How Much Does a Digital Nomad Visa Lawyer Cost in 2026?

Why Lawyer Costs Are So Hard to Find

If you have ever tried to figure out how much an immigration lawyer charges for a digital nomad visa, you already know the frustration. Most law firms bury their pricing behind a "request a consultation" form. Others list vague ranges that span thousands of euros. And some simply refuse to discuss fees until you are already in the door.

This lack of transparency is one of the reasons we built Nomadlex. We believe you should know what you are paying before you commit, not after.

What the community actually reports: Based on data from digital nomad Facebook groups and forums in early 2026, applicants for Spain's DNV consistently report total costs of €2,800 or more — and that includes everything: lawyer fees, notary fees, apostilles, sworn translations, social security certificates, and government filing fees. Some complex cases (family applications, multi-country documentation, Beckham Law filing) push well above that.

In this guide, we break down real lawyer costs across the most popular digital nomad visa countries in Europe, explain what you get for your money, and help you decide whether hiring a lawyer is worth it for your situation.

Lawyer Fees by Country: A Realistic Breakdown

Prices vary based on the lawyer's experience, location within the country, and the complexity of your case. The ranges below reflect what applicants typically paid in 2025 and early 2026, based on publicly available pricing and marketplace data.

| Country | Fee Range | Most Common Range | Notes | | -------- | --------------- | ----------------- | ------------------------------------------ | | Spain | €800 – €2,500 | €1,000 – €1,500 | Higher end includes Beckham Law filing. Commonly mentioned firms: Lexidy, Balcells Group, NIM (Nómadas e Inmigrantes Madrid) | | Portugal | €1,000 – €3,000 | €1,200 – €2,000 | D8 visa; includes NIF assistance and AIMA follow-up | | Italy | €700 – €2,000 | €900 – €1,400 | Lower baseline but apostille costs add up | | Croatia | €600 – €1,500 | €700 – €1,100 | Newer program, fewer specialized lawyers | | Greece | €750 – €2,000 | €900 – €1,500 | Athens lawyers tend to charge more | | Malta | €850 – €2,500 | €1,000 – €1,800 | Smaller market, premium pricing |

These figures cover the lawyer's professional fees only. Government filing fees, translations, and other third-party costs are separate and discussed below.

Total Cost: What You Actually Pay

The lawyer fee is just one part of the picture. Here is a realistic breakdown for a single Spain DNV applicant:

| Item | Typical Cost | |---|---| | Immigration lawyer fee | €800 – €2,500 | | Sworn translations (3-5 documents) | €150 – €400 | | Notarization of documents | €50 – €200 | | Apostille(s) | €30 – €150 | | Criminal background check | €25 – €100 | | Social Security certificates (varies by country) | Free – €50, but weeks of processing time | | Visa fee (Tasa 790-038) | €73.26 | | Health insurance (first year) | €600 – €2,400 | | Beckham Law filing (if separate) | €300 – €800 | | Total (excluding insurance) | €1,400 – €3,500+ |

Community members consistently report landing in the €2,800+ range for the full process, including all ancillary costs. For Portugal, expect similar or slightly higher totals due to the additional requirement of hiring a fiscal representative to obtain a NIF remotely.

What Is Typically Included in the Fee

When you hire an immigration lawyer for a digital nomad visa, their standard service package usually covers the following:

• Initial consultation — A 30-to-60-minute session to assess your eligibility, discuss your situation, and outline the process. Some lawyers offer this for free; others charge €50 to €150 and deduct it from the total fee if you proceed.
• Document review — The lawyer reviews your employment contracts, proof of income, health insurance, and other supporting documents to make sure they meet the requirements.
• Application preparation — They complete the visa application forms, organize your supporting documents, and prepare any required legal declarations or cover letters.
• Submission assistance — Depending on the country, this means submitting the application to the consulate, immigration office, or online portal on your behalf, or accompanying you to an in-person appointment.
• Follow-up with authorities — If the immigration office requests additional documents or clarification, your lawyer handles the correspondence and responds within deadlines.
• Post-approval registration — In some countries, particularly Spain, the package may include assistance with obtaining your NIE (tax identification number) and TIE (residence card) after your visa is approved.

Always confirm exactly what is included before signing an engagement letter. The difference between a €900 quote and a €1,500 quote is often the breadth of post-arrival support.

What Typically Costs Extra

Even a comprehensive lawyer package will not cover everything. Budget for these additional expenses:

• Apostille and legalization services — Criminal background checks and other documents often need an apostille or consular legalization. Costs range from €20 to €100 per document depending on your home country.
• Certified translations — Most European countries require sworn translations of documents not in the official language. A sworn translation runs €30 to €80 per page in Spain, and rates are similar elsewhere.
• Notarization — Some documents require notarization before submission. Notary fees vary but typically cost €30 to €100 per document.
• Health insurance arrangement — While your lawyer can advise on requirements, the actual insurance policy is your cost. Expect €60 to €200 per month for a compliant plan.

• Tax registration and special regimes — In Spain, applying for the Beckham Law (special tax regime for new residents) is a separate legal process. Lawyers typically charge an additional €300 to €800 for this filing.

A realistic total budget for a Spain digital nomad visa, including lawyer fees and all extras, falls between €1,500 and €3,500 for a single applicant.

