Renewing your Spain Digital Nomad Visa — a step-by-step guide to keeping your permit

Start preparing your renewal 3 months before your current permit expires. The renewal application window opens 60 days (2 calendar months) before expiry — that is the earliest you can submit. But document gathering, criminal record certificate applications, and health insurance confirmation take time. Starting 3 months out gives you a comfortable buffer.

If you have submitted a renewal application before your permit expired, Spanish immigration law places you in a state of administrative tolerance (situación de tolerancia administrativa). You can legally remain in Spain while the renewal is processed, even after the permit expiry date. However, you should not travel outside Spain (particularly outside the Schengen Area) during this period, as re-entry may be complicated. If your permit expires with no renewal application pending, your legal status becomes irregular — avoid this at all costs.

The renewal requires the same categories of documents as the initial application, but all must be updated and current — you cannot reuse documents from your original application. Bank statements must cover the 6 months immediately before renewal submission. Your criminal record certificate must have been issued within 3 months of submission. Employment letters must be current. Health insurance must be renewed and valid. Think of it as a fresh application with the same document structure.

The income threshold at renewal is the current requirement at the time of renewal — not the threshold that applied when you made your original application. The DNV income minimum is tied to Spain's SMI (salario mínimo interprofesional) and is updated annually. At the time of this guide (2026), the threshold is €2,849/month. By the time you come to renew (e.g. 2028 or 2029), the threshold may have changed. We confirm the current threshold when we begin your renewal case.

Changed employment is common between the initial application and renewal. If you have changed employer (while remaining employed), or changed from employment to self-employment, or added additional income sources, the renewal must reflect your current situation. What matters is that at the time of renewal, you still meet the core criteria: sufficient income (€2,849+/month), primarily non-Spanish clients (≤20% Spanish income), and no serious criminal convictions in Spain. Changed circumstances must be disclosed — attempting to renew on outdated or inaccurate information is a serious error.

If your income has genuinely fallen below the renewal threshold, the application is at risk of refusal. A temporary dip in income — for example, a few months below threshold with documented recovery — may be explained and context provided. A sustained drop below threshold is a more serious problem. If you are concerned about your income level ahead of renewal, contact us as early as possible — ideally 4–6 months before your permit expires. Early advice gives us the most options.

Yes, in principle. You can switch from an employment-based DNV to a self-employment (autónomo) structure at renewal, provided you meet the income threshold as a self-employed person and the other conditions. The document requirements differ — self-employment requires autónomo registration, tax returns, business bank statements, and client contracts rather than employment letters. Health insurance requirements also differ (employed applicants need private health insurance; autónomo applicants are covered by RETA / public health). We manage this transition in the renewal documentation.

The DNV renewal is submitted through the UGE, which requires a physical presence in Spain. If you are outside Spain when your renewal window opens, you will need to return to Spain to submit and process the renewal. The DNV does not impose a specific minimum physical presence requirement during the initial 3-year term (unlike long-term residency applications). However, if you have spent significant time outside Spain, this may affect your eligibility for long-term residency at the 5-year point. Return to Spain ahead of your renewal window.

Yes. The criminal record certificate must be current — issued within 3 months of the renewal submission date. You cannot reuse your original certificate. You must apply for a fresh certificate from the same issuing authority as your initial application (e.g., ACRO for UK nationals, FBI for US nationals) and have it apostilled again. Budget 6–8 weeks for the certificate plus apostille process.

Yes. If you are employed (rather than autónomo), your Spanish private health insurance policy must be current and valid at the time of renewal. If your policy has lapsed or is about to expire, renew it before submitting the renewal application. The policy must still meet the original criteria — no co-payment, minimum €30,000 coverage, Spain-specific policy from a recognised insurer. Our partner 247 Expat Insurance can assist with renewals.

The UGE renewal process typically takes approximately 20 working days from submission — the same processing time as the initial application. Total time from starting your renewal preparation to receiving the renewed permit is typically 6–10 weeks. This is why we recommend beginning the process 3 months before your permit expires — to allow preparation time before the 60-day submission window opens.

No. Your TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero) physical residence card must be separately renewed after your permit renewal is approved. Once your renewed permit is confirmed, you must book an appointment at your local Extranjería or Comisaría (police station) to obtain the new TIE card. The TIE appointment is separate from the permit renewal process. Your case manager will guide you through booking the TIE appointment after approval.