Move to Spain
Spain offers various types of visas for foreign nationals who wish to immigrate to Spain. Obtaining a Spanish visa can be stressful and time-consuming, regardless of the visa category. You’ll need the assistance of expert Spain immigration lawyers to navigate this process.
Our team of Spain immigration lawyers at Total Law are always available to provide the support you need. Contact us at +44 (0) 333 305 9375 or via the online contact form for immediate assistance.
Immigrate to Spain
Spain is one of the most preferred destinations for non-EU nationals who want to reside in Europe. It attracts thousands of foreign residents from neighbouring countries and distant countries yearly. According to recent population data, over 6 million foreign-born persons currently live in Spain.
Latin-American nationals constitute the largest group of Spanish immigrants. Some of the top immigrant countries are Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador, Honduras, Peru, and Venezuela. Italy, Romania, and Ukraine are among the top countries of origin for EU nationals who reside in Spain.
Several visa options are available to non-EU nationals who want to immigrate to Spain. We’ll look at each of these visas and how Total Law immigration lawyers can guide you through the process of immigrating to Spain.
Overview of Spain Visas
Spain offers visas to both European Union citizens and non-EU nationals. It has a range of visa types suitable for various travel purposes and individual circumstances.
Spain Immigration for European Union Citizens
EU citizens enjoy freedom of movement between EU member countries. As such, EU nationals do not need a visa to travel to Spain for short visits of less than three months. If you need to stay in Spain for longer than three months, you’ll have to register your stay at the police station nearest to your place of residence. You’ll be issued an EU certificate of registration.
Spain Immigration for Non-EU Citizens
Depending on your nationality, you may need a visa to visit Spain if you’re a non-EU national. If your country has a Spain or Schengen visa exemption, you can travel to Spain visa-free for up to 90 days within a 180-day cycle. However, you must apply for an appropriate visa if you intend to stay longer than three months.
Non-EU nationals from non-visa exempt countries must obtain a visa to travel to Spain. Several types of Spain visas are available depending on the purpose of travel and duration of stay. They are broadly categorised as short-stay and long-stay visas.
A short-stay visa allows you to visit Spain for up to 90 days within 180 days. A long-term visa in Spain gives you the right to live, work, and study there for up to five years, depending on your visa type. Some visas also offer residency for family members.
Whether you’re looking to make a short visit or you want to relocate to Spain, our Spain immigration attorneys can guide you through the process. We’ll help you assess visa eligibility and prepare and submit your Spain visa application. Contact us today at +44 (0) 333 305 9375 for immediate assistance.
Spain Short-Stay Visas
There are two types of short-stay visas for Spain: Spain Tourist Visa and Schengen Visa.
Spain Tourist Visa
Spanish tourist Visa is for those visiting Spain for vacation or sightseeing. A tourist visa allows you to stay in Spain for up to 90 days within a 180-day cycle.
To be eligible for a Tourist Visa, you must prove to immigration officers that you have no intention of remaining in Spain longer than 90 days. You must have a valid return ticket or proof of onward travel demonstrating your non-immigrant intent.
Other eligibility requirements include:
- You must be a national of an eligible country
- You must provide evidence of sufficient resources to cover your stay
- You must show proof that you have arranged accommodation in Spain
Schengen Visa
Spain Schengen Visa is a short-stay visa that allows you to visit Spain and other countries in the Schengen Area for up to three months in 6 months. You don’t need a Schengen visa if you’re a citizen of a visa-exempt country.
Depending on your travel purpose, a Schengen visa can be issued as a single-entry or multiple-entry visa. Schengen visa has various sub-categories depending on travel purposes.
They include:
- Spain Transit Visa: is issued to those who need to transit through the Schengen area. There are two types: Airport Transit Visa (ATV) and Seaman Transit Visa (STV)
- Spain Tourist and Visit Visa: allows holders to holiday, visit family, or attend business meetings in the Schengen area
- Spain Study or Training Visa: This is issued to those who need to participate in courses or training in the Schengen area for less than three months
- Spain Business Visa: is for business travellers within the Schengen area
- Spain Visa For Diplomatic Passport Holders: is issued to representatives of foreign governments travelling within the Schengen area
- Spain Medical Treatment Visa: is issued to those travelling within the Schengen area for medical treatment
Spain Long-Stay Visas
Overview
A long-stay Spanish visa allows you to live and work in Spain for one to five years, and you may become eligible for permanent residence. There are various types of long-stay visas, depending on the purpose of entry. They include:
- Student Visa
- Work Visa
- Golden Visa
- Digital Nomad Visa
- Family Reunion Visa
- Non-Lucrative Visa
Student Visa
Spain issues student visas to foreign nationals who want to attend a course at a Spanish educational institute for up to three months. This visa is usually valid for one year.
