Question 1

What is Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa?

Accepted Answer

A residence permit for non-EU remote workers, freelancers and business owners working for foreign companies or clients while living in Spain.

Question 2

Can I apply from inside Spain?

Accepted Answer

Yes. If you are legally present in Spain, you can usually file the residence permit application online via UGE using a certificado digital or representative.

Question 3

How much income do I need?

Accepted Answer

Around €2,850/month for the main applicant. Higher thresholds apply for spouse and children, indexed to the official SMI.

Question 4

Can I apply with family?

Accepted Answer

Yes — spouse, civil partner, dependent children and eligible dependents can apply through the MI-F family flow.

Question 5

What documents are required?

Accepted Answer

Passport, MI-T form, fee proof, employment or service contract, bank statements, company registration certificate, criminal record certificate, health insurance and supporting declarations.

Question 6

Do documents need apostille?

Accepted Answer

Foreign public documents like criminal records, marriage and birth certificates and company registration extracts usually require apostille.

Question 7

Do documents need sworn translation?

Accepted Answer

Yes — foreign documents typically require sworn (jurado) translation into Spanish, performed by a translator registered with the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Question 8

How long does the application take?

Accepted Answer

The legal decision period is up to 20 working days from UGE submission, plus document preparation and card issuance time.

Question 9

Can I generate forms online?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The free forms builder generates MI-T, MI-F and supporting declarations in minutes.

Question 10

What is the difference between a visa and a residence permit?

Accepted Answer

A consular visa is generally valid for up to 1 year. A residence permit issued from inside Spain is generally valid for up to 3 years.

Question 11

How do I renew Spain’s startup (entrepreneur) residence permit?

Accepted Answer

Renewal is filed online with UGE and requires a fresh favourable ENISA report. In 2026 the file needs your passport, TIE, Modelo 790-038 fee proof, signed MI-T, the company annual accounts, modelo 347, and current "al corriente" certificates from both the tax office and Social Security.

Question 12

Do I need a criminal record certificate to renew the entrepreneur permit?

Accepted Answer

No. Neither a criminal record certificate nor proof of savings is part of the renewal document list — the focus is on company activity and the absence of tax and social security debts.

Question 13

Can I reuse my first ENISA application when renewing?

Accepted Answer

No. You must create a new ENISA account (an email alias such as youremail+renewal@gmail.com works) and file the same questionnaire updated with what you planned, what you executed, your traction and metrics, and your plan for the next two years.

Question 14

My company has no employees, so Social Security will not issue the certificate. What now?

Accepted Answer

Open a company contribution account first via "Empresario Colectivo. Identificación de Empresa. Asignación de CCC inicial" on the Social Security site. Once the account exists, the al corriente certificate downloads normally.

Question 15

How long does the startup permit renewal take in 2026?

Accepted Answer

Recent favourable decisions took roughly 7–8 weeks in total, with about 5 weeks spent on the ENISA report. Earlier 2026 files took around 60 days.

Question 16

Is low company turnover a problem for renewal?

Accepted Answer

Not automatically. Files showing €30–50k in the modelo 347 and annual accounts have been approved. Continuity, a credible narrative and public recognition weigh heavily when innovation or funding is thin.

Question 17

What are my options if the entrepreneur renewal is refused?

Accepted Answer

The usual fallback is Digital Nomad residence, decided in 20 working days, which keeps you on track for long-term residence but bars Spanish clients. A modification to cuenta propia under Law 4/2000 is the other route — slower and dependent on your province.

Question 18

Can I apply for renewal and a permit modification at the same time?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Filing the entrepreneur renewal and a modification in parallel is a known tactic; you then choose which outcome to keep.

Question 19

When should I file the renewal?

Accepted Answer

As early as allowed — 60 days before your card expires. If your expiry falls in July or August, assume the 60-day window will be too tight.

Question 20

Do I need to cancel the Beckham regime if I switch permit type?

Accepted Answer

If you move to a permit type that is not compatible with the Beckham regime, you must file to have the regime revoked, because the qualifying basis no longer exists.

Spain Digital Nomad Visa FAQ

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