What Is It Requirements Pricing Process FAQ Contact
Start My Application → Contact Us

Non-EU nationals in France

Spain's Digital Nomad Visa from France — the guide for non-EU nationals in France

Living in France but not an EU citizen? You need Spain's Digital Nomad Visa to legally live and work remotely from Spain. France-based applicants benefit from proximity — Paris to Barcelona is under five hours by train or just over an hour by air.

Start my application → UGE vs consulate
€2,849
per month income minimum (200% SMI 2026)
~20
working days via UGE — if your passport is Schengen visa-free
4
Spanish consulate locations across France
1 hr
Paris to Barcelona by air (or 5 hrs by Ouigo train)

The France-based applicant situation

Non-EU nationals in France applying for Spain's DNV

Many non-EU nationals in France — Americans, Canadians, Australians, Indians, and others — find Spain's DNV an attractive path to EU residency. France is expensive and heavily taxed; Spain's DNV offers Mediterranean lifestyle, lower cost of living, and Beckham Law (24% flat rate) for qualifying applicants. Your Spanish application is handled by the Embassy in Paris or the consulates in Lyon, Bordeaux, or Marseille depending on your département.

Proximity to Spain

Paris to Barcelona — closer than you think

France shares a land border with Spain. Barcelona is reachable in under 5 hours by Ouigo or Renfe AVE high-speed train from Paris (direct to Barcelona Sants). Madrid is roughly 9–10 hours by train. Budget airlines connect Paris CDG and Orly to Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia, and Málaga from €30. For DNV applicants, this proximity makes the UGE route — fly or train to Spain, apply in person — highly practical if your passport is Schengen visa-free.

Cost and lifestyle

France to Spain — what changes

Spain's cost of living is materially lower than France — rents in Barcelona are lower than Paris, and Valencia or Málaga are significantly cheaper. Spain's income tax rates under Beckham Law (24% flat for 6 years) compare favourably with France's marginal rates (up to 45%). Spain also has a 35-hour social model while offering better sunshine hours. Non-EU nationals in France often find the move straightforward culturally and linguistically.

🚄

Which Spanish consulate in France serves your application?

Jurisdiction is by département. Paris (75) and Île-de-France residents use the Spanish Embassy Paris. Lyon handles the south-east. Bordeaux covers the south-west. Marseille covers the Mediterranean coast and PACA. If you plan to use the UGE route (applying from within Spain), consulate jurisdiction is bypassed — you apply in Spain directly.

Application routes

Consulate or UGE — the two routes to Spain's DNV

Whether you can use the UGE route depends on your passport nationality. If your home country passport is Schengen visa-free, you can enter Spain and apply directly via UGE (approximately 20 working days). If your passport requires a Schengen visa, the consulate route through the Spanish Embassy in Paris (and Lyon, Bordeaux, Marseille) is required. The Spanish Embassy in Paris (and Lyon, Bordeaux, Marseille) and its consular network handle DNV applications for non-EU residents in France.

Route 1 — Consulate in France

Spanish Embassy / Consulate in France

Spanish Embassy Paris, Consulate General Lyon, Consulate General Bordeaux, Consulate General Marseille

2–3
months typical
1 yr
initial entry visa
  • ✓ Apply from France without travelling to Spain first
  • ✓ Spanish Embassy Paris, Consulate General Lyon, Consulate General Bordeaux, Consulate General Marseille
  • ✓ In-person appointment required at Spanish Embassy/Consulate

Route 2 — UGE (from within Spain)

UGE — requires Schengen visa first

Available if your passport nationality is Schengen visa-free

~20
working days (after entry)
3 yr
initial permit
  • ✓ Faster processing once in Spain (~20 working days)
  • ✓ 3-year permit issued directly
  • – Depends on your home passport nationality
  • – Additional step vs consulate route

Available if your passport permits visa-free Schengen entry.

Criminal record certificate

Police certificate requirements for non-EU nationals in France

All DNV applicants must provide a criminal record certificate apostilled or legalised for international use. The certificate type depends on your passport nationality.

Apply

Depends on your nationality — e.g. FBI (USA), ACRO (UK), AFP (Australia)

You must provide a criminal record certificate from your home country (or each country you have lived in for more than 2 years in the past 5 years). If you have lived in France for more than 2 years, you may also need a French Casier judiciaire B3 — obtainable free from cassierju.justice.fr within a few days.

Apostille / Legalisation

Certifying for use in Spain

Your home country certificate must be apostilled by the relevant authority in your home country. France is a Hague Convention member, so the French Casier judiciaire can be apostilled by the Procureur de la République at your local Tribunal judiciaire.

