Spain Digital Nomad Visa requirements: the complete 2026 checklist

By The SpainVisaGuide team

This site provides information, not legal advice.

Requirements change; always confirm with your consulate.

Everything the Spanish consulate expects from a Digital Nomad Visa applicant, in the order you will actually do it: 36 requirements across 8 phases. This page is free to read in full and asks nothing of you.

Income you must prove (2026)
Worked example, one applicant with no dependents:
Holder · 200% × SMI €1,221.00 €2,442.00 /mo
Must prove €2,442.00 /mo€29,304.00 /yr

A family unit of two adds 75% (€915.75 /mo) on top of the holder's figure, and each further member adds 25% (€305.25 /mo).

A higher figure circulates online that annualizes the SMI over 14 payments. The legal basis is plain monthly SMI, so treat that higher number as wrong.

Effective year: 2026Source: Real Decreto 126/2026 (SMI 2026)

What each document needs: how to read this page
‹orig›
the consulate wants the original, not a copy
‹copy›
a photocopy must accompany the original
‹print›
must be handed over on paper
‹jurada›
needs a sworn (jurada) translation into Spanish
‹apost›
needs an apostille or consular legalization
‹≤90d old›
must have been issued no more than 90 days before you submit
‹≥1yr left›
must not expire within 1 year of submission
‹×each›
one of these per person travelling with you
★
added or reworded by your consulate
↑
long lead time, so start it early, before the rest of the list

The last two are different rules. ‹≤90d old› is about how recently a document was issued; ‹≥1yr left› is about how long it stays valid. A passport can pass one and fail the other.

What still needs processing, across all 36 requirements
  • ‹apost›4 documents need an apostille
  • ‹jurada›7 documents need a sworn translation
  • ‹print›13 documents must be printed
  • ‹copy›4 documents need a photocopy
  • ‹orig›12 documents must be the original

Apostilles and sworn translations are the slow part. A criminal-record check alone runs into weeks, the apostille on top of it, and the sworn translation after the apostille, because the translation has to include it. Start these before anything else on this page.

Some documents you must not get too early

The documents marked ‹≤90d old› must be issued no more than 90 days before you submit. Obtained before that window opens, they are stale on the day of your appointment and the consulate will refuse them, so the correct move is to wait, not to get ahead. A free account works the window out from your own appointment date.

1. Eligibility5 items

  • Confirm at least 80% of your income comes from non-Spanish sources
  • Confirm your employer or clients have operated for at least 1 year
  • Confirm you hold a relevant degree or at least 3 years of experience
  • Confirm you live in your consular district
  • Check your passport is valid at least 1 year‹orig›‹copy›‹≥1yr left›

2. Financials5 items

  • Confirm you meet 200% of monthly SMI for the holder
  • Gather proof of your income for the last 3 months‹copy›‹print›
  • Get bank statements from the last 6 months‹copy›‹print›
  • Prepare proof your work can be done remotely
  • Decide how you will receive income while in Spain

3. Documents10 items

  • National visa form (solicitud) and EX-01‹orig›‹print›
  • Two passport photos‹orig›
  • Employment or client contracts‹orig›‹print›‹jurada›
  • Proof your employer or clients have operated for at least 1 year‹print›‹jurada›
  • Degree certificate or proof of 3+ years of experience‹orig›‹print›‹jurada›‹apost›
  • Criminal record certificate‹orig›‹print›‹jurada›‹apost›‹≤90d old›
  • Employer letter authorizing remote work from Spain‹orig›‹print›‹jurada›
  • Proof of accommodation in Spain‹orig›‹print›
  • Proof you live in your consular district‹orig›‹print›
  • Marriage or birth certificate for each dependent‹orig›‹print›‹jurada›‹apost›‹×each›

Create a free account to check these off and track your progress.

Create a free account

4. Insurance3 items

  • Choose a policy that meets Digital Nomad Visa rules
  • Buy the policy, or register with Spanish Social Security
  • Keep the insurance certificate for the appointment‹orig›‹print›‹≥1yr left›

5. Translations & apostille4 items

  • Apostille every foreign public document‹apost›
  • Order sworn (jurada) translations into Spanish‹jurada›
  • Check the translator is one your consulate recognizes
  • Apostille first, then translate: the translation must include the apostille

6. Appointment2 items

  • Book the consulate appointment
  • Attend the appointment with the full document set‹orig›‹copy›‹print›

7. Submit3 items

  • Pay the visa application fee
  • Submit the complete file and keep your stamped receipt
  • Collect your visa once approved

8. After arrival (TIE)4 items

  • Enter Spain and note your date of entry
  • Register on the padrón (empadronamiento) at your town hall
  • Apply for your TIE within 30 days of entry
  • Collect your TIE card

Create a free account to check these off and track your progress.

Create a free account

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