Spain digital nomad visa for freelancers

What you must prove

Foreign clients

A commercial relationship with one or more companies not located in Spain, for at least the last three months. Contracts or framework agreements are the best evidence, supported by invoices.

Clients' activity

The companies you work with must have had at least one year of real and continuous activity. With several clients, focus on the main ones that provide most of your income.

Remote terms

Documents setting out the terms and conditions under which you will work remotely.

Income

Regular income above the threshold, shown with invoices and bank statements. See income requirement.

The 20% rule

You can work for Spanish companies if that work does not exceed 20% of your total professional activity. Keep records of your clients and invoicing by country, because renewals will check that the proportion is respected.

Platforms and marketplaces

Income through freelance platforms can count, but the authorities want to see who the real clients are and that the relationship is stable. Platform statements alone are often not enough.

Registration in Spain

Once living in Spain, freelancers usually need to register for tax and social security as self-employed (autónomo), unless covered by a social security agreement with their home country. See social security and taxes.

Keeping records

Keep a simple register of your clients, invoices and payments by country. It will help you show the 20% rule at renewal and with your Spanish tax returns.

A practical example

A Colombian graphic designer had six clients: four in the US, one in Mexico and one in Barcelona. We documented the contracts with the four US clients, which provided most of her income, showed that the Barcelona client was under 20% of her invoicing, and her application was approved. More information on the firm's main website: immigration law at Castell Abogados (in Spanish).