How to Get Your Apostille and Translations for the Spain Digital Nomad Visa (DNV)

One of the most confusing parts of applying for Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa (DNV) is getting your documents apostilled and translated correctly. Many applicants are delayed—or receive a requerimiento (request for more documents)—simply because their paperwork wasn’t legalized or translated the right way.

This guide explains what apostilles and sworn translations are, why they’re required, the correct order to do them in, and how to get them done quickly and affordably. If you haven’t yet gathered your documents, start with our complete list of DNV requirements.

1. What is an apostille?

An apostille is an official certificate that authenticates the origin of a public document so it is legally valid in other countries that are part of the Hague Apostille Convention. In simple terms, it’s how your home country tells Spain: “Yes, this document is real and official.”

Documents that commonly need an apostille for the DNV:

• Criminal record certificate
• Birth certificates (for dependent children)
• Marriage certificate (if applying with a spouse)
• Degrees or diplomas, when used to prove your qualification
• Company registration or good-standing certificates, and other public documents proving your work situation

If your country is not part of the Hague Convention, you’ll need consular legalization instead—usually authentication by your Ministry of Foreign Affairs followed by the Spanish embassy or consulate. It takes longer but serves the same purpose.

2. Where to get an apostille

The apostille is always issued by the country that issued the document—not by Spain. In most cases:

• United States: the Secretary of State of the issuing state, or the U.S. Department of State for federal documents such as the FBI background check. See our United States apostille service.
• United Kingdom: the FCDO Legalisation Office.
• Canada: Global Affairs Canada or the competent provincial authority (Canada joined the Apostille Convention in January 2024).
• Australia: the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
• Philippines: the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Office of Consular Affairs. See our Philippine apostille service.
• Other countries: usually the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or Ministry of Justice.

Processing time: usually 3 to 15 business days, plus courier time. Fees vary widely by country and document.

3. What is a sworn translation (traducción jurada)?

A sworn translation is an official translation into Spanish by a translator appointed by Spain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAEC). The translator certifies, signs and seals the translation as a true and complete version of the original, including their registration number.

Spanish immigration authorities require sworn translations of foreign documents not in Spanish, such as criminal record certificates, degrees, birth and marriage certificates, and company or legal documents.

4. How to get your documents translated

Option 1: a sworn translator appointed in Spain

This is the easiest and most reliable option: translators appointed by MAEC are recognized by all Spanish authorities. You send scanned copies by email and receive electronically signed PDFs (or printed originals if needed), usually within 1–2 working days.

Option 2: translations through a Spanish consulate

Some Spanish consulates translate documents or accept translations made by translators they recognize. Check your consulate’s website before relying on this, especially if you’ll apply in Spain instead of at the consulate.

Important: regular translators, agencies without sworn status, and apps like Google Translate are not accepted for official documents.

5. Apostille first, then translation

Always get the apostille before the translation. The apostille is part of the document and must be translated too. If you translate first, the translation won’t match the final document.

1. Obtain the original document (for example, your police certificate).
2. Get it apostilled or legalized.
3. Send the document and its apostille for sworn translation into Spanish.

Make sure your translator receives a clear scan of every page, including the apostille page and any QR codes.

6. How long the process takes

Remember that criminal record certificates are generally only valid for a limited time (usually 3 to 6 months), so plan the timing carefully. If you’re applying with family members, start early—civil and academic documents often take longer.

7. How to check that a translator is sworn

• Ask for their sworn translator registration number.
• Check the official MAEC list of sworn translators and interpreters.
• Confirm the translation includes the certification statement, signature and seal—and, for online applications, a valid electronic signature.

8. Common mistakes to avoid

• Translating documents before apostilling them
• Using translators who are not sworn
• Translations missing pages, stamps or the apostille itself
• Compressing or editing electronically signed translation PDFs
• Letting a criminal record certificate expire before you submit
• Waiting until the last minute—apostilles can take weeks

Unsure about any of the Spanish terms? See our guide to important DNV terminology.

9. Sample checklist: apostilles and translations for the DNV

Requirements can vary by case and by consulate, so always confirm before ordering translations.

10. Our sworn translation service

Translating your DNV documents doesn’t have to be expensive. We work directly with a sworn translator (traductor jurado) who offers excellent rates:

• Most sworn translators charge €35–40 per page—our rates average €15–25 per page, especially for larger batches
• Fast turnaround, usually within 1–2 working days
• Electronically signed PDFs ready for UGE, or printed originals on request

Send us your documents and we’ll give you a personalized quote. Contact us for a free quote, or see all our services. If you’d like us to handle your whole application, explore our DNV packages.

Final thoughts

Getting your apostilles and translations right is one of the most important steps in your Spain Digital Nomad Visa journey. With the right order, enough time and a trusted sworn translator, it becomes a straightforward process. Once every document is legalized and translated, you’re ready to apply for the Digital Nomad Visa—one big step closer to your new life in Spain.