Spain's Digital Nomad Visa allows eligible non-EU remote workers, freelancers, contractors and company owners to live in Spain while working mainly for clients or employers outside Spain. It is one of the most popular Spanish residence routes for remote professionals — but the requirements, and especially the healthcare route, can differ depending on whether you apply as an employee of a foreign company or as a self-employed professional. One of the most important requirements is healthcare cover: some applicants need full private health insurance, while others may rely on Spanish social security or another accepted public-healthcare route.
Overview
Spain's Digital Nomad Visa allows eligible non-EU remote workers, freelancers, contractors and company owners to live in Spain while working mainly for clients or employers outside Spain. The application requirements can vary depending on whether you apply as an employee of a foreign company or as a self-employed professional.
One of the most important requirements is healthcare cover. Some applicants need full private health insurance from an insurer authorised to operate in Spain, while others may rely on Spanish social security or another accepted public-healthcare route. This page explains the main requirements and how to understand the health insurance side. See also our Digital Nomad Visa health insurance in Spain guide.
What is it?
The Digital Nomad Visa is a Spanish residence route for non-EU nationals who carry out remote work or professional activity using computer, telematic and telecommunication systems for companies or clients located mainly outside Spain. It is suited to remote employees, freelancers, contractors, self-employed professionals, company owners, consultants, online business owners and other digital professionals such as developers, designers and marketers.
The visa is not for EU citizens or people already covered by EU free-movement rules — it is mainly aimed at non-EU nationals carrying out remote work for companies located outside Spain.
Requirements
To apply for the Digital Nomad Visa you normally need to meet several requirements. The exact documents and thresholds can vary by route and consulate, so always confirm the checklist for where you will apply.
The Digital Nomad Visa is for non-EU citizens who do not already have EU residence or free-movement rights. It is not for EU citizens or people already covered by EU free movement.
Applicants must be able to carry out their work remotely using computer, telematic and telecommunication systems.
The work should be mainly for companies or clients located outside Spain. Employees may generally only work for companies outside Spain, while self-employed applicants may have some activity with Spanish clients within permitted limits.
Applicants usually need to prove relevant qualifications or professional experience.
Applicants need to prove they meet the required income threshold. The amount is usually linked to Spain's minimum salary (SMI) and may increase for family members.
A criminal record certificate is normally required from relevant countries, with apostille or legalisation and translation where needed.
Applicants need to prove suitable healthcare cover — either through private health insurance from an insurer authorised to operate in Spain, or accepted public / social security coverage, depending on the route.
Depending on whether you are an employee or self-employed, and on any international social security agreements, documentation may be needed to show social security coverage or Spanish registration.
Applicants must complete the relevant visa or residence forms and pay the required fees.
Employees
Applicants employed by a foreign company usually need to provide employment-related documents showing they can work remotely from Spain and that the company is located outside Spain. Documents may include:
Self-employed
Self-employed applicants, freelancers and contractors may need to show their professional activity, client relationships and ability to work remotely from Spain. Documents may include:
Health insurance
Health insurance is one of the most important parts of the application, but the exact route depends on your profile. Some applicants prove public healthcare coverage through Spanish social security or accepted international social security arrangements; others need private health insurance from an insurer authorised to operate in Spain. Some consulates state that health insurance is not necessary if coverage by the Spanish public social security system is proven.
For applicants using private insurance, the policy should normally:
Travel insurance, emergency-only policies, reimbursement-only cover and cheap nomad travel plans are generally risky if private insurance is being used as the main visa healthcare proof.
Two routes
Not every Digital Nomad Visa applicant needs the same insurance solution. The key question is whether private health insurance is being used as your main healthcare proof, or whether you already have accepted public-healthcare / social security coverage.
| Applicant Type | Healthcare Route | Insurance Position |
|---|---|---|
| Foreign-company employee with no accepted public cover | Full private insurance | Needs a visa-compliant no-copay policy |
| Foreign-company employee with accepted social security proof | Public / social security route | Private insurance may not be needed as main proof |
| Self-employed applicant not yet in Spanish social security | Full private insurance | Needs a visa-compliant no-copay policy |
| Self-employed / autónomo with accepted public cover | Public healthcare + optional private top-up | Copay or autónomo policy may suit as supplementary cover |
| Family members included in the DNV application | Depends on the main route | Each applicant needs suitable healthcare proof |
This is usually needed where the applicant does not have accepted Spanish public healthcare or social security coverage. It is best for employees of foreign companies without accepted social security cover, applicants applying from outside Spain, remote workers without Spanish public-healthcare access, families where private cover is required for each applicant, and self-employed applicants not yet covered by Spanish social security.
This policy should usually be:
This may be relevant where the applicant already has accepted Spanish public healthcare or social security coverage. It is best for self-employed applicants registered with Spanish social security, autónomo-style applicants wanting faster private access, applicants who want private specialists alongside public healthcare, and people wanting lower-cost private cover with copayments. In this case, applicants may be able to consider:
Sanitas
Sanitas is one of Spain's best-known private health insurers and forms part of Bupa. For Digital Nomad Visa applicants, Sanitas can be useful because it offers Spanish-issued documentation, foreign-resident plans and English-friendly support. For DNV applicants who need full private health insurance as their main healthcare proof, the main options are usually:
Sanitas Residents Platinum — often the stronger option for applicants who want premium foreign-resident cover, broader benefits and a stronger private healthcare package.
Sanitas Residents — a lower-cost foreign-resident option that may be suitable where the applicant needs a visa-focused Sanitas policy but does not need the broader benefits of Platinum.
For self-employed applicants who already have accepted public-healthcare access, other Sanitas policies — including copay or autónomo-style policies — may also be worth considering as supplementary cover.
Income
Applicants must prove sufficient income to support themselves in Spain. The threshold is usually linked to Spain's minimum salary (SMI), with additional amounts normally required for family members. Because the SMI can change, always check the current income threshold before applying. Evidence may include:
Documents
A practical checklist of documents you may need for your application:
Families
Family members may be able to apply with the main applicant, but additional income and documentation are usually required. Family documents may include:
Where to apply
Some applicants apply for a Digital Nomad Visa from a Spanish consulate abroad, while others apply for a residence authorisation from inside Spain if eligible. The route can affect:
Your insurance should match the route you are taking — a consular visa application and an in-Spain residence authorisation may not be reviewed in exactly the same way.
Mistakes
These are the most common, avoidable mistakes we see — many of them on the insurance side:
Timing
Arrange health insurance early enough to avoid delays, especially where private cover is being used as the main healthcare proof. You should check insurance before submission if:
Get insurance
Spanish Health Insurance helps English-speaking Digital Nomad Visa applicants understand their private health insurance options in Spain. If you need full visa-compliant private health insurance, we can help you compare Sanitas Residents Platinum and Sanitas Residents, arrange cover from the date you choose, and provide guidance on the documentation needed. If you are self-employed and already covered through Spanish social security, we can also help you look at supplementary private health insurance options, including copay or autónomo-style policies where appropriate.
Tell us your Digital Nomad Visa route and we'll help you check whether you need full visa-compliant private insurance or supplementary cover — and compare suitable Sanitas options. Acceptance and exact terms depend on the insurer's rules.
Free, no-obligation advice from English-speaking advisers who understand remote-worker visas.
FAQs
Common questions about Spain's Digital Nomad Visa requirements and the health insurance you need to apply.