If you’ve ever thought of working remotely from a beachside coffee shop in Barcelona or among the rolling vineyards of Tuscany, your dream is now closer than you thought.
Italy and Spain have released Digital Nomad Visa programs permitting qualified individuals to live and work remotely in these gorgeous countries. According to official sources from Euronews, Italy’s Digital Nomad Visa program came into effect on April 4th, 2024, and offers visas for up to one year. Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa was first released in January 2023 as per the Startup Act to boost entrepreneurship and foreign investment. The standards were further upgraded on April 29, 2024.
Here’s an extensive overview of the Italian and Spanish Digital Nomad Visa (DNV), including qualification requirements and application procedures. There are various perks and highlights of visiting Italy and Spain as a digital nomad; yes, you read that right!
We will also highlight how an international eSIM prepaid travel plan will be your best companion in this celebration while you work and explore these countries!
Who All Can Be Called a Digital Nomad?
The Italian government defines a digital nomad as a non-EU resident engaged in ‘highly professional work tasks’ as mentioned under Article 27 of the immigration code. These people might function as independents, collaborators, or staff members of a business, even if it’s not based in Italy. EU citizens and residents do not require a digital nomad visa. Citizens of Australia, New Zealand, Canada, US green card holders are eligible for the visa.
Generally, digital nomads work from numerous places around the globe. So eventually, one day, you may undoubtedly be working from your home office, and the next day, you may be at a cafe in London. Sounds fun.
This is where, for wanderers like you, a pre-activated international eSIM prepaid plan makes it all easy! Want to know more? Keep reading!
Italy & Spain Digital Nomad Visa Requirements
If you are from a non-EU nation, you can request a digital nomad visa in Spain and Italy for your desired country.
But before going into detail with each requirement, you should know that there are two different profiles of Non-EU citizens who can obtain an Italy or Spain Digital Nomad.
Visa:
1. Employees whose firm permits them to travel and work remotely from another nation (here, Italy & Spain)
2. Self-employed individuals with numerous clients spread out around the globe or with various resources of earnings derived from online tasks outside Spain & Italy.
The standard eligibility criteria for both the Italy and Spain Digital Nomad Visa are:
- You must confirm your digital nomad or remote employee status for at least six months.
- You must provide proof of accommodation in the corresponding nation.
- Likewise, you must have no criminal records within the previous five years.
Specific Eligibility Criteria for Spain Digital Nomad Visa
- The company/companies for which you are presently working (or have a working connection as a freelancer) must be outside of Spain.
- Earnings obtained by Spanish firms (or in Spain) can represent at most 20% of the overall.
- You must have an agreement with the same company for at least one year.
- You must have a yearly salary of approximately EUR 31,752, which is EUR 2,646 monthly.
Specific Eligibility Criteria for Italy Digital Nomad Visa
- Italy self-employment visa or digital nomad visa requires you to have medical insurance for your entire stay in Italy.
- Proof or evidence of your stay in Italy.
- It would help if you showed an annual income of 3X the minimum needed to be exempt from healthcare payment charges, which is almost EUR 28,000 ($ 29,826).
Documents Required for Italy/Spain Digital Nomad Visa
- A valid passport
- A declaration/ work contract signed by your employer outside Italy and Spain
- Two passport-sized photographs
- Proof of financial sources
- Proof of accommodation in the respective country
- Health Insurance
- Clear criminal record certificate
How to Apply for a Digital Nomad Visa- Italy
To apply for Italy’s digital nomad visa, you must go to the Italian consular office in your home country.
1. Fill out the application form & submit the valid documents.
2. Pay the fixed administrative cost.
3. Upon authorization, you must acquire a residence authorization within eight days of arrival in Italy.
How to Apply for a Spain Digital Nomad Visa
If you want to apply for a remote work visa in Spain, you need to visit your regional Spanish consular office in your country of residence.
1. Download and complete the application form.
2. Submit a statement that no criminal records have been on the sheet for the last five years.
3. Pay the equivalent management cost.
4. Get personal medical insurance with full insurance coverage throughout Spain.
Renewal Provisions & Family Inclusion
The digital nomad visa is renewable in Italy and Spain, provided you satisfy the qualification needs.
