How to get your Spanish digital nomad visa for British residents: from application to approval in 2025-26

For British citizens and residents, Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa provides an ideal opportunity to experience the Spanish lifestyle while maintaining professional commitments back home and UK salary. This visa allows Brits to live in Spain while working remotely for a company or as a freelancer, provided the majority of their income comes from sources outside Spain.

For British residents looking to make the most of the digital nomad experience, Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa provides an excellent solution. This guide will explore the visa’s details, eligibility requirements, the application process for British residents, and the legal responsibilities that come with it.

If you are a British citizen or resident who works remotely or is self-employed in the UK and wants to live in Spain, the Digital Nomad Visa is perfect for you. It enables you to keep your remote job from the UK while living in Spain. Therefore, you can immerse yourself in a new culture without the worry of searching for a new job. This visa gives you the freedom to live in Spain while continuing your remote work and keeping your UK income.

This guide provides an overview of the Digital Nomad Visa for UK residents, outlining the eligibility criteria, application process, social security considerations, and legal responsibilities. By understanding these key aspects, UK residents can make informed decisions and navigate the process smoothly.

Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa is designed for individuals who wish to live in Spain while working remotely for companies or clients located outside the country. It provides a legal framework for digital nomads, ensuring they can reside in Spain while maintaining employment with non-Spanish entities or operating as freelancers for international clients.

For UK citizens, this visa has attained significant attraction post-Brexit, as it offers a way to live in Spain long-term while adhering to immigration rules. It is especially appealing for those who wish to spend extended time in Spain while maintaining ties to their British-based careers.

The Spanish Digital Nomad Visa also allows you to bring family members along, making it a viable option for individuals looking to relocate with their partners or children. This adds to its attractiveness for UK professionals seeking a better work-life balance (and a better weather).

Professional requirements

You must either have an undergraduate degree or postgraduate degree from a recognized university or business school or have at least three years of work experience in your current field. Additionally, self-employed applicants can work for Spanish companies, however such work cannot exceed 20% of their professional activity. Moreover, you must prove that you have been working for the company for at least three months and that the company has been operating for at least one year.

Financial requirements

To qualify for the Digital Nomad Visa, UK residents must meet a certain set of financial requirements. The current income threshold is set at 200% of the Spanish minimum wage (SMI) for the main applicant, 75% for the first family member, and 25% for each additional family member. You must show proof of sufficient funds to support yourself while living in Spain. Employment contracts, invoices, payslips, bank statements, or other evidence of steady income can all qualify as proof.

For UK applicants, there are some specific rules to keep in mind:

Criminal Record Certificate: You must provide an ACRO Police Certificate, issued within the last three months before your application. Some Consulates may accept slightly older documents, but it is advisable to ensure the certificate is recent.

Apostille: All UK documents (including the ACRO certificate) must be legalized with the Hague Apostille issued by the UK Legalisation Office (Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office – FCDO) and translated into Spanish by a sworn translator.

ACRO Certificates: If the ACRO certificate is issued directly by the UK ACRO Criminal Records Office, notarization is not required, as long as the document bears the official signature and seal.

Other Countries: If you have lived in another country during the last five years, you will also need to provide a criminal record certificate from the authorities of that country, duly legalized and translated.

You can apply for the DNV either through the Spanish Consulate corresponding to your place of residence in the United Kingdom (London, Manchester, Edinburgh) or from within Spain if you are there legally as a tourist or holding a different residence permit.

If applying through the Consulate, before applying for the Digital Nomad Visa for UK Residents every applicant must apply for a NIE number. The Consular process usually requires booking an appointment, although in some cases, documents may be sent via courier. It’s important to be aware that appointment availability can be limited, so it’s advisable to begin the process as early as possible. Once you’ve secured an appointment, you’ll need to submit all the required documentation.

Currently, there are three Spanish Consulates in the United Kingdom: London, Edinburgh, and Manchester. Each Consulate covers a specific jurisdiction depending on where you live, and you must apply through the Consulate that corresponds to your place of residence.

• Consulate General of Spain in London
  Covers England (except some northern areas), Wales, and Northern Ireland. Most UK applicants will fall under this jurisdiction, so appointments in London can be highly in demand.
• Consulate General of Spain in Edinburgh
  Covers Scotland. Applicants residing anywhere in Scotland must apply through Edinburgh.
• Consulate General of Spain in Manchester
  Covers certain areas of Northern England (including, for example, Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Cheshire, Lancashire, and surrounding counties). This Consulate was opened to relieve some of the workload from London and to make procedures more accessible for residents in the north of England.

You can check in detail which Consulate corresponds to your area of residence on the official Spanish Embassy website here.

If your application is approved, you’ll be asked to collect your visa within the designated timeframe and travel to Spain. After your arrival, the next step will be to apply for your Foreigner Identity Card (TIE).

