Your Turnkey Bridge to Residency in Spain & Portugal
We eliminate paperwork rejections by managing compliant US & Canadian files stateside—handling FBI/RCMP retrieval, federal D.C./Ottawa apostilles, and official MAEC sworn translations before handing off to top Iberian immigration lawyers.
Choose Your Iberian Destination
We provide turnkey relocation solutions and stateside document processing tailored to the exact legal frameworks of Spain and Portugal.
Spain Residency Pathways
We assist with two primary Spanish visa categories:
- Spain Digital Nomad Visa (DNV): For active remote employees (W-2) and 1099 freelancers earning 200% SMI (~€2,700+/mo) from foreign sources. Benefit from a 3-year initial permit and Beckham Law (24% flat tax).
- Spain Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV): For retirees and self-funded applicants living off passive income (pensions, dividends, rentals) meeting 400% IPREM thresholds without working in Spain.
Portugal Residency Pathways
We assist with two primary Portuguese visa categories:
- Portugal D8 Digital Nomad Visa: For active remote workers earning 4x the Portuguese minimum wage (~€3,680+/mo) from foreign employment or freelancing contracts.
- Portugal D7 Passive Income Visa: For retirees, pensioners, and passive investors earning recurring non-active income (minimum €920+/mo) alongside a Portuguese bank savings deposit.
The Stateside Concierge Advantage
Standard immigration agencies only handle portal uploads in Spain, leaving you stranded with complex North American paperwork. We solve the physical document maze.
❌ Traditional Agencies & Lawyers
- Hands Off North America: They give you a PDF checklist and leave you to figure out fingerprinting, apostilles, and D.C./Ottawa couriers alone.
- Document Expiration Risk: FBI and RCMP clearances expire in 90 days. Uncoordinated delays force you to re-do paperwork from scratch.
- Rejected Translations: They accept non-certified US/Canadian notary translations that fail at Spanish consulates.
- Hidden Vendor Costs: You pay separate, uncoordinated fees to notary services, apostille agents, and external translators.
✅ DigitalNomadInSpain.org
- In-House Management: We handle fingerprinting, state/federal D.C. couriers, and Ottawa RCMP clearance retrieval directly.
- 90-Day Freshness Guarantee: We synchronize document retrieval so your records remain fresh on filing day.
- 100% Legal Acceptance: All translations executed via official MAEC-accredited Traductores Jurados in Spain.
- Turnkey Partner Hand-Off: Pristine files go straight to verified Spanish lawyers, real estate locators, and insurance partners.
Who We Serve: Tailored Visa Pathways
We specialize exclusively in assisting US and Canadian passport holders relocating under Spain’s two major residency frameworks:
North American Expat Specialists
Navigating Spanish bureaucracy from North America requires precise timing. Standard state notarizations and state-level apostilles on federal documents are routinely rejected by Spanish consulates and UGE portal officers.
Our concierge pre-audits W-2 employer compliance, executes Form USA/E 1 Social Security certificates, retrieves FBI/RCMP background checks, and completes MAEC sworn translations before portal submission.
Spain Digital Nomad Visa (DNV)
For Active Remote Workers, Contractors & Founders- US W-2 Employees: Social Security compliance audits & Form USA/E 1 exemption certificate requests under the US-Spain Totalization Agreement.
- 1099 Contractors & Freelancers: Contract vetting, foreign invoicing proof, and client continuity verification (3+ month rule).
- Business Owners & Founders: LLC or corporate structure validation for Spanish remote tax residency.
Spain Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV)
For Retirees, Passive Income Earners & Self-Funded Expats- Retirees & Pensioners: Fixed monthly pension, 401(k)/IRA drawdowns, or Social Security distributions.
- Passive Investors: Rental income, investment dividends, capital gains, and trust funds.
- Self-Funded Families: Meeting 400% IPREM financial thresholds with personal liquid investment portfolios.
United States & Canadian Document Processing
Spanish consulates across North America (Miami, NYC, LA, Chicago, Toronto, Ottawa) enforce distinct documentation rules. Here is how we manage each country:
🇺🇸 United States Document Logistics
US documents require federal-level processing that standard local notary offices cannot provide:
- FBI Criminal History Summaries: Retrieved via LiveScan fingerprinting. Valid for exactly 90 days for Spain.
- D.C. Federal Hague Apostilles: Expedited couriers through the US Department of State in Washington D.C.
- State Documents: Secretary of State Hague Apostilles for marriage, birth, or degree certificates.
