Overview of the Requirement
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Law 28/2022 (Startup Law), freelancers applying for the Digital Nomad Visa (DNV) must prove that their professional relationship with their non-Spanish clients has existed for at least 3 months immediately prior to the application.
Legal Context
This condition is established under the administrative framework of Ley 28/2022, designed to ensure that the applicant has an established remote work activity rather than a speculative or newly formed business link.
Evidence and Documentation
To satisfy this requirement as a freelancer, you must provide:
- Contracts: Signed service agreements or professional contracts dated at least three months before your submission.
- Invoices: Copies of invoices issued to the same clients for the preceding 3-month period.
- Certificate of Relationship: A letter from the client(s) confirming the duration of the relationship and the remote nature of the work.
Certification and Translation
Documentation issued outside of Spain generally requires:
- Official Translation: All foreign documents must be translated into Spanish by a sworn translator (traductor jurado).
- Apostille: Depending on the document type (e.g., corporate registries or certain certificates), an Apostille or legalization may be necessary to verify the authenticity of the signatures.
Common Pitfalls
- Breaks in Service: The 3-month period must be immediate. A significant gap in billing just before the application may lead to rejection.
- New Clients: Including only clients acquired in the last 30-60 days will not meet the eligibility threshold.
- Spanish Clients: Revenue must primarily come from companies located outside of Spain.