Digital Nomad Residency in Spain and Family Reunification for a Chinese Citizen

Li Chen, 36 years old, a DevOps engineer with over 12 years of experience, contacted GARANT.in in the spring of 2024 to obtain a residence permit in Spain through the Digital Nomad program. Originally from Hangzhou (China), Li has been working remotely for a Canadian IT company for many years, earning $6,500 per month. He not only wanted to move to Europe but also to bring his family—his wife and eight-year-old son—with him.

Li chose Spain due to its mild climate, high quality of life, access to the Schengen area, and the country’s new, flexible immigration regime for remote professionals. He was particularly attracted by the opportunity to quickly process family reunification and the favorable tax regime (Beckham Law) available to digital nomads.

Client's Goals

• Obtain Spanish residency through the Digital Nomad Visa program.
• Maintain the ability to work remotely for a foreign employer.
• Relocate with his wife and child through the family reunification program.
• Live in Malaga or Valencia—comfortable, warm cities with developed infrastructure.
• Eventually apply for permanent residence and EU citizenship.

Why Spain and the Digital Nomad Visa?

Spain is one of the few EU countries to have officially introduced a dedicated residence category for digital nomads in 2023. The program offers several key advantages:

• Fast processing (including via consulates).
• Ability to apply for family reunification immediately after obtaining residency.
• Favorable tax regime (income up to €600,000 per year taxed at 24%).
• No need to register a business or open a company.
• Clear and transparent requirements for income, experience, and employment contract.

All these factors influenced Li Chen’s decision and made Spain his destination of choice.

Case Workflow

Initial Consultation and Situation Analysis

During the consultation, GARANT.in specialists conducted a comprehensive analysis of the client’s migration profile. Li Chen works remotely under an employment contract with a Canadian IT company, providing him with a stable monthly income exceeding $6,500. He holds a higher technical education and has more than a decade of experience in the IT field, which confirms his high level of qualification.

All documents required for the visa application were already prepared and could be quickly translated and legalized according to Spanish regulations. The client’s goal was not only to obtain a residence permit in Spain but also to legalize his family members in the short term.

The optimal solution was determined to be submitting the application through the Spanish Consulate General in Shanghai, followed by entering Spain and initiating the family reunification process within the country.

Document Preparation

GARANT.in prepared and legalized the complete set of documents needed for Li to obtain a Digital Nomad Visa in Spain:

• Employment contract (indicating remote work and salary).
• Bank statement showing $50,000 in personal funds.
• CV, university diploma, and a letter detailing work experience.
• Health insurance covering more than €30,000.
• Police clearance certificate with apostille.
• Motivation letter (why Spain, how he will integrate).
• Long-term rental contract for an apartment in Malaga.
• Translated and certified documents for his wife and child (for the family reunification stage).

All translations were completed in Spanish by certified professionals and notarized.

Consulate Application Submission

In April 2024, Li submitted his documents to the Spanish Consulate General in Shanghai. GARANT.in’s legal team had thoroughly prepared him for the interview, including practicing in both English and Spanish.

Four weeks later, Li received a positive decision and a digital nomad residence visa, giving him the right to apply for a resident card (TIE) upon arrival in Spain.

Document Processing in Spain

The agency’s specialists also assisted with the relocation process: finding a suitable apartment in central Malaga that met family needs—an office, Wi-Fi, and proximity to an international school; obtaining a foreigner identification number (NIE), registration, opening a bank account, and more.

Family Reunification

One month after entering Spain, Li submitted documents for his wife and child. Five weeks later, they received family reunification visas. In August, they arrived in Spain and obtained their residence cards locally.

Results

The client received a one-year Digital Nomad Visa with the right to renew. His family also obtained residency under the family reunification program.

In three years, he will be eligible to apply for permanent residency and later for Spanish citizenship.

Client Testimonial

“GARANT.in didn’t just help me move—they helped me bring my family, adapt, and start a new chapter of life in Europe. I never imagined the paperwork could go so smoothly and efficiently, especially from the Chinese side. The lawyers planned every step in detail, and everything went perfectly. Now we live by the sea, my son goes to a great school, and I continue working remotely with peace of mind. Thank you for your professionalism and care!” — Li Chen.

Want to Live in Spain While Working Remotely?

If you’re an IT specialist, designer, marketer, or any other remote professional, Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa program is an ideal way to legally relocate, retain your income, and enjoy the benefits of life in the EU.

GARANT.in will help you:

• Prepare all documents.
• Obtain your residence permit and move.
• Organize family reunification.
• Find housing and adapt.

Book a consultation and take your first step toward life in Spain—with professional support from GARANT.in.