service
3. Birth and marriage certificates

After three weeks, the visas were ready. Upon arrival in Spain, the family immediately submitted fingerprints for plastic residence cards.

If you haven’t decided which city to live in yet, the residence permit allows you to travel around the country comfortably while looking for the best place to live. And for families with small children, this is an ideal option — the process can be completed remotely, without unnecessary trips and stress. The key is properly prepared documents, and then relocation becomes not a trial but a comfortable start to a new life.