Long-Stay Visa Spain (National Visa)

The Long-Stay visa offers an opportunity to individuals who want to live and possibly work or study in Spain for an extended period of time. While the general Schengen visa is a suitable option for short visits, the Spain long stay visas are ideal for everyone who wants to stay more than 90 days and can offer a path towards permanent residence, depending on your circumstances.

While you might remember a time when you didn’t need to apply for a visa when travelling from the UK to Spain, this has changed since the UK left the European Union under the Brexit referendum. Now, even British nationals will need to apply for a long-stay visa, should they wish to stay in Spain for an extended period of time.

Page Contents

• Who Needs a Spanish Long-Stay Visa?
• Types of Long-Stay Visas in Spain
• Work Visa Options in Spain
• Student Visa
• Golden Investor Visa
• Family Reunification Visa
• Non-Lucrative Visa
• Long-Stay Visa Requirements
• Spain Long-Stay Visa Application Process
• What Documents Will I Need?
• Spanish National Visa Processing Time
• Visa Fees
• The Path to Permanent Residence
• How Can Total Law Help?
• Frequently Asked Questions

When considering the available visa options, it is important that you are clear about your main intentions when moving to Spain. The different long-stay visas are divided into a multitude of categories covering work and entrepreneurial activities, as well as education or family reasons.

Depending on the permission you choose you will need to meet different requirements and may be given different permissions, so it is important that you consider which option might be the best, even if several may apply.

At a glance, the following long-stay visas may be available to individuals from the UK:

• Work visas (including fixed employment, self-employment or entrepreneur visas, and the digital nomad arrangement)
• Student visa (covering most educational purposes including training and some internships)
• Investor visa (also called the Golden visa)
• Family Reunification visa
• Non-lucrative visa

If you have been accepted into an educational programme in Spain, you will need to apply for a Student visa.

This visa covers most educational purposes and may also be granted to individuals who are set to complete training or an internship in Spain, though the regulations there may be a bit stricter regarding which programme may qualify, so it can help to seek expert advice before applying.

In general, you will need a letter or other confirmation from a Spanish university or another accredited educational institution that confirms that you have enrolled.

You must also show that whatever activity you are carrying out does not result in remuneration and that you have reliable accommodation and funds for the entirety of your intended stay.

If you have significant financial means that you wish to invest in Spain’s economy, you may be eligible for the Spanish Investor visa which is fittingly called the golden visa.

Qualifying investments may vary in sum or target but generally strive to create a positive impact on the local economy.

At a glance, a golden visa may be issued for:

• Investments of two million euros into Spain’s public debt securities
• Investments of at least one million euros into Spanish stocks, shares, or venture capital funds. Alternatively, bank deposits with Spanish financial institutions may also be considered
• Real-estate investments are no longer considered.
• Establishing a business or project that created a significant number of jobs, thus improving the local socio-economic status

An immigration lawyer can offer you essential advice on how best to utilise your funds to be granted this visa. We can also help you with the renewal process which is due after one year, in most cases, or six months in the case of real estate investments.

If you have close family members who already live in Spain, you may be permitted to reunite with them under the family reunion scheme. To qualify, you must show how your relationship qualifies, meaning that it has to be real, significant, and ongoing if you are planning to reunite as a spouse.

For children, the relationship status needs to be proven either through birth or adoption certificates. Children must be under the age of 18 to qualify, but in case of a disability, they may be classed as dependent and qualify even if they are older.

Furthermore, a child applying for this visa will need to be supported by a legal guardian throughout this process.

Granting a parent or grandparent of a Spanish resident a visa under the family-reunion scheme may sometimes be subject to stricter regulations as parents are generally required to be at least 65 years old and with a significant need, meaning that they must show dependency and the inability to receive adequate support elsewhere.

You may want to seek legal advice if your parents do not yet meet the age requirements as under some circumstances humanitarian concerns can facilitate a family reunion visa even if the age requirement is not met.

The non-lucrative visa requires you to be able to support yourself without earning any additional income when you are in Spain.

While it is a popular avenue for individuals wishing to retire in Spain or to just experience the lifestyle at their leisure, it requires good planning and significant existing funds to prove that you can afford to live without working.

An alternative reason to apply for this visa is if you are coming to Spain as a dependent who does not qualify under the family reunion pathway. Here, you will need to show that you will receive adequate financial support from a qualifying individual, forgoing the need for significant personal assets.

If you are worried whether or not you can qualify with your financial situation, it might help to seek expert support. We will be happy to help you understand the feasibility of life on a non-lucrative residence visa or explore better-suited alternatives.

You can call our team of immigration lawyers at +44 (0) 333 305 9375 today to receive immediate help with any aspect of your Spanish visa journey.

In general, most Spain long-term visas are subject to baseline requirements including a clean criminal record, health insurance coverage in excess of at least €30,000, and adequate financial means to support yourself. You must also show a certificate confirming that you have no major health condition that may negatively impact the Spanish healthcare system or pose serious public health repercussions.

Depending on your visa, further conditions may be placed upon you such as having obtained a viable employment plan.

It is also expected that you apply for any additional permissions that may be needed, such as a work permit, if you are entering on a work-related visa. You must also apply for a Foreigner Identity Card within your first month of entry if you are intending to stay more than half a year.

Throughout your time in Spain, you will be expected to adhere to the restrictions of your visa permission as well as to Spanish law. Failure to do so will invalidate your visa and may have severe legal consequences.

Once you have selected the long-stay visa that is best suited to your needs, you should prepare the required evidence. When you are ready, you will need to make an appointment for your visa interview. You may do so with one of the Spanish embassies in the UK (you can find one in either London or Edinburgh) or with the Spanish consulate in Manchester.

Depending on the location you are applying through, wait times for interviews may vary and you should make sure that you start the process with plenty of time to spare. As a rule, you may apply within six months of your intended visa start date and applying early can prevent stress down the line.

At your interview, you will need to provide all the required documents for the visa category you are applying for. It is important that your application is accurate and complete. It is always recommended that you seek support from an experienced immigration specialist as the cost of mistakes may delay your visa or even cause a rejection.

The immigration official handling your application interview will also take your biometrical details, and you will need to pay your visa fee.

When applying for your visa, your documents should confirm who you are and that you qualify for the permission you are hoping to obtain.

Specific evidence will vary on a case-by-case basis as your circumstances and the category you are applying for determine how you must prove your eligibility.

However, you should usually expect to submit the following documents:

• The relevant and completed application form
• A recent photograph that meets visa requirements
• Your valid passport (in date for at least 6 more months at the intended time of travel)
• Your private health insurance policy and medical certificate
• Your criminal record certificate
• Evidence of financial means (such as bank statements or proof of support)
• Details of your flights and accommodation plans
• Details of any educational programmes or employment
• Contact information and relationship proof of the person you are reuniting with or are dependent on (if relevant)
• Details of any significant investments into the Spanish economy
• Any additional proof that is relevant to the application you are applying for

While the average processing time for Spanish national visas is around 15 days, this time may vary and can be subject to delays especially if you provided incomplete documentation at your visa appointment.

After your interview, you will receive a proof of receipt, which you can use to track the status of your application. Once a decision has been made, you will need to collect your approval or rejection within one month.

The exact visa fees you may need to pay can vary, but as an applicant from the UK, you should usually expect to pay €75 for a Spanish national visa application.

Depending on your visa permission, you may be eligible to upgrade your long term residence permit to a permanent residence permit after you have reached five years of legal residence in Spain. Additionally, once you have legally lived in Spain for ten years, you may be able to apply for citizenship.