🇨🇳 Spain Digital Nomad Visa for Chinese Citizens – Full Legal Guide
Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa (DNV) is a powerful new opportunity for remote workers and freelancers from China who want to live legally in Europe. Whether you work in tech, design, business services, or content creation — you can now base yourself in Spain while working online for companies abroad.
Here’s how Chinese nationals can qualify, apply, and relocate smartly.
✅ Who Qualifies?
To be eligible for the Spain DNV, you must:
💻 Work remotely for a non-Spanish company (as employee or freelancer)
💰 Earn at least €2,646/month (~¥20,000–¥21,000 RMB)
📄 Have at least 3 months of work history or client contracts
🎓 Hold a university degree or 3+ years of professional experience
🧾 Provide a clean criminal record from China
🏥 Carry Spanish health insurance (private policy)
🏠 Show proof of housing in Spain (rental or hotel)
📂 Required Documents
To apply from China, you’ll need:
-
Valid Chinese passport
-
Non-criminal certificate (无犯罪记录证明), apostilled
-
Remote work proof (employment contract or client agreements)
-
Income proof (bank statements, payslips, invoices)
-
Degree certificate or experience verification
-
Health insurance covering Spain
-
Proof of accommodation
-
Sworn translations into Spanish for all documents
📎 Note: Apostilles in China require coordination via the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or relevant local bodies.
🛂 How to Apply
Option 1: From China
-
Apply at the Spanish consulate in Beijing, Shanghai, or Guangzhou
-
Receive a 1-year digital nomad visa
-
After arrival in Spain, convert it to a 3-year residence card
Option 2: From Spain
-
Enter with a Schengen visa or other legal entry
-
Apply via the UGE portal
-
Receive a 3-year digital nomad residence permit
🕐 Processing time:
-
~20 business days in Spain
-
6–10 weeks via consulate in China
👨👩👧 Can Your Family Join?
Yes — Spain allows dependent family members to join you:
-
Spouse or registered partner
-
Children under 18
-
Older dependents (with proof of dependency)
💰 Income requirements increase:
-
+€1,000/month per adult
-
+€300/month per child
📝 Each family member must also provide apostilled criminal records and birth/marriage certificates.
💰 What About Taxes?
Spain offers the Beckham Law, ideal for digital nomads:
-
Flat 24% income tax on Spanish earnings (up to €600,000/year)
-
Foreign income (from Chinese clients or companies) may be exempt
-
Valid for 6 years
-
⚠️ Spain and China do not have a comprehensive tax treaty — careful planning is needed to avoid double taxation
📌 Borderless Lawyers helps structure your residency and avoid tax pitfalls between China and Spain.
🏙️ Where Chinese Nomads Live in Spain
| City | Why It’s Popular for Chinese Citizens |
|---|---|
| Barcelona | Tech-friendly, sea & city, global expat hubs |
| Madrid | Embassies, business services, strong transport |
| Valencia | Affordable, beach lifestyle, safe for families |
| Málaga | Sunny and calm, good for remote work |
| Alicante | Lower cost of living, growing Asian expat base |
⚖️ How Borderless Lawyers Supports Chinese Citizens
We assist Chinese nationals with:
✅ Apostille coordination in China
✅ Sworn Spanish translations
✅ Application submission (Spain or China)
✅ NIE, residency card, and tax registration
✅ Beckham Law optimization and family visas
📞 Book your consultation in English, Mandarin, or Spanish — we make relocation smooth and fully legal.
✈️ Final Thoughts
For Chinese digital professionals, Spain’s digital nomad visa is a practical, safe, and long-term way to live and work from Europe — legally and with significant tax advantages.
👉 Borderless Lawyers helps you handle the legal complexity while you focus on building your global career.