💻 Digital nomad visa

Spain Digital Nomad Visa for US Citizens 2026

Spain Digital Nomad Visa for US citizens: FBI background check, Apostille, documents, financial requirements, consular application routes, family options and eligibility guidance.

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🇺🇸Spain Digital Nomad Visa for US Citizens

If you are a US citizen or a legal resident of the United States and want to live in Spain while working remotely, Spain's Digital Nomad Visa may be a route worth assessing. Your document checklist depends on your employment status, residence history and the Spanish consular jurisdiction handling the application.

🔎Who is this route for?

The route is for eligible non-EU nationals carrying out remote work or professional activity for companies or clients outside Spain. Self-employed applicants may have limited professional activity with Spanish companies within the applicable legal limit. A recognised degree or equivalent qualification, or at least 3 years of relevant professional experience, may be used to meet the professional qualification requirement.

💵Financial requirement

The financial threshold is linked to 200% of Spain's current SMI for the main applicant, with additional amounts for accompanying family members. The exact figure should be checked at the time of filing because the SMI and related calculations can change.

📄US documents to prepare

  • Valid passport and the national visa application form, where the consular route applies.
  • Proof of legal residence in the United States and proof that you fall within the competent Spanish consular jurisdiction.
  • Company documentation and evidence that the employer/company has the required history and activity.
  • Employment or professional relationship evidence showing the required duration, income and permission/terms for remote work from Spain.
  • Financial means and health-coverage evidence as required for the route.
  • A criminal background certificate covering the relevant residence period, with the authentication and translation required by the Spanish consular office.
  • Foreign public documents should be legalised/apostilled and accompanied by the required official Spanish translation where applicable.

🆔FBI background check, Apostille and translation

The Spanish Consulate in Washington currently requires the criminal background check to be issued by the FBI and states that State or Local Police checks are not accepted for that consular process. The FBI certificate must be authenticated with a Hague Apostille and accompanied by the required official Spanish translation. If you have lived in another country for a significant period during the relevant look-back period, additional certificates may be required.

🇺🇸US consular jurisdiction matters

Spanish consular offices accept applications according to their jurisdiction. For example, the Embassy of Spain in Washington states that its telework-visa service covers legal residents in Washington, D.C., Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia and North Carolina. Other US residents should use the Spanish consular office responsible for their place of legal residence and follow that office's current instructions.

🌎Applying from the United States

  1. Identify the Spanish consular office responsible for your legal residence.
  2. Prepare the employment/professional evidence, company documents and US-specific background-check documentation.
  3. Order the FBI background check early enough to complete Apostille and translation steps.
  4. Follow the competent consular office's appointment and submission procedure.
  5. If approved, follow the visa collection, entry and TIE instructions applicable to your case.

🇪🇸Already in Spain?

  1. Eligible applicants who are legally in Spain may be able to apply directly for the residence authorisation for international remote workers.
  2. The residence-authorisation route is different from the consular visa route and has its own documentation requirements.
  3. After approval, complete the applicable TIE/residence-card steps.

👨‍👩‍👧Family members

  • The spouse or unmarried partner may qualify under the applicable family rules.
  • Dependent children may qualify, subject to the applicable conditions.
  • Dependent relatives in the ascending line may qualify where the legal conditions are met.

Spain Digital Nomad Visa for US Citizens — FAQ

  • Can Americans apply for Spain's Digital Nomad Visa? Yes, US nationals can use the route if they meet the applicable requirements.
  • Do I need an FBI background check? The Spanish Consulate in Washington currently specifies an FBI-issued certificate and does not accept State or Local Police checks for that process.
  • Does the FBI check need an Apostille? Yes, the Washington consular guidance currently requires a Hague Apostille and the required official Spanish translation.
  • Can I apply while already in Spain? Eligible people who are legally in Spain may be able to use the residence-authorisation route.
  • Can my family join me? Eligible family members can apply under the applicable rules.

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