Spain Digital Nomad Visa
For Filipinos

Are you a Filipino freelancer, remote employee, or online entrepreneur dreaming of living in Europe?
The Spain Digital Nomad Visa is currently one of the most accessible and life-changing pathways to moving abroad.

Unlike traditional work visas that require corporate sponsorship, the Spanish Digital Nomad Visa (DNV) allows you to bring your own job to Spain. Even better? For Philippine passport holders, this visa is a golden ticket: living in Spain on a DNV counts toward the two-year residency requirement for Spanish citizenship.

Why the Spain Digital Nomad Visa is Perfect for Filipinos

Gathering documents is the most time-consuming part of the process.
Crucial tip: Many of these documents must be Apostilled by the DFA and translated into Spanish by a Sworn Translator (Traductor Jurado) recognized by the Spanish government.

General Documents:

• Valid Passport (with at least 1 year of validity).

• Accomplished National Visa Application Form.

• PSA Birth Certificate and Marriage Certificate (Apostilled).

• NBI Clearance (Apostilled & valid for only 3-6 months).

• Medical Certificate from a DOH-accredited clinic.

• Comprehensive Spanish Health Insurance (Seguro Médico Sin Copagos).
  It must offer full coverage with no out-of-pocket copayments.

Proof of Employment/Income:

• For Employees: Certificate of Employment stating you are permitted to work remotely from Spain, your contract, 3 months of payslips, 3 months of bank statements, and the company’s SEC Certificate of Incorporation.

• For Freelancers: Contracts with your clients, invoices from the last 3 months, 3 months of bank statements, and a sworn declaration that you will register with Spain's social security system (Autónomo).

How to Apply:
Philippines vs. Spain

Filipinos have two distinct ways to apply for the DNV, and the route you choose determines the length of your initial visa.

Route A: Applying in the Philippines (BLS International/Consulate)

• The Process: You gather your documents and submit them at the Spanish Consulate or BLS in Manila.

• The Result: If approved, you receive a 1-year visa stamped in your passport.

• Next Steps: You travel to Spain, and within 60 days before this 1-year visa expires, you must apply to convert it into a 3-year residency card.

Route B: Applying Directly in Spain (UGE)

• The Process: You enter Spain legally as a tourist (using a Schengen Visa). While inside Spain, you submit your DNV application online via the Unidad Grande Empresas (UGE) portal.

• The Result: If approved, you bypass the 1-year visa and immediately receive a 3-year residency authorization.

• The Benefit: It is generally faster (processed in about 20 working days), and as long as you submit the application before your tourist visa expires, you are allowed to remain in Spain legally while waiting for the result.

What Is the Spain Digital Nomad Visa?

The Spain Digital Nomad Visa is a special residence visa that allows non-EU citizens, including Filipinos, to legally live in Spain while working remotely for companies or clients based outside the country.

It’s designed for:

• Digital nomads

• Remote employees

• Freelance professionals

Basically, if your income comes from abroad, Spain lets you enjoy its lifestyle while continuing your work online.

To successfully apply for the Spain Digital Nomad Visa for Filipinos, you must tick three primary boxes:

1. You Must Be a Remote Worker

You can apply as either a Remote Employee (working for a company outside of Spain) or a Freelancer/Self-Employed Worker (with clients outside of Spain; Spanish clients cannot make up more than 20% of your income).

• You must have been working for your current employer/clients for at least 3 months.

• The company you work for must have been operating for at least 1 year.

• You must prove you have either a university degree related to your field OR at least 3 years of professional experience.

2. You Must Meet the Minimum Income Requirement

Spain calculates the required income based on their national minimum wage (SMI), which increases slightly every year. You must prove a stable income of at least 200% of the SMI.

Note: The exact figures depend on whether you apply at the Spanish Consulate in the Philippines or directly while inside Spain.

• You (main applicant) should earn a monthly salary of at least €2.800 (around PHP 194K+ depending on exchange rates).
  with 1 dependent / with spouse - €3800
  with 2 dependents - €4200
  with 3 dependents - €4500
  (As of January 2026)

3. You Must Have a Clean Criminal Record

You cannot have a criminal record in the Philippines or any other country you have lived in over the past two to five years.

What Are the Requirements?

Eligibility: Do You Qualify?

While many countries offer remote work visas, Spain’s program has unique advantages specifically for Filipinos:

1. Fast-Track to Spanish Citizenship: Because of historical ties, Filipinos only need two years of legal, continuous residency in Spain to apply for citizenship (compared to 10 years for most other nationalities). The DNV counts as legal residency.

2. Bring Your Family: You can include your spouse, unmarried partners, and dependent children in your application.

3. Schengen Area Freedom: Once approved, you get a biometric residency card (TIE) that allows you to travel freely across the 27 Schengen countries.

4. Tax Benefits: You may be eligible for a special tax regime (often called the Beckham Law) that offers a flat tax rate, though freelancers and corporate employees have different tax obligations.

DIY? Grab Our DNV Starter Kit!

The Spain Digital Nomad Visa (DNV) can feel overwhelming, especially for first-time applicants — but you don’t have to figure it out alone. This downloadable PDF guide is crafted specifically for Filipinos based on real-world experience and firsthand research.

With this kit, you'll get a simplified, step-by-step roadmap to help you confidently apply, prepare the right documents, and start your digital life in Spain.

Step-by-Step Application Process From the Philippines (Simplified)

1. Request for NIE (Número de Identificación de Extranjero) – your foreigner ID number.

   • You have to email the Spanish consulate to request for NIE.

   • They will give you a list of NIE requirements, once you have all of it, schedule an appointment.

   • You have to bring the requirements personally at the consulate.

2. Gather all the other requirements.

3. Apostille your documents.

   • Schedule an appointment to the nearest DFA (You can do this online)

4. Have them officially translated into Spanish.

5. Submit your application (via BLS or Embassy).

6. Wait for approval.

For more detailed and complete steps, grab a copy of our Spain DNV Starter Kit for Filipinos.

Final Thoughts

Applying for the Spain Digital Nomad Visa as a Filipino takes effort, but it opens the door to a completely new life. For us, it meant building a slower, more intentional lifestyle in Asturias while keeping our careers online.

If your dream is to live in Spain, travel Europe, and maybe even become a Spanish citizen after 2 years (yes, Filipinos are eligible much earlier than most nationalities!), then the DNV is one of the best opportunities out there.

So if you’ve been searching for a sign — this might be it.

Ready to Become a Digital Nomad in Spain?

The Spain Digital Nomad Visa for Filipinos is more than just a temporary work permit; it is a bridge to European residency and, ultimately, Spanish citizenship. While the paperwork can be overwhelming, the reward of living in a vibrant, culturally rich country with a fantastic work-life balance is well worth the effort.

Start gathering your contracts, check your NBI clearance, and start planning your move to España!

Need Help Applying for Spain Digital Nomad Visa or Other Residency Options?

We highly recommend BUREAUCRACY ES — a legit, reliable immigration consultancy that personally guided us through our own DNV journey. Book a 30-minute free consultation and get a 10% discount if you decide to get their services.