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From Ireland

Applying for Spain's DNV from Ireland — a guide for non-EU nationals based in Dublin or elsewhere in Ireland

This guide is for people who are not EU citizens and are currently residing in Ireland — including British nationals post-Brexit, Americans, Canadians, Indian nationals, and others working in Ireland's major tech and financial services sector.

Start my application → UGE vs Embassy route
€2,849
per month income minimum (200% SMI 2026)
Dublin 4
Spanish Embassy, Merlyn Park, Ballsbridge — full Embassy, not consulate
~20
working days via UGE route — Dublin to Madrid is 2h 20min direct
Non-Schengen
Ireland is not in the Schengen Area — Schengen access depends on your passport
🇮🇪

Are you an Irish citizen? You don't need this visa.

Irish passport holders are EU citizens and have full EU freedom of movement in Spain. You can live and work in Spain without any visa. Simply register on the Padrón municipal, obtain your NIE as an EU citizen, and you're done. There is no DNV to apply for. This guide is for non-EU nationals who happen to be residing in Ireland — people from the UK (post-Brexit), the USA, India, Brazil, Canada, and other non-EU countries who are based in Dublin or elsewhere in Ireland.

British nationals in Ireland

Brexit changed everything for UK nationals living in Ireland

Before Brexit, British citizens were EU citizens and had full freedom of movement in Spain. Since 31 January 2020, that has changed entirely. A UK national living in Ireland is now a non-EU national residing in an EU country — and requires Spain's Digital Nomad Visa to live and work in Spain.

Pre-Brexit vs post-Brexit

UK citizens no longer have EU freedom of movement in Spain

Until Brexit, UK nationals could live and work in Spain simply by registering as EU citizens. That route is no longer available. UK nationals now need a qualifying Spanish visa — the DNV is the ideal choice for remote workers and self-employed individuals earning income from non-Spanish sources. The income minimum is €2,849/month.

Application route for UK nationals in Ireland

Spanish Embassy Dublin or UGE — UK passport holders have both options

UK passport holders have Schengen visa-free access to Spain. This means you can fly from Dublin to Madrid or Barcelona, enter Spain on your UK passport, and apply via the UGE — typically much faster than the Embassy route. Alternatively, the Spanish Embassy in Ballsbridge, Dublin 4 handles DNV applications for non-EU nationals residing in Ireland, including UK nationals.

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UK nationals in Ireland — CTA does not help with Spanish immigration

The Common Travel Area (CTA) between the UK and Ireland allows UK nationals to live and work in Ireland. However, the CTA has no bearing on your rights in Spain — it is a bilateral UK-Ireland arrangement. Your rights in Spain are determined entirely by your non-EU national status and your chosen visa route.

Who applies from Ireland

Ireland's tech sector creates a strong DNV applicant base

Dublin is one of Europe's major technology and financial services hubs. Google, Meta, Microsoft, Stripe, PayPal, LinkedIn, and many other global technology companies have their European headquarters in Ireland. This creates a large population of non-EU tech professionals — Americans, Canadians, Indians, Brazilians, and others — who are ideally positioned for the Spain DNV.

US nationals in Dublin

American tech workers in Dublin's Silicon Docks

Many American professionals move to Dublin for European postings at US tech companies. After some years in Dublin, Spain's lifestyle, climate, and lower cost of living become attractive. US passport holders can enter Spain visa-free and use the UGE route. Income in EUR from Irish employers simplifies the DNV application considerably.

Indian nationals in Dublin

India's large Dublin tech community

India has a very large professional community in Dublin, particularly in technology, finance, and consulting. Indian passport holders require a Schengen tourist visa to enter Spain — living in Ireland does not grant Schengen access. For Indian nationals in Dublin, the Spanish Embassy route (applying at the Embassy in Ballsbridge without travelling to Spain) is the straightforward approach.

Brazilian nationals in Ireland

Brazilian professionals with Ireland-based income

Brazilian passport holders have Schengen visa-free access and can use the UGE route from Dublin. Brazil and Spain share a strong cultural connection, and Spain is a popular destination for Brazilians. Brazilian nationals also benefit from a 2-year accelerated path to Spanish citizenship (Ibero-American nationals) after obtaining legal residency.

Application routes from Ireland

Spanish Embassy Dublin or UGE from Spain?

