Everything you need to understand Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa — who it suits, the employee vs autónomo split, income and documents, the application process, renewal and family — with the health-insurance step explained. We help with the Sanitas cover only.
What it is
The Spanish Digital Nomad Visa (DNV) lets remote workers and freelancers with foreign clients or a foreign employer live in Spain while working. Health insurance depends on your structure: a foreign employee often needs full private cover, while a self-employed (autónomo) applicant may combine Spanish social security with private cover. This guide explains the route; we help with the insurance.
The Digital Nomad Visa (DNV) is Spain’s residence route for people who work remotely — for a foreign employer or for clients outside Spain. It was introduced under the Startup Law and is aimed at remote employees and freelancers who can do their job from anywhere. It leads to a TIE residence card and, unlike the NLV, it is built around work.
This is the route guide. For the cover the visa requires, see our commercial page, DNV health insurance. We help with the insurance only; we do not process the visa or give immigration advice.
Who it suits
If you will live on savings or a pension and not work, the Non-Lucrative Visa is usually the better route.
Who it doesn't suit
Employee vs autonomo
This is the DNV’s defining split and it changes the healthcare picture:
Employed by a company outside Spain and working remotely. You typically need full visa-compliant private health insurance as your main healthcare proof.
Working for your own account or freelance clients. If you register as autónomo and pay into Spanish social security, you may have public-healthcare access, with private cover acting as a supplement. See health insurance for autónomos.
Do not assume one single insurance requirement for all DNV applicants — it depends on your structure. We match the cover to your route.
Income
The DNV sets a minimum income, commonly expressed as a multiple of Spain’s SMI (minimum wage), with more required for accompanying family. Figures are updated, so confirm the current threshold. Evidence usually includes employment or client contracts, payslips or invoices, and bank statements showing the income arriving.
Documents
See the root DNV requirements page and broader Spain visa requirements.
Process
Foreign employee or self-employed/autónomo.
Contracts, invoices, statements.
Full private cover, or private alongside social security.
The DNV can often be applied for from inside Spain.
Processing times vary.
After approval / arrival.
See the full application process.
Renewal
The DNV is typically granted for an initial period and renewable while you continue to meet the conditions, building towards longer-term residence. Renewals expect continued remote activity, income and cover. For the insurance side at renewal see renewing DNV health insurance.
Family
Spouse/partner and dependent children can usually accompany you, with additional income shown per person and health cover for each. See family reunification if family join later.
Timeline
Confirm your route, gather proof of remote work, income and documents, arrange cover.
Apply from inside Spain or at a consulate — see below.
Wait for the decision; the in-Spain route can be quicker.
Begin the in-Spain steps if you applied from abroad.
Apply for the TIE, register on the padrón, set up tax/social security as relevant.
Renew while you continue to meet the conditions.
Where to apply
The DNV is unusual in that it can often be applied for from inside Spain after a legal entry, as well as at a Spanish consulate abroad. The in-Spain route can grant a longer initial permit and is frequently quicker, while the consulate route suits those applying before they move. The right choice depends on your timing and circumstances — confirm the current procedure with a specialist.
Employee route
If you are employed by a company outside Spain and work remotely, you typically evidence an established employment relationship (often several months), a letter authorising you to work remotely, and your income. As a foreign employee you usually need full visa-compliant private health insurance as your main healthcare proof — see DNV health insurance.
Autónomo route
If you work for your own account or freelance clients, you may apply as self-employed. Registering as autónomo and contributing to Spanish social security can give you public-healthcare access, with private cover acting as a supplement. The paperwork (registration, contributions) is more involved, but it changes your healthcare position. See health insurance for autónomos.
Social security
Healthcare on the DNV follows your contributions. Employees posted from abroad may, in some cases, use a coverage certificate (such as an A1 or a bilateral social-security certificate); autónomos contributing in Spain access the public system. Where you are not in the Spanish system, private cover is your healthcare proof. The rules are technical and case-specific — confirm yours; we match the cover to whichever position applies.
Spanish clients
Examples
Compare routes
| Route | Who for | Work allowed | Healthcare basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Digital Nomad Visa | Remote workers / freelancers | Remote (foreign employer/clients) | Private, or social security if autónomo |
| Non-Lucrative Visa | Financially independent / retirees | No work in Spain | Private |
| Work visa | Local Spanish job | Yes | Social security (employer) |
If you will not work, see the NLV; for a local job, the work visa.
Tax
Mistakes
Avoid
After arrival
Once on the DNV, the in-Spain steps include:
We help with the health-cover activation only.
Health insurance
Health insurance depends on your route. A foreign employee usually needs full visa-compliant private cover from an insurer authorised in Spain. A self-employed autónomo contributing to Spanish social security may rely partly on the public system, with private cover as a supplement. Either way we match the right Sanitas option — often Sanitas Residents or Residents Platinum for the full-private route.
Go deeper: DNV health insurance · best Sanitas plans for the DNV · copay vs no-copay · the certificate · autónomo cover.
How we help
We match a suitable Sanitas policy to your DNV route (employee or autónomo), get the certificate right, and time the start date to your move. We do not process the visa or give immigration advice. Get a quote or read the DNV health insurance page.
Important information
Tell us whether you are a foreign employee or self-employed and we will arrange suitable Sanitas cover with the right certificate. We help with the health-insurance part of your application. Acceptance and exact policy terms depend on the insurer’s rules; visa decisions rest with the Spanish authorities.
English-speaking Sanitas specialists can help with the health-insurance part of your visa or residency application.
FAQs
Common questions about this Spanish visa route and the health-insurance requirement. Always confirm current rules with the official authorities or a qualified immigration specialist.