Indian applicants · Kingdom of Spain
Digital Nomad Visa (Spain) for Indian citizens
Residence permit for remote workers and international freelancers under the Startup Law (Ley de Startups).
- Processing time
- UGE-CE decisions typically 20 working days; consulate 1–3 months.
- Government fees
- Visa application fee varies by consulate; residence permit and TIE fees additional.
- Typical duration
- Initial 1-year consular visa, extendable to 3-year residence permit, then renewable for further 2 years; counts toward permanent residence after 5 years.
- Sponsor required
- No
- Leads to settlement
- Yes
Bilateral context
- Schengen Area
Consular processing: New Delhi / Mumbai
Tourist entry vs. this route
Indian nationals require a visa for any entry into Kingdom of Spain. The Digital Nomad Visa (Spain) is one of the routes available; tourist entry is a separate application.
Visa overview
Spain's Digital Nomad Visa (Visado de teletrabajador de carácter internacional) was introduced by the Startup Law in December 2022. It allows non-EEA nationals to live in Spain while working remotely for companies outside Spain, or as freelancers with predominantly non-Spanish clients (typically 80%+ non-Spanish income).
Eligibility
Typical criteria
- ✓Remote work for a company based outside Spain, or freelance activity where at most 20% of income derives from Spanish clients.
- ✓Employment relationship or professional contract of at least 3 months' standing with the foreign company.
- ✓University degree or at least 3 years of relevant experience.
- ✓Minimum income at roughly 200% of the Spanish minimum wage (SMI); higher uplifts for family.
- ✓Private health insurance covering Spain.
Common blockers
- !Too high a share of Spanish-client income (above 20%).
- !Qualifications not matching degree-or-experience requirement.
- !Income below 200% SMI for principal applicant, or insufficient for dependants.
Typical evidence
- ·Employment contract or freelance contracts.
- ·Letter from employer confirming remote-work authorisation.
- ·Recent payslips and tax records.
- ·Degree certificate or evidence of 3+ years experience.
- ·NIE and health insurance.
Application pathway
Decide consular vs. in-country route
Apply at a Spanish consulate for a 1-year visa then extend; or enter on tourist status and apply to UGE-CE for the 3-year residence permit directly (faster in practice).
Prepare evidence package
Employer letter, contract, qualifications, income, insurance, clean criminal record.
Submit application
To Spanish consulate or, in-country, to UGE-CE via the online Mercurio system.
Receive approval and obtain TIE
Book TIE appointment (fingerprints) at a Spanish police station.
Renew and progress to long-term residence
After 5 years of lawful residence, apply for permanent residence.
Other Kingdom of Spain routes covered for Indian applicants
Highly Qualified Professional (HQP) permit
Residence permit for highly qualified workers with a Spanish employment contract, processed under the Law 14/2013 regime.
Entrepreneur Visa (Ley 14/2013)
Residence permit for founders establishing an innovative business in Spain under the Entrepreneurs' Law.
Family reunification (Spain)
Residence permit for family members of Spanish residents; arreigo (settled-status) routes also available.
Comparable routes in other destinations
Frequently asked questions
Are Indian citizens eligible for the Digital Nomad Visa (Spain)?+
Eligibility for the Digital Nomad Visa (Spain) is set by Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migrations and is not nationality-restricted beyond the general criteria, though Indian applicants may also have access to the following bilateral or treaty frameworks: Schengen Area. See the criteria below for the published requirements.
Where do Indian applicants typically file the Digital Nomad Visa (Spain)?+
New Delhi / Mumbai. Specific intake (online portal, biometrics centre, or in-country lodgement) is determined by Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migrations — confirm the current intake channel on the primary source linked above before filing.
Do Indian applicants need a tourist visa for Kingdom of Spain as well?+
Indian nationals require a visa for any entry into Kingdom of Spain. The Digital Nomad Visa (Spain) is one of the routes available; tourist entry is a separate application.
How much income do I need for the Spanish Digital Nomad Visa?+
Roughly 200% of the Spanish minimum wage (SMI) for the principal applicant, with uplifts of approximately 75% for a spouse/first dependant and smaller uplifts for further dependants. Exact figures update annually with the SMI.
Is the Spain DNV tax-favourable?+
Qualifying applicants can apply for the Beckham-style special expats regime (Régimen especial aplicable a trabajadores desplazados a territorio español under Article 93 LIRPF), which flat-taxes non-Spanish-source income at 24% for the first €600k and exempts most overseas income for 6 years. Tax advice from a Spanish asesor fiscal is essential.