Your guide to the Spanish digital nomad visa for Australian residents in 2025-26: live in Europe while working remotely

For Australian 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 Australian residents, 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 an Australia-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 Australian residents, Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa (DNV) presents a unique opportunity to enjoy a lifestyle that blends work and travel across Europe. With Spain’s excellent connectivity, you can easily explore neighbouring European countries while keeping your professional ties in Australia intact.

One of the key advantages of the DNV is that it also covers family members, allowing you to relocate with your spouse, children, or dependent relatives. This makes it particularly attractive for Australians looking for a family-friendly relocation option that combines career stability with cultural enrichment.

For families, this visa provides the possibility to settle in Spain while children attend local or international schools, and partners benefit from residence rights as dependants. For professionals, it means the freedom to keep working for Australian companies or clients, without needing to shift their business structure to Spain.

Для оформления визы нужно иметь диплом бакалавра или магистра, выданный признанным университетом или бизнес-школой, либо подтвердить как минимум три года опыта работы в своей сфере. Самозанятые лица могут сотрудничать с испанскими компаниями, однако эта деятельность не должна превышать 20% общей профессиональной нагрузки. Также необходимо подтвердить, что заявитель работает на компанию минимум три месяца, а компания функционирует не менее одного года.

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

Справка о несудимости: You must provide a National Police Check issued by the Australian Federal Police (AFP). This certificate should be issued within the last three months before your application. Some Consulates may accept slightly older documents, but it is strongly recommended that the certificate be recent.

Апостиль: All Australian documents (including the AFP certificate) must be legalized with the Hague Apostille issued by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). Once apostilled, documents must be translated into Spanish by a sworn translator.

AFP Certificates: The AFP National Police Check must include your full name, date of birth, and any aliases if applicable. If obtained directly from the AFP, additional notarization is not required, as long as the document carries the official AFP seal and signature.

Проживание в других странах: если вы проживали в другой стране в последние пять лет, необходимо предоставить справку о несудимости от властей этой страны, также легализованную и переведенную на испанский язык.

Your application can be submitted either through the Spanish Consulate corresponding to your place of residence in Australia or from within Spain, provided you meet the legal stay requirements (for example, entering as a tourist or holding another valid residence permit).

Applying through the Consulate:

Before applying for the Digital Nomad Visa, every applicant must first apply for an NIE (Número de Identidad de Extranjero).

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 highly recommended to start the process as early as possible.

Once your appointment is confirmed, you must submit all required documentation.

Spanish Consulates in Australia

You can submit your application through the Spanish Consulate that corresponds to your place of residence in Australia. Spain has several consular offices across the country, each covering a specific jurisdiction:

• Embassy of Spain in Canberra (Consular Section)
  Jurisdiction: Australian Capital Territory (ACT) and Queanbeyan. If you live in these areas, your application must be processed here.
• Consulate General of Spain in Sydney
  Jurisdiction: New South Wales (NSW), Queensland (QLD), and Northern Territory (NT).
• Consulate General of Spain in Melbourne
  Jurisdiction: Victoria (VIC), South Australia (SA), Tasmania (TAS), and Western Australia (WA).

There are also honorary consulates in places like Cairns, Darwin, and Perth, but these provide limited services and are not generally used for Digital Nomad Visa applications.

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

Practical tip: Appointment availability may vary depending on the Consulate and demand, so it is advisable to book well in advance.

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

Applying from within Spain:

The in-country application is done electronically, submitting all documents online to the Unit for Large Companies and Strategic Collectives (UGE-CE).

Once approved, you will receive a resolution that allows you to book an appointment at your local police station to request your TIE.

Important reminder:

Make sure that all your paperwork is in order, including apostilles and sworn translations of documents into Spanish, where required.

In general terms, the following documentation must be submitted when applying for Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa:

Important note: The exact documentation required may vary depending on your specific circumstances, and the Spanish authorities may request additional documents if they consider it necessary.

We can assist you in reviewing and preparing your documentation, ensuring your application is complete and tailored to your individual situation.