Italy & Spain Digital Nomad Visa additionally allows the incorporation of family members under certain conditions.
Benefits of Italy & Spain Digital Nomad Visa
Italy, as well as Spain, is a part of the Schengen Area, which consists of 29 European nations, enabling the convenience of traveling throughout all of these countries.
Other Important Things You Must Know Regarding Digital Nomad Visas
Digital nomad visa applications are now available, but apart from this type of visa, there are many other ways to work in Italy. Read below to learn more.
List of other Italy Self-Employment Visa
There are three kinds of freelance visas available in Italy:
1. Italy Startup Visa: You can obtain this visa if you intend to open up an innovative firm in Italy or sign up with an existing business in an executive position.
2. Italy Freelancer Visa: You can get this Italy self-employed visa if you intend to be self-employed, do freelancing, and not work for a particular company.
3. Italy Entrepreneur Visa: You can make an application for this visa if you wish to implement a financial investment strategy (of not less than EUR 500,000) that adds value to the Italian economy.
Tax Benefits for Spain Digital Nomad Visa Owners
Apart from all the residency advantages seen until now, one of the major benefits of this new authorization comes from the tax obligation side.
- The additional disagreement developed to make this license much more helpful is the special tax regime that permits Spain Digital Nomad visa owners to save taxes.
- You will be taxed through the Non-Resident Income Tax Regime if you are an employee of a company outside Spain.
- This Non-Resident income tax is less than the regular income tax that residents must pay.
- In a situation where you have not stayed in Spain for the previous five years (as opposed to 10 as the primary regulation states), you will undoubtedly be permitted to pay a flat tax rate of simply 24% on your earnings as opposed to a progressive price that can get to as much as 48%.
- The Spain Digital Nomad visa will also eliminate the need to pay wealth tax or make informative declarations, known as model 720.
Ultimately, Spain Digital Nomad visa owners will undoubtedly be able to ask for the postponement of IRNR the first and second years with favorable taxed earnings (without interests).
If you keep your residency as a digital nomad and then switch to the general regime, this beneficial tax regime will be in effect for five years.
EU Digital Nomad Visa Programs & eSIM International Benefits
Today, there are 40 million digital nomads in nations worldwide.
Many European nations offer Digital Nomad visa programs. The major countries include:
- Croatia, Cyprus
- Estonia, Greece, Hungary
- Iceland, Latvia, Malta,
- Romania, the Netherlands, Norway
- Spain and Italy
While being a digital nomad in Spain, Italy, or anywhere in the EU means traveling for work across countries, staying connected is an essential requirement.
With an eSIM, your remote working experience will go smoothly. How? Here are the reasons:
- eSIMs permit you to buy data plans online from various providers across the globe, providing a smooth connection wherever your work takes you.
- Traditional roaming charges are very high. eSIMs allow you to compare plans and pick the most economical one for each place.
- An eSIM is directly embedded in your phone, so your provider can block it even if it is lost or stolen. Unlike physical SIMs, eSIMs can’t be removed and destroyed.
Conclusion
The Italy and Spain Digital Nomad Visa programs unlock more growth opportunities for remote employees. With careful consideration and planning, you can experience the social richness, breathtaking landscapes, and special way of life that these nations provide alongside your work.
You can easily apply for a digital nomad visa and get an eSIM from Zetexa’s ZetSIM app, which offers services in over 180 countries. It’s all you need to stay connected and work hassle-free.
So, be ready to live and work from your desired European heaven!
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FAQs
You must have either a college-level degree or the relevant job experience. You must also submit proof that you have worked remotely for at least six months. An income requirement is mentioned in the blog, too.
The easiest DNV in Europe is Portugal’s Startup Visa program, designed to attract entrepreneurs and digital nomads to the country. It offers fast-track approvals, allowing you to obtain a residence permit within a few weeks.
Costa Rica, Malta, Spain, Portugal, Saint Lucia, Mexico, etc., are some of the countries with cheap nomad visas.
