Visas to Work Remotely in Spain

Remote workers around the world are now looking for opportunities in which they can work and travel at the same time. Digital nomads are flocking to Spain in search of a work-life balance with ideal conditions. With this, how can you start your life as a digital nomad in Spain? 

What Visas Does Spain Offer to Remote Workers?

First, let’s clarify this – there’s NO official Spanish digital nomad visa.

Many remote workers have been using the Spanish non-lucrative visa for years to live and work as a digital nomad in Spain. Many Non-EU remote workers were able to successfully work remotely for companies abroad with this visa. 

However, post Covid-19 pandemic, a lot of visa applicants reported that their non-lucrative visa application had been denied by Spanish embassies. 

Luckily Spain has other visas and residence permits if you want to live and work remotely as a digital nomad in Spain.

Basically, you can apply for:

• Freelancer or Self-Employed Visa
• Entrepreneur Visa/Start-Up Visa 

Both of these visas are part of Spain’s ‘Ley de Emprendedores’ Program. 

What Is Spain’s ‘Ley De Emprendedores’ Program?

Also called ‘Entrepreneurs’ Law,’ Spain’s ‘Ley De Emprendedores’ Program was implemented in 2013. It’s made specifically for highly qualified investors, workers, and entrepreneurs. 

If you are qualified for the program, you can have a work permit that will allow you to work and live in Spain as a remote worker for two years. To qualify for the program, you either need to be:

• A highly-educated worker with a college degree and a job offer relevant to your skills and experience.
• An investor or entrepreneur with plans and funds to support your business. 

Under the Entrepreneur’s Law, there are different kinds of residence permits and visas. When you apply for this program, you must know that most applications will go through Spain’s UGE, the Large Companies, and Strategic Sectors Unit first. 

1) Spanish Freelance and Self-Employed Visa

To work in Spain as a freelancer with a Freelance and Self-Employed Visa, you officially need to be an ‘autónomo,’ a.k.a. ‘freelancer worker’ in Spanish. An autónomo can work remotely in Spain for self-employment or set up a business in Spain. 

1.1) What is the eligibility to become an autónomo?

If you’re from the EU/EEA or Switzerland, you can easily establish yourself as a freelancer in Spain without any restrictions. 

If you are a non- EU/EEA or non-Switzerland resident, you may need:

• A visa to come to Spain.
• A residence permit to live in Spain for the long term.
• A work permit to operate in Spain as a freelancer.
• A foreigner’s identity number (NIE). It’s a number that holds your social security contributions. 
• A Spanish bank account.

1.2) What are the Advantages of Having a Spanish Self-Employed Residence Visa

If you’re applying for temporary residency, you can:

• Be eventually eligible for permanent residency.
• Travel visa-free across the European Union.
• Have access to healthcare and education system.
• Set up a profitable business.

If you’re applying for permanent residency, aside from the aforementioned, you can:

• Be eventually eligible for citizenship.
• Work and live in Spain as a remote worker without any time limit.
• Access healthcare and educational benefits. 

1.3) What Documents Do You Need to Apply for A Spanish Freelance and Self-Employed Visa?

Here are the documents you need to become an autónomo:

• Passport, with at least four months validity
• Form EX-15
• Supporting documents on your self-employment or business in Spain (e.g. agreements with clients, business plans)
• Proof of education or licenses in your field of work
• Proof of initial investment or investment income
• Medical certificate
• A criminal record for the last five years

1.4) How to Become an Autónomo in Spain?

• Get a self-employment permit.

If you are a non- EU/EEA or non-Switzerland resident that wants to freelance in Spain, you will need a work permit. You must apply for this permit from your country of origin. First, submit the required documents at the Spanish consulate, then get your visa. When you are allowed to travel to and enter Spain, you will receive your residence permit. 

• Acquire an NIE number.

When you get your residence permit and register as an autónomo in Spain, you will need to apply for an NIE number. After booking an appointment at your local immigration office, you will submit your EX-15 form.

• Register for tax at your local tax agency office.

You will need to register for ‘Impuesto sobre las Actividades Economicas’ (IAE). By doing this, you’re letting the tax agency know that you will start working remotely in Spain and doing economic activities as an independent professional. 

• Register for Spanish social security. 

Within the first 30 days of registering at the tax agency, you should register on social security to enjoy the Spanish healthcare system benefits. 

2) Spanish Residence Visas for Entrepreneurs and Entrepreneurial Activities

The residence visa for entrepreneurs and business activities is also called the Entrepreneur Visa or Start-Up Visa. It allows foreigners to come to Spain and start a business. 

2.1) What is the Eligibility for Visa for Entrepreneurs and Business Activities (REM) 

If you are an investor with a concrete business plan that has a general economic interest in Spain, you may apply for this visa. Additionally, you need to have a significant capital investment. 

If you are an entrepreneur, your business activities should be innovative with special interest to Spain. Additionally, it must be approved by Spain Commercial Office.

2.2) What are the Advantages of Having an Entrepreneur Visa

Here are the main advantages of applying for a visa under the Entrepreneur Law. 

• Shorter application resolution period.

Other residence applications can take up to three months of processing. However, for residence permits under the Entrepreneur Law, it can only take 10 days.

• Easy renewal.

If you want to renew your visa, you will only have to visit Spain once a year. Other residence permits need you to stay in Spain for about 183 days a year to renew your visa.

2.3) What Documents You Need to Apply for Spanish Entrepreneur Visa

Here are the needed documents for when you submit your entrepreneur visa application:

• Application form. 
• Copy of your passport.
• Proof of paid invoice.
• Proof that you don’t have a criminal record in Spain or in any country you’ve resided in for the last five years.
• Proof of public or private health insurance.
• Proof that you have sufficient economic resources during your stay in Spain (2,130 euros per month).
• Company business plan.
• A favourable report from Spain’s Commercial Office. 

2.4) How to Apply for Spain’s Entrepreneur Visa?

If you’re not in Spain, you can fill out the application form and submit your documents to the Economic & Commercial Office of the Spanish Embassy in the current country you’re in. 

After 10 days, you will be notified if your business plan is confirmed or rejected. If your business plan is accepted, you will need to request a visa to travel to Spain. When you’re in Spain, you will get your residency card.

If you’re already legally living and working remotely in Spain, you won’t have to go through the process of requesting a visa. You can submit your documents to Spain’s Large Business and Strategic Sector Units. To find out if your business plan is valid, you will have to wait for 20 days. If you don’t hear from them after 20 days, your application is considered accepted. 

Even if there’s no digital nomad visa available, there are still tons of opportunities for you to freelance in Spain. You just need to find out which specific visa is fit for you. 

Explore more as a digital nomad in Spain:

• Best Coworking Spaces in Spain
• Best Digital Nomad apartments in Barcelona

Did you know that some EU nations offer legit digital nomad visas? Read this to learn more about destinations for remote workers and digital nomads in EU.