Tourist Visa VS Digital Nomad Visa
The essence of the digital nomad visa is an "immigration program", just tattooed with the word "visa"! The difference between it and the ordinary tourist visa/work visa is like the difference between a "temporary worker" and a "permanent staff member":
① Tourist Visa ≠ Immigration Project
• A regular tourist visa is definitely not an immigration project, it is just for tourism purposes within a fixed period of time to visit a country
◦ Identity: Tourist (similar to "palace maid")
◦ Permissions: Only for tourism, face recognition, secret work will lead to deportation
◦ Residence: 3 months, overstaying = "illegal stay"
• Digital Nomad Visa (Immigration Project):
◦ Identity: Permanent Resident Reserve
Applicants and dependents of the Spanish digital nomad program, once approved, can log in to Spain and directly obtain a 3-year residence card, and can continuously renew for 2 years after 3 years. As long as they reside for 4 years and 2 months within 5 years, they can apply for permanent residency in Spain (5-year term). The recently announced closure of the Spanish Investment Immigration Program also called the Golden Visa Program, shows that just because it's called a visa doesn't mean it's not an immigration project, this is a generalization.
◦ Permissions: Legal work, start a company, take outsourcing, and even receive pensions
◦ Residence: 3 years + 2 years, unlimited renewals, eligible for permanent residency after 5 years (direct promotion to "Duke of the Nation").
Three 'Hidden Moves' of the Digital Nomad Project
💥Big Move 1: Free-ride European Education for the Whole Family
Bring spouse + kids directly upon landing, attend public schools for free, buy health insurance covering private hospital visits for the whole family; note that non-profit project children cannot attend public schools and must attend private schools, but children in the digital nomad project can directly attend public schools.
💥 Big Move 2: Legally Work Remotely
Little Zhang (Tourist Visa): Selling postcards in Valencia, fined + deported after being caught, writes in his social circle: "Spain, goodbye!"
Little Li (Digital Nomad): Opens a cross-border e-commerce in Madrid, saves enough for a down payment on a house in 3 years, daughter gets into a public university, neighbor asks: "Where did you get the money?" Answer: "By typing every day!"
💥 Big Move 3: Anywhere Door to the EU
Travel freely across 29 Schengen countries, live and work in Spain, drink wine in France, vacation in Italy, without losing status!
Application Requirements for the Spanish Digital Nomad
1. Possess a bachelor's degree or three years of work experience; note, it says "or", so if you don't have a bachelor's degree but have three years of professional experience (or a special skill), you can consult Sister Sa for assessment;
2. No criminal record;
3. Need a company proof letter: proving you can work remotely without affecting your work;
4. Proof of financial capability: Must provide documents showing that the main applicant and their family members (if applicable) have sufficient financial resources or stable income sources. The minimum requirement is equivalent to 200% of the Spanish minimum wage. From the materials, it is necessary to provide at least three months of bank statements, with a monthly salary not less than 2700 euros and taxes paid (in China);
5. Social security system coverage proof: Declaration from the company or freelancer, committing to fulfill the obligations of the Spanish social security system before starting work or professional activities. Employees in China with social security can provide a China-Spain social security exemption certificate to waive their social security payments in Spain.
