Digital Nomad Visa for Spain – Everything Americans Need to Know in 2025

Remote work has transformed the way people live, travel, and earn a living. More Americans are choosing a flexible lifestyle by working remotely while living abroad. Spain, with its rich culture, Mediterranean climate, and strong infrastructure, has emerged as one of the top destinations for digital nomads.
Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa is your ticket to a new adventure in 2025! As remote work becomes a way of life for many Americans, this visa offers a unique opportunity to blend work and travel in one of Europe’s most vibrant cultures.
In this guide, we’ll explore everything you need to apply for a digital nomad visa in Spain as an American, including crucial steps like FBI background checks, apostille processing, and certified translations.

The Digital Nomad Visa in Spain was created as part of the country’s new Startup Law to attract international talent. It’s tailored for professionals who work remotely for companies outside of Spain or provide services to global clients.
This visa is ideal for:

• Remote employees working for non-Spanish companies
• Freelancers with mostly international clients (at least 80% of income from abroad)
• Online entrepreneurs running businesses remotely

The visa starts with a one-year residency permit, which can be renewed for up to five years. Over time, this visa can open pathways to permanent residency in Spain.

Living in Spain as a remote worker offers a host of personal and professional benefits for Americans:

• Quality of Life: Enjoy sunny weather, a relaxed pace of life, and vibrant cultural experiences.
• Cost of Living: Cities like Valencia, Seville, and Malaga offer a more affordable lifestyle compared to major U.S. cities.
• Healthcare: Access to one of Europe’s best healthcare systems.
• Connectivity: High-speed internet is widely available, even in rural areas.
• Mobility: A Digital Nomad can freely travel throughout the 26 Schengen countries.
• Family Life: Safe neighborhoods, excellent education options, and a family-friendly culture.

Spain provides an ideal work-life balance for U.S. citizens looking to blend productivity with personal growth.

To be eligible for the Spain Digital Nomad in 2025, American applicants must meet the following detailed criteria:

1. Nationality: You must be a citizen of the United States or another non-EU/EEA country. Spanish citizens or EU residents are not eligible.
2. Remote Work Status: You need to demonstrate that you work entirely remotely. If you're an employee, you must show an employment contract with a company located outside of Spain. If you're a freelancer, at least 80% of your income must come from clients based outside of Spain. This requirement ensures your economic activity does not compete with the local labor market.
3. Minimum Financial Threshold: As of 2025, you must prove you earn a minimum of €2,650 per month. If you're bringing dependents:
   -Add 75% (€1,987.50) for your first dependent (usually a spouse or partner)
   -Add 50% (€1,325) for each additional dependent, such as children
   -Acceptable financial proof includes official bank statements from the last 3 to 6 months, employment or freelance contracts, and consistent incoming payments.
4. Educational or Professional Qualification: You must present either a university degree relevant to your work or evidence of at least 3 years of work experience in your professional field. This helps Spanish authorities validate that you're qualified to operate as a remote worker.
5. FBI Background Check Apostille for Spain Visa: A clean criminal record is mandatory. You’ll need to submit an apostille FBI background check. This document should not be older than 90 days from the date of application. With Globeia, you can complete the FBI Check and apostille at the same time without delays.
6. Private Health Insurance: You must purchase a private health insurance policy from a provider authorized to operate in Spain. The policy should cover you and your dependents fully, without copayments.
7. Proof of Housing in Spain: You’ll be asked to show a rental contract, hotel booking, or formal housing arrangement that confirms you’ll have a place to live in Spain during your stay.
8. Document Apostille and Certified Translation: Every U.S.-issued document you submit must be apostilled either at the state or federal level and translated into Spanish. Importantly, translations must be sworn (Jurado) translations; the standard translations will not be accepted.

Decide Where to Apply: When applying for the Digital Nomad Spain Visa, you have two main options: applying from the US or from within Spain. Each one has its own process and considerations.

• From the US: The most common approach is applying through your regional Spanish Consulate. This requires scheduling an appointment, which can take several weeks depending on your location. You’ll need to submit your complete application in person, including your apostille FBI background check, proof of income, health insurance, and all required forms. The Spain Digital Nomad Visa application must include properly apostilled and translated documents to be considered valid.
• From Spain: If you’re already in Spain on a tourist visa, you can apply through the Immigration Office with help from an immigration lawyer. This option can be faster, but requires having all your documentation ready before your 90-day tourist stay expires.

