Why this matters to you
If you’re considering immigrating from the US to Spain with your family or as a remote worker, the Digital Nomad Visa can be your entry point to a new lifestyle. It allows you to keep your work abroad, bring your loved ones with you, and settle in a city like Valencia that combines Mediterranean charm with real everyday comfort.

At Livin’Valencia, we know that moving countries is about much more than visas. It’s about confidence, clarity, and care. That’s why we guide families and professionals step by step—from preparing your Digital Nomad Visa to finding the right home, enrolling children in schools, registering your pets, and making sure you don’t feel lost in Spanish bureaucracy.

This is a complete guide to immigrate to Valencia with Digital Nomad Visa, based on what families and workers really experience, and how we help them settle with less stress.

What is the Digital Nomad Visa and who qualifies

Spain created the Digital Nomad Visa to attract non-EU professionals who can work remotely. To qualify, you must prove steady income from outside Spain, either as an employee of a foreign company or as a freelancer with international clients. Some Spanish income is allowed if you freelance, but no more than 20 percent of your total.

You also need to show professional experience: either a university degree or at least three years of proven work in your field. Health insurance, a clean criminal record, and financial means are also required.

For families, dependents can be included in the application—your spouse or partner, children, and sometimes parents if they depend on you. This makes it a genuine immigration option, not just for single remote workers.

Timeline for immigrating with the Digital Nomad Visa

Nine to six months before departure
This is the time to start preparing. You gather documents, translate them if required, and check apostilles. You confirm your employment contracts, pay slips, or freelancer invoices. Families start planning schools and consider renting versus buying. Pets also need long lead times for vaccinations and paperwork.

Six to three months before departure
You begin the visa application process. If applying from the US, you contact the Spanish consulate in your jurisdiction and book an appointment. If applying once in Spain, you prepare to enter on a tourist basis and adjust status here. During this period, we at Livin’Valencia coordinate with our trusted lawyers to review your application before submission, so you avoid rejections or delays.

Three months to arrival
This phase is about planning the practical move. You refine housing choices: city apartment versus suburban home. You compare schools and gather the required documents for enrollment. You also book temporary housing for your first weeks, so you can visit long-term options in person. We provide reports, virtual tours, and guidance so that when you arrive, you don’t start from zero.

Arrival month
You collect your visa or residence card and land in Valencia. The first weeks are always intense: TIE applications, padrón registration, opening a bank account, setting up utilities and internet, registering children in schools, and finalizing your permanent home. This is where we stand by you, so each step feels manageable rather than chaotic.

First three to six months in Valencia
You and your family start to feel at home. Children adapt to school routines, you find your favorite cafés and shops, your pets are registered with local vets, and you’re integrated into parent or expat communities. Livin’Valencia remains available for ongoing support, because relocation doesn’t end once the boxes are unpacked.

Why Valencia works so well for Digital Nomads and families

Valencia offers the right mix of lifestyle, affordability, and international community.

• Cost of living is lower than in Madrid or Barcelona, yet the city has excellent infrastructure, healthcare, and schools.
• The Turia Gardens, bike paths, and proximity to beaches make family life easier and healthier.
• International schools and bilingual education provide continuity for children while helping them integrate.
• The growing expat and digital nomad community means you’re never alone, whether for professional networking or making friends.

Valencia is big enough to feel connected, but small enough to stay human. That balance is what many families and professionals appreciate after leaving the US.

Housing: renting or buying while immigrating

Renting gives flexibility. It’s often the best first step when you’re new to Valencia. We guide you through the competitive market, accompany visits, and review contracts with lawyers so you don’t sign into unfair terms.

Buying provides stability. If you know Valencia will be your long-term base, we act as independent buyer advisors. That means we search the market on your behalf, negotiate prices, conduct due diligence, and accompany you until notary signing.

Many families choose to rent for the first year while their visa and life stabilize, then consider buying once they know which neighborhood feels right. We adapt to whichever path you choose, without pushing you one way or another.

Schools: how your visa and family decisions interact

Education is often central to relocation. With the Digital Nomad Visa, you must show private health insurance but not necessarily private schooling. Still, many families prefer international or bilingual schools at the start, to ease the transition.

