Securing Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa (DNV) is only the beginning of your journey. Once you’ve landed, settled in, and posted your first coffee-by-the-beach photo from Barcelona, Valencia, or Málaga, the real work starts: meeting Spain’s residency obligations.

Why? Because your visa is conditional. To keep it valid, and to eventually transition to permanent residency or citizenship, you must comply with a series of legal requirements, from registering your address to paying taxes. Neglecting even one step can cause headaches: from fines to the loss of your residency status.

This guide walks you through everything you need to know about keeping your Digital Nomad Visa active and compliant in 2025. We’ll cover the key milestones, explain how the residency setup process works, give insider tips on navigating Spanish bureaucracy, and highlight common pitfalls that digital nomads face.

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1. The Core Obligations After Receiving Your DNV

Once your visa is approved, you enter a new phase: residency setup. The Spanish government expects you to integrate into the system - legally, fiscally, and administratively.

The three main milestones you must complete are:

• TIE – Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero: your official residency card.

• Social Security registration: required if you’re self-employed in Spain.

• Fiscal setup: registering with Hacienda (the Spanish tax office) and paying your taxes.

If you’re an employee covered by social security in your home country, some obligations are lighter. But everyone must complete at least empadronamiento (city registration), get their TIE card, and understand their tax situation.

💡Insider Tip: Think of this as the “second half” of your visa journey. If the first half was about proving you were eligible, the second half is about proving you’re staying compliant.

2. Step One: Register Your Address – Empadronamiento

The empadronamiento is Spain’s municipal registry of residents. Within weeks of arrival, you must register at your local city hall. This produces your padrón certificate, which proves your address.

Why it matters?

• It’s required to apply for your TIE card.
• It’s needed for healthcare registration.
• It’s mandatory for almost every life admin task: opening a bank account, enrolling kids in school, even buying or selling a car.

What’s the process like?

• Provide your NIE number (from your visa approval).
• Show your passport and rental contract (long-term accommodation is required).
• Fill out the application form.
• Depending on the city, you can register online (Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Málaga) or in person with an appointment.

Validity: Your padrón is valid for 3 months when used for paperwork. Non-EU nationals must renew every 2 years.

Example: A Canadian remote worker in Madrid was able to register online using her digital ID (Cl@ve), saving her a trip to city hall. But in smaller towns, you’ll likely need to book an in-person appointment.

3. Step Two: Obtain Your TIE Card

Your TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero) is the single most important document for foreigners in Spain. Unlike the NIE, which is just a number, the TIE is a physical card proving your legal residency status. You must always carry it.

What’s the process like?

a. Book an appointment online through the government portal.

b. Attend in person with:

• Passport (original + copy)
• Visa approval resolution
• Empadronamiento certificate
• Completed EX-17 form
• 3 passport photos
• Proof of social security registration (if applicable - this is usually required when you want to get the TIE card with a Consulate visa)
• Payment receipt of the card fee

c. Give fingerprints at the first appointment.

d. Return 4–6 weeks later to collect your card.

💡Insider Tip: The hardest part is often finding an available fingerprint appointment. Slots disappear fast, especially in Madrid and Barcelona. Refresh the booking site often, and don’t panic - persistence pays off.

👉 Check how to bring your family members under your DNV Spain.

4. Step Three: Open a Spanish Bank Account

You’ll need a Spanish account to pay social security, receive payments, and manage utilities. Your options:

• Traditional banks (Santander, BBVA, Caixa, Sabadell).
• Online banks (N26, Revolut, Openbank).

Usually required documents:

• Passport
• NIE number
• Proof of address (empadronamiento or rental contract)
• Employment/self-employment proof

Example: Many digital nomads prefer online banks like N26 for their speed, multilingual service, and mobile-first setup. But if you plan to get a mortgage or run a business, a traditional bank may be more practical.

5. Step Four: Fiscal Setup and Hacienda Registration

Becoming a resident means entering Spain’s tax system. This step is critical to keep your DNV.

What’s the process like?

• Register with Hacienda (tax authority) using forms 030 and 037.
• Provide passport, NIE, and address details.

Decide your tax regime:

• General IRPF: progressive scale fom 19% up to 47%.
• Beckham Law: flat 24% on labour foreign income, available for up to 6 years if eligible. In case of Digital Nomads possible for foreign Employees under DNV and only in some specific case for Self-Employed.

⚠️Warning: You must complete Hacienda registration and Social Security in the same week to secure the first-year contribution discount if you’re self-employed.

💡Insider Tip: Always consult a tax advisor. Spain’s tax rules are strict, and mistakes lead to fines. Many nomads underestimate how quickly Spain will treat them as tax residents (after 183+ days per year in the country).

