Spanish Digital Nomad Visa: Apostille and Translation for FBI Checks Requirements

Last Updated on March 18, 2026 by Bruno Bianchi

Question

I received my FBI check, and it was one page. My husband received his, and it’s 4 pages long because he has one arrest. Do we have to submit the whole report for the Spanish Digital Nomad Visa application, or just the cover page that lists an arrest (but no mention of conviction)?

Is my husband’s past mistake of stealing beer signs from a gas station in college going to affect our application for the Spanish Digital Nomad Visa in terms of additional apostille/translations fees?

Answers

These are the answers of Spainguru’s Facebook group members:

“You need to translate the entire document. The cost for an apostille won’t change based on the document’s content or length.”

“The entire document must receive the apostille. The apostille’s price is per document, not per page. After obtaining the apostille, the document must be translated by a sworn translator registered with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Spain.”

“For recommended Spanish sworn translators and a self-service sworn translation service offering urgent delivery options (48hs/24hs/12hs), you can visit this link: Link to sworn translators and translation services

Conclusion

Applicants for the Spanish Digital Nomad Visa must be aware that the apostille and translation requirements apply to the entire FBI check document, irrespective of its length or the details it contains.

This includes documents with records of past arrests, which must be fully translated and apostilled. The fees for these services are charged per document, not by page, ensuring that the process is straightforward and the costs are predictable.

It’s important to engage with certified translation services that are familiar with the requirements of the Spanish Digital Nomad Visa to ensure a smooth application process.

Bruno Bianchi CEO & Spain Immigration Expert

Bruno Bianchi is the founder and CEO of Spainguru, Spain's largest expat immigration community with 150,000+ members. Since 2014 he has helped thousands of people relocate to Spain through expert guides, webinars and vetted professional services covering visas, residency, taxes and life in Spain.

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