Application Process · 2026
How to Apply for Spain's
Digital Nomad Visa
Five steps from eligibility check to approval — managed online through a 24/7 dashboard, backed by the immigration team at Platinum Legal Spain. No office visits. No chasing paperwork.
Step-by-Step Guide
How to apply for Spain's Digital Nomad Visa — in detail
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Free — no payment required
Free eligibility check
Start your application on the dashboard — the first step costs nothing. Your dedicated case manager reviews your income, employment type, nationality, and family situation before you commit to anything.
If your income is close to the threshold, or your employment situation is unusual (mix of employed and freelance, variable income, cryptocurrency, director salary plus dividends), we flag exactly what documentation will make your case strongest. If you're clearly not eligible yet, we tell you honestly and advise on what would need to change.
No commitment yet: the eligibility check is genuinely free. Your first payment of €500 only applies once you decide to proceed. -
Stage 1 payment: €500
Document preparation
Once you decide to proceed, your case manager builds a personalised document checklist on your dashboard. You upload documents directly — no scanning and emailing, no lost paperwork.
Your legal team drafts the employer letter or client declarations needed to meet DNV standards, and arranges official sworn translations of your key documents. Translations are included up to the value of €200 — this typically covers your criminal record certificate(s), proof of income, and employer or client letter. Any additional translations beyond that value are confirmed with you before they're arranged.
For employed applicants who need a Spanish private health insurance policy, we refer you to Spanish-HealthInsurance.com or 247 Expat Insurance for a DNV-compliant policy. Self-employed (autónomo) applicants are covered by Spain's public health system via their social security contributions.
📄 Upload documents from anywhere -
Stage 2 payment: €500
Route selection and submission
Once your document pack is complete and reviewed, we determine the right application route for your situation — and file the complete application on your behalf.
UGE route — if you are currently in Spain, or can enter on a tourist visa, we strongly recommend this route. We present your application at the UGE (Unidad de Grandes Empresas), Spain's fast-track immigration unit for digital nomad visa cases. You receive a 3-year residence permit directly on approval. The government tasa is included in our fee for UGE applications.
Consulate route — if you are outside Spain and unable to travel beforehand, we file through the Spanish consulate in your home country. You receive a 1-year visa; once you arrive in Spain and register, that converts to your initial TIE for the same year. You then renew for 2 years, then 2 years again. The government tasa is payable separately to the Spanish authorities for consulate submissions.
Not sure which route? Tell us your situation at step 1 and we'll make the recommendation. Most applicants who can travel to Spain opt for UGE — it's faster and gives the 3-year permit immediately. -
Stage 3 payment: €899 — on approval only
Approval
UGE applications typically receive a decision within around 20 working days of submission. You receive a notification on your dashboard and by email the moment a decision is issued.
Your final payment of €899 falls due only once your visa has been approved. If for any reason your application is refused at this stage, the final payment does not fall due.
In the rare event of a refusal, we advise on appeal options or on adjustments to a reapplication — and our team will explain clearly what the refusal reason means and how to address it.
✓ You only pay the bulk fee when you've succeeded -
After approval
Arrival and TIE residence card
Your NIE (Número de Identificación de Extranjero — Foreign Identity Number) is assigned automatically when your DNV is approved. You do not need a separate NIE application.
If you applied via the consulate route, travel to Spain within the validity period of your visa. Within 30 days of arriving, you book a TIE appointment (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero — your physical residence card) at your local police station.
The TIE appointment is straightforward and booked directly by you — it is not something we handle on your behalf. Your dashboard includes a step-by-step guide covering what to bring, how to book, and what to expect on the day.
UGE applicants: you are already in Spain — book your TIE within 30 days of the approval notice. Consulate applicants: travel to Spain first, then book within 30 days of arrival.
Two Application Routes
UGE or consulate — which is right for you?
The Spanish Digital Nomad Visa can be applied for from within Spain (UGE) or from your home country through a Spanish consulate. The right route depends on where you are when you apply.
UGE Route
Apply from within Spain — in person or on a tourist visa
Consulate Route
Apply from your home country through the Spanish consulate
Our recommendation: If you can travel to Spain on a tourist visa before or during the process, the UGE route gives you a 3-year permit directly, is typically faster, and the tasa is included in our fee. If you are genuinely unable to travel first, the consulate route works perfectly well — it just takes longer and results in a 1-year visa to start. We advise on the right choice at the eligibility check stage based on your specific situation.
Get my recommendation →The Platform
Your case lives on the dashboard — not in someone's email inbox
Most immigration firms manage your case through a chain of emails and WhatsApp messages. We built a dedicated client dashboard so your case has a permanent home — accessible from any device, at any hour.
