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Non-EU nationals in Germany

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

Germany has one of Europe's largest populations of non-EU nationals. If you are living in Germany on a work permit, Blue Card, or family reunification visa — but are not an EU citizen — Spain's DNV lets you continue working remotely while living in Spain with full legal status.

Start my application → UGE vs consulate
€2,849
per month income minimum (200% SMI 2026)
5
Spanish consulate locations across Germany
~20
working days via UGE — if your passport permits Schengen entry
2–3 hrs
Frankfurt or Munich to Madrid by air

Germany-based applicants

Non-EU nationals in Germany — why Spain's DNV makes sense

Germany is home to large communities of non-EU nationals — from US and Canadian professionals on German work visas, to Indian, Turkish, and Asian tech workers, to South American and African professionals. Many are attracted to Spain's DNV as a way to enjoy Mediterranean lifestyle, lower costs, and Beckham Law tax advantages, while continuing to work remotely for their existing employers or clients.

Cost of living

Germany to Spain — the lifestyle and cost shift

Germany is one of Europe's most expensive countries for housing, particularly Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt, and Hamburg. Spain's major cities — Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia, Málaga — all have materially lower costs. Rents in Barcelona are lower than Munich or Frankfurt. Spanish summers are long; the Mediterranean lifestyle is qualitatively different from Germany's urban environment. For German-based remote workers, the DNV makes this transition legally straightforward.

Tax

German tax vs Beckham Law

Germany taxes residents at up to 45% income tax plus solidarity surcharge. Spain's standard IRPF reaches 47%, but Beckham Law (24% flat rate for 6 years) is available to qualifying first-time Spanish tax residents. For high earners — particularly in tech, finance, and consulting — the saving is substantial. The Germany-Spain tax treaty prevents double taxation. German exit rules should be reviewed with a tax adviser before moving.

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Which Spanish consulate in Germany handles your application?

Jurisdiction is by Bundesland. Berlin/Brandenburg/eastern Länder: Spanish Embassy Berlin. Hesse/Baden-Württemberg/Saarland: Consulate General Frankfurt. Bavaria: Consulate General Munich. Hamburg/Schleswig-Holstein/Bremen/Lower Saxony: Consulate General Hamburg. North Rhine-Westphalia/Rhineland-Palatinate: Consulate General Düsseldorf. Confirm with your consulate — jurisdiction rules can be strict.

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 Berlin (and Frankfurt, Munich, Hamburg, Düsseldorf) is required. The Spanish Embassy in Berlin (and Frankfurt, Munich, Hamburg, Düsseldorf) and its consular network handle DNV applications for non-EU residents in Germany.

Route 1 — Consulate in Germany

Spanish Embassy / Consulate in Germany

Spanish Embassy Berlin, Consulate General Frankfurt, Consulate General Munich, Consulate General Hamburg, Consulate General Düsseldorf

2–3
months typical
1 yr
initial entry visa
  • ✓ Apply from Germany without travelling to Spain first
  • ✓ Spanish Embassy Berlin, Consulate General Frankfurt, Consulate General Munich, Consulate General Hamburg, Consulate General Düsseldorf
  • ✓ 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 Germany

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 — plus a German Führungszeugnis if resident in Germany 2+ years

You need a criminal record certificate from your home country (apostilled). If you have lived in Germany for more than 2 years, you also typically need a German Führungszeugnis (certificate of good conduct) from the Bundesamt für Justiz — apply online at fuehrungszeugnis.bund.de for around €13. Allow 1–3 weeks.

Apostille / Legalisation

Certifying for use in Spain

Your home country certificate must be apostilled by the relevant authority in your home country. Germany is a Hague Convention member — German documents (Führungszeugnis) can be apostilled by the competent Landesjustizverwaltung (state justice ministry) of the Bundesland where the document was issued.

