This visa is for any foreigner planning to live in Spain as a resident, working remotely for a Company or an employer (or self-employed) located outside of the Spanish national territory, and using exclusively computer telematics and telecommunication media and systems.
When the applicant is self-employed, he/she can also work for a company located in Spain, as long as the percentage of this particular work doesn't exceed 20% of the total amount of his/her professional activity.
The applicant must have an undergraduate or postgraduate degree from a University, College or Business School of prestige, or have at least 3 years of work experience in his/her current field of activity.
The following family members may also obtain the visa:
- The spouse or unmarried partner.
- Dependent children and dependent relatives in the ascending line who form part of the family unit.
The applicant must apply for a NIE number prior to visa application. Please click HERE to get the information about how obtain a NIE number.
Required documents for the worker and their family members
1. National visa application form. Each applicant, or his/her representative, must fill and sign a visa application form.
2. Photography. A recent, passport-size, colour photograph, taken against a light background, facing forward, without dark or reflective glasses, or any garments concealing the oval of the face.
3. Valid passport. Original and a photocopy of the page or pages with the biometric data. The passport must be valid for at least 1 year and must have at least two blank pages. Passports issued more than 10 years ago are not accepted.
APPLICANTS MUST LEAVE THEIR PASSPORTS IN THE CONSULATE DURING VISA PROCEDURES. Applicant's passport is kept by the Consulate and will be available for collection at the end of the procedure. Applicants can provide a pre-paid Special Delivery envelope (with full name and address) along with the visa application documents if they want the passport to be sent once the visa has been issued.
Valid residence permit in the UK for non-British nationals.
4. Criminal record certificate. Applicants of legal age who apply for a visa must submit the original and a copy of the criminal record certificate(s) issued by his/her country or countries of residence for the past 2 years. Additionally, the applicant will submit a responsible declaration confirming the absence of criminal records for the last five years.
This certificate cannot be older than 6 months, unless the certificate itself specifies a longer validity.
For UK Criminal Records submit ACRO Certificate.
5. Proof of residence in the consular district. The applicant must provide proof of his/her legal residence in the consular district. To verify your consular district, please visit the relevant web section of this Consulate.
6. Proof of the representative's identity and capacity. If the visa application is submitted through a representative, a copy of the ID card or passport of the representative and a copy of the power of attorney or official document accrediting representation must be submitted. The originals must be shown at the time of the application. Foreign documents must be legalized or apostilled and, where applicable, must be submitted together with an official translation into Spanish.
7. Payment of the visa fee. Visa fee payment is compulsory and has to be made at the same time when submitting a visa application. The fee has to be paid in local currency and it is subject to regular changes due to the currency fluctuations. Please check the list of Consular fees.
8. Health insurance. Original and a copy of the certificate accrediting the public or private health insurance contracted with an insurance entity authorized to operate in Spain. The insurance policy must cover all the risks insured by Spain's public health system. S1 form and proof of having registered it with the Spanish National Social Security is accepted as public health insurance.
SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS FOR INTERNATIONAL WORKERS:
1) Certification of working for at least 3 months (before the visa application) for a foreign Company. To this end, the applicant will submit a certificate, issued by the company and declaring:
- If the applicant is an employee: Length of the contract and explicit consent to work remotely in Spain.
- If the applicant is self-employed: Length of the contract, and the terms and conditions to work remotely in Spain
2) Certificate issued by the Government Companies House, declaring the date of creation of the company (or companies) and its nature of business.
3) IF APPLICANTS ARE REGISTERED WITH THE BRITISH NATIONAL SOCIAL SECURITY
- S1 form and proof of having registered it with the Spanish National Social Security .
- Responsible declaration by the company (if the applicant is an employee) or the applicant (if he/she is self-employed), stating their commitment to comply with the British social security system obligations before starting any work-related activity.
- A1 form issued by HMRC must be included.
4) IF APPLICANTS ARE REGISTERED WITH THE SPANISH NATIONAL SOCIAL SECURITY
If the applicant (or UK Company) decides to register with the Spanish Social Security System, he/she must provide with:
- A certificate proving the company and employee's registration. If the applicant is self-employed, he/she must provide a certificate of registration with RETA (Régimen Especial de Trabajadores Autónomos de la Seguridad Social Española).
