Spain Digital Nomad Visa vs Spain Freelance Visa (Autónomo)
Spain digital nomad route: $91 fee, 12 months. Spain freelancer route: $91 fee, 1 months.
- Spain Digital Nomad: $1,627 a month, $1,567 less than Spain Freelance Autónomo.
- Spain Digital Nomad: about 7.1 weeks, 12.5 weeks sooner than Spain Freelance Autónomo.
Built for: Freelancers.
- Income
- $1,627/mo
- Fee
- $91
- Duration
- 12 months
- Income
- $3,194/mo
- Fee
- $91
- Duration
- 1 months
Next steps
Spain Digital Nomad
Spain Freelance Autónomo
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Side by side
Spain Digital Nomad Visa
Spain Freelance Visa (Autónomo)
Visa type
Status
Initial duration, months
Renewable
Built for
Minimum age, years
Practical minimum age, years
Nationality restrictions
Processing time, minimum (weeks)
Processing time, maximum (weeks)
Where to apply
Interview required
Medical exam required
Minimum income, per month
Minimum investment, one time
Investment types
Application fee, one time
Extra income per adult dependent
Extra income per child dependent
Employment types accepted
Local work permitted
Maximum income from local work, %
Health insurance required
Local bank account required
Apostille required
US FBI background check required
Certificate of coverage required
Required documents
Leads to permanent residency
Years to permanent residency
Years to citizenship, PR plus naturalization
Days in country, per year
Tax regime
US tax treaty
| Field | Spain Digital Nomad Visa | Spain Freelance Visa (Autónomo) |
|---|---|---|
| Visa type | Digital nomad | Freelancer |
| Status | Active | Active |
| Initial duration, months | 12 (Longest initial stay) | 1 |
| Renewable | Yes | Yes |
| Built for | Digital nomads, Remote employees, Freelancers | Freelancers |
| Minimum age, years | 18 | 18 |
| Practical minimum age, years | 18 | 18 |
| Nationality restrictions | Non-EU nationals only | Non-EU nationals only |
| Field | Spain Digital Nomad Visa | Spain Freelance Visa (Autónomo) |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum income, per month | $1,627 (Lowest known income requirement) | $3,194 |
| Minimum investment, one time | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| Investment types | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| Application fee, one time | $91 | $91 |
| Extra income per adult dependent | 75% | Not specified |
| Extra income per child dependent | 25% | Not specified |
| Field | Spain Digital Nomad Visa | Spain Freelance Visa (Autónomo) |
|---|---|---|
| Employment types accepted | W-2 employee, 1099 contractor | Self-employed |
| Local work permitted | No | No |
| Maximum income from local work, % | 20% | Not specified |
| Field | Spain Digital Nomad Visa | Spain Freelance Visa (Autónomo) |
|---|---|---|
| Processing time, minimum (weeks) | 2.1 weeks (Fastest known processing) | 13 weeks |
| Processing time, maximum (weeks) | 12 weeks (Fastest known processing) | 26 weeks |
| Where to apply | Apply at the Spanish consulate in your country of residence or from within Spain if legally present (e.g., on a tourist...See where to apply on the visa page | Apply in person at the Spanish consulate or embassy in your home country for the initial visa. Cannot apply from within...See where to apply on the visa page |
| Interview required | No | No |
| Medical exam required | No | No |
| Field | Spain Digital Nomad Visa | Spain Freelance Visa (Autónomo) |
|---|---|---|
| Leads to permanent residency | No | Yes (Path to permanent residency) |
| Years to permanent residency | 5 years | 5 years |
| Years to citizenship, PR plus naturalization | Not applicable | 15 years |
| Days in country, per year | 183 days | 183 days |
| Field | Spain Digital Nomad Visa | Spain Freelance Visa (Autónomo) |
|---|---|---|
| Tax regime | Worldwide | Not specified |
| US tax treaty | Not specified | Not specified |
| Field | Spain Digital Nomad Visa | Spain Freelance Visa (Autónomo) |
|---|---|---|
| Health insurance required | Yes | No (No insurance requirement) |
| Local bank account required | No (No local bank account needed) | Yes |
| Apostille required | Yes | Yes |
| US FBI background check required | No | No |
| Certificate of coverage required | No | No |
| Required documents | 7 items listedSee full list on the visa page | 7 items listedSee full list on the visa page |