One of the most exciting lifestyles in the world is being a digital nomad. It allows you to have a career that's lucrative and exciting but also a lifestyle that will enable you to travel all of the time. If you're someone with an adventurous spirit and an ache for travel, becoming a digital nomad is probably one of your best lifestyles.
The digital nomad visa is a particular type of visa for travelers who want to come to Spain but don't plan on staying here for long periods. It's also called the freelance visa or the self-employed visa. This article will give you all the information you need about how to apply for one and what it involves.
What Is a Digital Nomad?
In short, a digital nomad is someone who works remotely. Digital nomads are self-employed individuals who have the freedom to work from anywhere in the world. They can work from home or in a coworking space, but they can also travel around and choose where they want to go.
Digital nomads may be working for themselves or someone else. Still, they all have one thing in common: They have an internet connection and access to their chosen profession (whether it be web development or graphic design), allowing them to work from home, from coworking spaces, or even if they're sitting at a cafe with their laptops open.
Countless benefits come along with being a digital nomad, including but not limited to:
- You can travel for long periods or even indefinitely if you're making enough money to sustain yourself and your travels.
- You can live in countless different countries, as long as they have stable internet connections and you're able to continue doing your work.
- With most freelance visas, you can stay in places for as long as you'd like and don't have to feel rushed to move around all the time.
- You can do the work you care about the most, as long as it's a job requiring only a portable workstation setup.
- You can make friends with people worldwide and not have to be confined to one community for your whole life.
What Is a Freelance Visa?
A freelance visa allows you to work in a country without being employed by an employer. The requirements for obtaining a freelance visa are different depending on where you're trying to apply, but generally speaking, you'll need:
- A letter of recommendation from your bank
- Proof of financial stability (bank statement)
You'll need to apply for a freelance visa if you plan to work in Spain as an independent contractor. To do this, you'll need to prove that you can support yourself financially and have a bank account with at least six months of living expenses. You also need health insurance and a valid passport.
How To Get a Freelance Visa in Spain
The process starts with an appointment with your nearest Spanish consulate or embassy. The first step is to get certified copies of all your documents (such as your birth certificate, driver's license, and ID card) translated into Spanish by a sworn translator. This will cost around $50 per document but can be found online for much less if you look hard enough.
After taking these documents along with one passport-sized photo (digital photos taken at home are usually fine) and proof of payment for the visa application fee, applicants will attend an interview. There, they are fingerprinted electronically before receiving their permanent residence card within ten days of applying.
Applying for a Freelance Visa in Spain
When applying for a freelance visa in Spain, there are a lot of different things that you will need to do. Luckily, they're all relatively straightforward processes that are simple to follow, as long as you have a professional level of functionality and awareness in the modern world.
Schedule an Appointment with a Spanish Embassy
The first step of this process is opening interaction with the Spanish embassy. This is essential because it opens all the lines of communication and ensures you're on the right track to living in Spain.
Gather Necessary Documents
Once you've met with the embassy, you'll likely have a list of documents you will need to apply for your freelance visa in Spain. You must have all of these documents in order, so ensure you get the right ones. Make sure you don't miss any documents, or you'll likely have to schedule another visit entirely.
Go to the Spanish Embassy In Person
Going to the Spanish consulate or embassy is when your application will be officially turned in. Ensure you thoroughly prepare for this meeting to have the most optimal experience with the embassy. This meeting will inform the embassy of whether or not they will allow you into Spain as a freelancer.
Wait for the Decision To Be Approved
Waiting for the visa application decision can take a while, so don't worry if it takes multiple weeks or even months. Occasionally, you may be asked to provide more documents and information to help the embassy decide. This is relatively normal, so don't worry about it too much.
Claim Your Visa
If your visa application is accepted, then you will receive notice from the embassy, and you will be able to claim your visa, passport information, and various other documents that will be necessary. Once done, you can officially move into Spain as a freelancer or digital nomad and stay there as long as your visa allows.
Why You Should Be a Digital Nomad in Spain
- Great weather
- Excellent food culture
- Long history
- It’s popular for ex-pats
- You don’t need a local residence permit
Spain is an excellent choice for a digital nomad visa because of its weather, food, and people. The weather in Spain is perfect for year-round travelers.
Great Weather
Madrid has an average temperature of 72 degrees Fahrenheit (22 degrees Celsius) during the summer months and 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius) during the winter months. In Barcelona, it's slightly warmer at 74 degrees Fahrenheit (23 degrees Celsius) in the summer and 56 degrees Fahrenheit (13 degrees Celsius) in the winter. You'll have plenty of sunshine to enjoy too.
Excellent Food Culture
In terms of food, Spain offers a diverse selection of different cuisines: Mediterranean seafood dishes like paella or grilled octopus; sophisticated Spanish tapas such as tortilla Espanola; classic French bistros serving duck confit or beef bourguignon; Moroccan tagines with couscous — the list goes on and on.
Long History
And if you're looking for some culture while you're abroad, there's no shortage here either: museums featuring works by Picasso or Goya; historic cathedrals built centuries ago; flamenco shows full of passion and energy that will leave you breathless.
It’s Popular for Ex-pats
If you end up loving Spain so much that you decide to settle down there, that's also a viable option since Spain is one of the most popular destinations for ex-pats. There are many communities around the country full of people from all over the world and likely many people from your home country.
You Don’t Need a Local Residence Permit
A digital nomad visa allows you to live and work in Spain without needing a local residence permit. This means that if you plan on staying in the country for over 90 days, this visa is an easy way out of the complicated residency process. However, it comes with its own set of requirements and fees.
Conclusion
If you want to become a digital nomad, Spain is the place to do it. The country has everything you need: beautiful beaches, great food and wine, and plenty of work opportunities. And while it might seem like a lot of paperwork when starting with this lifestyle, we promise it's worth the hassle.
If you're interested in immigrating or traveling to Europe, you've come to the right place. Here at ETIAS, our mission is to make sure that people can travel the world efficiently and quickly without worrying about international travel's countless struggles and frustrations.
Next time you head out on an adventure across the seas, feel free to check out our articles, blogs, and other posts on how you can do that in the safest way possible. Traveling around the world can be stressful and frustrating, but with ETIAS's resources, everything is possible. Check out some of our latest articles.
Sources:
What Is a Digital Nomad? Pros and Cons of Digital Nomad Life - 2022 | MasterClass
Digital Nomad Definition | Investopedia
Spain | History, Map, Flag, Population, Currency, Climate, & Facts | Britannica