- Responsible declaration by the company (if the applicant is an employee) or the applicant (if he/she is self-employed), stating their commitment to comply with the Spanish social security obligations before starting any work-related activity. If the applicant is still registered with the British social security system this must be explicitly confirmed in the responsible declaration.
5) Documentary proof of financial means.
Financial means must be at least 200% of the monthly Spanish national minimum wage (approximately £2140 per month or £25700 per year in 2023. Be aware the amount required changes every year according to IPREM).
In the case of family members:
For the first family member they must prove additional financial means of at least 75% of the Spanish minimum wage (approximately £800 per month or £9600 per year in 2023. Be aware the amount required changes every year according to IPREM).
For each additional applicant, 25% of the Spanish national minimum wage is required (approximately £270 per month or £3200 per year in 2023. Be aware the amount required changes every year according to IPREM).
In order to prove the abovementioned resources, any means of proof are acceptable: work contract, bank statements, payslips, etc.
6) Copy of the University degree or professional certificate confirming that the applicant has at least 3 years of experience in his/her business activity. Employment history issued by the UK government is accepted.
SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS FOR FAMILY MEMBERS:
- Documents proving family relationship with the worker: birth or marriage certificates issued by the civil registry, certificate of registration as an unmarried couple or any other document proving that the relationship is an unregistered partnership. Foreign documents must be legalized or apostilled and, when necessary, must be submitted together with an official translation into Spanish.
- In the case of adult children, documents proving their financial dependence and civil status. Foreign documents must be legalized or apostilled and, when necessary, must be submitted together with an official translation into Spanish.
- In the case of relatives in the ascending line, documents proving they are in the investor's care. Foreign documents must be legalized or apostilled and, when necessary, must be submitted together with an official translation into Spanish.
PROCEDURE
This Consular Office is competent to accept visa applications from applicants residing in the consular district.
Who can apply for a visa: Visa applications must be submitted in person by the applicant or by one of their parents if the applicant is a minor. They may also be submitted through a duly accredited representative.
Submission by a representative: If the visa application is submitted through a representative, a copy of the ID card or passport of the representative and a copy of the power of attorney or official document accrediting representation must be submitted. The originals must be shown at the time of the application. Foreign documents must be legalized or apostilled and, when necessary, must be submitted together with an official translation into Spanish.
Place of submission: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation has an agreement with BLS International for certain type of Visa applications. If you wish to apply for a Digital Nomad visa, please contact the BLS International branch in Manchester.
Proof of receipt: The Consular Office will provide the applicants with proof of receipt of the application with a code enabling them to check the status of the dossier through the following link: https://sutramiteconsular.maec.es/Home.aspxIt
Completing the application: The Consulate may ask the applicant to submit any missing documents, or to provide additional documents or data. The Consulate may also request a personal interview.
Decision deadline: The legal term for reaching a decision is 10 days, but this term may be extended when an interview or additional documents are requested.
Collecting the visa: Visas must be collected in person by the applicant or by their representative within 1 month, counted from the day after the date of notification. The Consular Office will inform the applicant regarding the procedure for the return of the passport and any other original documentation.
Visa refusal: Visa refusals will always be notified in writing.
Appeals: If the visa is refused, the applicant may submit an appeal for reconsideration to this Consular Office within 1 month from the day following the date of notification. The appeal must be addressed to the Visa Department and posted by Royal Mail or other courier service provider.
A legal appeal to the High Court of Justice of Madrid can be also submitted within the 2-month term beginning the day after the date of notification of the visa refusal or of the dismissal of the reconsideration appeal by the Consulate.
Validity of the visa: This visa will be valid for a maximum of 1 year or the same validity as the authorization granted to live and work in Spain. It is not compulsory to obtain a Residence Permit Card once in Spain, as the visa is proof enough of legal residency. However, it is possible to apply for a Residence Permit Card, voluntarily, in the nearest OFICINA DE EXTRANJERIA
or COMISARIA DE POLICIA in Spain.
SWORN TRANSLATIONS AND LEGALISATIONS
All documents must be translated into Spanish by a Translator-Interpreter. It is possible to find a translator here: List of sworn translators.
All foreign documents must be legalized by the consulates of the issuing country or, in the case of signatory countries to the Hague Convention of October 5, 1961, hold the Hague Apostille. Official documents issued by a Member State of the European Union, do not require legalization.