Gemma’s Bilingual & Property Services - Moving to/living in Spain

General information everyone considering a move to Spain should know

Madrid

On this page, you can find general information about moving to Spain or living in Spain. Immigration is a complex subject and the information here is intended as a general guide. Please do not base any decisions or actions on the information contained here without confirming it first with an official source, such as a Spanish consulate.

Documentation needed for living in Spain

If you are thinking of moving to or working in Spain, make sure you have a valid passport and visa if necessary. As part of the EU, goods, services, capital and people can freely move between member states, and EU citizens have the right to live, study, work or start a business in Spain. EU citizens cannot be refused permission to reside in Spain. If you are moving to Spain to be an employee, self-employed or a full-time student you do not need a residence permit either. To qualify for this exemption, employees must have a legal contract of employment and pay social security contributions and taxes. If you are self-employed you must be registered with the local authorities and tax office and pay monthly social security contributions.

Non-workers and retired EU citizens must apply for a residence permit. Citizens of non-EU countries must also obtain a visa from a Spanish consulate in their home country before coming to Spain.

Foreigner´s Identification Number (NIE- Número de identificación de Extranjero)

All residents and non-resident foreigners with financial affairs in Spain must have an NIE number. Without this number you won´t be able to open a bank account, buy a property, arrange credit terms or use temporary employment agencies. It is also need in all dealing with Spanish tax authorities - paying property taxes etc.

You can apply for an NIE at any national police station. If you are not applying to become a resident also, you will be issued with a number (on an official document) within a week or up to three months.

Visitors

Visitors from EU countries, North and South America, Andorra, Australis, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Costa Rica, Croatia, Gibraltar, Grenada, Hong Kong, Iceland, Israel, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, Romania, San Marino, Singapore and Switzerland don´t need a visa for stays in Spain of up to 90 days. All other nationalities will require a visa to visit Spain.

EU citizens can stay for up to 182 days.

Visas

Citizens of non-EU countries, including non-EU spouses and dependants of EU nationals, must obtain a visa from a Spanish consulate in their home country before coming to Spain to work, study or live. There are various categories of visa:

Pensioner
Investors
Business people
Employees of multinationals (transferees)
Other employees
Teachers
Students
Extended-holidaymakers
Performers of cultural or sporting activities

Non-EU nationals who wish to reside in Spain must obtain a residence visa before entering the country. The visa will be stamped in your passport, which must be valid for a minimum of six months, and is valid for entry into Spain within 60 days of the date of issue.

Applications for visas must be made to the Spanish consulate that has jurisdiction over your place of residence and must be made in person by you or our authorised representative.

Documentation required by applicants:

Full passport, valid for at least 6 months, and a copy of the page showing your details
Completed application form and copies (the number varies, you should check how many are required)
Passport-size photos, with one fixed to each application form
Small stamped addressed envelope

The following may be required, depending on your reason for visiting Spain:

Proof of private health insurance if you aren´t eligible for health treatment under Spanish social security
A medical certificate proving that you don´t have yellow fever, cholera or the plague, and stating that you are in good health, free from drug addiction and not suffering from mental illness. If you are going to be an employee it must state that you are fit to work
A certificate of good conduct or a certificate confirming that you have no criminal record. This must be issued by police or official authorities in the country or countries where you´ve living during the five years prior to the application

Additional information:

Employees require a pre-contract, stamped and signed by both parties, or a letter on the headed paper of you prospective employer. The employer must have filed the job offer with the Ministry of Labour in Spain
Self-employed people need a copy of their Work Authorisation Application, filed with the Ministry of Labour in Spain and they must submit an application for a residence visa to the Spanish Consulate within 30 days of the date the Work Authorisation Application was filed
If you are planning to retire or start a business in Spain, you will need proof of financial resources. There´s no fixed income required to obtain a visa to retire in Spain, but a minimum income of around 930€ a month is usually the minimum for a retired couple. If you are the recipient of an EU state pension, you will qualify if it´s less. A minimum investment of 120000€ is usually necesarry for a non-EU national wishing to start a business in Spain.
If you are retired you must present a copy of any title deeds of properties owned in Spain
Students require proof of admission from an approved Spanish educational establishment, proof of sufficient funds to support yourself and to pay for your studies and proof of medical insurance.
Au pairs will need an agreement with a family in Spain
A non-EU national married to a Spanish citizen of a foreigner resident in Spain will need a marriage certificate

Various other documents may be required depending on the purpose of your visit. These will often need to be translated into Spanish, by an official translator approved by your local Spanish consulate. Copies of documents are normally required also.

Application can take around six to eight weeks, so plan in advance. Visas are valid for 60 days from the date of issue. If you wish to reside in Spain must apply for a residence permit within 15 days of arrival.

Residence Permits

Anyone wishing to work, start a business or live in Spain for more than 182 days a year (excepting EU and Swiss nationals who are employees, self-employed or full-time students) will need a residence permit. EU nationals who are retired or not working and planning to stay for a limited period are issued with a temporary residence permit for the period requested. If you require a permit and the period of your stay is indefinite, a five-year residence permit is issued.

A non-EU residence permit is initially valid for two years or the length of a contract.

Although many EU nationals no longer legally require a residence permit, many people have found that it´s useful to have one for identification purposes. Many transaction still require proof of residency (opening bank accounts, applying for a mortgage).

Note that, if you remain in Spain for more than 182 days in a calendar year (with or without residence permit), you will be regarded as a resident for tax purposes and will be liable to pay income tax on you total worldwide income.

Residents of Spain aren´t required to remain in Spain for any period of time and can spend as much time out of Spain as they wish. Residents in Spain must pay Spanish taxes on their worldwide income, may not own a car with foreign registration plates and must apply for a Spanish driving licence unless he holds a valida EU driving licence.

Applications can take up to six months, so it´s a good idea to apply before you arrive in Spain. The documentation usually required is:

A passport valid for at least six months and a photocopy of the page showing your details
A number of completed application forms
A number of passport-size photos (one fixed to each application form)
A marriage or divorce certificate, plus a Spanish translation
Proof of residency (property purchase contract, long-term rental contract etc)
Fee which must be paid via a bank
Medical certificate obtainable by any Spanish doctor