Two immigration lawyers had already told her the same thing: without a university degree, the Spanish Digital Nomad Visa was out of reach. She was about to cancel the move. Ten days after we filed her case, she had the visa.
This is a real case. The degree was never the obstacle. The missing evidence was.
The Advice That Almost Ended Her Plan
Sarah (name changed) is a British banking professional with more than a decade in management roles. She was told the visa required either a degree or three years in her current job.
The second part was simply wrong. And that mistake nearly cost her the move to Spain.
What the Law Actually Says
Article 74 bis.2 of Law 14/2013 accepts applicants who prove one of two things. Not both.
Option A: Qualifications
What countsA university degree or postgraduate Also validVocational training or a recognised business schoolOption B: Experience
What countsAt least three years of professional experience Key pointIt can add up across several jobs and employersThe law does not say the three years must be in one job or one company. Reading it that way is what led the previous advisors to the wrong answer.
How We Built the File
Instead of apologising for the missing degree, the file put her career front and centre:
How to Prove Experience Without a Degree
Experience only counts if it is documented. These are the pieces caseworkers look for:
Employment
Contracts for each role Reference letters with dates and duties Payslips across the yearsOfficial records
Social security or tax work history Company registration if self-employed Invoices for freelance workExpertise
A detailed CV linking every role Professional certifications Evidence of seniority and responsibilityExample
Tomás, a self-taught web developer from Argentina, has worked four years for three different agencies, one of them as a freelancer. No single job reaches three years, but together they do. Contracts, invoices and reference letters cover the whole period without gaps.
If you meet the experience path, the next step is to start your Digital Nomad Visa application with the file built the same way.
Why This Process Is Harder Than It Looks
- Taking “impossible” as the final answer from a first opinion.
- Believing the three years must be in one job or one employer.
- Sending a two-line CV instead of a documented career.
- Leaving gaps between roles without explanation.
- Forgetting the separate requirement of a three-month relationship with your current employer or clients.
Find Out If You Qualify
Check your income, experience and employer in two minutes before you spend on documents.
Check Your Eligibility in 2 Minutes →Sarah almost cancelled her move over a requirement she already met. If someone has told you the same, it is worth a second look before you give up.
Talk to a Lawyer Before You File
If you have no degree and are unsure whether your experience is enough, that is exactly what a consultation is for. At MigratioLex, we review your specific case, not a generic checklist. We respond within 24 hours, in English, French or Spanish.
Book Your Initial ConsultationThis article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Based on Law 14/2013, articles 74 bis and 74 ter, as amended by Law 28/2022. The success story describes a real case with identifying details changed. The second example is illustrative. Outcomes depend on each file.
