If you’re planning to buy a property in Spain and are a non-EU citizen who wants to stay there for more than 90 days at a time, understanding the Spanish visa system is crucial.
Spain offers various types of visas, including the newly introduced digital nomad visa, each with its own specific entry requirements and application procedures. In this comprehensive Spain visa guide, we explore the different types of long-stay Spanish visas, their eligibility criteria, and how to obtain one.
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What is a Spanish Visa?
Obtaining a Spanish visa allows you to enter and remain in Spain for a specific timeframe.
The type of visa you apply for determines which activities you can engage in once in Spain. There are two main Spanish visa types:
Spain Schengen visa. This is a short-term visa that allows the applicant to enter Spain and remain for a maximum of 90 days within a 180-day period.
Long-stay visas (also known as the Spanish Long Term Visa or the Spain National Visa [D Visa]). If you want to stay in Spain for more than three months, you’ll need to apply for a long-stay visa.
There are several types of long-term visas, and applying for the correct one is vital.
In this article, you can learn more about the different types of long-stay visas available to people who want to live in Spain and use this information to help you decide on the best visa for your circumstances.
For most long-term Spanish visas, you must work through the following essential steps.
Check that you meet the relevant pre-requirements for your chosen visa. These vary between the different visa types. If you fail to meet the pre-requirements and still apply, your application will be rejected.
Complete the appropriate Spain long-stay visa application form and submit it to the Spanish Consulate or an approved visa application centre. Where you need to lodge your application will depend on your country of residence. Depending on the visa type, you must apply within three weeks and three months before you plan to arrive in Spain.
Make a Spain visa appointment/interview - either online, in person or via telephone. The method for arranging this will depend on your country of residence.
Gather the required supporting documents - here is a list of standard documents required for every visa application:
Two biometric photos. These must be identical and taken within the last three months.
Original passport. This must be valid for at least three months after you will leave Spain and contain at least one blank page for the visa sticker to be applied to.
Copies of passport pages containing information (the two main pages containing your personal details and the pages with any visa stamps or stickers.)
Confirmation of your flight reservation - this must show the dates when you intend to travel to Spain and you will leave. It must also show your name, arrival destination and departure destination.Proof of accommodation in Spain - this can be a hotel booking, invitation letter from friends or family living in Spain or a rental agreement.
Medical insurance from an authorised provider in Spain.
Medical certificate issued within the last three months. This should confirm you are free from any illness or health issue that might affect public health in Spain.
Evidence of sufficient financial means - for long-stay visas, you must show that you have at least €70.77 per day for the duration of your visit. To prove this, you can show bank statements, evidence of rental income, a job contract showing your salary, confirmation of income from your business or your pension statement if you are retired.
Evidence of your clean police record
Proof of work authorisation or a copy of your employment contract (if you are applying for a work visa)
You must submit all of the documents in A4 format. If your documents are not in Spanish, they must be submitted alongside a certified translation.
As well as the documents outlined above, some visa types require you to submit other documentation. This information is detailed in the visa fact files below.
Attend the Spain visa appointment, which includes a short interview with the visa consular.
Submit your biometrics (fingerprints and facial image) if these are not already registered in the EU system.
Pay the visa fee. The cost of your visa will depend on your age and the type of long-stay visa you are applying for. American and Canadian applicants are subject to higher fees than nationals from other countries. Fees vary from €80 to €674. If you submit your application at a visa application centre, you must pay a small additional fee to them.
If you’re permitted to stay in Spain for a maximum of 180 days, you won’t need to do anything else after you arrive.
However, if your visa allows you to stay in Spain for more than six months, you’ll need to submit an application for a Foreigner Identity Card within one month of arriving. You can apply for this at the Foreigners Office closest to the area you have settled by following these steps:
Complete the application form
Pay the €20 fee
Show passport with visa
Provide three passport photos
Provide evidence of your address in Spain
Provide evidence that you have paid the administration fee
If you’re staying for more than six months and intend to work in Spain, you’ll need to register with the Social Security scheme before you apply for a Foreigner Identity Card.
