Can a US citizen apply for a Digital Nomad Visa Spain, and is it better to apply in the US or Spain?

Last Updated on March 18, 2026 by Bruno Bianchi

Question

Can US citizen apply for a Digital Nomad Visa Spain or do they have to apply in the US?
If both options are available to US citizens, which option is better?
Any lawyer that can help with the process?

Answers

These are the answers of some Facebook group members:

‘’Much better to apply in Spain if you can. It is easier, cheaper and residency is for 3 years. The consulates in the US can be tricky and some prefer not to process DN or have very strict social security requirements that do not apply when you do it from Spain’’

‘’You can choose either. Most people apply from Spain because it’s easier and faster(the process itself as it’s more organized) and you can get up to a 3year visa whereas if you apply from the consulate it’s 1 year.

That’s the main reason why people apply from Spain. If you apply from Spain, you have to be here on the day the application is submitted, you can leave after that. I highly recommend having all of your documents prepared before coming to Spain should you decide to apply from Spain’’

‘’You can apply from Spain or a Consulate in the US. You will get 1 year permit if you do it from a Consulate and a 3 year permit if you do it from Spain. I beleive everyone recommends doing it from Spain for this reason mainly. Here you can find recommended immigration lawyers, with experience in DNV applications and approvals’’

Conclusion

In conclusion, According to Spainguru Facebook group members, a US citizen can apply for a DNV in Spain, with the option to apply either in the US or Spain. Applying in Spain is often considered better, as it’s easier, more organized, and grants a longer residency period (up to three years).

Some consulates in the US may have stricter requirements. For assistance, recommended immigration experts in Spain specialize in Digital Nomad Visa Spain applications, providing valuable support for a smoother 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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