What this requirement is
As a digital_nomad_company_owner, you must prove your professional relationship with the company you own and operate. For the Spain Digital Nomad Visa (DNV), this requirement serves to confirm that your company has been active for the necessary duration and that you hold the legal authority to perform work for it.
Why it is needed
Under Ley 28/2022 (Startup Law), applicants must demonstrate a continuous relationship with their non-Spanish employer or clients for at least 3 months prior to the application. For owners, the shareholder register proves that the company existed and that the applicant was part of its structure during this period.
Supporting Documents
To satisfy this requirement, you typically need to provide:
- Shareholder Register (Cap Table): An official document identifying all shareholders and their percentage of ownership.
- Certificate of Incumbency: A document issued by the company secretary or a government registry confirming your role.
- Certificate of Good Standing: Evidence that the company is currently active and registered in its home jurisdiction (outside of Spain).
Formalities: Apostille and Translation
According to Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores guidelines:
- Apostille: Foreign public documents must be legalized with the Hague Apostille or via the relevant diplomatic channel.
- Translation: Documents not issued in Spanish must be accompanied by a sworn translation (Traducción Jurada) into Spanish.
Common Pitfalls
- Company Age: The company must have been legally incorporated more than 3 months before your application. If the register shows you only became a shareholder recently, you may not meet the 3-month relationship rule.
- Incomplete Chains: If your company is owned by another holding company, you must provide registers for both to prove your ultimate beneficial ownership.