Once you’ve lived in Spain for five years, you can apply for permanent residence.
Spain Non-Lucrative Residence Permit
What is it?
The Spain Non-Lucrative Residence Permit allows non-EU citizens to live in Spain for an extended period as long as they do not intend to carry out any paid work or undertake professional activities for financial gain. As long as you meet the income/savings conditions, it’s one of the easiest ways to get permanent residency in Spain.
Who is it for?
Retirees, people with an independent source of income and anyone else who can financially support themselves (and any dependents they want to bring with them) without needing to find work in Spain. If you want to apply for a non-lucrative Spain visa, you must do so at least five weeks before you arrive in Spain.
How long is it valid for?
Non-lucrative visas are valid for three months and 15 days in the first instance. During this time frame, you must apply for a non-lucrative residence permit, which is usually issued for two years. After that, you can renew your non-lucrative residence permit for a further five years, provided you have stayed in Spain for at least six months per year during the last two years.
How to get one
In addition to the essential steps, you will need to:
Provide supporting documents and evidence of your income, which must be at least €2150 per month, plus an extra €535 for each dependent you’re bringing with you. You can use the following documents to prove your income:
Bank statements covering the last three months
Confirmation of employment (if you will continue to receive a salary from an employer outside Spain)
Evidence of investments
Evidence of other types of income, such as rental property income
After applying, it can take up to three months for your non-lucrative residence visa application to be processed, although it usually takes two to five weeks.
If your Spain visa application is successful, you must collect your visa within one month.
Once you have your non-lucrative visa, you can travel to the other 25 countries in the Schengen Area.
Work remotely in Spain with a Spain Digital Nomad Visa
Spain Digital Nomad Visa
What is it?
The Spain Digital Nomad visa is a long-term visa for people who want to live and work remotely in Spain. You can apply if you are self-employed with a global client base, you receive income from different sources outside Spain, or your employer allows you to work remotely in Spain.
To apply, you must have been a remote worker for at least one year and not have lived in Spain during the last five years.
You can bring dependents under the digital nomad scheme, including your spouse or partner and any children under the age of 18.
If you have children under 18, they must be financially dependent on you. If you want to bring your parents, you must prove they are in your care.
If you have children under 18, they must be financially dependent on you. If you want to bring your parents, you must prove they are in your care.
If you want to bring your family member(s), the first family member must provide additional financial means of at least 75% of the Spanish minimum wage. Any further applicants must provide additional financial means of at least 25% of the Spanish minimum wage. You can show a work contract, bank statement or a recent payslip to provide evidence.
You will also need to show documents to prove the family relationship with the worker, such as a birth or marriage certificate or certificate of registration if you’re not married. All of these documents must be legalised and rationalised in Spanish.
Who is it for?
This long-stay visa is ideal for remote workers and digital nomads. Citizens from non-EU/EEA countries can apply, including UK, US, Canadian, Australian, New Zealand citizens and Green Card (EU Registry Certificate) holders.
How long is it valid for? Digital Nomad visas are valid for one year from the date you enter Spain. After that, you can extend your Spain Digital Nomad visa for up to five years. This involves applying for a three-year residence permit and renewing it for another two years.
How to get one
If you’re employed, you’ll need to show evidence that you have worked for the company for at least three months and that your employer is happy for you to work remotely.
If you’re self-employed, you must show evidence that your company has been operating for at least one year. If you’re a freelancer, you must provide services to at least one company outside Spain.
The minimum income requirement to be eligible for the Digital Nomad visa is €2334 per month (€28,000 per year).
You can work for Spanish companies or clients, but they must account for a maximum of 20% of your overall income.
Unlike the non-lucrative visa, people with the Digital Nomad visa are actively encouraged to work. Best of all, you’ll pay a flat rate of 15% tax on the first €600,000 of your gross annual earnings over the five-year visa validity period.
