Country guides
Applying for Spain's DNV from your country — pick your guide
Spain's Digital Nomad Visa has the same core requirements for everyone, but the criminal record certificate, consulate jurisdiction, Schengen access rules, and tax implications all vary by nationality. Choose your country below for a tailored guide.
EU and EEA citizens do not need the Digital Nomad Visa
EU and EEA citizens have full freedom of movement in Spain under EU law. If you hold an EU or EEA passport, you do not need any visa to live and work in Spain. You simply register on the Padrón municipal (the local residents' register), obtain your NIE as an EU citizen, and you are done. All country guides on this page are for non-EU nationals only. Irish citizens are EU citizens and therefore do not need the DNV — if you are a non-EU national residing in Ireland, see the Ireland guide below.
English-speaking countries
UK, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand & Ireland
These are among the most common nationalities applying for Spain's DNV. Most hold Schengen visa-free passports, making the UGE route (applying from within Spain) the fastest and most straightforward option. Each country has specific criminal record and apostille requirements.
Middle East
UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain & more
The UAE and Gulf region have a large and growing base of DNV applicants. The zero-UAE-income-tax environment makes Spain's IRPF (and Beckham Law) a key planning consideration. Spanish diplomatic representation covers the region — Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Riyadh, Doha, and Manama.
Americas, India & Africa
India, Mexico, Brazil, South Africa & more
Major source markets with dedicated consular networks in Spain and tailored criminal record legalisation guides.
Latin America
Argentina, Colombia, Chile & more
Latin American applicants often benefit from Schengen visa-free access and the Ley de Nietos (Law of Grandchildren) nationality route. All countries have Hague Convention apostille.
Asia Pacific
Japan, South Korea, Singapore, China, Hong Kong, Philippines & more
Asia Pacific applicants range from Schengen visa-free (Japan, South Korea, Singapore) to those needing full legalisation chains. Each country has a dedicated guide covering the correct police certificate, apostille route, and consulate location.
Middle East, Turkey & South Asia
Israel, Turkey, Ukraine, Russia, Kuwait, Oman, Jordan, Pakistan & Bangladesh
A wide range of legalisation requirements across this region — from Hague apostille members (Israel, Turkey, Ukraine) to full legalisation chains (Kuwait, Oman, Jordan, Pakistan, Bangladesh). Each guide explains the exact process.
Already in Europe?
Applying from within Europe — guides for non-EU nationals in EU countries
If you are a non-EU national living in a European country, you can apply for Spain's DNV via the Spanish Embassy in that country — or, if your home passport is Schengen visa-free, fly directly to Spain and apply via the UGE. These guides explain the process, local police certificate requirements, and route options for non-EU residents in each European country.
EU citizens do not need the DNV
EU and EEA nationals (German, French, Italian, Swedish, Norwegian, Swiss, etc.) do not need Spain's Digital Nomad Visa — they have the right to live and work in Spain under EU/EEA free movement. These pages are for non-EU nationals currently residing in European countries who want to move to Spain.
USA sub-pages — applying from different US cities
The USA guide is split by city because different US consulates serve different regions, and appointment availability varies considerably. If you are in the US and plan to use the consulate route (rather than the UGE), find your city: Chicago, Houston, Miami, New York, Washington DC, Los Angeles. Most US nationals will find the UGE route faster regardless.
UK sub-pages — applying via BLS
UK applicants can use three BLS International service points for Spanish visa applications: London BLS, Manchester, and Edinburgh. However, most UK nationals find the UGE route considerably faster — fly to Spain on your passport and apply directly via the Unidad de Grandes Empresas.
What changes by nationality
The four factors that vary by country
The core DNV requirements are the same for everyone — €2,849/month income, remote work primarily for non-Spanish clients, clean criminal record, health insurance. But four key factors differ by nationality, which is why these country guides exist.
Schengen visa requirements
Whether you can enter Spain visa-free determines whether you can use the UGE route (the fastest method) or must apply at a Spanish consulate in your country first. UK, US, Canadian, Australian, New Zealand, Brazilian, and many other passport holders are Schengen visa-free. Indian, South African, and many other nationals require a Schengen tourist visa to enter Spain for the UGE route.
Criminal record certificate
Each country has its own police clearance system. The UK uses ACRO; the US uses the FBI Identity History Summary; Australia uses the AFP National Police Certificate; Canada uses the RCMP Criminal Record Check; New Zealand uses the NZ Police Overseas Clearance Certificate; South Africa uses SAPS. The issuing process, cost, and turnaround time differ. Apostille requirements also vary by country's Hague Convention status.
Consulate jurisdiction
If you are using the consulate route rather than the UGE, you must apply at the Spanish consulate or embassy that covers your country of residence. The UK has BLS International service points in London, Manchester, and Edinburgh. The UAE has two posts — Embassy in Abu Dhabi and Consulate General in Dubai. New Zealand has a Consulate General in Auckland. Understanding which post has jurisdiction over your region matters.
Tax implications
Your home country's tax treaties with Spain, and your existing tax rates, determine the financial impact of becoming a Spanish tax resident. UAE and Gulf applicants move from zero income tax to Spanish IRPF — a significant change. UK applicants move from UK income tax (up to 45%) to Spanish IRPF (up to 47%) — much less dramatic. Spain has double taxation agreements with many countries to prevent being taxed twice.
Apostille and document legalisation
Documents issued in Hague Convention member countries can be apostilled — a standard international certification process. Most countries covered in our guides are Hague members: the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the UAE (since 2021) all issue apostilles. Non-Hague members require a different legalisation process (consulate certification chain). Your country guide confirms the exact requirement.
Flight time and practicality
The UGE route requires physically being in Spain. For UK and Irish residents, that is a short flight. For New Zealanders and Australians, it is a 24-26 hour journey. For UAE residents, it is roughly 6–7 hours direct. Flight time affects the practicality of travelling to Spain for the UGE route versus using the local consulate — though even for Antipodean applicants, the speed advantage of UGE often outweighs the travel distance.
Questions & answers