Digital Nomad visa to Spain: advantages in comparison with other European countries
In a constantly changing world, the popularity of remote work is growing, which creates new requirements for migration policy. Ukrainian refugees from various industries are choosing a digital lifestyle, including the ability to work remotely from anywhere in the world without being tied to a specific location. For many of them, it becomes necessary to obtain a so-called “digital nomad visa” or “digital nomad visa”. This visa allows you to work remotely in another country, providing legal residence status. In Europe, many countries have developed their own visa programs for digital nomads, but each has its own unique conditions, requirements and benefits. How does a digital nomad visa in Italy differ from similar visas in other EU countries, in particular in Spain, Estonia and Portugal?
What the digital nomad visa offers
As one of the leading European countries, Spain has recently joined the list of countries offering visas for digital nomads. The main purpose of such a visa is to attract highly qualified professionals who work in IT, freelance, or other digital industries. An important condition for obtaining this visa is proof of a stable income and work for a company based outside of Spain. This approach allows digital nomads to legally reside in the country for a year with the possibility of further extensions.
However, Spain has its own peculiarities that should be taken into account when comparing with other European states.
Tax system: peculiarities of taxation in different countries
The Spanish tax system for digital nomads is quite flexible and simplified compared to other countries. One of the main advantages is the opportunity to take advantage of special benefits for foreigners who work remotely. This makes Spain attractive to Ukrainian refugees looking for ways to optimize their tax expenses.
Spain offers a preferential tax rate of 24% for nomads who earn up to €600,000 per year. Portugal has a special “Non-Habitual Resident” program for foreigners that provides a 10-year tax break, although the process of obtaining these benefits can be complicated. Estonia, for its part, applies income tax only if the digital nomad stays in the country for more than 183 days. This gives more freedom in choosing a country for temporary residence.
Length of stay and visa flexibility
The Spanish visa for digital nomads allows you to stay in the country for up to one year with the possibility of an extension. This flexibility is an advantage compared to other countries. For example, in Estonia, on the contrary, a visa is granted only for one year without the right to extend it, which forces nomads to look for other options after the end of this term.
Croatia also provides a one-year visa, but requires digital nomads to leave the country for six months after the expiration date before reapplying.
Income Requirements: Different Standards for Professionals
Income requirements are an important consideration for digital nomads. In Spain, these requirements are quite flexible and depend on the profession and industry in which the digital nomad works. In this country, the minimum income for nomads is about 2,000–3,000 euros per month. In Greece and Estonia, the requirements are higher — more than 3,500 euros, which can be a barrier for many freelancers.
Health insurance and access to medicine
Spain, like most European countries, requires health insurance to obtain a visa. At the initial stage of the visa process, nomads are required to have private health insurance, but after obtaining a residence permit in the country, they can access the public health system.
In Croatia, only private health insurance is required for the entire period of stay, while Portugal provides the option to join the national health care system after a long stay.
Freedom of travel in the Schengen area
Spain, like most EU countries, is part of the Schengen area, which allows digital nomads to travel freely within 26 countries without the need to obtain additional visas. This makes the country a convenient place to live if there is a need to travel around Europe. Portugal and Estonia also offer similar opportunities for Schengen travel, but Spain stands out for its convenient geographical position and well-developed transport infrastructure.
Climate and quality of life
Spain is known for its favorable climate, rich cultural heritage and high quality of life. This is one of the reasons why the country is attracting more and more digital nomads. The mild Mediterranean climate, access to the sea, developed infrastructure for recreation and work are just a few advantages that make this country an ideal place to live and work.
The procedure for issuing a digital nomad visa in Spain
- Preparation of documents. The applicant must prepare a passport, documents confirming income, a contract with an employer or clients, health insurance and documents confirming residence in Spain (lease agreement, etc.).
- Appeal to the consulate. After collecting the documents, you should submit an application to the Spanish consulate in your country or in another country of the Schengen zone.
- Waiting for a decision. Processing of the application can take from several weeks to several months, depending on the situation.
So, compared to other European countries, Spain offers a balanced and attractive program for digital nomads. Flexible tax policy, long-term residency, high standard of living and access to the European market make this country a competitive choice for freelancers and remote workers. If you are looking for a country to live and work in, Spain can be the perfect solution, combining the comfort of life with the opportunity to work in a global market.