The Digital Nomad visa also allows you to legally override the 90/180-day rule that limits your stay in Spain and the Schengen Area.
It also provides tax breaks to foreign employers with an office in Spain. In addition to the essential steps, you must provide evidence of your income, university degree, professional qualifications and work experience for the last three years.
The Digital Nomad visa takes between 15 and 45 days to process. You can track the progress of your application online.
After your application has been approved, you can travel to Spain and apply for your NIE and NIF (Tax Identification Number).
Start and run your own business in Spain
Spain Entrepreneur Visa / Start-Up Visa (REM)
What is it?
This type of long-term visa allows entrepreneurs who want to start a business (or expand an existing business in Spain) to live and work in Spain.
Who is it for?
Entrepreneurs already working in certain professions or with startup ideas in line with the interests of the Spanish economy are most likely to be granted this visa. No upfront investment is required.
You can apply for the Spain Entrepreneur Visa up to three months before you want to arrive in Spain, and you must apply at least one month before your planned arrival date.
How long is it valid for?
This type of long-stay resident permit allows you to stay in Spain for three years. If you want to stay longer, you must renew your residence card.
If your application is successful, you can bring your spouse or partner, children under 18, adult children who are financially dependent on you and have not created their own family unit, and any other relatives under your care.
How to get one
You must follow the essential steps and outline your business idea in your application. Your business plan must be based on an original business concept and assure that your firm will generate revenue and create employment opportunities in Spain.
You will also need to confirm with the Commercial Office that your business concept has been approved and has been deemed economically important to Spain. Once you have this approval, you can submit it to the Immigration Office.
You’ll usually receive a decision within ten days, but it can take longer if a further interview or additional supporting documents are required.
Spain Golden Visa
What is it?
The Spain Golden Visa is for expats who want to remain in Spain without time limitations. With the Golden Visa, you can work, start a business, or manage companies in Spain under the same conditions as Spanish or EU citizens.
Applying for the Spain Golden Visa requires significant financial investment from the applicant. The most affordable way to obtain the Spanish Golden Visa is to acquire real estate for the value of at least €500,000 without external financing. This does not have to be one property; it can be several lower-value properties as long as the total value is €500,000.
Alternatively, you can invest €1,000,000 in Spanish company shares or investment funds incorporated in Spain or invest €2,000,000 in the Spanish public debt.
As well as making an investment, you must have health insurance in Spain, sufficient financial resources (approximately €2,000 per month) and a clean criminal record.
If your application is successful, you will be able to bring your spouse and family members with you under the same visa. This includes adult children and your parents if they are economically dependent on you. Once in Spain, your dependents will enjoy the same rights of residence and work in Spain.
Who is it for?
Anyone with the financial means to hit the minimum investment requirements.
How long is it valid for?
The Golden Visa is valid for two years in the first instance. After that, it is renewable for five years at a time.
Unlike other types of Spanish visas, you don’t have to physically stay in Spain for a particular amount of time for it to remain valid. If you prefer, you can make the investment and visit Spain at least once a year. This means you can hold the Golden visa and stay in Spain for as long as you wish without having to become a tax resident.
How to get one
You will need to follow the essential steps outlined above and provide evidence of the required level of investment.
This visa usually takes around 20 days to process.
Buy your dream property in Spain
Spain Retiree Visa
What is it?
Also known as the Spanish non-profit residence visa, this long-stay visa allows people without a job to live in Spain, including people who want to retire in Spain.
Who is it for?
Retirees or anyone who has the means to live in Spain without needing to work.
How long is it valid for?
This visa allows you to live in Spain for one year. After that, you can renew it for two more years, then another two years after that (providing you still meet the same initial requirements at the point of each application).
With this type of visa, you will immediately become a tax resident in Spain. This means you will be required to pay tax like any other Spanish residence, including:
Income tax (IRPF) on all your income (not just income earned in Spain.) This is between 19% and 45%, depending on your overall income.
Capital gains tax. This is between 19% and 23% of any profit you make from selling property or other financial assets.
