Temporary Residence Permit Spain
In order to spend a period longer than 90 days in Spain, UK nationals must apply for a Spanish temporary residence permit.
With a large variety of visa and residency options available to non-European Union citizens, it can be difficult to know which route to legal residence in Spain is the right one for you. To speak with an immigration expert today, get in touch with our team at Total Law online or call us on +44 (0) 333 305 9375.
What is a Temporary Residency in Spain?
Temporary residency is the Spanish immigration office allowance which offers non-EU citizens the option to spend time living in Spain for longer than a 90 day period. UK nationals are entitled to spend extended periods of time working, living and travelling in Spain using a temporary residency permit. Note that if you are an EU citizen, this does not apply to you as you are already allowed to live freely in Spain indefinitely.
Temporary residency is offered to individuals usually as part of being approved for a type ‘D’ Spanish visa. Your visa is your residence permit, and you are required to obtain a TIE (tarjeta de identidad de extranjero) card, a foreigner identity card, in Spain once you are approved for your visa.
There are multiple types of Spanish visas available to UK nationals who wish to live in Spain. Most of these visas are valid for one year, and those who then continue to live in Spain must renew their visa annually, or apply for a different type of visa if their reasons for being in Spain or the circumstances surrounding their work or income change.
The temporary residence permit can be renewed for up to five years. After five years, residents may be eligible for permanent residency if they meet the required conditions.
Visa Types for Temporary Residence Permit
Overview
The following visa types offer temporary residency to applicants:
- Work visas
- Digital nomad visa
- Student visas and scientific research visa
- Family reunification visas
- Entrepreneur visas
- Investor visa (Golden visa)
- Non-Lucrative visa.
Living in Spain
British citizens wishing to live in Spain but not earn an an income or work in the Spanish job market can apply for a temporary residence permit through the following routes:
- Non-Lucrative Visa: This visa route is suitable for individuals who want to reside in Spain without working, and is commonly used as a route to residency by retirees or those who earn a passive income abroad. To be eligible, applicants must prove they have sufficient financial means to support themselves and any family members joining them
- Family Reunification Visa: This visa route allows foreign nationals whose family member or spouse is legally residing in Spain to join them, so long as the Spanish resident or citizen can prove they have sufficient means to financially support the applicant.
- Investor Visa (Golden Visa): This visa is available for high-net-worth individuals who invest significantly in real estate, businesses, or government bonds.
Working in Spain
A common way to apply for temporary residency in Spain is to apply for a paid employment permit. To work in the Spanish job market, British and other foreign workers from non-EU countries need to apply for a job and obtain a work permit and work visa.
- General work visas: Available to those who have been offered a job by a Spanish employer, which must be submitted during the application,, as well as a work authorisation submitted by the employer on the foreign worker’s behalf. The details of the job role, the job offer and justification for hiring a foreign employee must be included in the application.
- Digital Nomad Visa: This visa route is designed for remote workers or freelancers who wish to live in Spain while working for a foreign company based outside of Spain. Applicants need to demonstrate they work for non-Spanish companies or clients as part of the application, and prove they have sufficient economic means to support themselves in Spain.
- Intra-Company Transfer Visa (ICT visa): This visa allows non-EU employees of multinational companies to transfer to a Spanish branch or subsidiary and work and live in Spain for a designated period, and must be for a specific business purpose. This visa enables global organisations to utilise their employees across borders.
Studying/Researching in Spain
Study and research visas are available to foreign researchers and students who wish to study abroad in Spain, or conduct research or training activities in the country or at an educational institution. Both types of visa will require you to have a letter of admission or request from the educational institution you are associated with.
A foreign researcher or student must apply for a foreign student card within one month of arriving in Spain.
- Student Visa: The student residence permit is for individuals enrolled in educational programmes lasting longer than 90 days, and allows students to live in Spain for the duration of their studies.
- Scientific Research Visa: This visa is for researchers working on scientific or academic projects in Spain. It grants residency and work rights for the duration of the research project.
