Why applications get refused
Each consulate has its own appointment system and sometimes its own document preferences. Applicants who book an appointment before having apostilled and translated documents often lose it or file incomplete applications. The consulate route also gives you only one year at first, so the switch to the residence permit must be planned.
Step by step
1. Check eligibility
Confirm that you meet all the requirements: company, relationship, remote work, qualifications, income and insurance. See requirements.
2. Prepare the documents
Collect, apostille and translate the documents. See the documents checklist.
3. Book and attend the consulate
Each consulate sets its procedure: some use external visa centres. You usually attend in person to submit the application and biometrics.
4. Decision and travel
If granted, the visa is placed in your passport and you can travel to Spain. Family members who applied at the same time receive their visas together.
5. In Spain
Register at your town hall (padrón) and, if your visa requires it, apply for the TIE card. See TIE card.
6. Switch to the residence permit
Within the 60 calendar days before the visa expires, you can apply for the residence permit for international teleworking, valid for up to three years, if the conditions are still met.
Consulate route or in-Spain route?
| From abroad | From inside Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Where | Spanish consulate | Online, Spanish immigration authorities |
| First permit | Visa up to 1 year | Residence permit up to 3 years |
| Then | Residence permit up to 3 years | Renewal for 2 years |
| Best for | Planning ahead from home | People already in Spain legally |
A practical example
A Brazilian UX designer working for a US company applied at the Spanish consulate in São Paulo. We prepared her file, including the employer's remote work letter and her apostilled degree, and she obtained a one-year visa. Ten months later, from Palma, we filed her three-year residence permit. More information on the firm's main website: immigration law at Castell Abogados (in Spanish).
Get your file checked before you apply
Most refusals come from documents that do not prove what the law asks for. Send us your situation and an immigration lawyer will tell you what is missing before you submit.
Questions about the consulate route
Where do I apply for the Spain digital nomad visa?
At the Spanish consulate responsible for your place of legal residence.
How long is the visa valid?
Up to one year, or the duration of your work if shorter.
What happens when the visa expires?
In the 60 days before it expires, you can apply for a residence permit of up to three years.
Can my family apply at the consulate with me?
Yes. If they apply at the same time, their visas are decided together.