I recently had visitors from the USA—a family of three—who are considering moving here. My friend and business partner asked if I knew of any legal way for her to work here as a digital nomad. After a bit of research, I found an article about the digital nomad visa and tax regulations in Spain. It’s incredible to see the world opening up more for digital nomads!
As a digital nomad myself, keeping track of my visas can be stressful. Tourist visas are usually limited to 30-90 day stays and can be problematic when it comes to invoicing and taxes. The ‘grey area’ I operate in always makes me anxious when I travel. The visas I get while traveling rarely allow me to work legitimately, causing a range of issues from invoicing to tax.
Luckily, many countries have started changing their policies to make it easier for nomads to travel and work. Spain recently announced the implementation of a Digital Nomad Visa, available to foreign employees outside the EEA. This visa can be renewed for up to five years and serves as a legitimate path to residency. If you have an EU passport, you can work in Spain for six to twelve months before applying for a special permit.
To meet the requirements for this visa, you need to earn between €1,000 and €3,000 per month, provide a background check, and show evidence of medical insurance and acceptable ID documents. The benefits include an affordable life in one of the hottest nomad spots, the ability to work, and a low ‘non-resident’ tax rate for up to six years.
Who Can Get the Digital Nomad Visa for Spain?
- You are from the UK, the US, or any non-EU country
- You are a business owner, self-employed, or an employee
- You can work remotely in your current role
- You have 3+ years of work experience or professional qualifications
- You have a clean criminal record
Benefits of Moving to Spain
- Stay in Spain with your family for up to five years under the Digital Nomad Visa, and then apply for permanent residence
- Visa-free access to all 26 Schengen countries, which have abolished passport controls at their mutual borders
- 24% flat tax for six years under the Beckham Law for incomes up to €600K/year
- Spain offers a lower cost of living, with costs 123% lower than in the US and 114% lower than in the UK
- Quality of life is enhanced by the 8th best healthcare system in the world, a vibrant expat community, a comfortable climate, and the Mediterranean diet
Exploring the option of a Digital Nomad Visa in Spain could open up new opportunities for those of us wanting to live and work more freely. It’s a promising development in the ever-evolving landscape of remote work.
Disclaimer: Affiliate links are present in this blog post. This means I may earn a small commission when a link is used, which comes at no extra cost to you. Please note I would also never promote anything I don’t feel is vital and helpful to you.
