This is your guide to applying for the Digital Nomad Visa Spain. As of June 2024, I am applying for the Digital Nomad Visa Spain in order to live and work remotely living in Spain. The digital nomad visa is officially known as the ‘Visa de Residencia Temporal No Lucrativa para Trabajadores Remotos’. Keep note of that as you will need it! In this blog, I am going to take you through some of the key steps I am taking to get there and to see how it goes. You could consider this to be part 1 of the series of GET ALFIE TO LIVE IN SPAIN.
My circumstances currently is as follows. I am a self-employed worker contracted to 3 different companies. For 2 of the UK based companies, I work in marketing, sales and logistics. I also work as a trip leader for other companies all over the world. I decided to settle over the last year in the UK but have since realised that I would love to live and work remotely in Spain. Whether that is in a small village in rural Andalucia, Mallorca, Valencia or Madrid. I don’t know yet. All I know is the freedom to live and work in Spain would allow me to live a happier and more fruitful life without being held back by the 90 day limit of being a UK citizen post Brexit. The joys…
In this first post, I’m just going to simply outline the various steps of the checklist in short form and where I am at with them.
I have linked the form here for you to immediately access and begin filing in. It’s a free form and so you can crack on with it. Some bits to be aware of are the need for a NIE (see number 2) and an address in Spain. In many cases, this may not be easy at this early stage. In some instances, people have used AirB&B addresses, family friends’ homes and so on. Fortunately, I have an address in Spain, which is a family home. Make sure you read all the points very carefully as a simple wrong check box, could cost you the application.
“The NIE is a personal, unique number assigned to foreigners who, for economic, professional, or social reasons, are engaged in activities related to Spain and require identification in this country.” This is on the official Spanish government website. It is necessary for when applying for the Digital Nomad Visa Spain. The number that can be requested in Spain or at the consular office in London / in your country of residence. Email cog.londres.leg@maec.es before you book an appointment. You will need to fill out an EX-15, have proof of why you need the NIE and a valid passport. You will also need to fill out a Form 790, code 12. The NIE is usually issued within 3 weeks but it may take longer. The total cost is £8.45 and can be paid on the day.
Pretty obvious one. Original and photocopy of biometric data pages. Passport must be valid for at least a year.
When you get these printed, you will need a couple. The ACRO police certificate also requires a digital passport style photograph.
You need to get an ACRO police certificate completed and applied for online. Prove you’re not a criminal basically and you’ll more likely get to live in Spain! The ACRO police ceritificate is the UK version. The cost is £65 for standard delivery time or £115 for express delivery. Once obtained, the police certificate must be translated into Spanish by SWORN translators-interpreters.
Okay listen in, this bits important. Certification of working for at least 3 months (before the visa application for a foreign company). If like me, you’re self employed then the contract must include the length of the contract and some terms and conditions allowed to work remotely in Spain. You must also have a certificate confirming that you will pay UK National Insurance while self-employed abroad temporarily. Forms via HMRC website eg. CA3822 & CA3837.
Beware this is different to travel insurance. There are certain companies which have authority to operate in Spain eg. AXA, Bupa Global, Sanitas. There are loads available. Get different quotes based on your terms. I’m looking into cover from AXA and have been quoted £150 a month (approximately).
You must provide proof of legal residence in a consular district in the UK ie. London, Sussex.
Bit of a pricey visa fee but has to be done!
Works out around £1,950 a month. This can be via pay slips, bank statements over 3 months prior to moving to Spain. Basically what this is showing to the authorities in Spain is that you can cover yourself to live and work in Spain as a foreigner.
Hope this helps to get you going! Stay in touch with how you get on and if you have any questions.