Start early

Allow 2–6 weeks (varies by home country) plus apostille time

The police certificate is frequently the longest lead-time document in a DNV application. Apply for it as early as possible — your case manager will advise on optimal timing to avoid delays to your submission.

Living in Spain

Popular cities and practical tips for people moving from France

Barcelona is by far the most popular destination for France-based DNV applicants — the train connection, Mediterranean climate, and international expat community make it the natural choice. Madrid is popular for finance and consulting professionals. Valencia attracts those seeking a quieter coastal lifestyle at lower cost than Barcelona. Málaga and Alicante are popular with those wanting maximum sunshine.

Tax planning

Tax implications for non-EU nationals from France

France levies income tax at up to 45% plus social charges (17.2% on investment income). Spain's IRPF reaches up to 47%, but Beckham Law (24% flat for up to 6 years) is available for qualifying first-time Spanish tax residents. Once you become a French non-resident, France still taxes French-source income (property, pensions from French employment). The France-Spain double taxation treaty governs which country taxes what. Cross-border tax planning advice is essential.

Practical

Banking and finances

France and Spain are neighbours — you can maintain French bank accounts, storage, and even visit family easily. The France-Spain tax treaty prevents double taxation. Once Spanish tax resident, you file IRPF (or Beckham Law returns if qualifying) in Spain. Note that France taxes departing residents on unrealised capital gains (exit tax) if applicable — take specialist advice before moving.

Questions & answers

Spain DNV from France — FAQ

No. EU citizens have freedom of movement throughout the EU, including Spain. If you are an EU national (including a French citizen), you do not need the DNV — you simply register on the Padrón municipal and obtain your NIE as an EU citizen. This page is specifically for non-EU nationals who are living in France and wish to move to Spain.
As a non-EU national in France, you can apply at the Spanish Embassy in Paris or the relevant Consulate General (Lyon, Bordeaux, or Marseille — jurisdiction depends on your département). Alternatively, if your passport nationality gives you Schengen visa-free access, you can enter Spain and apply directly via the UGE (approximately 20 working days) — much faster than the consulate route (2–3 months).
Consulate jurisdiction in France is by département. Paris and Île-de-France: Spanish Embassy Paris. South-east (AURA, Bourgogne, etc.): Consulate General Lyon. South-west (Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Occitanie, etc.): Consulate General Bordeaux. Mediterranean coast (PACA, Corse): Consulate General Marseille. Confirm your catchment with the consulate before booking an appointment.
You need a criminal record certificate from your home country (or each country where you have lived for more than 2 years in the past 5 years, depending on the consulate's requirements). If you have lived in France for more than 2 years, you will typically also need a French Casier judiciaire B3, obtainable free online at cassierju.justice.fr within 24–48 hours. Your home country certificate must be apostilled by the relevant authority in your home country.
Yes, if your home country passport gives you Schengen visa-free access. For example, Americans, Canadians, Australians, New Zealanders, and others with Schengen visa-free passports can enter Spain, stay up to 90 days, and apply for the DNV via the UGE from within Spain. Processing is approximately 20 working days. If your passport requires a Schengen visa, you would need to obtain one before entering Spain.
France taxes its residents on worldwide income. When you leave France and become Spanish tax resident, you should notify the French tax authority (DGFiP) and file a French departure tax return for the year of departure. France may levy an 'exit tax' (Article 167 bis CGI) on unrealised capital gains if you hold significant stakes in companies. Once Spanish tax resident, Beckham Law (24% flat for 6 years) may apply. The France-Spain bilateral tax treaty prevents double taxation.
Barcelona is overwhelmingly the top choice for France-based DNV applicants — the direct train connection from Paris (5 hours by Ouigo/AVE), Mediterranean climate, and vibrant international expat community make it ideal. Valencia is popular for its lower cost and Méditerranean lifestyle. Madrid suits professionals in finance and consulting. Málaga attracts those wanting maximum sunshine at lower cost than Barcelona.
Yes. French banks generally allow non-resident accounts, though you must notify them of your change in residency. Once Spanish tax resident, declare French accounts exceeding €50,000 on Spain's Modelo 720. You will also need a Spanish bank account for local expenses, contracts, and tax filings. Maintaining both is normal for France-to-Spain movers.

Living in France — your Spanish life starts with a 5-hour train ride.

Start my application → Check the requirements

Keep reading

UGE vs consulate — full comparison DNV requirements How the process works Fees & pricing Full FAQ