All non-EU nationals must obtain a visa to study in Spain, whether participating in an exchange programme, internship, research, or a language course. EU citizens do not need a visa to study in Spain.
To be eligible for a student visa, you must have been accepted for a course or program at an accredited educational institution in Spain. You can apply for a student visa at the embassy or consulate of Spain in your home country. Alternatively, you can apply for the visa after arriving in Spain, at least one month before your legal status expires.
Work Visa
Spain’s Work Visa allows non-EU nationals to live and work in the country legally. Spain work visas are of two types:
- Employment Visa with a fixed term contract
- Self-Employment Work Visa
Employment Visa With A Fixed Term Contract
This work visa allows non-EU nationals to work for a Spanish employer on a fixed-term contract. However, nationality restrictions exist on certain job positions, and the national employment situation (LA SITUACIÓN NACIONAL DE EMPLEO) determines the available roles.
To be eligible for this visa, you must have a valid employment offer from a Spanish employer. Your Spanish employer must first submit an application to the local immigration office on your behalf. Once the application is approved, they’ll register you in the Spanish Social Security System, and you can apply for a visa at your local Spanish embassy or consulate.
Self-Employment Work Visa
This type of visa is for those who want to start their own business or freelance in Spain. It has eligibility criteria similar to the employment visa but with some additional requirements. They include:
- You must provide a business plan detailing your proposed business activities in Spain
- Spain’s Self-Employed Workers Association must approve the business plan
- You must have sufficient finances to establish and run the business and support yourself in Spain
Spain Golden Visa
Spain’s Golden Visa Programme aims to attract foreign investors and entrepreneurs to Spain. It allows eligible foreign nationals to obtain Spanish residence permits in exchange for a substantial investment in Spain.
The Golden Visa allows you to include your immediate family as dependents on your application. To qualify, applicants must invest in one of the eligible investment categories.
The eligible investment categories for Spain’s Golden Visa are real estate, bank deposits, business investment, and entrepreneurial activities. The required investment amount differs for each category.
They are:
- For real estate, you must purchase a Spanish property worth at least €500,000. It must not be a mortgage or loan
- For bank deposits, you must deposit at least €1 million in Spanish financial entities
- For business investments, you must invest at least €1 million in stocks or shares of Spanish businesses and investment funds or €2 million in Spanish government securities debt
- For business development (entrepreneurial activities), your business project must create jobs, make a significant socio-economic impact in the area it’s located, or contribute significantly to scientific and technological innovations
Digital Nomad Visa
The Digital Nomad Visa is designed for remote workers who want to reside in Spain while working for companies abroad. A digital nomad visa is valid for one year. However, you can apply for a 3-year digital nomad residence permit in Spain.
To qualify for the Digital Nomad Visa, you must prove that you are an independent digital nomad or an employee of an overseas company that allows you to work in Spain. You must also provide proof of your sources of income. You cannot work for a Spanish company in Spain as a digital nomad.
Family Reunion Visa
If you have a family member in Spain and want to join them, you may be eligible for a Family Reunion Visa. This visa allows spouses, children, and parents of Spanish legal residents to reunite with their family members in Spain.
You must be closely related to a Spanish legal resident to qualify for the family reunion visa. You must also provide evidence of your relationship with the Spanish resident. This can include marriage, civil union, or birth certificate. You must also prove that you have accommodation in Spain and can support yourself.
Your Spanish resident family member must also submit several documents proving their legal residence, compliance with Spanish laws, and their relationship with you.
Non-Lucrative Visa
The Non-Lucrative Visa (Visa de Residencia Sin Actividad Lucrativa) is for persons who want to reside in Spain without doing any gainful work or professional activity. It is suitable for retirees and those taking a break from active work or paid employment.
