For the Spain digital nomad visa you typically need the national visa form, passport, criminal record certificates, Spanish-valid health insurance, company and contract documents, proof of income, proof of qualification and social security registration. Every foreign public document must be apostilled (or legalised) and translated into Spanish by a sworn translator.
Typical checklist
- National visa application form with a passport photo.
- Valid passport (consulates commonly require at least 1 year of validity and blank pages).
- Criminal record certificates, apostilled, from the countries of residence of the last 2 years, plus a sworn statement covering 5 years.
- Health insurance from an insurer authorised in Spain: no waiting periods, no co-payments; travel insurance is not accepted.
- Company certificate: length of the relationship, permission to telework from Spain; for freelancers, the commercial contracts and their terms.
- Proof that the company has had real activity for at least 1 year (registry certificate).
- Proof of income: payslips or invoices and matching bank statements.
- Degree (apostilled) or proof of 3 years of experience.
- Social security: employer registration in Spain or bilateral certificate (employees); RETA registration (freelancers).
- For family members: proof of relationship (marriage, birth certificates) and, where relevant, dependency.
Apostille
Foreign public documents (certificates, degrees, registry extracts) must carry the Hague apostille, or be legalised if the issuing country is not part of the Convention.
Sworn translation
Documents not in Spanish must be translated. Consulates accept translations made in Spain by a sworn translator appointed by the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, or made or accepted by a Spanish diplomatic or consular office.
Questions
Does my criminal record need an apostille?
Yes, like any foreign public document submitted with the application.
Can any translator translate my documents?
No. It must be a sworn translator appointed by the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, or a translation made or validated by a Spanish consulate.