Spain’s digital nomad visa programme continues to attract remote workers from South Africa, though securing such a visa often comes with a fair share of requirements and challenges. One of the requirements is to obtain a DIRCO apostille for all supporting documentation. A good understanding of these requirements and the procedures involved in obtaining the DIRCO apostille for the Spanish digital nomad visa is key to ensuring your success in obtaining a Spain Digital Nomad Visa. A well-prepared application demonstrates your credibility and travel intentions to Spanish immigration authorities, increasing your chances of visa approval
The Spain Digital Nomad Visa is a game-changer for non-EU professionals looking to live and work remotely in Spain. Launched in 2023 as part of the country’s Startup Act, the visa is part of Spain’s broader effort to attract international talent and support the rise of location-independent workers — professionals in fields such as software development, marketing, design, consulting, and other tech-enabled services. Thanks to this visa, remote workers can enjoy Spain’s excellent quality of life, climate, and cultural richness while maintaining their career from anywhere. This flexibility of the Spain Digital Nomad Visa is what makes it a popular choice for South African professionals seeking a balance between career growth and the exploration of new cultures.
In this post, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about the Spain’s digital nomad visa and the DIRCO Apostille for Spain Digital Nomad Visa —from eligibility requirements to step-by-step instructions, and the best strategies to promptly obtain DIRCO Apostille for your documents.
Designed for South African remote workers
The Spanish digital nomad visa is designed for professionals who work entirely online, independently of a fixed location. Whether you are a freelancer, a full-time remote employee or run an international business from your laptop, this visa provides the legal framework for you to live in Spain while continuing to work abroad.
This visa is ideal for:
- South African freelancers or self-employed workers offering digital services to international clients
- South African employees who work remotely for non-Spanish companies with a flexible work-from-anywhere policy
- South African entrepreneurs and digital business owners who manage operations for companies established outside of Spain
Remote workers who rely exclusively on digital tools and telecommunications to carry out their work can qualify for this visa, which allows them to work remotely from Spain and enjoy all the benefits of Spanish residency without having to relocate their company or clients.
Eligibility criteria:
The eligibility criteria to apply for this visa include the following:
- The applicant must have a clean criminal record.
- The applicant must be a non-EU citizen.
- The applicant must have health insurance that covers them throughout the duration of their visa.
- To be eligible, one must earn a minimum of €28,000 per annum or €2,334 per month.
- The applicant must not have lived in Spain for the last five years.
- One’s client or employer must be based outside of Spain. (However, the visa allows one to work for a Spanish client once the earnings from their Spanish clients do not exceed 20% of their annual income).
- The applicant should provide proof that they have worked for their organisation for a minimum of three months.
- Self-employed contractors or freelance professionals applying for this visa must have a minimum of one client.
- The applicant must have worked remotely for at least one year.
- Applicant must provide proof of their technical proficiencies, skills and qualifications.
- Proof that the applicant’s organisation permits them to work remotely.
For more information and the complete list of eligibility requirements, please visit the official website.
Required documents for Spain Digital Nomad Visa
The following documents must be submitted with the visa application:
- Copies of passports for all family members. Passports must be valid for at least 1 year.
- A colour passport-sized photograph.
- A filled-out application form.
- Police Clearance Certificates
- Marriage and birth certificates, if applicable.
- Proof of income in the form of a bank statement, employment contract, letter from the employer, or work completion certificate.
- Proof of qualifications or at least 3 years of work experience.
- CV, i.e. a resume in a free format.
- Health insurance
All documents must be translated into Spanish and, where applicable, have a DIRCO apostille.
What Is an Apostille?
An apostille is a certification that verifies the authenticity of a document issued in South Africa for use in another country. Originating from the Hague Convention of 1961, the apostille is an internationally recognized form of notarization that simplifies the legalization process. It confirms that the signature, seal, and position of a public official on a document are genuine.
There are designated authorities in every country to issue apostille certificates. In South Africa, The Department of International Relations and Cooperation provides apostille and authentication service to S.A citizens and foreign nationals on documents that will be used overseas
What Documents Need a DIRCO Apostille for Digital Nomad Visa Applications?
There are a few common documents that require an apostille when applying for the Spain digital nomad visa.
Police clearance certificates
Many digital nomad visas require applicants to submit police clearance certificates proving they have a clean record. As this is an official government document, most countries require it to be apostilled.
Marriage or Birth Certificates
If you are planning to include a spouse or dependants in your application for a Spain digital nomad visa, you will need to provide evidence of your relationship. This is usually in the form of marriage, birth or adoption certificates. Once you have obtained copies of these important documents, you must obtain a DIRCO apostille to confirm their legitimacy and ensure they are recognised by the Spanish authorities.
Global Apostille Services
Global Apostille is your one-stop shop for Apostille services. If you need Apostille services in Pretoria, Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban, we can help! We offer apostilles from Pretoria’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) and the High Courts, facilitating document authentication. Our DIRCO Express Apostille service provides you with a guaranteed expedited Apostille within 3 days, which is faster than the standard DIRCO option which usually takes weeks. We also offer a sworn translation service as well. We ensure that your important documents are properly certified in the shortest possible time. For more information on our services please contact us. Tel: 012 348 3134| Mobile: 081 347 6060 | Email: info@apostillelegalisation.co.za
FAQ about Spain Digital Nomad Visa
1. Do I need a job offer from a Spanish employer to apply for a digital nomad Visa?
No, you don’t need a job offer from a Spanish employer to apply for the Spanish digital nomad visa
2. How long is a Spanish digital nomad visa valid for?
The Spanish digital nomad visa can only be issued for a maximum period of 12 months but can be renewed in Spain for up to five years.
- Can my family apply for the Spanish digital nomad visa as dependents?
Yes, it is possible to include your family members in the same application, or bring them at a later time
- Can I work for a Spanish company with this visa?
Only if you are self-employed. In this case you can work for a Spanish company, but you can only get from this professional relationship a maximum of 20% of your income as a digital nomad.
