Individuals can obtain permanent residency in Spain after having legally resided in the country for a period of five uninterrupted years. Once they meet this specific condition, they can apply for permanent residency and then gain the right to live the rest of their lives in the country. Our team of specialized agents in immigration matters in Spain can assist all individuals who have been employed and have lived in the country for this period of time. You can rely on us if you want to immigrate and need assistance in applying for a residency permit in Spain.
Types of Residence Permits for Spain
Foreign citizens wishing to immigrate to Spain have several options for residency. These include:
- Short-term residence
- Long-term residence
- Permanent residence
Depending on the type of visa initially applied for, permanent residency can be obtained gradually, meaning that a foreign citizen must first apply for a temporary or long-term residence permit from which they can then obtain permanent residence in Spain. The next step is Spanish citizenship.
If you are interested in immigrating to Spain, you can rely on the guidance of our attorneys to apply for residency or even Spanish citizenship.
Types of visas that lead to permanent residency in Spain
Spain is one of the most welcoming European countries and, as a member of the European Union, it offers specific facilities to citizens of other member states who wish to move here. EU citizens do not need a visa to move to Spain, as they only need to register at the local police office in the city where they will reside.
Non-EU citizens, on the other hand, are required to go through various procedures to obtain temporary residency and then permanent residency in Spain. These are the main types of visas that lead to obtaining a permanent residence permit in this country:
- Employment visas, which are one of the safest ways to obtain permanent residency in this country;
- Student visas under which foreign students can move to Spain temporarily and then permanently;
- Non-profit visas that are available to foreigners wishing to retire in Spain provided they have sufficient financial means to support themselves;
- Investment visas that are available to foreign entrepreneurs and high-net-worth individuals immigrating to Spain.
Any of these visas can be used to obtain permanent residency in Spain as long as the specific requirements and responsibilities associated with each type of residence permit are met.
To ensure compliance with the requirements imposed by immigration authorities, you can obtain the necessary support from our immigration lawyers in Spain.
We can answer all your questions about obtaining a residency permit in Spain.
Spanish Residence Based on Studies and Employment
One of the most common ways to obtain residency in Spain is through employment. This option is available to citizens of other EU countries as well as residents outside the EU. It is worth noting that it is easier to obtain residency as a citizen of another EU country, as the process does not involve a specific procedure to follow.
This year, foreign citizens from non-EU countries can apply for residency in Spain if they come here to study or work, as these are suitable options for young people. In the case of study visas, these can be obtained for the duration of the enrolled courses and are usually granted for short stays (3 to 9 months) or long stays (2 to 4 years). This visa can be extended before its expiration if the foreign student continues their studies within the same educational institution. Visa renewal is done directly in Spain, without leaving the country. Also, as long as the student stays in Spain for more than 9 months, they can obtain the TIE (foreigner identity card).
For non-EU citizens, a work contract must be signed before entering Spain. Here too, there are several types of work visas that can be obtained. These are seasonal work visas, au pair work permits, long-term work/residence permits, and the EU blue card.
To obtain a work visa as a foreign citizen, the job must be on a list of hard-to-find specialists, and the employer must carry out specific operations to hire a foreign migrant from a non-EU country. Additionally, there are various requirements to meet when seeking to obtain residency in Spain for labor purposes.
Our immigration lawyers in Spain can provide detailed information on the requirements related to obtaining a work visa.
How to obtain residency in Spain based on a business visa
Self-employed individuals and those looking to start a business in Spain have special visas with which they can immigrate here. While self-employed individuals must have sufficient funds to support themselves, business visa applicants must establish companies in Spain. This way, they can obtain residency in Spain by being shareholders or employees of the company. However, the easiest way to immigrate to Spain with a business visa is through the Golden Visa Plan.
The EU Blue Card in Spain
One of the greatest benefits of residency in Spain is linked to obtaining the EU Blue Card. This can be acquired by individuals who meet the following criteria:
- They hold tertiary education degrees and are skilled professionals.
- They have at least 5 years of professional experience in their field.
- Their employment contract provides for a salary at least 50% higher than the average salary in Spain (it can also be at least 20% higher if specific requirements are met).
The EU Blue Card has a validity period of one year and can be renewed. Our lawyers can provide more information on how to obtain an EU Blue Card. This is also a suitable option for those interested in Spanish citizenship.
Permanent residence through investment in Spain
Foreign entrepreneurs and high-net-worth individuals interested in immigration in Spain can benefit from specific programs under which permanent residency is granted. The first program is called the Golden Visa Scheme and is available to foreign investors from non-EU countries interested in making a substantial investment in the Spanish economy. The second program is the Wealth Visa Program, aimed at high-net-worth individuals seeking permanent residency in Spain without the right to employment.
At least one of the following conditions must be met when immigrating to Spain under the Golden Visa Program:
- A capital investment of a minimum of 2 million euros to be invested in the purchase of government-approved bonds.