- W-2 Employer Compliance: Pre-auditing corporate permission letters and Form USA/E 1 Social Security certificates.
🇨🇦 Canadian Document Logistics
Following Canada’s accession to the Hague Apostille Convention, rules have modernized:
- RCMP Certified Criminal Checks: Fingerprint-based certified criminal record checks from Ottawa.
- Global Affairs Canada Apostilles: Federal authentication via Global Affairs Canada or provincial competent authorities.
- Civil Status Records: Birth, marriage, and divorce certificates stamped with provincial apostilles.
- Canadian Business Documents: CRA tax assessments, corporate articles, and remote contractor agreements.
Our Service Tiers
Select the exact level of support you need for your move to Spain or Portugal.
Consulate-Ready Pack
DIY Filing • Full Paper Prep. Perfect if you plan to file the visa yourself but want your background checks, apostilles, translations, and income verified first.
- FBI / RCMP Background Check Retrieval
- Federal Hague Apostille Couriers (D.C. / Ottawa)
- Official MAEC Sworn Translations
- 90-Day Document Freshness Guarantee
Turnkey Nomad Package
Complete Service • Lawyer Filing. Includes full document prep in North America plus direct submission by our partner lawyers in Spain or Portugal.
- Includes Everything in Consulate-Ready Pack
- W-2 Social Security Pre-Audit (Form USA/E 1)
- Direct Hand-Off to Partner Immigration Lawyers
- Official UGE / Consular Filing Management
- Zero External Attorney Searching Required
Executive VIP Bundle
White-Glove • Full Family Service. Designed for executives and families who want priority rush couriers, complete civil record coverage, and a dedicated case manager.
- Includes Everything in Turnkey Nomad Package
- Priority Rush Federal & State Couriers
- Local Padrón & TIE Card Booking
- Non-Resident Spanish Bank Account Setup
- Expat Health Insurance & Beckham Law Tax Audit
Vetted Experts & Bespoke Relocation Solutions
We are North American documentation masters who work exclusively with Spain’s top-tier immigration attorneys, vetted real estate locators, and accredited health insurance providers. Need a specialized setup or custom family service not listed above? Thanks to our extensive network across Spain, we craft fully bespoke packages.
Get in Touch for a Bespoke PackageFrequently Asked Questions
Essential legal, document, and relocation questions answered for moving to Spain from North America.
What is the difference between applying from North America vs. inside Spain?
For the Digital Nomad Visa, applying while physically present in Spain as a tourist grants a 3-year residency permit directly via the UGE portal. Applying through a US or Canadian consulate grants a 1-year visa. For the Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV), all initial applications must be processed through your local consulate in North America.
How long is an FBI or RCMP background check valid for Spanish residency?
Criminal background checks (FBI for US citizens, RCMP for Canadian citizens) are valid for exactly 90 days from their date of issuance when submitting for Spanish residency. Our concierge coordinates fingerprinting, federal D.C. or Ottawa apostille couriers, and sworn translations so your documents remain fresh on filing day.
Why are standard US or Canadian notarized translations rejected?
Spanish immigration law strictly mandates that all foreign legal documents must be translated by a Traductor Jurado registered with Spain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAEC). Standard certified or notarized translations from North American agencies are routinely rejected by Spanish consulates and UGE portal officers.
Can US W-2 employees qualify for the Spain Digital Nomad Visa?
Yes, but W-2 employees face strict Social Security rules. Your US employer must either register with Spanish Social Security or obtain an official Certificate of Coverage (Form USA/E 1) under the US-Spain Totalization Agreement. We pre-audit your employment letter and corporate setup before any filing begins.
Do I need to find my own lawyer in Spain?
No. On our Turnkey Residency and Full Settlement Concierge packages, direct hand-off to practicing, licensed Spanish immigration attorneys is fully included. We process your physical file stateside and pass a pristine digital folder to our partner lawyers for official portal filing.
What is the Beckham Law, and can Digital Nomad Visa holders apply?
The Beckham Law (Special Expat Tax Regime) allows qualifying foreign remote workers moving to Spain to pay a flat 24% income tax rate on Spanish-sourced earnings up to €600,000 for up to 6 years, rather than standard progressive tax rates (up to 47%+). Digital Nomad Visa holders who have not lived in Spain for the past 5 years generally qualify.
Ready to Plan Your Move to Spain or Portugal?
Connect directly with our team to review your remote income eligibility, employment setup, or document timelines before starting. Or verify our 5-star independently rated reviews: