Moving to Spain Guide (DNV)
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Disclaimer
I created this guide with the intention of sharing what I’ve learned and experienced during my own journey moving to Spain on the Digital Nomad Visa. I hope it serves as a useful roadmap to help you navigate the many steps involved and avoid some of the confusion I faced.
That said, Spanish immigration laws, procedures, and requirements can and do change; sometimes quickly and without much public notice. While I do my best to keep this guide accurate and up to date, I can’t guarantee that every detail reflects the current rules or your unique situation.
Some of the information here comes from my personal experiences, and some comes from research or the shared knowledge of others in the immigrant community. It’s important to remember that what worked for me might not always be exactly right for you.
By downloading or using this guide, you agree that I cannot be held responsible for any errors, omissions, or outdated information it may contain. This guide is meant to be a helpful starting point rather than an official legal document.
Because of these factors, please use this guide as a helpful resource and always verify details with the relevant Spanish authorities, official government websites, or trusted immigration professionals such as lawyers or gestors before making any decisions or taking action.
Your move is a big moment, and having expert advice tailored to your case is invaluable. Thank you for trusting me to accompany you on this journey, and I wish you all the best as you plan to immigrate to the beautiful Spain!
Getting Ready for Spain
Hi, I’m Koes. Not too long ago, my family and I began the complex but exciting process of moving from the US to Spain under the Digital Nomad Visa. Preparing for a move like this was a mix of enthusiasm and, honestly, a lot of fear about doing things incorrectly.
One thing I learned quickly was how helpful having professionals like immigration agencies and tax advisors made the whole application process. Their expertise took much of the guesswork off our plates and helped us avoid common pitfalls. Trying to figure it all out alone can feel overwhelming, especially with the many steps and specific timing involved.
That’s exactly why I created this guide: to provide you with a clear, step-by-step roadmap of the order in which things need to be done. This guide distills my experience and lessons learned so you don’t waste time or energy imagining which step comes next or risking important mistakes.
Whether you’re just starting to think about the move or are deep in the prep, this guide will walk you through the critical steps with clarity and kindness, making the process feel more manageable and less stressful.
Preface
Before jumping into the steps, I would like to share 3 pieces of advice that I wish I had gotten when we were planning our move to Spain.
Budget more than you think you need. Call it “The Cost of Learning” budget. There’ll be expenses that you’d never have expected and, if this budget is there, it’s no big deal and you don’t need to beat yourself up over it. For example: we thought we’d travel only with 6 checked bags and 4 carryons. We ended up with 11 checked bags and it was OK because we have extra money budgeted.
Give yourself and your family a lot of grace. There will be something that goes wrong. Moving abroad is no small feat and a lot of things are out of your control. Expect those things to happen, go with the flow, it will be OK.
The last and the most important advice. Remember your why. When things get hard during your planning and application process, you might wonder if you’re doing the right thing or if you’ve made the right decision. Knowing your why can help reorient you to your North Star and keep you going.
With those in mind, let’s get started.
Glossary -
Essential Terms for Your Spain Move
NIE
“Número de Identidad de Extranjero”, which is a Foreigner Identification Number issued to non-Spanish residents for all official processes. It works like a tax ID and is necessary for banking, signing leases, paying taxes, and other bureaucratic steps. Every foreigner must have and activate their NIE in Spain.
TIE
“Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero” is a physical Foreigner Identity Card that proves your legal residency status in Spain. It contains your fingerprint data and your NIE number.
UGE
UGE (Unidad de Grandes Empresas y Colectivos Estratégicos) is the Spanish government department responsible for processing visa and residence permit applications for digital nomads.
Apostille
An official certification that authenticates a document issued in one country for use in another, required for key documents like background checks, marriage certificates, birth certificates, and diplomas.
Positive Administration Silence
A legal principle where if the government doesn’t respond within a certain time frame (typically 20 business days), your application is considered approved.
Autónomo
The legal status for freelancers/self-employed individuals in Spain, involving specific tax and social security obligations.
Sworn Translation
An official translation by a sworn translator recognized by Spanish authorities, required for foreign documents like marriage certificates, birth certificates, or diplomas.
Timeline & Income Requirements
Moving to Spain on the Digital Nomad Visa comes with specific requirements regarding documents and financial thresholds.
Importantly, the Spanish government requires that key documents, like your FBI criminal background check, marriage certificates, birth certificates, etc to be issued no more than six months before you submit your visa application.
This means you need to carefully plan your timeline so that your documents remain valid throughout the process. Starting your application preparation approximately six months before your intended move date strikes a good balance between readiness and avoiding expired paperwork that could delay your application.
Spain’s income requirements in 2025 are:
€2,763/month (~$2,900 USD) for a single applicant
An additional €1,036/month per adult dependent
€345/month per child dependent
Key takeaways:
Plan your timeline carefully to keep documents current.
Double-check you meet the correct income thresholds for your household size.
Engage Professional Support
Immigration Agency
Navigating Spanish immigration requirements is complex, so working with an immigration agency is strongly advised.
Immigration agencies typically:
Confirm your eligibility for the Digital Nomad Visa
Provide detailed checklists for required documents
Review and organize your paperwork
Submit your visa application electronically to the Spanish government office (UGE)
Some agencies include sworn translations of your documents within their fees; others do not, so confirming this early is key.
Spanish Tax Advisor
Alongside immigration help, hiring a Spanish tax advisor is crucial. They will:
Explain tax obligations and compliance for US freelancers living in Spain
Assist with activating your NIE number after arrival
Guide you in registering as a freelancer (autónomo) and filing Spanish taxes
Discuss their fees and ongoing service assistance to ease tax concerns
Tips:
Join Facebook Groups like Spain Digital Nomad Visa (DNV), Digital Nomad Visa Spain, or “Expats in [city name]” to ask for agency recommendations.
Do introduction calls with multiple agencies to find trustworthy, transparent experts.
Truly spend the time to do all the research on companies you are interested in. Search for them on Google or ChatGPT with search terms like “give me all the pros and cons you can find on [agency name]”.
Be wary of full-service, white glove agencies that charge a lot of money for their service. If you think it’s too expensive, it probably is.
Avoid agencies promising rushed processing or unverified guarantees.
Collect Required Documentation
Assembly of your application documents can take time and involves multiple steps, so begin early, especially as some must be apostilled before translation.
At minimum and, with the list being a non-exhaustive list, you will need:
A valid US passport with at least one year remaining validity and two blank visa pages
An FBI criminal record check, apostilled
Proof of at least 3 months of freelance income such as bank statements, invoices, and work agreement
Certificate of Good Standing from the company you are contracted to, apostilled
Diplomas or official proof of relevant work experience apostilled
Birth/marriage certificates for dependents, if applicable, all apostilled
The apostille process can take one to five weeks per document depending on your location, and certified translations through sworn translators recognized by Spanish authorities are mandatory to avoid rejection.
Tips:
Make sure the immigration agency you work with provide you with the exhaustive and comprehensive list of documents you will need for your application.
A great immigration agency will provide you with a way to upload all your documents into a centralized dashboard, as opposed to using emails.
Arrange Your US Affairs for Your Move
Deciding what to do with your current home is a big milestone.
If you are renting and you need to terminate your lease, make sure you know what that means and plan accordingly.
If you own your home, selling it provides liquidity but it might take time and effort, while renting it out may provide income but be aware of what that means for you when it comes to taxes. Early planning with your US and Spain tax advisors is essential to prevent surprises.
Separately, getting rid of unnecessary belongings way ahead of time helps ease the moving experience, reduces shipping costs, and lowers the burden on arrival.
Remember to transition your US phone plan closer to your move. Switch to a cheaper plan or suspend service to avoid paying for unused months.
Remember:
The right timing and an organized plan for your US affairs will reduce stress and help your relocation go more smoothly.
Submitting Your Visa Application
Once your documents are ready, your immigration agency will electronically submit your Digital Nomad Visa application to UGE, the Spanish government office handling residence permits.
Processing generally takes about 20 business days, excluding Spanish holidays. If you do not receive a response within this time, you can formally apply for “positive administrative silence,” meaning the administration’s lack of reply on your Digital Nomad Visa application will be interpreted as visa approval, though the final paperwork may take longer.
If you apply while still in the US, your visa will be valid for one year. Applying while physically in Spain will grant a three-year residence permit. Visa fees and associated costs are usually covered by your agency’s overall service charge; you typically won’t need to pay separately. Please confirm with them.
Prepare for Arrival in Spain
Congratulations, you’ve made it!
The visa approval is just the start of your journey. For detailed support on navigating post-arrival requirements, read our Settling In Spain Guide, a comprehensive companion designed to ease your transition and helping you get settled in Spain.
Tips:
Prepare both digital and paper copies of your essential documents including visa paperwork, contracts, and insurance.
Connect with expat and freelancer communities online to set foundations for local support.
Download the Free PDF
If this has been helpful and you would like to download the free PDF, click the button below. If you have any feedback, please reach out using the Contact form.
Need A Little Extra Help?
If you have more specific questions that the guide doesn’t cover, I offer a 30-minute video consultation for $50. I am happy to share my experience about our move to Spain as well as anything specific about living in the city of Valencia.