Start early

Allow 2–6 weeks (home country cert + apostille) plus 1–3 weeks for German Führungszeugnis

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 Germany

Barcelona is the most popular destination for Germany-based DNV applicants — its design culture, architecture, and international community appeal strongly to those from Munich and Berlin. Madrid attracts finance and consulting professionals. Valencia offers a lower-cost coastal lifestyle. Málaga and Alicante are popular for maximum sunshine at lower prices than Barcelona.

Tax planning

Tax implications for non-EU nationals from Germany

Germany taxes residents on worldwide income at rates up to 45% plus solidarity surcharge. When you leave Germany and become Spanish tax resident, you file a German departure tax return. Germany does not have a formal exit tax for individuals (unlike France), but your departure date determines your last year of German tax residence. Spain's Beckham Law at 24% flat is available for qualifying first-time Spanish tax residents and is significantly lower than German rates for high earners.

Practical

Banking and finances

Germany and Spain have direct flights from all major German airports to Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia, Seville, and Málaga — typically 2–3.5 hours. Maintain German bank accounts for any German financial obligations. The Spain-Germany tax treaty governs cross-border income. If you have a German pension (Deutsche Rentenversicherung) or company pension, take specialist advice on how it is treated once you are Spanish tax resident.

Questions & answers

Spain DNV from Germany — FAQ

No. EU citizens have freedom of movement and do not need the DNV to live and work in Spain. This page is for non-EU nationals — Americans, Indians, Canadians, Australians, and others — who are living in Germany and wish to move to Spain.
Apply at the Spanish Embassy in Berlin or the relevant Consulate General (Frankfurt, Munich, Hamburg, or Düsseldorf — depending on your Bundesland). If your passport gives you Schengen visa-free access, you may also use the UGE route: enter Spain and apply from within Spain (~20 working days), which is significantly faster than the consulate route (2–3 months).
Jurisdiction is by Bundesland. Berlin and eastern Germany: Spanish Embassy Berlin. Hesse, Baden-Württemberg, Saarland: Consulate General Frankfurt. Bavaria: Consulate General Munich. Hamburg, Schleswig-Holstein, Bremen, Lower Saxony: Consulate General Hamburg. North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate: Consulate General Düsseldorf. Always confirm your jurisdiction before booking an appointment.
You need a criminal record certificate from your home country (apostilled). If you have lived in Germany for more than 2 years, the Spanish consulate may also require a German Führungszeugnis (certificate of good conduct) from the Bundesamt für Justiz — apply online at fuehrungszeugnis.bund.de for around €13. Your case manager will confirm the exact requirements for your specific situation.
Yes — if your home country passport gives you Schengen visa-free access. For example, US, Canadian, Australian, and many other nationals can enter Spain visa-free and apply for the DNV via UGE from within Spain (~20 working days). If your passport requires a Schengen visa (e.g. Indian, Pakistani), the consulate route through Germany is more straightforward.
Germany taxes residents on worldwide income. When you become Spanish tax resident, you should formally deregister (Abmeldung) from your German address and notify the Finanzamt of your departure. You will file a German tax return for the departure year covering your period of German residence. Germany does not impose a general exit tax on individuals for employment income, though business owners and shareholders should check specific rules. The Germany-Spain tax treaty prevents double taxation.
Germany's income tax rate reaches 45% plus the 5.5% solidarity surcharge. Spain's Beckham Law (Régimen de impatriados) allows qualifying first-time Spanish tax residents to pay a flat 24% on Spanish-source income for up to 6 years. For tech professionals, consultants, and finance workers earning significant incomes in Germany, the difference is substantial — particularly compared to standard Spanish IRPF rates (up to 47%). Beckham Law is not automatic: you must apply within 6 months of registering as a Spanish tax resident.
Barcelona is the most popular for Germany-based movers — it has a significant German expat community and cultural resonance (architecture, design, sport). Munich and Berlin residents particularly favour Barcelona. Madrid attracts finance and business professionals. Valencia is growing in popularity for its lower cost and coastal lifestyle. Málaga appeals to those wanting maximum sun and warmth at lower prices than Barcelona.

Living in Germany — Spain's DNV gives you the Mediterranean life you have been considering.

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