Complete List of Requirements for the Spain Digital Nomad Visa (DNV)

Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa (DNV) has quickly become one of the most attractive options for remote workers who want to live in Europe while maintaining their international careers. Whether you’re an employee working remotely for a non-Spanish company, a freelancer with clients abroad, or a business owner running an online venture, the visa gives you a legal path to reside in Spain.

The first step to a successful application is gathering and preparing the right documents. This comprehensive checklist breaks down every requirement you need, from your employment proof to translations and apostilles, so you can prepare efficiently and avoid costly delays.

1. Valid Passport

Your passport is the foundation of your application.

Requirements:

•  Must be valid for at least one year from your planned entry into Spain.
• Should have at least two blank pages available for visa stamps.
• For the DNV application through UGE, submit a full-color scan of your entire passport, including all pages, even the blank ones.
• For consulate applications, provide a photocopy of the entire passport, including all pages.

Pro Tip:Renew your passport early if it will expire within a year. Spanish authorities prefer applicants to have a longer validity period to cover their residence duration.

2. Completed Visa Application Form

The type of form you need depends on where you’re applying from.

For applications submitted within Spain, the main applicant must complete the MIT form. Each dependent (such as a spouse or child) must complete a MIF form.

For applications submitted through a Spanish consulate or embassy, both the main applicant and any dependents must fill out the National Visa Application Form, available on the consulate’s or embassy’s website.

Guidelines:

• Complete all fields accurately using capital letters.
• Sign the form at the bottom.
• Use the same signature that appears on your passport.
• Ensure all your details (address, contact number, passport information) match your supporting documents.

3. Payment Form

The payment form you need depends on where you apply. For UGE applications submitted from Spain, you must fill out Tasa 038 Modelo 790, which can be paid online using a Spanish bank account, over the counter at any bank in Spain, or through an ATM.

For consulate or embassy applications, the required payment form is Tasa 052 Modelo 790. Make sure to keep the proof of payment or stamped receipt to include with your application.

4. Proof of Remote Work or Self-Employment

You must demonstrate that you work remotely for a non-Spanish employer or clients abroad, as this is one of the most critical parts of your DNV application. Submit a work contract signed by both parties (you and your employer or clients), which must have been active for at least three months prior to your application.

In addition, provide a letter from your employer or clients confirming your role, start date, and employment status, as well as stating that your work is performed entirely online and that you are authorized to work remotely from Spain. The letter should also include the company’s address and contact information.

Finally, you must demonstrate that the company you work for, or your freelance business, has been operational for at least one year before the date of application. This can be verified through a Certificate of Good Standing or a Company Registration Certificate.

5. Proof of Sufficient Income

The Spanish government requires applicants to meet specific income thresholds to ensure financial stability during their stay in Spain.

Minimum income requirement (2025):

• Main applicant: 200% of Spain’s national minimum wage (approximately €2,600–€2,750 per month)
• First Dependent: +75% (approximately €1,000 extra per month)
• Succeeding Dependents: +25% (approximately €350 extra per child per month)

Acceptable proof of income includes:

• Recent payslips from the last 3 to 6 months
• Bank statements showing consistent monthly deposits or transfers of your income
• Tax returns or audited income statements (for self-employed applicants)
• Client invoices showing payment amounts

If your income falls short by around €100–€200, you can make up for it with savings. Multiply the shortfall by 36 months, and if you have at least that amount in your bank account, it can compensate for the gap in your monthly income.

6. Proof of Educational Qualification or Professional Experience

You must demonstrate your capability and expertise in your profession. This can be shown through a university degree or diploma relevant to your field of work, or by providing proof of at least three years of work experience in your current profession.

Supporting documents may include:

• Certificates, licenses, or professional training records
• Reference letters from previous employers or clients
• Portfolio links for freelancers (if applicable)

7. Curriculum Vitae (CV)

You must include a Curriculum Vitae (CV) outlining your educational background, professional experience, and relevant skills. The CV helps demonstrate your qualifications and work history in support of your Digital Nomad Visa application. You should also attach a simple Spanish translation of your CV—this does not need to be a sworn translation.

8. Criminal Record Certificate

A criminal record certificate (or police clearance) is required from every country where you have lived during the last two years.