Starting a Business or Investing in Spain
Foreign nationals wishing to start a business or make significant investments in Spain can apply for specific visas designed to support entrepreneurs and investors, and provide a temporary residence permit to the foreign citizen.
- Entrepreneur Visa: This visa is available to individuals who plan to start an innovative business or economically and socially beneficial business venture in Spain. Applicants must submit a detailed business plan and demonstrate financial means to support themselves and the business during their time living in Spain.
- Investor Visa (Golden Visa): Available to those making substantial investments in Spain, such as purchasing property worth at least €500,000 or investing a minimum of €1 million in Spanish businesses or government bonds.
These visas not only provide residency but can also lead to long-term residency and citizenship to UK and foreign citizens over time.
What Documents Do I Need to Apply for Temporary Residency in Spain?
The documents required for temporary residencies in Spain depend on the type of visa you apply for. Each long-term visa varies significantly in terms of the requirements needed to demonstrate your eligibility, therefore you must ensure you understand the exact terms of your visa before applying. Total Law can help with this. For guidance and support with your Spain residence visa application, contact one of our team today on +44 (0) 333 305 9375, or you can get in touch online.
In general, most applicants will need to submit the following documents:
- A fully completed visa application form
- A Valid passport (valid for at least 4 months)
- Recently taken passport style photographs
- Financial statements proving sufficient financial means, such as payslips or bank statements
- Proof of address in Spain, such as a lease or tenancy agreement
- A clean criminal record certificate spanning the last five years, obtained within 3 months of applying for the permit
- A medical certificate proving you do not have an illness that is a threat to public health, obtained within 3 months of applying for the
- Proof of private health insurance covering a minimum of €30,000 in medical expenses
Additional documents (if applicable):
- Marriage or birth certificate
- Enrollment in a Spanish academic program
- Work contract
- Professional qualifications proof
All documents must be in Spanish or officially translated.
Application Process for Temporary Residence Permit
In general, most applicants will need to apply for a residence permit at their nearest Spanish consulate or embassy in the UK or their country of origin. If you are applying from Spain, you will need to go to your nearest immigration office to submit your application in person.
The fees and financial requirements vary according to the type of visa you are applying for. Generally, a visa application costs between €80-120, excluding any other costs incurred as part of the application process.
Once you have had your visa approved in Spain, you will need to obtain a TIE card, which is your official residence permit card. This costs approximately €20 and is called the tarjeta de identidad de extranjero in Spanish.
How Can Total Law Help?
Moving to Spain as a British national is an exciting prospect, Spain offers an excellent climate, a more relaxed pace of life and exciting travel opportunities around the country and wider EU. However, moving abroad is never a simple process, with multiple legal hoops to jump through – especially if you are moving with your family.
Whether you are applying for a work permit, investor visa, or any other form of long-term residence permit in Spain, our team can support you throughout the application process, and help you to navigate the legalities of moving abroad to Spain.
For more information or to speak with a multilingual legal advisor today, contact us online or call us on +44 (0) 333 305 9375.
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Related pages for your continued reading.
FAQ
The option of obtaining residency in Spain as a UK citizen falls into two types of residence permits; temporary residency, and permanent residency.
Temporary residency is offered to those who have obtained a residency visa through a specific type visa, such as a work or study visa, digital nomad visa, or the non-lucrative visa. Temporary residence permits are usually valid for 1 year and can be renewed annually. The maximum renewal allowance is 5 consecutive years.
Permanent residency in Spain becomes an option then to those who have lived in Spain and held Spanish residency for 5 years. Permanent residency permits offers Spanish residency indefinitely, and provides the permit holder with improved rights closer to that of Spanish citizenship, such as full access to social services and the ability to work in Spain without needing to apply for an additional residence visa.
The application fee for the temporary residence visa is usually around €80, depending on which type ‘D’ visa you apply for. Other costs are usually incurred during this application process including travel, printing and translation fees.
Once you have been approved for a temporary residence permit, you will then need to obtain a TIE card (tarjeta de identidad de extranjero), which costs approximately €20 and must be obtained in Spain. This card is a foreign identity card that proves you are living in Spain legally, and must be kept on your person at all times.
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.