Requirement Overview
As an independent professional (freelancer) applying for the Spain Digital Nomad Visa, you must prove you provide services under a professional or commercial B2B relationship to non-Spanish companies.
Legal Basis
This requirement is established under Ley 28/2022 (the "Startup Law"), managed by the Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores. The law dictates that remote workers must evidence a pre-existing professional relationship with their clients to ensure the stability of their remote activity.
Evidence / Documentation
To satisfy this requirement, you must provide:
- Contracts or Service Agreements: Documents showing a professional relationship with foreign companies for at least 3 months prior to the application.
- Proof of Business Activity: A certificate from the non-Spanish company authorizing you to perform your work remotely from Spain.
- Professional Qualifications: A university degree or evidence of at least 3 years of professional experience in your field.
- Economic Solvency: Proof of income totaling at least 200% of the SMI (Salario Mínimo Interprofesional).
Formalities: Apostille and Translation
For any foreign public documents (like criminal records or official degree certificates) used to support your application, an Apostille is required. All documents not in Spanish must be accompanied by a sworn translation (Traducción Jurada).
Common Pitfalls
- Relationship Duration: Applying with a contract that is less than 3 months old.
- Spanish Clients: Freelancers can work for Spanish companies, but the majority of income must come from entities outside Spain, and the B2B relationship being used for the visa base must be with foreign employers.
- Tax Planning: Note that spending over 183 days in Spain makes you a tax resident under Agencia Tributaria rules, requiring you to register as an Autónomo with Spanish Social Security and potentially file under the special Beckham Law regime if eligible.