The Ultimate Guide to Spanish Residency
This is a comprehensive guide on the requirements, timeframes and procedures for obtaining a Spanish residency permit. This guide has been created by our resident Spanish Lawyer and Immigration Experts based on our experiences with hundreds of clients.
How do I get a residence permit in Spain?
Every year thousands of tourists visit Spain. A beautiful landscape with friendly people, delicious food and favourable temperatures 365 days a year, making it an ideal place for an exciting new life. However, before it can become a reality, there are some steps required when trying to obtain the residence permit.
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What are the first steps? What the different Spanish residency and Spanish nationality options? In this article we are going to look at each and every possible residence permit option for you and analyze every Spanish residence permit requirement to help you make the right choice.
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Depending on if you are a citizen from the European Union, or if you are not, there are different ways in obtaining Spanish residency.
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Knowing which residence permit in Spain to apply for also depends on the amount of time you wish you stay in the country.
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Short term visa: This is also known as the Schengen visa, this allows for you to stay in Spain from 90 days to 180 days, without the right to work.
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Long term visa: If your intention is to stay in Spain for more than 6 months, you will need to obtain a residence permit.
What is the Spanish Residence Permit?
Essentially, the resident permit is a legal permission to stay and live in Spain on a long-term, and even in some instances have the right to work.
Some of the activities that can be carried out with a residence permit include:
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the right to work
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pay taxes
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buy or sell properties
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open a business
Applying for the Spanish Residence Permit as a European Union Citizen
Citizens from the European Union, including Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, and Switzerland.
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EU must apply for something called a "certificado de registro de la Unión Europea" which is a residency permit establishing their status as an EU Citizen.
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Then through a series of simple documents required, such as proving that you have sufficient economic means through your bank account, around 6000€, as well as having private health insurance, you will be able to apply and obtain Spanish residency very quickly. These conditions may also be fulfilled through a job offer of work in Spain.
​Applying for the Spanish Residence Permit as a Non-EU Citizen
There are a number of ways non-EU citizens can obtain Spanish residency, we will explore them each briefly
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Golden Visa
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Non-Lucrative Visa
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Entrepreneurship Visa
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Working for a Spanish Company
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Family member of EU Citizen
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Family regrouping Visa
Golden Visa: Spanish Residency by Investment
This residence permit is the best and most beneficial permits one can apply for.
The Golden Visa allows from non-EU citizens to acquire a spanish residence permit through an investment of one of the following
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purchase a real estate asset (property) of at least 500,000€
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buying shares of a Spanish company, or a bank deposit of at least one million euros
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possessing Spanish public debt worth at least two million euros
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investing in a business plan that will be developed in Spanish territory, with the purpose of generating employment, creating scientific/technological advancements of the country, or creating socioeconomic impact
After five years, you will be able to renew for another period of five years, and then subsequently to obtain a permanent residence permit in Spain.
Non-Lucrative / Non-Profit Visa
The Non-Lucrative Visa, which is also known as the Non-Profit Visa, is a residence permit granted to non-EU nationals who are looking to spend more than 6 months in Spain and will not be carrying out any economic activities, such as working. This type of residence is a good fit for applicants who are not interested in investments or economic activities in Spain.
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Requirements:
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Depending on if you are looking to obtain this type of residence permit individually, as a couple, or as a family, you will need to show a certain amount of money in a bank account, to demonstrate financial independence and sufficient funds. The specific number is referred to as the IPREM.
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Proof of private medical insurance
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Proof of place to stay while in Spain (for example a rent contract)
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Criminal records background check
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Depending on the embassy or consulate of your country, there may be other requirements that will be requested.
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In working with our legal team, we will ensure that all of these requirements are fulfilled for you and your family the best way possible.
Entrepreneurship Visa
​This visa is part of a law that was passed in accordance with the International Mobility Plan.
Non-EU citizens who can prove to be investors, entrepreneurs, highly qualified professional, or researchers may be able to qualify for this type of residence permit.
Working for a Spanish Company
If you are a graduate from a prestigious university, with a job offer in Spain, you may be eligible to apply for the highly qualified professional (HQP) residence permit.
Family Member of EU National
Many individuals who have a spouse which is a citizen of the EU can be considered as a civil union, in Spain called "pareja de hecho".
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Due to your relationship to an EU National obtaining a residence permit is a very likely option.
Family Regrouping Visa
For non-EU members that obtain residency in Spain, this permit can be passed on to relatives, such as partners, and children with their parents.
This type of visa, also known as the family reunification visa, is meant from non-EU citizens who have a Spanish residence permit and they wish to bring their family to Spain, and to obtain a residence permit and work permit.
However, this option is only valid once the residence permit holder has been in Spain for over a year - less than a year this is not yet an option.