From Ireland, you have two routes. The Spanish Embassy in Dublin handles DNV applications for all non-EU nationals residing in Ireland. Alternatively, if your passport has Schengen visa-free access (UK, US, Canadian, Australian, Brazilian, and many others), you can fly to Spain and apply via the UGE — significantly faster.

Route 1 — Recommended (Schengen visa-free passports)

UGE (from within Spain)

Fly Dublin to Madrid or Barcelona — apply locally

~20
working days typical
2h 20m
Dublin to Madrid direct
  • ✓ Significantly faster than Embassy route
  • ✓ No in-person appointment required in Dublin
  • ✓ 3-year initial residence permit
  • ✓ Dublin Airport has direct routes to Madrid and Barcelona
  • – Must be legally present in Spain at submission
  • – Not available to nationalities requiring a Schengen visa (e.g. Indian)

UK, US, Canadian, Australian, New Zealand, and Brazilian passport holders can enter Spain visa-free from Ireland and use the UGE route directly.

Route 2 — Spanish Embassy Dublin

Spanish Embassy, Ballsbridge

Merlyn Park, Dublin 4 — all nationalities

1–3+
months typical
All
nationalities accepted
  • ✓ Apply from Dublin without travelling to Spain
  • ✓ Available to all nationalities, including those needing Schengen visa
  • ✓ Full Embassy (not a consulate) — handles full DNV applications
  • – Processing slower than UGE
  • – In-person appointment required in Dublin

The Spanish Embassy in Ballsbridge, Dublin 4 serves all non-EU nationals residing in Ireland. This is the correct route for Indian, South Asian, and other nationals whose passport requires a Schengen visa.

Schengen and Ireland

Ireland is not in the Schengen Area — your passport determines your access

This is one of the most important points for non-EU nationals residing in Ireland. Ireland deliberately opted out of the Schengen Area when it was established, and remains outside it. Living in Ireland does not give you any Schengen rights. Your ability to enter Spain visa-free comes entirely from your own passport — not from your Irish residence.

Schengen visa-free passports

UK, US, Canada, Australia, NZ, Brazil — enter Spain freely

If you hold one of these passports, you can enter Spain (and all other Schengen countries) without a visa for stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period. This means you can fly from Dublin to Madrid, apply via the UGE, and wait in Spain while your application is processed. This is the fastest route available from Ireland.

Schengen visa required

Indian, South Asian, and many other passports — Embassy route recommended

If your passport requires a Schengen tourist visa to enter Spain, the UGE route adds complexity — you would need to obtain a Schengen visa (from the Spanish Embassy in Dublin or another Schengen consulate) before travelling to Spain. For most such applicants, simply applying for the DNV directly at the Spanish Embassy Dublin is more straightforward.

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Ireland's Common Travel Area — a quick note

Ireland and the UK operate a Common Travel Area that allows their nationals to move freely between the two countries. However, the CTA has no connection to Schengen or to Spain. It is purely a bilateral arrangement between Ireland and the UK. Your Schengen visa requirements are determined by your own passport nationality — CTA membership is irrelevant to Spanish immigration.

Documents

Criminal record certificates and apostille from Ireland

For most non-EU nationals in Ireland, the primary criminal record certificate required is from your home country — apostilled in that country. If you have lived in Ireland for a significant period, a Garda Síochána criminal history check may also be required. Ireland is a Hague Convention member, so apostilles are available.

Home country certificate

Certificate from your country of nationality

The primary requirement is a criminal record certificate from your home country, apostilled there. For UK nationals in Ireland: ACRO Police Certificate (UK apostille). For US nationals in Ireland: FBI Identity History Summary (US apostille). For Canadian nationals: RCMP certificate. Your case manager confirms the exact combination required for your nationality and application route.

Garda Síochána certificate

Irish police check — may be required for long-term Ireland residents

If you have been residing in Ireland for 2 or more years, the Spanish authorities may request an Irish police certificate in addition to your home country certificate. The Garda Síochána issues Overseas Police Certificates for this purpose. Ireland is a Hague Convention member, so apostilles are issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). Apply online at dfa.ie.

Income evidence

EUR income from Ireland — straightforward to document

Income earned in Ireland is in EUR, which means no currency conversion is needed to demonstrate the €2,849/month minimum. Irish bank statements (6 months), payslips, and an employer letter are the standard evidence. If you are self-employed in Ireland (sole trader or director), Revenue Commissioners documents and business accounts are used. EUR income makes the evidence presentation clean and unambiguous for the Spanish authorities.

