The process for obtaining Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa for the self-employed professional is regulated by the Emerging Companies Act.
This law passed in Congress on 3 November 2022 and, pending Senate approval, is expected to come into force on 1 January 2023.
In this article, we’ll cover how this visa works, the key requirements, the necessary documents, and how our legal team can help you relocate to Spain with the Digital Nomad Visa for the Self-Employed.
Spain’s digital nomad visa for self-employed individuals is a residence permit designed for non-EU professionals who want to live in Spain while working remotely for companies or clients based outside the country.
As part of our immigration services in Spain for expats, we assist professionals in establishing legal residency while ensuring full compliance with current regulations.
This visa is intended for non-EU citizens (outside the EU, EEA, or Switzerland) who wish to work remotely from Spain. Applicants must demonstrate stable income earned abroad, engage in self-employed or freelance professional activity, and provide services digitally or remotely.
There are many advantages to the remote work visa:
Legal right to reside and work remotely from Spain.
Access to the Spanish public health system is available for the applicant and their dependents (spouse and children).
Possibility of including immediate family members, who will also be able to reside and work and/or work remotely in Spain.
Initial visa valid for one year, renewable up to five years, provided original conditions continue to be met.
The Spain Nomad Visa for the self-employed is specifically designed for individuals who provide services to international clients or manage companies based outside their home country Spain. It offers a legal pathway to live and work remotely from Spain while maintaining your global business activities.
Whether you are a freelancer or own a company overseas, this visa could be your opportunity to live and work legally from Spain. We recommend you book a consultation with a tax expert in Spain to evaluate your situation and ensure full compliance with all tax and legal obligations before starting the process.
If you are self-employed, a freelancer, or hold a managerial position as the owner of your company abroad, you must meet specific requirements to be eligible for the Spain Nomad Visa for the self-employed:
As a freelancer
As a company owner abroad
While self-employed professionals have specific documentation needs, they must also comply with the general financial and criminal record standards required for the Digital Nomad Visa in Spain
To get the Spain Nomad Visa for the self-employed, freelancers must provide evidence with documentation such as current signed contracts, invoices from the last 3 months, and bank statements showing proof of income corresponding to the invoices. It’s helpful to include a detailed description of your remote services and the nature of your work.
Owners of companies abroad must present payslips and bank statements showing the salary received from the position.
When the applicant has only been active for three months, the UGE-CE intensifies its documentary review in order to rule out simulated or artificial arrangements. One of the essential documents that should be submitted with the application is Schedule SE of Form 1040, which is obtained once the tax year has ended. This form is used to calculate and pay Social Security and Medicare contributions.
This situation creates a documentary gap for applicants who apply for the Digital Nomad Visa in Spain shortly after starting their self-employed activity. In the absence of Schedule SE, the success of the application depends on the applicant’s ability to provide a set of alternative government-issued evidence to compensate for the lack of an immediate registration record.
The final strategic recommendations to help secure a favourable decision are:
Obtain the IRS Letter 147C and have it federally apostilled in order to establish the business’s tax identity from the outset. Make and document the first quarterly estimated tax payment using Form 1040-ES, thereby demonstrating integration into the U.S. Social Security system, together with other supporting documents.
You must present a criminal record certificate from your current country of residence. It must be apostilled and officially translated into Spanish.
As a freelancer or owner of a company abroad, you must follow these steps to obtain the Spain Nomad Visa for the self-employed.
As a general rule, the documents required to initiate the process of obtaining the Digital Nomad Visa are as follows:
Signed contracts, invoices, or letters confirming your economic activity abroad as a freelancer.
You’ll need to prove financial solvency presenting documents such as your recent bank statements, tax returns, and having a monthly income of at least €2,762.66 (200% of the 2025 SMI of €1,381.33). Higher income is required for those including family members. The activity needs to come from your professional activity as a freelancer or an owner of a company abroad.
It’s essential to have a valid passport, and a completed official application form must be submitted, along with the rest of the required documents, like the Model 90 payment form.
While a medical certificate is not required under the International Health Regulations (2005), a recent, apostilled criminal record certificate with a sworn translation into Spanish is mandatory.
Apply for Your Spain Nomad Visa
This procedure can be initiated either at the Spanish Consulate in your country of origin or at the Large Companies Unit if you are already here in Spain. The main difference between the two is that, in the first case, you obtain a visa for one year, while in the second case, you obtain a residence permit for three years.
If you are not yet in Spain, the process must be initiated at the Spanish consulate in your home country. The process usually takes between 20 and 45 days, depending on the workload of the consulate, and in case of a favourable resolution, you will get a visa valid for 1 year.
After that time, you will have to apply for a residence permit if you want to stay in Spain.
If you are already in Spain as a tourist, you can submit the application before the 90-day permitted stay expires. This option is ideal for those who want to get to know the country before settling down. If you are considering other legal options, there are several Spanish residency options for non-EU citizens that may meet your personal or professional needs.
The duration of the process may range from 4 to 8 weeks, depending on the accuracy of the submitted documentation and the administrative burden placed on the body responsible for the decision.
An Immigration Lawyer with over 25 years of experience, specializing in residency and visa applications in Spain. A dedicated member of the Turno Especial de Extranjería and the Servicio de Orientación a Extranjeros (SOJE) of the Malaga Bar Association, committed to assisting individuals and families in regularizing their legal status
Having a specialised legal team such as Tejada Solicitors makes all the difference when applying for the Spain Nomad Visa for the self-employed. Not only will we optimise your application, but we will also make sure you are fully informed about the Spain digital nomad visa renewal requirements, while advising you on tax, business, and immigration matters. That’s why we highly recommend booking a consultation with a tax lawyer in Spain, such as an immigration lawyer.
To prevent unnecessary delays, we review and prepare all your documentation before you travel to Spain. This will ensure that before you move to Spain with a tourist visa, you meet all the requirements necessary to apply for the Digital Nomad Visa.
Once all your documentation is gathered and reviewed, we will submit your application, follow up, and respond to any further requirements from the immigration authorities.
Finally, we will analyse your tax situation and guide you through the process of legally establishing yourself as a resident in Spain. Our main goal is to ensure that your transition to Spain is seamless, without unnecessary risks, and as effective and efficient as possible.
Therefore, before settling in Spain, it is crucial for any expatriate to analyse their tax residency. As Article 9 of the Personal Income Tax Act 35/2006 states, a person is considered a tax resident in Spain if they meet any of the following conditions:
Remaining in Spanish territory for over 183 days in the calendar year.
Having the main core of their economic interests or their usual professional activity in Spain.
Having direct family members—spouse not legally separated and minor children—residing in Spain, unless otherwise accredited.
Tax obligations for tax residents in Spain include:
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You must demonstrate a minimum income equal to or greater than 200% of the Spanish minimum wage (SMI), which is approximately €2,700 per month in 2025.
No, it’s not necessary — you can work exclusively with foreign clients.
The Spain Nomad Visa for the Self-Employed lasts for one year when applied for at the Spanish Consulate in your home country. If applied for from within Spain, it grants a residence permit valid for three years.
There is an option to renew the visa or residence permit for periods of two years, provided that the original requirements continue to be met.
After five years of legal and continuous residence in Spain, holders of this visa can apply for permanent residency—a strategic step for many expats aiming to establish a long-term life in the country.
Absolutely. The specialised team at Tejada Solicitors will manage everything from document preparation to the submission and follow-up of the application. We also provide comprehensive legal and tax advice.
Self-employed and small businesses in Spain
