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Permit residency in Spain β€” Digital Nomad

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Author: Anastasia Lavra

Vice President, Family Office

Concept

The Digital Nomad program in Spain is the fastest and most affordable way to obtain residency in Europe. Applicants receive a residency card valid for 3 years, with the entire process taking as little as 3 months. The only primary requirement is proof of a sufficient monthly income.

This program is an ideal option for individuals who want the freedom to travel throughout Europe for 3 years, with the possibility of renewing the residency. For those looking to relocate to Spain, the program offers the unique advantage of the Beckham Law regime, allowing for 0% tax on all dividend income.

Taxes in Spain

Obtaining a residency permit does not automatically make you a tax resident in Spain.

If you do not reside in Spain for more than 183 days per year and have not submitted Modelo 030 to declare yourself as a tax resident, you are not obligated to pay taxes in Spain.

For applicants with employment-based income, there are no penalties for not residing in Spain or not becoming a tax resident. They also retain the ability to extend their residency permit after the initial period.

However, applicants who register as individual entrepreneurs are required to register as individual entrepreneurs in Spain, which automatically makes them Spanish tax residents. Failure to do so may result in the revocation of the residency card after 1 to 1.5 years.

Therefore, we strongly recommend applying as an employee rather than as a freelancer to maintain the flexibility of extending the residency permit without becoming a tax resident.

For employment-based applicants who wish to relocate to Spain and become tax residents, we advise taking advantage of the Beckham Law regime. This offers a flat 24% tax on your declared salary, while dividends and passive income, such as investments, are taxed at 0%.

Income requirements

Income per month

Applicants
Amount
1 person
from €2 646
2 people
from €3 639
3 people
from €3 970
4 people
from €4 301
5 people
from €4 632

Proof of Income

(a) Employment with a company

  • Employment contract with a company – signed more than 3 months ago
  • Extract from the company’s registration with the Unified State Register of Legal Entities (USRLE) + apostille
  • Bank statements from the last 3 months showing salary payments

(b) Sole proprietorship, self-employment, or freelancing

  • Contracts with one or more counterparties – must be with a legal entity and signed more than 3 months ago
  • Extract from the USRLE of the contracting company + apostille
  • If a sole proprietorship, an extract from the Unified State Register of Individual Entrepreneurs (USRIE) + apostille
  • If self-employed, a certificate of self-employment + apostille
  • Bank statements from the last 3 months showing contract payments
  • Invoices and payment records from the bank statement

Required Documents

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All documents should be submitted as scanned PDFs. Physical originals are not required.

For the main applicant

  • International Passport – all pages
  • Certificate of no criminal record + apostille
  • Diploma of education
  • Resume

For the spouse

  • Passport – all pages
  • Marriage certificate or a civil partnership certificate in Spain – can be obtained from a Spanish notary for €150-200
  • Certificate of no criminal record + apostille

For children under 18

  • Passport – all pages
  • Birth certificate
  • If the child is not from a shared relationship, consent from the biological parent is required for the child to leave Russia, obtain Spanish residency, and live in Spain with the other parent + apostille

For children over 18

  • Passport – all pages
  • Birth certificate
  • Certificate of no criminal record + apostille
  • Proof of enrollment from the university
  • Bank statements from the last 6 months showing financial support from the parents
  • Proof of residence registration in the Russian passport, matching one of the parents (if applicable)

For all family members

A Spanish health insurance policy is required for all family members to obtain residency through employment.

Visit to Spain

To obtain a 3-year residency, you will need to visit Spain for the following:

  • Obtain a stamp upon entering the country or submit an entry declaration
  • Submit biometric data
  • Collect the residency card

Process and Timeline

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If documents are quickly gathered and a visa is ready, the residency card can be obtained within 3 months.

  • Document collection – from 2 weeks
  • Visit to Spain for online application submission – 1 day
  • Application approval – up to 1 month
  • Wait time for biometric appointment – 2-3 weeks
  • Biometric submission – 1 day
  • Wait time for residency card issuance – 3-4 weeks
  • Residency card collection – 1 day