После подачи заявки на визу через консульство ее рассмотрение обычно занимает около 10 рабочих дней, а при подаче внутри страны — около 20 рабочих дней. Однако в некоторых случаях процесс может занять больше времени. В случае подачи заявки через консульство вы получите уведомление от испанского консульства о том, что ваша виза одобрена. После этого вы сможете отправиться в Испанию и легально проживать и работать как цифровой кочевник.

Australia and Spain have a bilateral Social Security Agreement that coordinates certain benefits, such as pensions and healthcare rights, and ensures that contribution periods in one country can count toward entitlements in the other. However, this agreement does not extend to remote workers applying under Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa (DNV).

Accordingly, the way your application is structured will depend on your employment status:

• If you are self-employed:
  Your application must include a sworn declaration confirming that, once your DNV is granted, you will register as a self-employed worker (autónomo) with the Spanish Social Security system (Seguridad Social). As an autónomo, you will be legally required to pay monthly social security contributions in Spain, as well as comply with Spanish tax obligations on your income.
• If you are employed by a company:
  In order to apply for the DNV, your employer must register with the Spanish Social Security system and formally enrol you as their employee. This means the company will be responsible for employer contributions, while you will also be liable for employee contributions under Spanish law. Without this registration, your application cannot be accepted.

In both cases, compliance with Spanish social security and tax regulations is mandatory. Failure to do so could result in the denial or later revocation of your DNV, as well as potential legal consequences.

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, particularly 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 result in significant savings compared to Spain’s standard progressive tax rates.

If your DNV is issued under the employer registration framework (where your company registers with the Spanish Social Security system and enrols you as an employee), you may be eligible to apply for the Beckham regime. This could provide you with a simplified and advantageous tax treatment, depending on your income level and circumstances.

If you are not covered under the Beckham regime, you will generally be treated as a regular Spanish tax resident once you spend more than 183 days in Spain during a calendar year. This means your worldwide income would be subject to Spain’s progressive tax rates.

For any tax-related questions, it is strongly recommended that you seek individual advice from a tax lawyer, as the choice between the Beckham regime and standard taxation can have major long-term implications.

Non-compliance with the terms of the 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 Australian 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.

Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa (DNV) offers Australians a unique opportunity to live and work in one of Europe’s most desirable destinations while maintaining professional ties in Australia. With its Mediterranean climate, rich cultural heritage, and access to the Schengen Zone, Spain is not only a great place to base yourself as a digital nomad but also a gateway to the rest of Europe.

For Australians, the DNV provides:

• The flexibility to continue working for Australian employers or clients without relocating your business structure to Spain.
• The ability to bring your spouse, children, or dependants with you, making it an excellent choice for families seeking an international experience.
• Access to Spain’s high-quality healthcare system, education options (local and international schools), and a lower cost of living compared to major Australian cities like Sydney or Melbourne.
• A lifestyle upgrade, with better work-life balance, outdoor living, and an opportunity to immerse yourself in a new culture.

However, before applying, it is essential to:

• Check eligibility carefully, including academic or professional experience requirements and minimum income thresholds.
• Gather and legalise documentation, ensuring criminal record certificates, apostilles, and sworn translations into Spanish are all in order.
• Understand your legal obligations regarding social security and taxation. Since the Australia–Spain social security agreement does not cover remote workers, you may be required to register with the Spanish system as either self-employed or through your employer.
• Plan ahead for consular appointments in Sydney, Melbourne, or Canberra, as availability may be limited.

Seeking advice from immigration and tax professionals can help ensure that your application is complete and compliant, avoiding delays or risks of refusal.

For Australians looking for a change of pace, a new adventure, or a family-friendly relocation, Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa offers the perfect combination of professional stability and European lifestyle.

For professional assistance with the Spanish Digital Nomad Visa or any immigration concerns, connect with us via the form below, our contact page, or by phone. We’re ready to guide you through each step of the journey.

Эта статья написана в сотрудничестве с Джулией Гейтман, сотрудницей отдела юридической поддержки Klev&Vera.