Unlock Spain: the ultimate Spanish digital nomad visa guide for Canadian residents in 2025-26

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

Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa was created as part of the country’s broader initiative to attract foreign investment and talent, particularly in the technology and startup sectors. This visa allows remote workers and freelancers to reside in Spain while continuing to work for companies or clients based outside the country. Whether you’re a full-time employee for a Canada-based company or a freelancer working with international clients, this visa provides the legal framework for living in Spain without requiring you to secure employment within the country.

For Canadian citizens, Spain offers an amalgamation of lifestyle advantages, which make it a desirable destination for people looking for a change of pace and warmer winters. The visa also allows you to bring immediate family members, which makes it easier for those with spouses and children. Also, the time zone difference can be favourable for remote workers dealing with clients or employers in Canada, as the gap provides flexibility in managing work and family time.

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, this 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.

To qualify for the Digital Nomad Visa, Canadian 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 Canadian applicants, there are some specific rules to keep in mind:

You can apply for the Digital Nomad Visa either through the Spanish Consulate corresponding to your place of residence in Canada or from within Spain if you are there legally as a tourist or holding another residence permit.

If applying through the Consulate, before applying for the Spanish Digital Nomad Visa for Canadian Residents you must apply for a NIE number. The consular process usually requires booking an appointment, although in some cases documents may be sent via courier. Appointment availability can be limited, so it is advisable to begin the process as early as possible. Once you have secured an appointment, you will need to submit all the required documentation.

Currently, there are 3 Spanish Consulates in Canada: Ottawa, Toronto, and Montreal, each with jurisdiction over different provinces. You can check which Consulate corresponds to your place of residence at the official Spanish Embassy page here.

If your application is approved, you will 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.

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.

Canada and Spain signed a Social Security Agreement (1997, amended in 2010), which guarantees the coordination of social security benefits and totalization periods between the two countries. This agreement is particularly beneficial for Canadian digital nomads, as it allows them to avoid double social security contributions and ensures that periods of employment in one country count toward pensions and other benefits in the other.

Canadian digital nomads need to apply for a Certificate of Coverage from the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) or Québec Pension Plan (QPP), depending on their province of contribution. This certificate proves that you are contributing to the Canadian system and exempts you from contributing to Spain’s social security program.

It’s crucial to keep this documentation up to date to avoid complications during your stay in Spain. Also, please note that this certificate must be apostilled and, if it is not issued in a multilingual format, it must be translated into Spanish by a sworn translator.

Furthermore, the validity period of this certificate will determine the duration of your exemption in Spain, which in practice can affect the duration of your Digital Nomad Visa.

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 every 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 for Canadian Residents, 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 Canadian and Spanish law. In case of visa denial or revocation, you may be able to appeal the decision, though the process can get 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.

For Canadian residents who want to experience life in Europe while continuing to work remotely for Canadian or international employers, Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa offers an excellent opportunity. This visa allows you to reside long-term in Spain, enjoy its lifestyle and culture, and travel freely throughout the Schengen Zone. Before applying, Canadian applicants should carefully review the professional and financial requirements, prepare all documentation in line with Canadian standards — including RCMP criminal record checks and apostilles issued by Global Affairs Canada — and fully understand their tax and social security obligations under the Canada–Spain agreement. To ensure a smooth process and avoid delays, it is highly advisable to consult with legal and tax professionals familiar with both Canadian and Spanish systems.

If you need expert guidance on the Spanish Digital Nomad Visa or any related immigration matter, you can contact us through the form below, our contact page, or by phone. We will help you navigate every step of the process with confidence.

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