Tools, checklists, and guidance for US, Canadian, and UK citizens applying for the Spain Digital Nomad Visa or Non-Lucrative Visa.
Answer 5 questions. Get your visa, income check, consulate, and a document calendar.
Each kit covers one visa for one applicant. Complete document checklist, letter templates, step-by-step guide, and personal tracker.
Sworn translations, background check coordination, Arrival Pack, and complex case referrals: all handled by vetted partners.
Income thresholds, document checklists, and consulate contacts. Updated when verified.
Alisa Zinko is a Licensed Immigration Professional who has lived in Spain since 2001 and has been helping English-speaking expats navigate the immigration system since 2008. Everything on this site is based on real experience.
About AlisaThe Club is an asynchronous community where members ask specific questions and get answers within 48 hours. No appointment needed.
€12/month. Cancel any time.
Join the Club →NIE, TIE, empadronamiento, apostille. Which comes first, what each one is, and the document mistakes that cost people months.
Requirements, Beckham Law, who qualifies, and who should choose a different route.
Income requirements, documents, process, and who it is right for.
How to register for the public system, whether private insurance is worth it, and what it costs.
Which appointment, which forms, what to bring, and what happens if they say no.
Every task before, during, and after your move. From cancelling direct debits to your Padron certificate.
If you work remotely for employers or clients based outside Spain, the Digital Nomad Visa (DNV) is the right route. The income threshold is approximately €2,849/month. If you live on passive income, a pension, dividends, or savings and will not work at all, the Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV) is the right route. The income threshold is approximately €2,400/month. Use the free Visa Match tool to get a personalised recommendation in 2 minutes.
Both the DNV and NLV require: a valid passport, criminal record certificate (apostilled and sworn-translated), medical certificate (sworn-translated), and Spanish private health insurance with no co-pays. The DNV also requires proof of remote employment or freelance contracts. The NLV requires proof of passive income and a signed declaration that you will not work. See the full requirements hub for your consulate.
Allow at least 3 to 6 months from when you start gathering documents to your consulate appointment. The criminal record certificate from the FBI or RCMP can take 6 to 12 weeks alone. Once you have your appointment date, the document calendar in the free Visa Match tool works backwards for you.
Yes. The criminal record certificate must be apostilled. Apostilles are obtained from the Secretary of State (US), Global Affairs Canada (CA), or the FCDO (UK). A sworn Spanish translation is also required for most documents. The document checklist in the Visa File Kit specifies exactly which documents need apostilles and sworn translations.
The Visa File Kit (€49) includes: a complete document checklist with validity windows, letter templates (employer letter, declaration of non-work, cover letter), a step-by-step filing guide for your consulate, and a fillable document tracker. There is one kit for the DNV and one for the NLV. Available at shop.html.