Requirements:

• Must be issued within six months before your application (though the newer, the better).
• Must be apostilled or legalized, depending on your country’s treaty status.
• Must be officially translated into Spanish by a sworn translator (traductor jurado).
• If you’ve lived in multiple countries recently, you may need separate certificates for each one.

In addition, you must prepare a Responsible Declaration of No Criminal Record covering all the countries where you have lived in the past five years.

9. Health Insurance Policy

You must have health insurance that provides full medical coverage during your stay in Spain.

For applications submitted from Spain, you may choose not to submit a private health insurance policy. Instead, you can provide a written pledge stating your intention to register as an autónomo (self-employed) in Spain and pay social security contributions, which grant you access to the Spanish public healthcare system.

For consulate applications, private health insurance is mandatory for all applicants. The policy must:

• Provide comprehensive medical coverage equivalent to Spain’s public healthcare
• Cover repatriation and emergencies
• Have no co-payments or deductibles
• Be issued by a Spanish insurance provider or an international company recognized in Spain

Tip: Many applicants choose well-known insurers such as Sanitas, Adeslas, Cigna Global, or Feather Insurance as these companies are widely recognized among expats in Spain.

10. Family Member Documents (If Applicable)

If you plan to bring your spouse, partner, or children, you’ll need to provide additional documents for each dependent, such as your marriage certificate or proof of partnership, and the birth certificates of your children.

Keep in mind that each family situation is different, and additional documents may be required depending on your circumstances. For example, if the parents are separated and only one parent and the child are moving to Spain, the other parent must provide a notarized affidavit of consent allowing the child to relocate.

If you have an adult dependent, such as a parent, you must also provide proof of financial dependency to demonstrate that they rely on you for financial support.

It’s important to review your specific case carefully to ensure all necessary supporting documents are included.

11. NIE (Número de Identificación de Extranjero)

The NIE, or Número de Identificación de Extranjero, is a unique identification number assigned to foreigners in Spain. It is used for all official, legal, and financial activities, such as signing contracts, paying taxes, or applying for residency.

If you are applying from a consulate, an NIE is required before submitting your Digital Nomad Visa application. You can obtain it directly from the Spanish consulate or embassy prior to filing your DNV application.

If you plan to apply from within Spain, the NIE requirement depends on how you submit your application:

•  If you are using a representative (such as Spain Move HQ) to submit your application on your behalf, you do not need to obtain an NIE in advance. You will automatically be assigned one once your application has been processed and approved.
• If you intend to submit your application yourself, you will need to obtain an NIE first in order to get a digital certificate, which is required to access the UGE online portal for submission.

12. Document Translation and Legalization

Spain is very strict about document formatting and authenticity. Any official document issued outside of Spain must go through proper legalization and translation procedures before it can be accepted for your Digital Nomad Visa application.

Documents must be either apostilled (if your country is part of the Hague Convention) or legalized (if it is not). In addition, all foreign documents must be translated into Spanish by a sworn translator (traductor jurado) authorized by the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Documents that usually need both apostille/legalization and sworn translation include:

• Criminal record certificates
• Birth and marriage certificates
• Medical certificates
• Educational credentials
• Company registration certificate

Documents that usually require sworn translation include:

• Work contracts
• Letters from employer or clients

Ensuring your documents are correctly apostilled or legalized and professionally translated will help you avoid processing delays or rejections.

You’ll need a sworn translator accredited by the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, also known as a traductor jurado. You can find the official list on the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.

We also have a sworn translator working with us. Most translators charge around €30–35 per page, but ours offers a much lower rate. If you’re applying for a DNV and need sworn translations, feel free to message us and send your files. We can provide you with a quote. We assure you’ll get the best rate you won’t find anywhere else.

Final Thoughts

Preparing for Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa takes careful organization. Gathering and legalizing documents can take several weeks, so it’s best to start early.

Before submitting, double-check that:

• Every document is current (issued within 90 days if required)
• All foreign documents are translated into Spanish
• You meet or exceed the income threshold
• You keep both physical and digital copies of all files

If you’re applying through a Spanish consulate, note that requirements may vary depending on the country, so it’s best to review the specific guidelines published on your consulate or embassy’s official website.

Once your paperwork is ready, you’ll be in a strong position to submit your application and begin your digital nomad life in Spain.