Spain Digital Nomad Visa Guide for Filipinos: Requirements, how to apply, and what to expect
As technology and connectivity advances all over the world, it is getting easier to work remotely while on the go – even while in another country. For Filipinos who want more time to rekindle their Hispanic heritage, visit the famous Sagrada Família or try some Spanish lechon, you can apply for the Spain digital nomad visa, or DNV for short.
Read on for more information on the Spain digital nomad visa, how Filipinos can apply for it, and even how it can be a fast-track to citizenship in the country. To help digital nomads from the Philippines working in Spain, we’ll also introduce Wise, which enables remote workers to hold, exchange, receive, send and spend multiple currencies conveniently.
| Table of contents |
|---|
What is the Spain digital nomad visa?
The Spain digital nomad visa is issued via the Consulate General of Spain in Manila1 and application can be done through BLS International2, the official partner of the Embassy of Spain in the Philippines.
Launched in early 20233, the digital nomad visa Spain is for international teleworkers from countries outside the European Economic Area. They must also be self-employed or employed by a company outside of Spain. There are other digital nomad visa Spain requirements, such as those around income and tertiary education.
While successful Spain digital nomad visa applicants can take their loved ones along, their Spain digital nomad visa income requirements will also be increased accordingly. We’ll go into more detail below.
Who can get a Spain DNV?
The Spain digital nomad visa is open to foreigners who are outside the European Economic Area4. These people are nationals of countries that are neither from the European Union nor the European Free Trade Association. Therefore, the Spain DNV excludes those from the Netherlands, Ireland, Iceland, Portugal, and so on. This means that those in the Philippines are able to apply for the Spain digital nomad visa – thanks also to the close ties of the Spanish and Filipino governments. Other nationalities that are also eligible for Spain DNV application are Singapore, New Zealand, America and Canada.
Due to potential regulatory changes in Spain, do check with BLS International or your closest Spanish consulate in the Philippines for the latest updates on the Spain digital nomad visa.
Digital nomad visa Spain requirements for Filipinos
For the Spain digital nomad visa, Philippines citizens will need to submit documents alongside their application. These include proof of your identity, medical history, criminal record and employment. Those taking family along will also need to submit other documents.
Do note that all documents in English must be translated to Spanish by a recognised Spanish translator accredited by the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Here is a checklist of the digital nomad visa Spain requirements:
- National application form (2 copies)
- One recent passport-size photo with white background (to be pasted on the application form)
- Valid passport (validity of at least 12 months)
- 1 complete photocopy of the valid passport
- Foreigner Identity Number (NIE)
- 790 tax form (code 052)
- Proof of education, employment and employment duration
- Private Health Insurance Coverage by an insurance company accredited in Spain
- Medical Certificate done at any Department of Health DOH accredited hospital or clinic (valid for 3 months from the date of issuance)
- NBI Clearance (National Bureau of Investigation) authenticated by the Department of Foreign Affairs (valid 6 months from the date of issuance)
- Other documents as required, for example birth or marriage certificates of accompanying family
The Spain digital nomad visa applicant must include a copy of the degree that accredits their professional experience of at least 3 years. For example, this can be a qualification issued by the university, vocational training institute or business school. Those who are employed must have a minimum employment or professional relationship of 3 months at the date of the application. Both employees and self-employed workers need to provide proof to show the tenure of the contractual relationship and that they are allowed to work remotely.
The onus is also on the applicant to get accreditation of their employer’s real and continuous activity for at least 1 year. They will also need a Certificate from the Business Registry (or similar) that shows when the company was incorporated and the type of activity(s) it is involved in.
For applicants who were not fully based in the Philippines, they must also present the Police/NBI Clearance from their places of residence within the last 5 years, authenticated by the corresponding authorities.
Spain digital nomad visa income requirements
For your digital nomad visa Spain application, you also need to submit documents that show you can support yourself financially while working from the country. This proof of your solvency and economic means can come in the form of an official and apostilled income statement such as payslips or bank statement.
You will need to earn a minimum of 2,160 EUR a month (about 135,000 PHP). This is roughly twice of what Spain’s lowest paid workers earn. Those with family coming along will also need to have more earning power. This is an additional 810 EUR (about 51,000 PHP) for the first family member, and 540 EUR (about 34,000 PHP) for subsequent members.
How to apply for a Spain digital nomad visa
Before you submit your Spain digital nomad visa application, make sure you first apply for your Foreigner Identity Number (NIE)5. This must be done if not your Spain digital nomad visa application will not be approved. The fee for the NIE application is 8.45 EUR (600 PHP) and must be paid by card at the Consular office on the day of the appointment.
Once that is done, gather all your other documents and get them translated and apostilled. Still prior to submission, you’ll also need to book a visa appointment with the consulate via BLS International. You must go personally with your passport and full set of documents. No walk-ins will be entertained.
