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

Remote work has changed the way that Americans live, travel, and work. For many digital nomads looking for residency in Europe, the Spain Digital Nomad Visa in 2025 will be one of the best options available. Spain has a warm Mediterranean climate, emerging tech hubs, and an affordable cost of living, which is a great combination to balance work and leisure for those working remotely. 

The Spain Digital Nomad Visa provides Americans with documented remote income the ability to legally live and work in Spain while enjoying a rich cultural environment and modern infrastructure of a European nation. Digital nomads can take advantage of this visa whether they are freelancers or remote employees, or entrepreneurs - the Spain Digital Nomad Visa makes it easy to live in more European countries with freedom and flexibility. 

In this guide, we are explaining what U.S. citizens need to know to apply for the Digital Nomad Visa for Spain, including income requirements, the FBI background check, apostille authentication, and sworn translation.

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.

• 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 applying for Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa, obtaining an FBI background check is a mandatory step in your application. Spanish authorities require this federal document, officially known as the Identity History Summary Check, to confirm that you have no criminal record that could prevent your residency approval.

To get your FBI background check for Spain, you have several options:

• Local Police Station or Authorized Fingerprinting Agency: You can visit a nearby police station or a licensed fingerprinting agency to have your fingerprints taken on the FD-258 or FD-1164 fingerprint card. These cards are the official formats recognized by the FBI for processing identity checks.

• FBI Online Portal: The FBI allows applicants to submit requests online. You will still need to mail your fingerprint cards after completing the online form. Processing time for online submissions is usually around 10 to 15 business days.

• FBI-Approved Channelers or Third-Party Services: The fastest and most reliable method for U.S. citizens and Green Card holders is through an FBI-approved channeler or authorized third-party service provider. This route helps you avoid rejections due to incorrect submissions and significantly reduces processing times to just 3 to 4 business days for most applicants.

Globeia also helps streamline this process for Digital Nomad Visa applicants by providing guidance, support, and submission assistance, ensuring your FBI background check is completed accurately and efficiently.

Get Your FBI Background Check for Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa Hassle-Free with Globeia Today! 

When applying for the Spain Digital Nomad Visa, all U.S.-issued documents must be officially authenticated with a USA apostille to be recognized by Spanish authorities. Apostilles certify that your documents, such as your FBI background check, birth certificate, or academic credentials, are legitimate and legally valid for international use. Without proper apostille authentication, your visa application may be rejected.

Globeia simplifies this process by providing a reliable, fast, and secure FBI and document apostille service. Our team ensures all your documents are correctly apostilled and ready for submission to Spanish authorities, reducing delays and avoiding common errors.

Get started with Globeia today and complete your FBI background check and apostille for Spain Digital Nomad Visa quickly and effortlessly.

For the Spain Digital Nomad Visa, all U.S. documents submitted must be translated into Spanish using certified sworn translations. These translations are legally recognized by Spanish authorities and carry official stamps and signatures, ensuring your documents like FBI background checks, birth certificates, and academic credentials, are valid for visa processing. Regular translations are not accepted and can lead to delays or rejections.

Globeia provides a seamless one-stop solution for your Digital Nomad Visa application. We offer FBI background checks, apostille authentication, and certified sworn translations all under one platform. Our expert team ensures that every document meets Spanish immigration requirements, saving you time and preventing common errors.

Get started with Globeia today and secure your Spain Digital Nomad Visa with fully apostilled, translated, and ready-to-submit documents in one streamlined process.

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.

While the process above can seem time-consuming, Globeia simplifies everything with its FBI-accredited system and end-to-end support. As an FBI-approved service provider with offices in both Canada and the United States, Globeia handles the entire background check and apostille process from start to finish - securely and efficiently.

Using our AI-powered SmartForm and SmartPortal, you can:

• Complete your FBI background check request online within minutes.
• Upload your fingerprint cards and documents securely from anywhere in the world.
• Track your application status in real time through the Globeia Portal.
• Receive your FBI background check results within 72 hours in most cases.

Once your report is ready, Globeia also manages the apostille process through the U.S. Department of State, ensuring your FBI background check is fully valid for Spanish immigration authorities.

As a one-stop solution, Globeia takes care of fingerprinting guidance, FBI submission, apostille certification, and even certified Spanish translations - all in one place. Whether you’re in the U.S. or already in Spain, our team ensures your documents are accurate, compliant, and processed faster than traditional methods.

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. 

The experience of taking your first steps towards legal residence and working status in Spain is undoubtedly enjoyable, but the Spain Digital Nomad Visa application process can prove complex and time-consuming. Globeia is the only solution that helps ease you through every step of your Digital Nomad Visa Spain application process, saving you time, stress, and increasing your likelihood of getting approved.

We manage the FBI background check, the FBI apostille, and certified sworn translations of any U.S. documents, whether you're in the United States or applying from Spain. If you are applying from Spain, we can help you with fingerprinting and refer you to trusted local partners for processing your FBI background check.

Start your Spain Digital Nomad Visa application with Globeia today and get all your documents processed quickly, accurately, and efficiently!