Hello everyone, and welcome back! We’ve got some very welcome news to share regarding a question we hear all the time: Do my dependents need to be physically in Spain to apply for the Digital Nomad Visa (DNV)?
For many, the assumption has been that everyone needs to be on Spanish soil. However, based on our direct experience with multiple successful applications, we’re pleased to share that the answer appears to be NO!
Our Journey to This Understanding
This isn’t just a theory; we’ve seen it in action, and it’s a development that could make a real difference for many families. Here’s how we discovered this:
- The First Case (October 2024): It started with an American couple. The main applicant (American) could travel to Spain visa-free, but their spouse (Filipino) required a Schengen visa. We took a calculated approach and submitted the Filipino spouse’s dependent application while they were still outside Spain. The result? Approved!
- Building on Success (February 2025): We then applied this learning to a case involving two dependent parents of a main applicant who had secured a three-year UGE residence authorization. Again, their dependent applications, submitted from outside Spain, were successful.
- Consistent Results (April 2025 & Beyond): The positive outcomes continued. We’ve since seen approvals for an unmarried partner applying as a dependent from abroad (April 2025) and for children in two other separate family applications.
What This Means for You: Key Advantages
This is excellent news for prospective DNV applicants with families for several reasons:
- Lower Upfront Costs: The main applicant can travel to Spain to initiate the process, while dependents can wait for their approval before making the move. This can significantly ease the initial financial burden.
- More Flexible Relocation: Families can plan the move in stages, making the transition smoother and potentially less disruptive.
- Consistent Residency Terms: Crucially, in all these cases, the dependents were granted the full three-year residence authorization, matching the main applicant’s permit.
How Do Approved Dependents Travel to Spain?
Once a dependent’s application is approved while they’re abroad, they’ll naturally need to come to Spain for the final steps (like TIE fingerprinting). Here’s what we’ve seen work:
- Schengen Visa-Free Entry: If your dependent holds a passport that allows visa-free entry to the Schengen zone, they can simply travel to Spain on their allowance.
- For Those Needing a Schengen Visa: This was the situation for most of the dependents in our successful cases. They generally pursued one of two paths:
- Option A: A standard Schengen Visa.
- Option B: A 1-Year Digital Nomad Visa from the Spanish Consulate. This has been a popular and effective route. Four of the six dependents in our recent experiences obtained this one-year DNV from their local consulate. They then used this visa to enter Spain and go straight to their TIE appointment, with the TIE card reflecting their initial three-year approval.
A Promising (But Still Early) Development for Entry
We’re also keeping a close eye on another interesting possibility. There has been one verified report of a Spanish consulate accepting an approval letter and proof of a pending TIE appointment as sufficient grounds for a dependent to re-enter Spain on a tourist visa.
While this is just a single report so far, it’s an encouraging sign. We plan to explore this with some of our clients in similar situations and will certainly share any insights we gain.
In Summary
This is a significant development that can make the Spanish Digital Nomad Visa more accessible and manageable for families. The ability for dependents to apply from outside Spain can alleviate considerable logistical and financial pressure.
The DNV landscape is continually evolving, and nuances like these are important to understand. If you’re considering the DNV with your family and have questions about how this might apply to your situation, we’re here to help. Book a consultation with us now!
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