Pay the Spain digital nomad visa application fee, before leaving your passport with the embassy/consulate while they make a decision (you can collect it once they have finished with their review, around 15 to 45 calendar days).
As of 12 October 2024, the visa application fee for the Spain digital nomad visa is 5,490 PHP. The visa application fee should be settled and paid in cash at the submission window inside the Visa Application Centre. There is also a BLS International service charge of 1,030 PHP. Fees are non-refundable and subject to change due to fluctuating interest rates.
Get in touch with BLS International in Manila or Cebu, or directly with the consulate at
- Tel: (+63 2) 8817 99 97 - 8817 66 76
- Email: emb.manila@maec.es
- Address: 27th Floor, BDO Equitable Tower, 8751 Paseo de Roxas, 1226 Makati City, Metro Manila
The office is open from 8am to 4.30pm, Mondays to Thursdays; and from 8am to 1.30pm on Fridays..
How long is the Spain DNV valid for?
The Spain DNV is valid for 1 year, and can be extended up to a total of 5 years. After the first year in Spain, digital nomads can apply for a residency permit extension that lengthens the duration of stay for up to 3 years. Following that, it can be renewed for 2 more years.
For Filipinos considering Spanish citizenship, they are able to apply for this after living in Spain for just 2 years6. For others, the legal residency periods can be up to 10 years.
What to expect working as a digital nomad in Spain
Digital nomads in Spain can enjoy the county’s diversity and vibrance. For instance, cities Madrid and Barcelona are dynamic, with excellent instructure for remote workers, such as co-working spaces and the ease of day trips to Toledo, Girona thanks to a robust public transportation network for a daily change of scenery.
Filipino cuisine is also intertwined with Spanish food, due to the Philippines being a Spanish colony many centuries ago. You will find familiar-tasting dishes such as rice dish Paella from Valencia; slow-cooked stew Callos from its capital, Madrid; and ox tongue stew Lengua Estofado, which was inspired by Andalusian-style cuisine.
Cost of living in Spain
The cost of living in Spain can vary vastly from urban areas to more rural towns. For this guide, we will be looking at the lively Barcelona and Madrid, where most people settle for work. To put things into perspective, Mercer’s 2024 Cost of Living Survey7 ranked Barcelona at 66, and Madrid at 76, compared to Manila, which ranked lower at 131.
| Barcelona⁸ | Madrid⁹ | |
|---|---|---|
| Rent - 1 bed apartment in city centre | About 1,300 EUR per month (about 80,000 PHP) | About 1,300 EUR per month (about 83,500 PHP) |
| Utilities (monthly) | About 170 EUR (about 11,000 PHP) | About 158 EUR (about 9,900 PHP) |
| Transport - local ticket, one way | About 2.55 EUR (about 160 PHP) | About 1.5 EUR (about 94 PHP) |
| Meal in an inexpensive restaurant | About 15 EUR (about 940 PHP) | About 15 EUR (about 940 PHP) |
| Cinema ticket | About 9.5 EUR (about 560 PHP) | About 11 EUR (about 690 PHP) |
- Price information correct at time of research 12 October 2024
Getting paid from abroad? Use Wise to receive payment and spend in Spain without any hidden fees
While you travel and work remotely from Spain, individuals on the Spain digital nomad visa can consider using the Wise account to receive their salary and work payments from abroad. With over 8+ account details including GBP, CAD, and more, you’ll be able to receive and convert your salary at the mid-market rate with absolutely no hidden fees.¹⁰
Whether it’s exchanging it for Philippine pesos to send back home, or euros for your overseas expenses, the Wise account holds over 40+ currencies. You can also get a linked Wise prepaid card that allows you to pay for your daily expenses in Spain, along with 150+ other countries. If you find yourself needing some cash, the Wise card even offers some free ATM withdrawals of up to 12,000 PHP
Still pondering your digital nomad visa application? We hope that this guide to the Spain digital nomad visa requirements can help make your decision a little easier. Whether you plan to fly to Spain, or anywhere else in the world, take Wise along on your journey to make spending more convenient and a little bit cheaper.
🌎 Transation seamlessly and start working from Spain
Sources
- Consulate General of Spain in Manila - Digital Nomad Visa
- BLS International - Digital Nomad Visa
- CNBC Travel: ‘Digital nomads’ can now live in Spain with their families — if they earn enough
- Eurostat: European Economic Area
- Foreigner Identity Number (NIE)
- Spain Directorate-General of Public Governance
- Mercer’s 2024 Cost of Living Survey
- Numbeo: Cost of Living in Barcelona, October 2024
- Numbeo: Cost of Living in Madrid, October 2024
- Pricing/fees: Please see Terms of Use for your region or visit Wise Fees & Pricing for the most up-to-date pricing and fee information
*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.
This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.
We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.
