Spain’s ₹8,000 Digital Nomad Visa Is the Work-from-Europe Dream You’ve Been Waiting For

Imagine sipping a café con leche in Madrid while replying to Slack messages, or brainstorming on Zoom with a Mediterranean sunset in the background. Sounds like a Pinterest mood board? Well, Spain just turned that dream into reality, for the price of a Zara jacket.

Yes, you read that right. For just ₹8,000, Spain is inviting remote workers from India (and other non-EU countries) to come live and work under its shiny new Digital Nomad Visa. That’s less than what most of us spend on a Saturday night out.

So, what’s the deal?

Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa is tailor-made for freelancers, remote employees, and location-independent professionals. Whether you're coding in Bangalore, designing in Delhi, or copywriting from Coimbatore, if your work travels with you, Spain is holding the door open.

You get to live in the country for up to 12 months, and if you're vibing with the tapas and cobblestone alleys, you can extend it up to 5 years. Bonus? After that, you’re even eligible for permanent residency.

What’s in it for Indians?

Everything. This visa is a golden ticket for digital desis tired of WFH-ing in their living rooms. Spain is not only beautiful, but also (comparatively) affordable and super remote-work friendly. Plus, with its laid-back lifestyle and 300+ sunny days a year, it’s basically the opposite of Monday blues.

The (not-so-fine) fine print:

Before you pack your bags for Barcelona, here’s what you need:

• Be a non-EU/EEA citizen (hello, India)
• Work remotely for a non-Spanish company OR be self-employed with foreign clients
• Make sure no more than 20% of your income comes from Spanish companies
• Have a university degree OR 3+ years of work experience
• Show income of around ₹2.76 lakh/month (don’t worry, bank statements and invoices work)
• Buy private health insurance that’s valid in Spain
• Provide a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) from India
• And of course, have a valid passport and accommodation proof

Also, get your documents translated into Spanish. It’s a must.

Official link

How to apply?

It’s surprisingly straightforward:

• Get your documents ready and translated.
• Book an appointment at your nearest Spanish consulate (Delhi, Mumbai, or Bengaluru).
• Fill out the national visa form.
• Pay the fee, just ₹8,000 (around €80).
• Submit everything in person.
• Wait. (Processing takes 10 days to 6 weeks.)
• Once approved, pack those bags and book your flight.

Once you land, don’t forget to apply for your residency card (TIE) and register your address at the local town hall.

But wait, what's the catch?

Only one: You can’t earn more than 20% of your income from Spanish clients. Spain wants you there, but not taking up local jobs. So as long as your clients are global (and your vibe is chill), you’re good to go.

Why does this matter?

This isn’t just a visa. It’s freedom. Freedom from traffic, tiny cubicles, and endlessly rewatching “The Office” while you eat dal-chawal at your desk. Spain is offering a whole new lifestyle, for the cost of a nice dinner.

So if you’ve ever dreamed of turning your laptop into a passport, this might be your moment. All you need is a Wi-Fi connection and a little wanderlust.

Bienvenido a España!