Question 1

I just got my Spain digital nomad visa as a W-2 American employee approved! I started working on collecting documents in January then I got an answer in 15 Spanish working days!

Accepted Answer

Congratulations! This is a significant development, as many previously believed the DNV was primarily for freelancers or contractors. It appears that obtaining a Certificate of Coverage (COC) from the U.S. Social Security Administration is key, even if it doesn't explicitly mention remote work. You do not need to register as autónomo if your COC is accepted. It is recommended to consult a legal or visa expert due to complexities and inconsistencies in application processing.

Question 2

Does your employer have to be involved in any way for you to obtain the COC?

Accepted Answer

The COC is free, and either your employer can apply for it or you can, provided they give you their necessary information.

Question 3

What is the COC? Like what does it stand for?

Accepted Answer

COC stands for Certificate of Coverage.

Question 4

Did you need to get the Social Security Certificate?

Accepted Answer

Yes, obtaining the Social Security Certificate of Coverage (COC) from the US Social Security Administration is crucial for W-2 employees applying for the Spain Digital Nomad Visa. This document confirms your continued participation in the US social security system.

Question 5

If you own your business you cannot apply for Beckham's Law without some serious rejuggling.

Accepted Answer

This is a common point of confusion. If you own your business, you may indeed face challenges applying for Beckham's Law without significant restructuring. It's crucial to consult a tax advisor familiar with both Spanish and US tax laws to understand your specific situation.

Question 6

Were you previously employed by the company for a while or did you start this new job for the remote work/to apply for the DNV?

Accepted Answer

In the case of the successful applicant, it was their mother's company, and they had been working in their current position since August prior to applying for the DNV.

Question 7

Congrats! This means you qualify for Beckham Law, right?

Accepted Answer

Being a W-2 employee and meeting other criteria can make you eligible for Beckham's Law. However, individual circumstances vary, and it's essential to confirm eligibility with a tax expert.

Question 8

Would you be able to explain the process? I thought as a US employee, we couldn't apply through W2. This would be such a game changer!

Accepted Answer

The successful case indicates that W-2 employees can indeed apply. The key seems to be obtaining a Certificate of Coverage (COC) from the U.S. Social Security Administration, which Spanish authorities accepted in this instance. The overall process for the DNV still involves submitting standard documents like proof of stable and regular income, private health insurance, clean criminal record, etc.

Question 9

Is it better to be a W2 vs contractor?

Accepted Answer

This case suggests that W-2 employment is now a viable path for the DNV, challenging the previous perception that only contractors or freelancers were eligible. The 'better' option depends on individual circumstances, tax implications, and work arrangements. Consulting a visa expert and a tax advisor is recommended to determine the best approach for your specific situation.

Question 10

Congrats! Do you know how long SSA issued the COC for? I've heard that for example UK residents have to renew theirs after 2 yrs which means they have to come back to their country to do this even if the visa is for 3 yrs.

Accepted Answer

In the successful case, the COC issued by the SSA covered a period from June 2025 to August 2028. The residency will be granted until the end date of the COC, so if your COC has an earlier end date than your visa, it could impact your residency duration. It's important to check the validity period of your COC.

Question 11

Wouldn’t your US company need an entity in Spain to legally have employees in Spain?

Accepted Answer

Based on this successful case, it appears that a US company does not necessarily need an entity in Spain for a W-2 employee to obtain the Digital Nomad Visa, provided a valid Certificate of Coverage (COC) is secured and accepted by the Spanish authorities. The COC indicates continued social security contributions in the US.

Question 12

How long did it take for the CoC Certificate from the SSA to arrive and does it mention that you are a remote worker?

Accepted Answer

In one instance, a COC requested on December 13, 2024, was received on February 3, 2025. It does not mention remote work, but was still accepted by the Spanish government for the DNV application.

Question 13

Just clarifying that you think my CoC will still be valid for a July app?

Accepted Answer

According to one comment, there is no time limit for a CoC to be issued or be less than 6 months old. The main consideration is the end date of the COC, as the residency granted will be until that date.

Question 14

Did you have to sign anything that said if your CoC wasn’t accepted you’d sign up as self employed?

Accepted Answer

No, the successful applicant did not have to sign any such document.

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