The main requirement for this visa is proof that you won’t engage in paid work or activity in Spain. You must also prove you have the financial resources to support yourself without recourse to gainful activity.
Spain Immigration Process
Before you begin your application, decide on the type of visa you want to apply for. Generally, applying for a Spanish visa involves the following steps.
1. Make an appointment at the Consulate of your country of residence or at the Spanish Embassy. Keep in mind that you will need to provide your proof of residence. You can make the visa appointment in person, by phone, or online.
2. Gather the necessary documents. Before you go for your visa appointment, ensure you have all the required documents. Typically, here are some of the documents that will be requested:
- A valid passport
- A recent passport-sized photograph. This should not be more than 3 months old
- Proof of accommodation
- Proof of funds
- Other documents depending on the visa category you are going for
3. Go for your appointment. Ensure you arrive on time and don’t forget to take all your documents and supporting evidence along. The consular office will ask some questions. Answer them truthfully
4. Pay the required fees. The exact amount will vary depending on the type of visa you are applying for
5. Wait for a decision. This can take up to 15 days or longer if the embassy or consulate notice some discrepancies with your application.
Do I Need a Spain Immigration Lawyer?
Immigration laws are generally complex, and Spain is no exception. The process of immigrating to Spain can be very stressful and time-consuming and requires going through numerous bureaucratic procedures. Hence, it’s advisable to seek expert legal assistance when applying for a visa in Spain.
An experienced Spain immigration lawyer understands the nuances of Spanish immigration laws and can help you determine the best visa for your circumstances. Our team of Spain immigration lawyers will also help you gather the relevant documentation to support your application and compile and submit an error-free application on your behalf.
Acquiring Spanish Citizenship
You may be eligible to apply for Spanish citizenship by naturalisation after ten years of residing in Spain. However, you may have to renounce your original citizenship. Only Sephardic Jews and citizens of Spanish-American countries are allowed to hold Spanish Dual citizenship.
How Can Total Law Help?
Our team of Spain immigration lawyers at Total Law can answer all your questions about immigrating to Spain. We will assess your situation and guide you in choosing the best visa route in Spain.
Our immigration attorneys will help you compile supporting documentation and prepare your application. After submitting your application, we will maintain correspondence with the embassy or consulate until you receive your visa.
Total Law Spain immigration lawyers also provide legal advice and representation if complications arise. We also offer post-visa advice on immigration matters.
To learn more about Spanish immigration and the application procedure for the various types of Spanish visas, contact us today at +44 (0) 333 305 9375 or via the online contact form. Our Spain immigration attorneys are always available to provide legal guidance and assistance.
Advice Package
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Application Package
Designed to make your visa application as smooth and stress-free as possible.
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Appeal Package
Ensure you have the greatest chance of a successful appeal. We will represent you in any case.
The Advice Package
During this untimed Advice Session with our professional immigration lawyers in London, you will receive our comprehensive advice, completely tailored to your needs and your situation.
The Application Package
With our Application Package, your dedicated immigration lawyer will advise you on your application process and eligibility. Your caseworker will then complete and submit your forms to the Home Office on your behalf.
The Fast Track Package
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The Appeal Package
By choosing our Appeal Package, you can rely on our lawyers’ legal knowledge and experience to ensure you have the highest chance of a successful appeal. We will also fully represent you in any hearings/tribunals.
Related pages for your continued reading.
Frequently Asked Questions
The eligibility criteria for immigrating to Spain depends on the visa type and your purpose of coming to Spain. However, you must have sufficient funds, health insurance, and a clean criminal record to qualify for any Spanish visa.
Yes, family members of Spanish legal residents can apply for a family reunion visa to join them in Spain.
You can qualify for Spanish citizenship by naturalisation after ten years of legal residence in Spain. However, you may have to renounce your original citizenship.
Legal Disclaimer
The information provided is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. While we make every effort to ensure accuracy, the law may change, and the information may not reflect the most current legal developments. No warranty is given regarding the accuracy or completeness of the information, and we do not accept liability in such cases. We recommend consulting with a qualified lawyer at Total Law before making any decisions based on the content provided.