Last Updated on May 19, 2026 by Bruno Bianchi
This firsthand experience outlines the full process of applying for the Spain Digital Nomad Visa in June 2025, including a dependent’s approval.
“Received approval for Spain Digital Nomad Visa for my 23-year-old daughter and myself! I could not have done this without the help of this group.
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Start the Moving to Spain Hub →I am American and have been self-employed on a 1099 for 30 years with 2 DBAs in the same field. I submitted documents for only two of my employees—just to meet the income requirement.
Docs Submitted:
- MI-T
- Tasa 790 038 with receipt
- Color copies of all passport pages (including cover)
- Simple work contract with sworn translation
- Letter of recommendation in Spanish stating work details and authorization to work remotely
- Certificate of Good Standing (apostilled and translated)
- Five years of 1099s (translated, not notarized or apostilled)
- DBA certificate from 1994 (apostilled and translated)
- Three months of invoices and checks for each client
- Three months of bank statements for each DBA (only showing deposits)
- Police record from Ireland (apostilled and translated)
- Letter in Spanish declaring no criminal charges
- Letter pledging to register as autónomo
- Spanish CV
- Character letter in Spanish explaining business background and move motivation
For My 23-Year-Old Daughter:
- MI-F
- Tasa 790 038 with receipt
- Color copies of all passport pages
- Birth certificate (apostilled and translated)
- Police clearance from Ireland (apostilled and translated)
- Notarized letters stating financial dependency and shared living history
- Memo in Spanish highlighting shared address on Irish clearance
- GP letter confirming shared addresses and financial support
- Five years of bank statements showing transfers from my accounts
- Spanish course enrollment (20 hours/week starting July 3)
All documents were submitted on April 29th. On May 23rd, they requested private insurance for my daughter. I submitted it on June 4th at 11 pm. On June 5th, we were approved—for three years!
Can you do this on your own? Yes, but it takes serious research and time. I’m fluent in Spanish with a legal background, and I still struggled. If you can afford it, get professional help.”
Questions and Answers
Q: Did a client write your letter of recommendation?
A: “I wrote it, and my clients just signed it. It’s more of a checkbox; they don’t verify.”
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Explore Cities →Q: Where do you get the Certificate of Good Standing?
A: “From the government where your company is registered—state or country.”
Q: Who wrote the personal letters?
A: “I wrote them all. I used free templates from this group.”
Q: Did you include a cover letter or ‘escrito’?
A: “Yes, I included a detailed cover letter itemizing and explaining each document, especially for the DBAs and bank statements.”
Comments
“Congrats! Must be such a relief!”
“God damn, the list of documents is crazy. Spanish bureaucracy needs to do better.”
“How easy would it be to move to the US? Next to impossible.”
“Enjoy this new chapter!”
“Congrats again! Thanks for sharing your detailed process.”
Conclusion
Applying for the Spain Digital Nomad Visa, especially with a dependent, is an intensive process that requires thorough documentation and organization. Key takeaways:
- You can apply on your own, but professional support may save time and stress.
- Include detailed documentation for your work history and income, especially if you operate under multiple DBAs.
- Cover letters that explain document context can be very helpful.
- Requirements for dependents can change—be ready to submit additional items like private insurance.
- Approval timelines can be quick if everything is well-prepared.
Despite the complexity, successful applications like this one show it’s achievable with preparation.
Disclaimer: The content of this article is based on personal experiences and contributions shared by members of the Spainguru community. It is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or professional advice. Always consult a qualified expert for guidance specific to your situation.
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