Lastly, the family members and dependents you wish to bring to Spain must be able to prove their economic dependence on you as the primary resident permit holder.
Permanent Residence in Spain
Once you have completed five years of living in Spain, you will be eligible to apply for a permanent residency.
​Residency in Spain After Brexit
Now that the United Kingdom has left the EU, UK citizens need to follow a different process in order to obtain a resident permit in Spain.
One of the first things to do will be to obtain, or update if you already have one, your NIE identity card (Número de Identidad de Extranjero) document.
You will need to obtain a card, instead of the older paper documents. This card is known as the TIE (Tarjeta de Identificación de Extranjeros). This new identity card will include information such as your full name, date of registration, address, nationality, and your identification number (NIE).
An appointment will have to be secured at your corresponding foreign office. The applicant must fill out and bring the EX-18 form, along with your NIE, passport, padron certificate, and two passport photos.
Template 790
In some cases, citizens from the UK will need to complete a form called the "Modelo 790". This is a registration of foreign assets with a value of more than 50,000€ for persons residing in Spain.
How can I renew my residence permit in Spain?
When you want to stay in Spain longer term, you have to have both an initial card and a renewal of it. Almost all cards have one year validity. In general, a residency certificate can last up to 1 year.
Once your time is over, you must renew them. If you satisfy your first application requirements and prove the validity of those conditions, you should be able to do this in a timely manner.
For example, for renewing non-lucrative visas you must show that there are sufficient resources for the future two years (the renewal is for 2 rather than 1).
Residence permit in Spain without the right to work
The residency card doesn’t always grant a person the ability to work in the country for himself or by contract. Getting an employment permit is easy since unemployment is one of Spain's biggest challenges.
Residence permit in Spain with the right to work
In Spain residence permit cards may allow employment. The permit allows for a temporary residency of "Cuenta Propia" to work for an unemployed professional.
The candidate has demonstrated their competences and financial independence. The plan was signed by the Spanish unions of independent businesses. A permit for residing under contract is issued when a Spanish company welcomes a foreign employee to work.
Do you want to live in Spain and work on your own business?
The self employed work permit, is a residence permit in spain that is one of the types of residence permits that gives the applicant the right to live in Spain while working in your own company or to start a business.
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The application process is as follows:
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you must submit the application form for a D visa at the Spanish Consulate in the country of origin, also known as your country of residence.
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application form EX-07
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fee form 790 code 052
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fee form 790 code 062
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copies of passport
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description of the activity you will carry out, the planned investment, and expected profitability
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In addition you will also need authorizations, such as:
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certificate of criminal records
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medical insurance
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documentation accrediting possession of the legally required professional qualifications
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All these documents must go through a process known as legalization and translation into Spanish by a sworn translator.
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The consulate then has three months to provide a decision once all the documents have been received.
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Upon obtaining this visa, the applicant must come to spain during the validity of the visa.
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From the time they enter Spain, the applicant must register with the spanish government social security office within three months.
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And within one month of registering for social security, they must apply for a residence permit.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I become a resident of Spain after 3 years?
Once you have lived at least three months in Spain, the right to legal residency is granted by Socialization. If the person is residing three months continuously in Spain, you can make an application to Agricola Social and obtain the residency in Spain.
Does Spain offer PR?
Temporary residents in Spain must live in Spain for at least 5 years for a permanent residency permit. You can apply for naturalisation in Spain within five years of becoming permanent resident.
Can I get temporary residency in Spain?
Temporary stays are defined as shorter stays of 90 days for at least five years (excluding student mobility or internships in Spain).
Can I get residency in Spain if I buy a house?
Yes, you have residency in Spain once you buy an apartment thanks to the Golden Visa.
Non-European Union citizens who bought a property in the Spanish region in 2013 are allowed two years of residential residence with a property investment of 500,00 euros. The reunion between family members with persons already residing in Spain. Families of Spanish citizens or of the United European countries.
How do I get a residence permit to live in Spain?
Residence permits can be issued for up to 2 years and are renewable, provided that the applicant still meets economic conditions and resides in Spain every year. Once you hold a permanent permit for up to five more years, you can continue living here permanently.
How do I get a TRC card in Spain?
Residence cards (Tarjeta de Residencia) are an important requirement when you plan on spending between 2 and 5 years abroad in Spain. You can apply for an tarjeta residencia in a foreigner's residence at the Foreign Office (Oficina Extranjeros) if you arrived in a country.
How can a non-EU citizen get residency in Spain?
To be allowed to live in the Spanish country it's essential to apply for a residence visa. Secondly, you need to apply with a residency card if it is three-month or six-month. Get a passport if you are spending more than six months abroad.
How long can EU resident stay in Spain?
Upon the completion of 6 months and 1 day (184 days or later) in Spain, the EU resident is now considered a Spanish resident, therefore paying the Spain residency income tax.
