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How do I submit my application?

Steps how to submit your DNV application.

First you pick where you plan to apply.

🏛️ Where to apply: UGE vs Consulate

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Your First Critical Decision.

You have 2 options where to apply.

Apply from your home country via the Spanish consulate, or

Apply from within Spain (UGE)

This choice affects income requirements, approval speed, residency length, and long-term flexibility.

This section helps you choose correctly, in under 2 minutes.

Apply via UGE in Spain 🇪🇸

€2,894+ minimum income requirement

Fully online submission

Less consulate drama, years of ITR not needed

Faster, 20-days guaranteed response

3-years residency upon approval

Best for:

Remote workers already in EU or able to enter Spain legally (the stamp/entry proof is needed)

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If you qualify for UGE, it is usually the superior path. Faster. Online Submission. Longer residency.

Apply via Spanish Consulate 🏠

€2,303+ minimum income requirement

In-person appointments, paper submission ⚠

Slower, more variable timelines ⚠ May take 1-3+ months.

Stricter with documents (years of tax returns needed)

1-year residency upon approval

Best for:

Those who cannot legally apply from Spain

Applying in Spain is the recommended route.

I personally don’t recommend applying in your own country (Spanish Consulate) for many reasons. For one, applying via Consulate would only give you 1 year residency and then disqualify you into getting a TIE (Residency Card) until you re-apply again in Spain for the 3-year residency. You can only re-apply 60 days before your 1-YR DNV expires. So it’s like applying twice. Consulates are also far stricter, slower and higher chances of rejection as compared to Spain.

But that’s entirely up to you. This playbook focuses on applying in Spain.

What you need pre-arrival / upon arrival

Spanish Phone Number

Unfortunately, you can't purchase a Spanish SIM card online as it requires ID verification. If you know anyone in Spain, ask them for a simple favor: to let you use their number until you arrive in Spain.

If you arrive in Spain without a number, getting a SIM card should be the first thing you do. You can obtain one at airports or small mobile shops. I recommend getting Orange or Vodafone. Ensure that the country code is +34.

2. Booked NIE Appointment

NIE appointments are better scheduled before your arrival, as they are difficult to secure. You will also need a Spanish phone number to confirm your appointment.

3. An Apartment Booked for at Least a Month (if you don't know anyone)

You will need this address when filling out any forms.

Once you are in Spain, you are now eligible to submit your application onsite. If you have a few days remaining on your Schengen days, no worries. One submitted, you are allowed to stay once its on the process.

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In order: Declaration of Entry → NIE → Digital Certification → Access to the UGE’s DNV Procedure (Application Submission)

All submissions are done online via the

UGE’s website⁠

. A digital certificate is required to be able to submit our Digital Nomad Application + documents.

Requirements to Access the UGE Submission System, Then the Procedure

To access the UGE website, you will need the NIE (Foreign Identification Number) and a Digital Certificate.

1. Spain Entry Stamp / Declaration of Entry ( Declación de Entrada)

This Document is crucial for two reasons.

To obtain your NIE, you must provide this proof of stamp/entry demonstrate that you entered Spain legally.

You must upload this document as part of your DNV submission form requirements.

Note: You have only a 48-hour window to obtain this from any police station (policia). If you did not fly directly into Spain, you will need a Declaration of Entry instead of a stamp.

Upon arrival in the airport, there’s almost always an immigration office or policie station nearby. You must go to that office immediately.

Without this document, it is impossible to get your NIE.

It’s advisable to arrive on a Wednesday or Thursday. This way, if you cannot obtain the document on the day of arrival, you try again the next day. Police Stations are only open until 2:00 PM, Monday through Friday.

2. NIE

or Número de Identidad de Extranjero (Foreigner Identity Number). The NIE is your Tax ID in Spain. Before arriving in Spain, you should schedule your NIE appointment in advance.

To book any appointment, you must have a Spain Number (+34) I got mine via Orange or Vodafone.

If you need assistance, I could book this for you by booking me

here⁠

3. Digital Certificate (Certificado Digital)

To book appointments and access procedures on Spain’s government website, you almost always need a Digital Certificate. This serves as your “logging-in” to government systems.

To obtain your certicado digital:

Download the

FNMT Software⁠

Verify your certificate in person

Here’s more details how to get it.⁠

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Once you have all three, then you are ready to go and access the UGE’s website and submit your Digital Nomad Application! ✓