The Spain Telework Visa – Hoping on the Digital Nomad Bandwagon
Spain is hopping on the digital nomad bandwagon with a new visa that will allow remote workers and freelancers to work legally in the country for one year. Bundled in with a new law meant to boost the nation’s tech scene, the spain telework visa has already attracted considerable interest. Google searches for the new visa program spiked by 66% in January, according to data from search marketing specialists Semrush.
The international telework visa for Spain is available to foreigners who work in the fields of telecommunications, software and information technology, health and life sciences, or financial services, among others. Applicants must also prove that they can complete their work remotely from anywhere in the world and have a proven history of success in their field. Those who are self-employed must have at least three years of professional experience, while those working for companies must show that the company is based outside of Spain. Those with family members can bring them to live in the country as well, but their income must be higher than that of the applicant. For the sake of example, a successful applicant would need to make at least 200% of the Spanish minimum wage, which was recently raised by 8%.
Those who meet the visa’s requirements will be issued a permit to reside in the country for a year, which can be extended for a further five years. After that time, they will be able to apply for permanent residency. During their first year in the country, they will be required to pay 24% of their income in taxes, but after that their rate will be determined by double taxation agreements. They will also have to demonstrate that they have sufficient health insurance coverage for the duration of their stay in the country.
Another requirement of the spain telework visa is a clean criminal record, which can be shown through a police report or a sworn statement from an employer. Those who are applying for the visa will also have to provide proof of social security coverage if their country of origin doesn’t have a social security agreement with Spain.
Those who want to apply for the new spain telework visa should check the government’s website for detailed instructions. The application will include a photo of the person, an official translation of all documents and information, as well as a fee, which can vary depending on the country of origin. The embassy or consulate will also give the person an appointment to complete the process, which typically takes about two weeks after the initial review of the documents. The embassy will then send the person a link to select an appointment date, and they will be given information about paying the fee. This is expected to be in the form of a bank deposit, but it could also be paid through other means. The embassy or consulate will also explain any additional documentation they might require from the applicant.