Many Indian professionals who work remotely have long looked at places like Bali or Thailand as work-from-anywhere hubs. Now, a European country is joining that list. Spain has rolled out a new Digital Nomad Visa, and it is giving well-paid Indian professionals a legal way to live and work in Europe for several years.
The catch? You need a strong income and solid work experience.
What Spain’s new digital nomad visa is all about
Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa is designed for people who work online for companies or clients outside Spain. This means you can live in Spain but continue working for your Indian employer, overseas clients, or your own remote business.
The visa can last for up to five years, which makes it very different from short tourist visas that many remote workers rely on. With this visa, your stay and work status are fully legal, clear, and long-term.
Who can apply from India?
This visa is clearly for high-earning professionals. For Indian citizens, the income bar is set quite high. A single applicant must earn more than Rs 30 lakh a year. For couples applying together, the combined income must cross Rs 40 lakh annually.
Apart from income, applicants must have at least three years of professional work experience. You also need to show that you have been working remotely for at least the last three months before applying.
The work you do must be for clients or companies based outside Spain. In simple terms, you cannot take up a local Spanish job on this visa. It is meant for consultants, tech professionals, freelancers, founders, and others whose work can be done online. As long as your income comes from outside Spain and meets the required level, your profession itself is not restricted.
Documents needed for digital nomad visa
Applicants must submit proof of income through employment letters or client contracts. You also need bank statements for the last three months to show steady earnings. Proof of residence within the consular area is also required. Other required documents include a police clearance certificate from Indian authorities and international health insurance, in addition to other identification documents. Applicants must submit proof of their academic qualifications or professional experience. This can be an original or a copy of a degree from a reputed university, training institute, or business school. All this paperwork is submitted through the Spanish consulate in India. Details available on the official website.
Cost and approval time for the digital nomad visa
The basic visa application fee is around Rs 8,000. However, once you add document translations, insurance, and other processing costs, the total expense can go up to about Rs 1 lakh. The good news is that approval does not take too long, and applications are usually processed within about 30 days from the date of submission.
The visa fee must be paid at the time of application. The amount can vary depending on nationality. Citizens of countries such as Australia, Bangladesh, Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom may be charged different fees due to reciprocity rules.
Can you bring your family on a digital nomad visa?
Yes. One of the best parts about this visa is that you can bring your spouse and children with you. They will be given a dependent visa. Family members must submit documents that clearly prove their relationship with the main applicant.