DIY vs. Hiring a Lawyer

Not everyone needs a lawyer. Here is an honest comparison to help you decide.

Reasons to Go DIY

• Save €800 to €2,000 — That is a meaningful amount, especially if you are budget-conscious during a country transition.
• Learn the system — Going through the process yourself gives you a deeper understanding of the immigration system, which is valuable if you plan to renew your visa or apply in another country later.
• Straightforward cases — If you are a salaried employee with a single employer, a clean background, and strong documentation skills, many digital nomad visa applications are manageable without legal help.

Reasons DIY Can Backfire

• The sheer burden of documentation. This is the number one reason community members who started DIY end up hiring a lawyer midway through. Between apostilles, sworn translations, social security certificates, notarizations, and the forms themselves — each with their own formatting requirements and validity windows — the paperwork is overwhelming. Multiple applicants in Facebook groups have described the process as "a full-time job for weeks."
• Rejection costs more than a lawyer — A rejected application means lost government fees (often non-refundable), wasted time, and potential delays of months before you can reapply. In Spain, a consulate rejection can set you back three to six months.
• Language barriers — Official forms and correspondence are in the local language. Google Translate does not catch legal nuances, and a mistranslation on an official form can cause problems.
• Complex paperwork — Requirements change frequently (especially in Spain since late 2025, with the new DNV office director tightening criteria), and immigration offices are not always consistent in what they accept. A lawyer who files applications regularly knows the current expectations.
• Missed deadlines — Some steps have strict time windows. Missing a 30-day registration deadline after arrival in Spain, for example, can complicate your legal status.

When You Definitely Need a Lawyer

Certain situations make professional help almost essential:

• Complex tax situations — If you have income from multiple countries, own a business, or need to set up the right tax structure, get legal advice before you apply.
• Previous visa rejections — A prior rejection in any country makes subsequent applications more scrutinized. A lawyer can address the reasons for rejection and strengthen your new application.
• Self-employed or freelancer applicants — Freelancers typically need to provide more documentation to prove stable income, including client contracts, bank statements, and sometimes a business plan. A lawyer ensures you present this correctly.
• Family applications — Applying with a spouse, partner, or dependents introduces additional requirements for each family member. The paperwork multiplies, and errors on any single application can delay the entire family.
• W-2/1099 income structuring (US applicants) — If you earn income as both a W-2 employee and a 1099 contractor, or if you are navigating the line between employee and business owner for DNV purposes, structuring advice from a lawyer is essential. Getting this wrong can lead to rejection or complications with the Beckham Law. Some lawyers charge extra for tax structuring consultations on top of the immigration fee — budget an additional €200-€500 for this if your income situation is complex.

How to Choose the Right Lawyer

If you decide to hire a lawyer, these criteria will help you find the right one.

Check their credentials. In Spain, every practicing lawyer must be registered with their local Colegio de Abogados (bar association). You can verify this online. In other countries, look for the equivalent professional registration. An unregistered "immigration consultant" does not carry the same professional liability or ethical obligations as a licensed lawyer.

Look for immigration law specialization. A general practice lawyer who occasionally handles a visa case is not the same as someone who files digital nomad visa applications every week. Ask how many digital nomad visa cases they have handled in the past year.

Read reviews from other digital nomads. Generic Google reviews help, but feedback from people in your specific situation is more valuable. Look for reviews that mention the exact visa type you are applying for.

Insist on transparent pricing. A reputable lawyer will give you a clear quote, ideally in writing, before you commit. If someone will not tell you the total cost upfront or keeps adding vague "administrative fees," move on.

Ask about their success rate and timeline. No lawyer wins every case, but they should be able to tell you their approximate approval rate for digital nomad visas and give you a realistic timeline for the process. In Spain, expect three to six months from application to approval for consulate applications.

Red Flags to Watch Out For

Not every lawyer advertising immigration services deserves your trust. Watch out for these warning signs:

• No written contract or engagement letter — Any legitimate lawyer will provide a written agreement outlining the scope of work, fees, and responsibilities. If they want to proceed on a handshake, walk away.
• Pressure to pay the full fee upfront — A reasonable payment structure splits the fee into stages: an initial retainer, a payment upon application submission, and a final payment upon approval. Demanding 100% upfront with no milestones is a red flag.
• Vague or shifting pricing — If the quoted price keeps changing or they cannot explain what each charge covers, you are likely to face surprise fees later.
• Guarantees of visa approval — No lawyer, no matter how experienced, can guarantee that a government will approve your visa. Anyone who promises a guaranteed approval is either dishonest or does not understand the process. Visa decisions are made by immigration authorities, not lawyers.
• No bar association registration number — If they cannot provide a registration number or you cannot verify it, they may not be a licensed attorney. This is especially common with "immigration consultants" operating in a gray area.

Finding the Right Lawyer for Your Situation

The cost of a digital nomad visa lawyer is an investment in getting the process right the first time. For a straightforward case, you might spend €800 to €1,500. For a complex situation involving family members, tax optimization, or a previous rejection, expect to pay more, but the cost of getting it wrong is almost always higher.

The most important thing is to find someone who is transparent about their fees, experienced with your specific visa type, and properly credentialed. Take the time to compare options, ask direct questions, and trust your judgment if something feels off.