Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa has become an increasingly popular option for remote workers. If you’re planning to make the move to Spain, it’s a good idea to get to grips with how the visa works, who can apply, what you are applying for and the various costs involved.
The visa is designed for foreigners who want to live in Spain as a resident while working remotely for a company or clients primarily based outside Spain. This makes it a great option for digital nomads looking to make Spain their home base.
Moving abroad also comes with a practical challenge that you might not have thought of. To ensure your move is successful, you’ll need a way to send money abroad so that you can cover housing deposits, rent and any daily expenses you might incur in euros. That’s why it's a good idea to compare providers to see who offers the best rate and lowest fees for sending money to Spain.
Why remote workers are choosing Spain
Spain has become an increasingly attractive base for remote work thanks to its mix of high-quality lifestyle, vibrant and well-functioning cities, strong transport links and good internet – particularly in urban environments and popular expat areas. Spain’s time zone is another draw given that it fits well with the UK and other European countries while still letting you overlap with US colleagues on the East Coast if necessary.
The country offers a variety of places to set up shop depending on the experience you want. Head to Madrid or Barcelona for bustling city energy, fantastic nightlife and culture. Or, you might prefer the more relaxed lifestyle offered in coastal cities such as Valencia or Malaga. Wherever you settle down, you’ll be able to explore amazing hotspots either locally or in the local vicinity (e.g. the Canary Islands).
Crucially, Spain offers a visa framework that supports remote work, particularly through its digital nomad visa. In fact, the Global Digital Nomad Visa Index ranked Spain at the top of a league table featuring 64 countries, scoring the country 99.67 out of 100 across factors such as visa options, taxation, lifestyle and innovation.
What is Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa?
Spain introduced its Digital Nomad Visa in 2023, as part of a wider set of measures to boost innovation in the country.
Put simply, it allows eligible non-EU professionals to live in Spain while working remotely, using digital tools to do their job for a company or clients based outside Spain.
The visa initially lasts for one year, but it can be renewed if you apply for a three-year residence permit.
Applicants can usually bring in close family members, including spouses or unmarried partners as well as any dependent relatives in the family, as long as they are within the visa’s requirements.
Who can apply for the visa?
In general, visa applications must be submitted in person by the applicant (or by a parent, in the case of someone who is not an adult). You can also apply via an accredited representative, provided you supply the correct information.
How can you apply for the visa?
You can apply for the visa in two main ways: either through one of the Spanish Consulates corresponding to your place of residence in the UK, or from within Spain as a tourist or under a separate residence permit.
Spain currently has three consulates in the UK, each with different areas under their jurisdiction. One is in London, which covers Greater London as well as areas in the southwest, southeast and eastern parts of England, as well as British Overseas Territories. The others are based in Edinburgh (spanning Scotland, Northern Ireland and other northern parts of England) and Manchester (covering Wales, the Isle of Man, parts of the North West, Yorkshire and the East and West Midlands). You can find out which consulate covers your region via the Spanish foreign ministry’s website.
For UK applicants, applications are also handled via the BLS Spain Visa Application Centre, which works with the Spanish Consulate’s process.
How much does the Visa cost?
The Spanish Digital Nomad Visa currently costs €74.65 (£64.80), though if you are applying through the BLS Spain Visa Application Centre, there may be an additional charge of £14.85.
What do you need to apply for Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa?
As with any visa application, you’ll need to gather together some documents when applying, and it can take some time to prepare. However, the more organised you are now, the better position you will be in when you apply. Just take it step by step.
- National visa application form: providing key information including personal details, official documentation, information around your employer and more
- Valid passport and passport photo
- Criminal record certificate/absence of criminal record declaration: You’ll need to provide a copy of the criminal record certificate, obtainable from the ACRO Criminal Records Office in the UK, as well as a declaration confirming an absence of criminal records (i.e. no crimes have been committed) for the last five years.
- Proof of residence: This is a document that proves that you live in one of the regions covered by the consulate that you are applying through. It could be a rental contract or a bill, for example.
- Visa fee payment: You’ll need to pay the fee for the Visa at the same time you submit your application. It needs to be paid in local currency, so you may find yourself paying more or less depending on how the exchange rates fluctuate. Compare exchange rates here.
- Health insurance: You’ll need a certificate showing you’ve contracted a health insurance provider and are covered by a policy that includes all the risks insured by Spain’s public health system.
Spanish visa requirements for international workers
If you are looking to live in Spain as an international worker, some additional requirements will apply. Note that if you are self-employed, you can also work for companies in Spain as long as the share of this work doesn’t exceed 20% of your amount of professional activity.
- Proof of work: A certificate showing you’ve worked for at least three months before the visa application for a foreign company. For people employed by a company, this should come from the company and include the length of your contract, your salary and consent for you to work abroad. If you are self-employed or a freelancer, you’ll need to provide a document explaining the length of your contract and the terms and conditions to work remotely in Spain.
- Proof of company: In addition to the above, you need a certificate issued by the UK’s government house showing the company’s date of creation and what type of business it is.
- Registration with social security: Depending on whether you or your company decide to register with the UK’s National Insurance system or the Spanish social security system, you’ll need a certificate to confirm you’ll comply with tax payments.
- Degree or professional certificate: If you are providing a certificate rather than a degree, this should confirm that you have 3+ years of experience in your field.
- Proof of income: To be successful, you’ll need to be able to prove that you earn at least 200% of the monthly Spanish national minimum wage. This would be €2,763, or roughly €33,156 a year (£28,764 as of exchange rates in January 2026).
If you’re applying through a representative, you’ll typically need to provide a copy of their ID/passport and documents confirming their authority to represent you, with foreign documents that have been apostilled (i.e. certified by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office) and officially translated into Spanish where required.
How to apply for a Spain Digital Nomad Visa (step-by-step)
While there are different routes depending on where you apply from, typically from the UK your application process will look like this:
- Check your eligibility: Make sure you can meet the key requirements, especially the minimum income threshold and your remote working status.
- Gather your documents together: This usually means requesting a police certificate, taking passport photos, arranging your health insurance and collecting information from your employer.
- Download and complete your application form: You’ll typically use an official form to apply obtained through Spain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, then submit through the relevant visa centre pathway.
- Book an appointment: Use the BLS Visa Application Centre process for your location.
- Attend your appointment and pay the fee: Bring your completed application and supporting documents with you. Payment methods can vary so it's a good idea to check what’s accepted in advance.
- Wait for your application to be processed: The legal decision period referenced by Spain’s Ministry is 10 days, but this can be extended if an interview or additional documents are required
- Collect your visa: If approved, visas must typically be collected in person by the applicant (or by their representative) within one month of notification.
Costs to budget for when applying
Moving to another country comes with all kinds of costs attached, and it's important to start considering these as part of your application process. Some of the things you’ll want to budget for include:
- Visa application fee
- Health insurance
- Relocation and initial setup (e.g. flights, temporary accommodation and any essentials)
- Upfront housing costs (deposit and first month’s rent)
Most people need to transfer money before they even arrive – for example for temporary accommodation, deposits and the first month’s rent. These items may need to be paid quickly, and can be large amounts that you’ll want to make sure you can move across safely.
This is where comparing transfer providers helps: exchange rate markups and fees can add up when you’re moving larger amounts of money abroad.
Sending money to Spain: how FXcompared can help you compare providers
Before you send money, make sure you compare providers – the right choice can help save you money and make your journey to Spain much easier. You can use our comparison tool to match the provider to your transfer today.