Questions & answers

Spain DNV from Ireland — FAQ

No. Irish citizens are EU citizens and have full EU freedom of movement. They can live and work in Spain without any visa. Irish passport holders simply register on the Padrón municipal and obtain an NIE as EU citizens. This guide is for non-EU nationals who are residing in Ireland — not for Irish passport holders themselves.
Yes. After Brexit (31 January 2020), UK citizens are no longer EU citizens and no longer have EU freedom of movement in Spain. A British national living in Ireland is a non-EU national residing in an EU country. If you want to live and work in Spain, you need Spain's Digital Nomad Visa (or another qualifying visa). You can apply via the Spanish Embassy in Dublin, which has jurisdiction over Ireland, or you can travel to Spain and apply via the UGE — UK passport holders have Schengen visa-free access and can enter Spain freely.
The Spanish Embassy in Dublin is located at Merlyn Park, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4. This is a full Embassy (ambassador-level), not just a consulate, and it handles DNV applications for non-EU nationals residing in Ireland. An in-person appointment is required. Check the Embassy's official website for current appointment availability and document requirements, as these can change.
Yes — if your passport has Schengen visa-free access. UK, US, Canadian, Australian, and Brazilian passport holders (among many others) can enter Spain visa-free and apply via the UGE. Dublin has direct flights to Madrid (approximately 2 hours 20 minutes) and Barcelona (approximately 2 hours 25 minutes), making the UGE route very practical. The UGE route is typically much faster than the Embassy route — approximately 20 working days versus 1–3+ months for the Embassy.
Your entry to Spain depends on your passport nationality, not on your Irish residency status. Living in Ireland does not give you Schengen visa-free access — that comes from your own passport. UK, US, Canadian, Australian, New Zealand, and Brazilian passports are Schengen visa-free. Indian, South Asian, and many other passports require a Schengen tourist visa to enter Spain — these applicants should use the Spanish Embassy Dublin route rather than the UGE route.
Income in Ireland is typically in EUR, which simplifies the evidence presentation — there is no currency conversion needed. Irish bank statements (from AIB, Bank of Ireland, Ulster Bank, Revolut, or other institutions) and payslips in EUR are fine. You must demonstrate a consistent income of at least €2,849 per month, typically shown over 3–6 months of bank statements.
The Spanish Embassy in Dublin typically processes DNV applications in 1–3 months from the date of submission, though this can vary with demand. The Embassy route is slower than the UGE route (approximately 20 working days). If you hold a Schengen visa-free passport, we strongly recommend considering the UGE route as it is significantly faster.
Generally, you need a criminal record certificate from your country of nationality (home country), apostilled in that country. If you have lived in Ireland for a significant period (typically 2+ years), you may also be asked for an Irish Garda Síochána criminal history check. Ireland is a Hague Convention member, so apostilles are available from the Department of Foreign Affairs. An Garda Síochána overseas police certificates are available for this purpose. Your case manager will confirm exactly what is required based on your nationality and the route you are using.
Yes. Family members (spouse or partner and dependent children) can be included in the DNV application. Each additional family member increases the income threshold — approximately €1,069/month per additional dependent (75% of SMI 2026). So a couple needs at least approximately €3,918/month from the primary applicant. Each family member also requires their own apostilled documents and health insurance. The Embassy in Dublin can process family applications together.
No. Ireland opted out of the Schengen Area and maintains its own border controls. Living in Ireland does not give you any automatic right to enter Spain or other Schengen countries. You need your own passport's Schengen access arrangements. Note that Ireland operates its own Common Travel Area (CTA) with the UK — but neither the UK nor Ireland is in Schengen.
Northern Ireland is part of the UK. Northern Ireland residents with UK passports use the UK routes — either BLS Edinburgh, BLS Manchester, BLS London, or the UGE route. They do not apply via the Spanish Embassy in Dublin. Northern Ireland residents with Irish passports are EU citizens and do not need the DNV at all.
Yes. Indian passport holders require a Schengen visa to enter Spain (and the wider Schengen Area). Your Irish residency does not provide Schengen access. To use the UGE route, you would need to obtain a Schengen tourist visa first — which is possible but adds complexity. For Indian nationals in Dublin, the Spanish Embassy Dublin route (applying without travelling to Spain) is typically more straightforward. Your case manager will advise on the most practical approach for your situation.

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