Question
I will be applying for the digital nomad Spain visa (DNV) from the U.S. in April 2023. I have been gathering my documents but I have only recently learned that a Certificate of Coverage from the Social Security Administration may be required. I see some say it’s impossible for telework situations, but nothing on the SSA or IRS webpages mentions that.
Has any U.S. company employee been able to get the SSA Certificate of Coverage? I’m hoping it is possible to do so without having to change from a W2 employee to 1099 contractor…
Answers
These are the answers of some Facebook group members:
“If you are a W2 employee then you will have no problem as your company does the request”
What is a W2 employee in the US?: A person who gets a W-2 tax form each year to report their income and taxes withheld and is officially employed by a business or organization in the US is known as a W-2 employee.
Instead of being referred to as “contractors” or “freelancers,” W-2 employees are regarded as “employees,” and as such, are eligible to certain protections and benefits under US law, including health insurance, paid time off, unemployment insurance, and workers’ compensation insurance. Be aware that this definition only applies to American employment practices and might not be applicable to those used in other nations.
“I and others have spoken to the SSA Office of Earnings and International Operations. We were told that certificates of coverage are not issued for telework. If you have any questions, you can call their office at 410-965-7306 between 8am and 3pm ET Monday through Friday. They’ll ask you to leave a message, and they’ll call you back in 2-3 business days. You can also email them at certificate@ssa.gov. The only viable path I can think of is to be self-employed and pay social security taxes in Spain. I’m trying to explore the path of the employer registering to pay social security in Spain, but I don’t think many employers would go for that.”
“Our advisor suggested us becoming autónomos in Spain, since we’re self employed. it’s annoying because it means we’re not paying into our US SS fund for the year(s) we spend in spain, which will affect our retirement later.”
“My remaining hope is that maybe just the UGE requires this document and not the Spanish consulate for the visa application. I’ve emailed the Spanish Consulate to see if they have any additional information at this time, though it probably won’t be until Mar 31st 2023. applications should open Mar 31”
“The SSA will grant a Certificate of Coverage if you are working for a Spanish company or working for the Spanish branch/affiliate of a US Company. What is needed to prove this is unknown. Some have been told that simply a Spanish address will suffice. However, if you need an actual legal entity, you can establish a Spanish NIF (Tax ID #), which will be the easiest way to do it. Law firms have been quoting 1100 euros to do this. I have no clue how easy it is to do on your own.”
The application process for the digital nomad Spain visa (DNV) from the U.S. has complexities when it comes to acquiring a Certificate of Coverage from the Social Security Administration (SSA). While some feedback suggests that W2 employees will have a straightforward experience, as their employers can request the certificate, other insights indicate that the SSA does not issue these certificates for telework situations. A potential alternative path may involve self-employment in Spain or getting your employer to register to pay social security in Spain, although this may not be feasible for many. Engaging directly with the SSA or seeking guidance from the Spanish Consulate may help in clarifying specific requirements. The intricacies of this process underscore the importance of comprehensive research and, where necessary, professional consultation to ensure a smooth visa application.
