Requirement Overview
For freelancer applicants (digital_nomad_freelancer), the Spanish Digital Nomad Visa requires proof of an active professional relationship with non-Spanish clients for at least three months. This is evidenced by pairing your issued invoices with bank statements showing the actual receipt of those funds.
Legal Context
This requirement stems from Ley 28/2022 (Startup Law), which mandates that remote workers must prove a prior and continuous relationship with their employers or clients. According to official guidelines from the Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores, this relationship must have existed for at least 3 months prior to the application.
Accepted Evidence
To satisfy this requirement, you must provide:
- Bank Certificates/Statements: Documents showing the incoming bank transfers.
- Invoice Matching: Each payment must clearly correspond to a specific invoice issued to your client.
- Income Levels: The amounts must reflect a total income of at least 200% of the Spanish Minimum Interprofessional Wage (SMI).
Translation and Legalization
- Sworn Translation: Documents not issued in Spanish must typically undergo a sworn translation.
- Apostille: While the bank statement itself may not require an apostille, it must be officially issued by your financial institution.
Common Pitfalls
- Mismatched Amounts: The net amount received in the bank must be reconcilable with the gross amount on the invoice (accounting for fees or taxes).
- Short History: Providing less than 3 months of evidence is a frequent cause for rejection.
- Spanish Clients: Work performed for Spanish companies is strictly regulated; the primary income must come from non-Spanish entities as per the visa's core purpose.