What is this requirement?
Applicants for the Spanish Digital Nomad Visa under the employee profile (digital_nomad_employee) must submit their payslips from the last three months. This serves as primary evidence of an active, stable employment relationship with a non-Spanish company.
Why is it needed?
Under Ley 28/2022 (Startup Law), applicants must prove a pre-existing relationship with their employer for at least three months prior to the application. Additionally, these documents verify that the applicant meets the minimum financial threshold, which is approximately 200% of the SMI (Salario Mínimo Interprofesional) as specified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Supporting Evidence
- Monthly Payslips: Detailed stubs showing gross and net salary for the last 90 days.
- Bank Statements: While not always mandatory, providing bank statements showing the corresponding deposits helps verify the payslips' authenticity.
- Certificate of Seniority: A document from the employer confirming the start date of the relationship (must be >3 months).
Translation and Legalization
- Sworn Translation: Documents not issued in Spanish must typically be translated by a Spanish MAEC-authorized sworn translator.
- Apostille: While payslips themselves are private documents, they or the accompanying employment certificate may require an Apostille or legalization depending on the specific consulate's requirements for verifying foreign professional documents.
Common Pitfalls
- Insufficient Income: Ensure the net amount reflected meets the ~200% SMI requirement after any deductions.
- Inconsistency: Dates on payslips must match the dates in the employment contract and bank transfers.
- Recent Hire: Applying before the 3-month continuous relationship milestone has passed (as per official guidelines).