- A capital investment of 1 million euros in the purchase of shares in Spanish businesses approved by the government.
- Real estate investment is also allowed: the minimum value of the property is set at 500,000 euros.
- In the case of real estate investment, the property must be purchased 90 days before applying for the golden visa.
The Golden Visa Scheme is one of the fastest routes to permanent residency in Spain; however, it is important to note that several conditions must be respected in addition to the investment. Among these, having a clean criminal record and medical insurance. Additionally, the applicant must also provide proof of being able to support themselves for an indefinite period. The advantage of the Golden Visa is that the applicant can move to Spain with close family members.
The Wealth Visa is the other permanent residence Spanish option for foreign citizens wishing to move here. The conditions for this type of residence permit are less strict, as the applicant must have a monthly income of 2,200 euros. Family members can also move to Spain with the applicant; however, an additional 500 euros per month must be ensured for each dependent.
How to Apply for Spanish Permanent Residence
A document granting permanent or long-term residence allows the applicant to continue living in Spain without having to fulfill other conditions. Specifically, a foreign individual obtaining permanent residence in Spain can reside in the country indefinitely under conditions similar to those of a Spanish citizen. The process for obtaining citizenship is different, and if this is what you are seeking, you can reach out to our immigration lawyers in Spain. The following list describes the basic conditions for obtaining residence:
- Reside in the country for five years: This is a mandatory condition for anyone wishing to apply for residence and must be evidenced with appropriate documents. You’ll find this requirement straightforward because in most cases, people plan to stay for at least several years.
- Have means to support oneself: The applicant must demonstrate having fixed income in Spain, either in the form of employee salary or pension income.
- Be insured: The foreign applicant must have private or public health insurance and provide relevant documentation to support it.
- Submit the application: If all the above conditions are met, the individual must complete and submit an application at the Foreigners’ Office.
Obtaining permanent residence is important for those interested in immigrating to Spain. For those planning to live in the country, the aforementioned steps are typically taken in most situations once they secure employment (thus having stable income) and also subscribe to a private health plan.
Documents Required for Applying for Residence in Spain
To benefit from the advantages of being a permanent resident in Spain, the applicant must provide proof of having lived here legally for the past 5 years. The proof will consist of several documents, including:
- Information about current living status (employment contract, self-employed status, student, or retiree).
- Certificate of registration issued by the local police office in the city where the applicant lives.
- Proof of address in Spain (utility bills, rental agreement).
- Evidence of means to support oneself (pay stubs, bank statements, etc.).
Based on these documents, the immigration authorities through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Spain will issue the permanent residence card.
Acquiring Spanish Residence for EU Citizens
Since 2007, a citizen of the EU no longer needs a EU residence card, as it has been replaced by the residence certificate (for those who wish to stay in Spain for more than six months). However, if you already have a EU residence card, there is no need to re-register until the card expires.
According to Spanish law, within the first three months of your arrival, you must register at an Immigration Office in order to be added to the Central Registry of Foreigners. The residence certificate includes your name, address, your tax identification number (NIE), and your nationality. If there are changes in the information on the certificate, such as divorce, marriage, etc., you must reapply.
Our immigration lawyers in Spain can assist you at every step of the residence certificate registration process or with other immigration matters in Spain, so you can rely on our team.
The Spanish Residence Card
Once a foreign citizen has moved to Spain, they can apply for their residence card. To do so, they must ensure that:
- They have obtained their NIE numbers (or foreign tax identification numbers);
- They have health insurance;
- They have paid the residence card issuance fee.
Applicants must provide proof of the above, as well as the residence card application form, proof of income (a minimum amount is required as proof of self-sufficiency), and two passport-sized photographs. The process of obtaining the residence card takes a few days.
Our lawyers are at your service to assist with matters other than those related to immigration procedures. Among these, we also offer housing and insurance services for foreign citizens moving to different cities in Spain.
Spanish Residency or Spanish Citizenship
As mentioned by our immigration agents in Spain, residency and citizenship are two separate matters for expatriates living in Spain. When they have a long-term permanent residence in Spain, individuals can retain their nationality and passport issued by their home country. When opting to become citizens, they must renounce their original nationality and passport issued by the authorities there.
At the policy level, those seeking residency in Spain must meet the same requirements as last year. They can choose employment or business for their relocation.
Marta Palacios Cuesta is the founder and principal consultant of Es Abogado Extranjería, a law firm specializing in immigration law in Madrid and Seville. With an impressive academic background, Marta offers expert advice on immigration procedures, residency processes and obtaining Spanish nationality. Committed to providing personalized and up-to-date solutions, her firm stands out for its detailed and professional approach. If you need legal guidance regarding your status in Spain, contact Marta for a personalized consultation at Es Abogado Extranjería.