6. Step Five: Social Security Registration

For freelancers or autónomos, this is non-negotiable. You must pay monthly contributions to access public healthcare, pensions, and

benefits.

• First year discount: €88/month.
• From the 13th month: contributions range €250-€560/month depending on your income.
• Registration requires your TIE, NIE, passport, bank account, and proof of Hacienda registration.

Employees with foreign social security coverage (via bilateral agreements) may be exempt but must show proof from their employer.

💡Insider Tip: Make sure the full amount is always available in your designated Spanish bank account. If even one payment fails (e.g. due to insufficient funds), you will lose the discounted rate and be required to pay the full contribution amount starting from month 13.

Example: A U.S. digital consultant registered as autónomo in Valencia. By completing Hacienda and Social Security registration in the same week, he secured the €88/month rate for his first year. Missing this deadline would have cost him €250+ monthly.

7. The Digital Certificate – Your Key to Online Bureaucracy

Spain is digitalizing fast. With a Digital Certificate (Certificado Digital), you can:

• File taxes online.
• Register with Social Security.
• Submit forms for your TIE renewal.
• Handle most bureaucracy from your laptop.

Your options:

• DIY: Download software, apply online, prove identity at an office, then install the certificate.
• 3rd party providers: Faster, but costs ~€60 for a 2-year certificate.

💡Insider Tip: Get your Digital Certificate early. It’s a lifesaver when deadlines are tight and in-person appointments are scarce.

8. Tax Residency and Long-Term Obligations

From your first year in Spain, you may become a tax resident if you spend 183+ days in the country. That means you must declare worldwide income.

Employees under Beckham Law: 24% flat tax on labour-source income.

Freelancers: Quarterly VAT and income tax filings + annual return.

Residents without Beckham Law: Progressive rates from 19% to 47%.

⚠️Common mistake to avoid: Many nomads think keeping their foreign company exempts them from Spanish taxes. Wrong! if you’re living in Spain, you’re taxable there.

9. Personal Presence – When You Must Show Up in Person

Some steps cannot be delegated:

• TIE appointment and fingerprinting (you must go twice).
• Hacienda appointment (if registering in person).
• Social Security registration (unless completed online with Digital Certificate).
• Collecting your physical TIE card.

Example: A South African nomad in Barcelona tried to send a lawyer to collect her TIE. Rejected. Spanish law requires you, personally, to pick it up.

10. Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌Skipping empadronamiento or not renewing it every 2 years.

❌Missing Hacienda + Social Security registration in the same week.

❌Choosing the wrong health insurance (with co-pays or exclusions).

❌Assuming your visa = full residency rights without the TIE.

❌Forgetting to declare worldwide income once you become a tax resident.

11. Final Thoughts

Getting your Digital Nomad Visa is an achievement but keeping it is an ongoing responsibility. Spain expects you to integrate into its legal, fiscal, and social systems. That means registering your address, carrying your TIE card, paying taxes, contributing to social security, and staying on top of renewals.

Handled correctly, these obligations don’t just protect your visa: they open the path to permanent residency after 5 years and citizenship after 10 years (or 2 for many Latin American nationals).

The Digital Nomad Visa isn’t just a temporary permit, it’s the beginning of your long-term future in Spain. Approach residency obligations with the same care you gave your visa application, and Spain will reward you with stability, opportunity, and the freedom to truly call it home.

How MoveWise Can Assist You

Applying for a DNV Spain can feel overwhelming, but MoveWise is here to simplify the process. Our mission is to make your application journey smooth and stress-free with a range of expert services:

• Tailored Support: We adapt our services to fit your unique situation, ensuring a hassle-free experience.

• Optimized Scheduling: We streamline your application timeline to ensure everything progresses on schedule.

• End-to-End Support: From preparing documents to final submission, we take care of every detail of your application.

• Tax Guidance: Our specialists provide clarity on the tax obligations and options associated with your DNV.

• Thorough Documentation: We ensure every document is correctly prepared and meets all official requirements.

• 100% money back guarantee: If your application is not approved, we offer a full money-back guarantee as a testament to our commitment.

The Digital Nomad visa for Spain offers a fantastic opportunity to live abroad while working remothely, granting you the freedom to explore and enjoy the country’s vibrant culture and relaxed lifestyle. 

Ready to embark on your next adventure?

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While the requirements for obtaining a Digital Nomad visa for Spain are straightforward, preparing the necessary documents and navigating the

application process can be challenging. Mistakes or incomplete paperwork could put your application at risk. If you have any doubts or questions about the Digital Nomad Visa process, BOOK TODAY a 100% Free Consultation.

We’re here to help you every step of the way.

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