Complete Your Document Checklist: Below is a complete list of what you’ll need:

1. Valid Passport: Should be valid for at least one year beyond your application date.
2. Proof of Remote Work: Include employment contracts, freelance agreements, client invoices, and proof of ongoing work.
3. Bank Statements and Income Proof: At least 3–6 months of bank activity showing regular income that meets the minimum threshold.
4. FBI Background Check with Apostille: Required to prove you have no criminal history.
5. Apostilled Birth Certificate: Especially if applying with family members. This should be issued and apostilled in the particular state’s office.
6. Other Apostilled Documents: This may include marriage certificates, degrees, and any legal papers that support your qualifications.
7. Certified Sworn Translations: Every document must be translated into Spanish by a sworn (Jurado) translator. This is non-negotiable.
8. Proof of Spanish Accommodation: Rental lease, hotel reservation, or notarized housing letter.
9. Health Insurance Policy: Must be in effect and cover all medical expenses in Spain without co-pays or deductibles.

If you are an American, Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa requires proof of a clean criminal record, making an FBI background check mandatory for all applicants. This FBI report confirms you have no criminal history that would prevent your entry into Spain.
To obtain your FBI background check, start by getting your fingerprints at a local police station or authorized fingerprinting service on the FD-258 and FD-1164 forms. Next, complete the FBI application form and submit it along with your fingerprints and the required fee to the FBI by mail.
You can also apply through the FBI online portal, where you need to submit your details and mail the fingerprint card.
The easiest way to complete the FBI background check is with an FBI-approved channeler or third-party services. These services will help expedite your FBI check without rejection and guide you through the fingerprinting process. The processing time for an FBI background check is 2 to 3 weeks for non-Americans. For green card holders and U.S. citizens, you can get results in 3 to 4 days.
Globeia’s FBI apostille service handles the entire FBI background check procedure, whether you are in the USA or Spain. We will provide fingerprinting guidance, document submission support, and reduce wait times. We also provide timely updates regarding your application status. With us, you can save valuable time and avoid common errors that could delay your digital nomad journey.

Apostilles make your American documents legally valid for Spanish authorities. Without them, your visa application will be rejected. State documents like birth certificates need state-level apostilles from the Secretary of State, while federal documents like FBI checks require federal apostilles from the U.S. Department of State.
Globeia handles both state and federal apostille processes for digital nomad applicants, ensuring all documents get proper authentication to prevent visa rejections.

For Spain's Digital Nomad Visa, all English documents need certified sworn translations by government-approved translators. These translations carry legal weight through official stamps and signatures.
Spanish immigration requires sworn translations for documents like FBI background checks, birth certificates, and academic credentials. Regular translations are rejected by consulates.
Globeia simplifies this process by providing certified translations from authorized sworn translators who understand Spanish requirements, helping avoid visa delays.

The initial visa lasts one year and can be renewed for two-year extensions, up to five years total. Renewal requires maintaining eligibility: remote work, income, and health insurance. Apply about 60 days before expiration at the Immigration Office (Extranjería). After five years, you can apply for permanent residency.

Common mistakes when applying for the Digital Nomad visa in Spain can lead to unnecessary delays or outright rejections. Being aware of these pitfalls can save you time, money, and frustration.

• Submitting documents without proper apostilles
• Using non-sworn translations instead of officially recognized sworn translators
• Submitting outdated financial documentation
• Providing inconsistent proof of income
• Failing to demonstrate stable, sufficient income meeting minimum requirements
• Not using recent bank statements (within 3 months) showing consistent deposits.

Avoiding these common mistakes when applying for the Spain Digital Nomad Visa is easier with professional assistance. 

Taking the first step toward living and working legally in Spain is exciting, but the documentation process can be overwhelming. GlobeIA offers comprehensive services to simplify your Digital Nomad Visa Spain application, saving you time and stress while increasing your chances of approval.
Our team specializes in completing FBI checks, apostille FBI background checks, and translation services for US documents, whether you’re in Spain or the United States. If you’re already in Spain and need to complete your FBI check, you only need to send fingerprints. For fingerprinting assistance, we have partners in Spain who can help you complete this process well as other immigration needs.