🇵🇱 Spain Digital Nomad Visa for Polish Citizens – Is It Necessary?
As Poland is an EU member state, Polish citizens can live, work, and move freely within Spain without applying for a formal visa. But in some cases — particularly for remote workers and freelancers — applying for Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa (DNV) can offer advantages related to taxes, residency formalization, and long-term legal certainty.
Let’s break down when the DNV makes sense for Polish citizens — and when it doesn’t.
🇪🇺 Polish Citizens Don’t Need a Visa to Move to Spain
Poland and Spain are both EU members, so:
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You can enter and reside in Spain without a visa
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You have the right to work as an employee or freelancer
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You must register as an EU resident after 90 days (Certificado de Registro de Ciudadano de la UE)
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You must obtain an NIE (Foreigner ID Number) and empadronamiento (local address registration)
📌 This gives you legal residency, but not access to special expat tax benefits like the Beckham Law.
✅ When the Digital Nomad Visa May Be Useful for Polish Citizens
Some Polish remote workers may still consider applying for the Digital Nomad Visa instead of using free EU mobility, especially if they:
🧾 Want to apply for the Beckham Law to pay flat 24% income tax
🔐 Want residency protection that’s independent of EU registration systems
📉 Are paid from non-EU companies and want to separate Spanish tax liability
👨👩👧 Plan to bring non-EU family members
🏡 Want a clear legal pathway for buying property, registering a business, or staying longer-term
💰 Tax Planning: Beckham Law vs. Regular EU Residency
| Residency Type | Tax Benefits | Tax Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Standard EU citizen | Subject to worldwide tax in Spain after 183 days | ~19% to 45% based on income |
| Digital Nomad Visa | Eligible for Beckham Law | 24% flat tax (up to €600,000) |
⚠️ If you reside in Spain for more than 183 days, you’re a tax resident — even without a visa.
📋 DNV Requirements for Polish Citizens
Even if optional, if you choose to apply for the DNV, you must still meet:
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€2,646/month income
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Remote work for a non-Spanish company
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University degree or 3+ years’ experience
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Health insurance
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Apostilled criminal record (from Poland and other countries lived in)
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Proof of housing in Spain
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Spanish sworn translations of all documents
🕐 Apply via the UGE portal while legally in Spain — most Polish citizens use this route.
👨👩👧 Family Considerations
If your spouse or children are non-EU citizens, the DNV gives you:
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A legal family reunification route
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A path to joint residency cards
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Avoids delays with EU-only registration
⚖️ How Borderless Lawyers Helps Polish Citizens
We support Polish clients by:
✅ Evaluating whether DNV or EU residency is better for your case
✅ Helping register with NIE, empadronamiento, and social security
✅ Filing for Beckham Law where applicable
✅ Assisting with DNV for non-EU family members
✅ Offering cross-border tax planning between Spain and Poland
📞 Book a free consultation and get clarity on the smartest legal route to live and work in Spain.
✈️ Final Thoughts
Most Polish citizens don’t need the Digital Nomad Visa to live or work in Spain — thanks to EU mobility rights. But for those seeking tax benefits, legal clarity, or family reunification for non-EU relatives, the DNV is a strategic option worth considering.
👉 Borderless Lawyers can help you choose the right path and stay fully compliant in Spain.