Wealth tax (IP). This is between 0.2% and 2.5% on any assets you own that are worth more than €700,000.
Council tax
Motor vehicle tax
How to get one
To apply for the Spain visa for retirees, you will need to follow the essential steps and show evidence that your income is at least €2,000 per month. Your pensioner’s certificate and bank statement should be sufficient if you're retired.
Spain Work Visa
What is it?
There are a few long-stay visas suitable for people wanting to undertake paid work in Spain.
These include:
Spanish Work Visa - if you have received a job offer from an employer in Spain
Self-Employment Work Visa - if you’re self-employed or you plan to set up a business in Spain. For this visa, you must show a comprehensive business plan and demonstrate that you meet the financial requirements.
European Blue Card - if you’re a highly skilled professional with specific qualifications, you may be eligible to apply for the Blue Card programme.
Seasonal work visa - for jobs in seasonal industries such as tourism and agriculture
Before applying for a work visa, you must have a firm job offer.
It is important to apply at least three months before you want to arrive in Spain, as Spanish work visas can take up to two months to process.
Who is it for?
People who want to live and work in Spain.
How long is it valid for
It depends. If your visa is granted, check whether it specifies six-month validity (exempt from work permits) or three-month validity with the obligation of getting a residence permit.
If you’re exempt from work permits, you can start work immediately. If you need a residence permit, you’ll have one month to register at the appropriate Social Security scheme in Spain. If you’re employed, your employer will do this on your behalf, but if you’re self-employed, you must do this yourself.
How to get one
You will need to follow the essential steps outlined above.
Once your Spain work visa has been granted, you’ll need to apply for a one-year residence permit, which can be extended before the current permit expires.
After you’ve lived in Spain for one year, you can bring your dependents to live with you by applying for the Spain Family Visa.
Young family enjoying the beach in Spain
Spain Family Visa
What is it?
Also known as the Family Reunification Visa for Spain, this option is designed for foreigners who are already legally resident in Spain and wish to make arrangements for their family or dependents to join them. It is not suitable for EU/EEA or Swiss nationals and is only issued to non-EU nationals.
Who is it for?
People who have lived in Spain for at least one year and have completed the process of obtaining approval for their second year as a legal resident in Spain.
If you have an EU Blue Card or a long-term residence/work permit from another EU country, you can apply for the Spain Family visa without providing previous legal residence in Spain.
Here is an overview of eligible family members:
Your spouse or partner (as long as you had established a relationship before settling in Spain)
The applicant’s children or children of their spouse or partner. This includes adopted children, children under 18 and children who cannot provide for their own needs due to health issues.
The applicant’s parents and their spouse or partner if they are under the applicant’s care, aged over 65 and have valid reasons for moving to Spain
How long is it valid for?
If the applicant has a valid temporary residence permit in Spain, their family members can stay for the duration of this residence period. If the applicant has a long-term residence permit, the family members can stay for the duration of their Foreigner’s Identification Card.
How to get one
The applicant (legal resident of Spain) must apply in person.
In most cases, the applicant must have already had their residence permit renewed for a further year.
Commence the initial application process with the Foreigners Office.
Await confirmation from the Foreigners Office as to whether your application has been approved or rejected.
If approved, family members must start the application process for a residence visa at the Spanish embassy or consulate in their home country within two months, following the essential steps outlined above.
One application form must be completed for each family member. For minors, the parent or guardian can complete this form on their behalf. A certified copy of the initial family reunification permit and the applicant’s Foreigner Identification Card (TIE) must be enclosed with each application form, plus documents to confirm the family relationship.
Applications are usually processed within two months, although this can take longer if additional interviews or documents are required.
If approved, visas must be collected in Spain. The applicant’s family members can enter Spain within the validity period of the visa (not exceeding three months) and apply for a TIE.
Family members can work in Spain if they obtain a work permit. Spouses and children over 16 can work without a work permit. Family members are also allowed to study in Spain.
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