The in-country process is done electronically, submitting all documents online to the Unit for Large Companies and Strategic Collectives (UGE-CE). Upon approval, you will receive a resolution which allows you to book an appointment at your local police station to request your TIE.

It is important to ensure all paperwork is in order, including apostilles and sworn translations of documents into Spanish, if needed.

In general terms, the following documentation must be submitted:

However, the final documentation required may vary depending on each specific case, and the Spanish administration may request additional documents if necessary. We can assist you in reviewing and preparing the documentation, tailoring the application to your particular circumstances.

It is important to ensure all paperwork is in order, including apostilles and sworn translations of documents into Spanish, if needed.

Once submitted, visa applications at the Consulate should take 10 working days, and the in-country applications should take 20 working days to process. However, sometimes it can take longer. In case of visa applications through the Consulate, you will be notified by the Spanish consulate once your visa is approved, at which point you can travel to Spain and begin your new life as a digital nomad.

The United Kingdom and Spain have a bilateral social security agreement that guarantees the coordination of social security benefits between the two countries. This agreement allows digital nomads to avoid double social security contributions and ensures that periods of employment in one country count toward benefits in the other.

As a British resident, you will need to obtain an A1 Certificate of Coverage from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC). This certificate proves that you remain subject to the UK’s National Insurance system while working abroad and prevents double social security contributions in both the UK and Spain.

How to request the A1 Certificate:

• Applications are made directly through HMRC. The process can be initiated online or by submitting the paper form CA3821 (“Application for a certificate to confirm you remain subject to UK National Insurance contributions”).
• You will usually need to provide details of your UK employer (if applicable), your role, expected duration of work abroad, and your Spanish address.
• HMRC can take several weeks to issue the certificate, so it is advisable to apply as early as possible before starting your Digital Nomad Visa (DNV) application.

Important requirements:

• The A1 Certificate must be apostilled by the UK Legalisation Office (part of the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office – FCDO).
• Once apostilled, the certificate must be translated into Spanish by a sworn translator.
• The validity period stated on your A1 Certificate will determine the duration of your Spanish Digital Nomad Visa. For example, if HMRC issues an A1 valid for two years, your visa will generally match this duration.

This agreement simplifies the process of living and working remotely in Spain without being subject to duplicated social security payments. Nevertheless, it is imperative to ensure that you are compliant with both United Kingdom and Spanish regulations to avoid any legal complications.

It’s crucial to keep up-to-date records of your social security status in the UK. Additionally, you must notify both the British and Spanish authorities if your employment status changes while living in Spain.

As a holder of a Digital Nomad Visa, you will be able to reside in Spain for a maximum period of three years, with the option to renew up to five years if the conditions continue to be met. However, if you submit the application through the Consulate, the visa will initially be granted for one year, also renewable. Additionally, you are permitted to travel within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days within 180 days.

Spain offers favourable tax conditions for digital nomads, especially under the Beckham Law, which allows certain foreign workers to pay a flat tax rate of 24% on income up to €600,000. This can provide significant savings compared to the standard progressive tax rates.

If your visa is issued under the option of the Certificate of Coverage, you can consider if applying for a Beckham rule taxation is beneficial in your case. Otherwise, digital nomads in Spain are generally considered to be regular tax residents in Spain in a calendar year when they spent more than 183 days in the Spanish territory.

For any tax related question, we always recommend seeking individual advice with a tax lawyer.

Non-compliance with the terms of the Spanish Digital Nomad Visa, such as failing to maintain your primary income from non-Spanish sources or not meeting tax obligations, could have serious consequences. For example, your visa could be revoked, and you could face legal action from the Spanish authorities.

It’s important to seek legal advice from an expert familiar with both UK and Spanish law. In case of visa denial or revocation, you may be able to appeal the decision, though the process can be complex. If your application has been denied and you are still within the appeal period, we can assist you with preparing and filing the appeal.

The Digital Nomad Visa for UK Residents provides a unique opportunity for British residents who want to live in Spain post-Brexit while maintaining their remote work commitments in the UK. Its flexibility accommodates a wide range of professions, from freelancers to remote employees and covers family members. By meeting the eligibility requirements, submitting a well-prepared application, and complying with social security and tax regulations, you can take full advantage of this visa and the Spanish lifestyle on your UK income.

Before embarking on this journey, it’s essential to gather all necessary documents, stay informed about Spain’s tax and legal obligations, and seek expert advice when needed. By following the guidelines outlined in this guide, UK residents can navigate the process smoothly and enjoy a successful and fulfilling experience as digital nomads in Spain.

If you need expert guidance on the Spanish Digital Nomad Visa or any related immigration process, reach out to us through the form below, our contact page, or give us a call. We’re here to help you navigate every step of the way.

This article is written in collaboration with Julia Gateman, a member of the Legal Support Team at Klev&Vera.