Options in Valencia include American and British schools, bilingual programs, and local Spanish schools. We explain deadlines, help with applications, and accompany visits. We also share insights about integration, community, and the differences between each system. This way, your children’s education is not left to chance.

Administrative steps after arrival

Once in Valencia, your to-do list includes:

• Applying for the TIE (residence card)
• Registering your address at the padrón
• Opening a Spanish bank account
• Securing private health insurance or registering with the public system
• Setting up utilities and internet in your new home
• Finalizing school enrollment
• Registering pets with the local municipality

These steps are where many newcomers get stuck. Different offices, appointments, paperwork in Spanish—it can quickly become stressful. Our role is to anticipate, guide, and accompany you through each, so your family feels supported.

Pets are part of the family

Immigration doesn’t stop at people. For many Americans moving to Valencia, pets are part of the plan. The EU requires microchips, rabies vaccinations, and official health certificates before travel. Airlines have their own rules, and once in Spain, pets must be registered locally.

We help you prepare pets before departure and support the process once you arrive. Because for most families, leaving pets behind is not an option.

Free tax consultation for peace of mind

Immigration is not only legal and logistical—it also has financial consequences. Many Americans moving to Spain want clarity about tax residency, income from abroad, and how US obligations interact with Spanish rules.

That’s why we include a free first consultation with our tax expert. This allows you to understand double taxation, the Beckham Law for digital nomads, and timing decisions for becoming tax resident. It’s practical reassurance that your finances won’t become an unpleasant surprise.

Why choose Livin’Valencia

Because we understand both sides. As expats who settled in Spain ourselves, we know what the process feels like. And as advisors, we’ve helped countless families and remote workers immigrate to Valencia with clarity and trust.

We’re independent, fixed-fee, and entirely on your side. Our incentives are aligned with your success, not with commissions or quick deals. We guide you through the Digital Nomad Visa process, connect you with expert lawyers, secure your housing, support school applications, and stand by you during every administrative step.

Immigration is not just about documents—it’s about confidence, family, and belonging. That’s what we deliver.

FAQs about immigrating to Valencia with the Digital Nomad Visa

Can I apply for the Digital Nomad Visa from Spain, or do I need to start in the US?
Both are possible. Some Americans apply directly at the Spanish consulate in their state before departure. Others enter Spain on a tourist visa and apply from here. The right option depends on your personal timeline, income documentation, and family situation.

How much income do I need to prove for the Digital Nomad Visa?
For a single applicant, around €2,700 per month is required in 2025. For families, the threshold increases significantly—often around 25 percent more for the first dependent and smaller increments for each additional one.

How long does it take to get approved?
If you apply in the US, consulate timelines are usually 2–3 months. If you apply in Spain, approvals can be faster, sometimes within 1–2 months, depending on the workload of immigration offices.

Do my children have to go to an international school?
Not necessarily. Families can choose between international, bilingual, or public Spanish schools. Many prefer international schools at first, especially for older children, but younger ones adapt quickly to bilingual or local environments.

Do I have to pay Spanish taxes as a Digital Nomad Visa holder?
Yes, once you spend more than 183 days per year in Spain, you’re considered tax resident. However, special regimes such as the Beckham Law can reduce your effective tax rate. That’s why we include a free tax consultation in our service.

Can I bring my pets with me on the Digital Nomad Visa?
Yes, as long as you meet EU requirements for vaccination, microchipping, and certification. Pets are welcome in Spain, and many families bring them as part of the move.

What if I want to buy property instead of renting?
You can. Buying is possible from day one, even as a foreigner. Many families still rent first to understand neighborhoods and school options, but if you want to buy directly, we guide you through every legal and practical step.

What if I get rejected for the Digital Nomad Visa?
Rejections are rare if the application is well-prepared. That’s why working with specialized lawyers and an advisory team like us is essential. If it happens, we help you explore alternatives like the Non-Lucrative Visa or family reunification if applicable.

Final word

Immigrating to Valencia with the Digital Nomad Visa is more than paperwork. It’s about creating a new life for yourself and your family—secure, confident, and supported.

Book your free consultation with us today, and let’s build your immigration timeline together—step by step, with no stress and no surprises.