Hopping between tapas bars in Madrid, gorging on art and culture in Barcelona or simply soaking up the sun in the Canary Islands.
For most people, those beat awkward conversations by the water cooler in a lonely suburban office park.
Remote workers looking for a change of scenery can now live and work in Spain if they meet the requirements of its new visa program.
The visa is aimed at “international teleworkers,” according to the Spanish government. The so-called “digital nomad” visa is open to a wide variety of remote workers and has already attracted considerable interest.
U.S. Google searches for “digital nomad visa Spain” spiked by 66% in late January, according to digital marketing specialists Semrush.
Who is eligible?
The new visa is for foreigners who carry out remote work or professional activities using computers or other forms of telecommunication, according to Spain’s Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration.
Applicants must:
- be nationals of countries outside the European Economic Area — which includes European Union countries plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway
- be self-employed or employed by a company operating outside of Spain
- Have no criminal record in Spain or anywhere else for five years prior to applying
- Have health insurance with a company that operates in Spain
- Be qualified to work in their field, as evidenced by a university degree or work experience
Applicants must also provide proof of a sufficient work history. Freelancers can establish this by showing a professional relationship with a foreign company for a minimum of three months, according to the requirements.
Applicants must also have sufficient funds to support their stay in Spain, which can be proven by showing a minimum monthly income of at least twice Spain’s monthly minimum wage, which was raised to 1,260 euros ($1,340) last week. That equates to around $2,680 per month, or a little more than $32,000 per year.
Spouses and families can join successful applicants, but…
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