Secure document upload
Upload your documents directly through the dashboard — no email attachments, no file size limits, no lost attachments. Every document is stored securely against your case.
Real-time case tracking
See exactly where your case is at all times — eligibility check, document preparation, submission, decision. No need to chase for updates.
Direct message your case manager
Ask questions and get answers without switching to email. All communication is logged against your case so nothing falls through the gaps.
Instant notifications
Get notified the moment something changes — a document is requested, a decision is issued, a stage is completed. Available on desktop and mobile.
24/7 access, any device
Log in from London, Miami, or a café in Barcelona. Your case is always there — no office hours, no waiting for someone to reply to an email.
Why My Spanish DNV
Online platform. Real lawyers. Both at once.
Most competitors are either a tech platform with no legal team, or a law firm with no technology. We're the combination — a 24/7 online platform backed by the immigration team at Platinum Legal Spain.
Traditional firm
Emails and forms
You fill in a form, wait for a call, then exchange documents over email for weeks. There's no centralised place to see your case — you're dependent on someone replying.
Pure tech platform
Automation, no legal expertise
Cheap and quick to start, but when your income structure is unusual or your documents don't fit a standard template, there's no lawyer to advise you. Things go wrong.
My Spanish DNV
Platform + Platinum Legal Spain
Your case is managed on a 24/7 dashboard by the immigration team at Platinum Legal Spain. You get the transparency and convenience of a tech platform with proper legal oversight on every case.
Process Questions
Common questions about how it works
How long does the Spain Digital Nomad Visa application take?
UGE route (in Spain): typically around 20 working days from submission to decision. Consulate route (from home country): varies significantly by consulate and time of year — generally 4 to 12 weeks. Some consulates (notably Miami and London) can be faster; others experience higher volumes. We advise on current wait times at your specific consulate during the eligibility check.
Can I apply for the Spain DNV from outside Spain?
Yes — the consulate route allows you to apply from your home country through the nearest Spanish consulate. You receive a 1-year visa. Once in Spain you register and receive your TIE, which reflects that initial year — then renew for 2 years, then 2 years again. If you can travel to Spain beforehand, even briefly on a tourist visa, the UGE route is faster and gives a 3-year permit directly.
What is the UGE?
The UGE (Unidad de Grandes Empresas) is the Spanish government body that processes DNV applications filed from within Spain. It is faster than the consulate route, issues a 3-year residence permit directly, and the government tasa is included in our fee for UGE applications. To use the UGE route, you must be physically present in Spain when we file — which can be achieved by entering on a tourist visa.
Do I need to attend any in-person appointments?
For the DNV application itself — no. Everything is handled online through the dashboard. The only in-person element is your TIE appointment (for your physical residence card) at your local Spanish police station, which you book yourself within 30 days of arrival (or 30 days after approval for UGE applicants already in Spain). We provide a full guide for this on your dashboard — it's a straightforward appointment.
What happens after my Spain DNV is approved?
Your NIE is assigned automatically — no separate application needed. If you applied via consulate, travel to Spain within the validity of your visa. Within 30 days of arrival, book your TIE appointment at your local police station to collect your physical residence card. For UGE applicants already in Spain, the same 30-day window applies from the date of approval. Full step-by-step guidance is provided on your dashboard.
Do I need to speak Spanish to complete the application?
No. We handle all communication with the Spanish authorities. Your documents will be officially translated into Spanish as part of the service (up to the value of €200 for new applications). The dashboard and all communications between you and your case manager are in English.
Can I work for a UK or US employer on the Spain Digital Nomad Visa?
Yes — that is precisely what the DNV is designed for. You live in Spain whilst working remotely for a company or clients based outside Spain. Up to 20% of your income may come from Spanish sources. See our remote employee requirements guide for more detail.
What if my income is variable or comes from multiple sources?
Variable income is common among freelancers and contractors — and the DNV does accommodate it. The key is demonstrating that your average income over the preceding 12 months meets the €2,849/month threshold, using the right documentation. We advise on exactly how to evidence this at the eligibility check stage. Mixed income (some employed, some freelance) is also manageable — tell us your situation and we'll advise on the best approach.
Next Steps
Everything you need to apply
Before you apply
Do You Qualify?
Check the six eligibility criteria — income, employment type, nationality, health cover, and criminal record. Includes the 2026 income thresholds.
→ Requirements guide
Costs
Pricing & Fees
€1,899 total for a new application. Full breakdown of what's in each stage, what's included, and what you'll arrange separately.
→ Pricing page
Preparation
Document Checklist
The complete list of documents required for a Spain DNV application — with guidance on apostilles, translations, and what each consulate expects.
→ Document checklist