Frequently Asked Questions

The main requirements are: €33,152/year minimum income, 3-month prior work relationship with client/employer, private health insurance, clean criminal record, and proof of remote work capability. The visa allows residence in Spain for up to 3 years with possible renewal.

The digital nomad visa includes a 24% flat tax rate for the first 4 years (instead of progressive rates up to 47%). After becoming a Spanish tax resident, you may qualify for additional deductions and the Beckham Law benefits if applicable.

Yes, the digital nomad visa allows family reunification for spouse, registered partner, and children under 18. Family members can also work in Spain. You need to prove additional income (€28,400 for spouse, €7,100 per child) and provide documentation of family relationships.

Processing times vary by visa type: Digital nomad visa (20 business days from Spain, 10 days from abroad), Student visa (2-4 weeks), Work visa (1-3 months). We recommend applying 2-3 months in advance of your intended travel date.

Yes, with a student visa you can work up to 20 hours per week during studies, or full-time during official holidays and vacation periods. This helps cover living expenses and provides valuable European work experience. You need to notify authorities about your employment.

PCE exams are not mandatory but are highly recommended for competitive programs. With only high school homologation, you can access programs with low cut-off grades. For Medicine, Psychology, Engineering, or other popular programs, you'll need PCE scores to be competitive.

The homologation process typically takes 6-12 months from abroad, or 3-6 months if you're already in Spain. You need apostilled documents, official translations, and completed forms. Start this process early as it's required before university enrollment.

NIE processing takes 2-15 days in Spain and 2-8 weeks from abroad. You need an appointment at the National Police station or Spanish consulate. The NIE number itself is permanent, though the physical document may need renewal.

For empadronamiento you need: passport or ID, proof of residence (rental contract or property deed), property owner authorization if renting, and the registration form. The process is free and usually immediate at your local city hall.

Living costs vary by city: Madrid/Barcelona (€1,200-1,800/month), Valencia/Sevilla (€800-1,200/month), smaller cities (€600-900/month). This includes housing, food, transport, and personal expenses. Spain is generally 30-50% cheaper than cities like London or Paris.

Spanish is not mandatory for most visas but is highly recommended for daily life. Cities like Madrid and Barcelona have large international communities. For permanent residence and citizenship, you'll need to demonstrate basic Spanish proficiency (A2 level).

Spain has excellent public healthcare (free with empadronamiento and social security) and private options. Digital nomad visa requires private insurance initially. Students can access public healthcare through university enrollment. Emergency care is always available regardless of status.

To open a bank account you typically need: NIE number, empadronamiento certificate, passport, proof of income, and initial deposit (varies by bank). Some banks offer accounts for non-residents. Popular banks for foreigners include BBVA, Santander, and CaixaBank.

After 5 years of continuous legal residence, you can apply for long-term residence (tarjeta de larga duración). This requires proof of income, housing, integration, and basic Spanish knowledge. The card is valid for 5 years and renewable indefinitely.

Spanish citizenship requires 10 years of legal residence (2 years for Latin Americans), good civic conduct, sufficient Spanish knowledge (A2 level), and basic knowledge of Spanish culture and history. You must renounce other citizenships unless from Ibero-American countries, Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, or Portugal.