COUNTRY:
Spain - Residency Programs
The process to apply for Spanish residency for existing nationals of the European Union is simpler and more straightforward than for Non-EU.
Countries within the European Economic Area include member states of the European Union and the three countries of the European Free Trade Association: i.e. Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway (excluding Switzerland). Switzerland Citizens can apply for Spanish Residency following the same procedures than those within the European Economic Area.
European Citizens must apply for the so-called ‘certificado de registro de la Unión Europea‘ a residency permit which is permanent and (does not expire).
EU residents must prove to have €6,000 in their bank account and a private medical policy or a job offer in Spain. These are the core conditions for residents of the European Union.
A permanent residency permit is issued that allows you to live and work in the territory of Spain. This process for setting up residency is seamless when applied through an authorised registered agent that can guide you through the entire process and assist with the relevant documentation.
NON-EU National
There are two types of residency permits in Spain for EU Nationals, the Golden Visa and the Non Lucrative Visa (NLV):
The Golden Visa
Requirements:
- The applicant must be non-EU, non EEA and non-Swiss
- The applicant must submit the application from via a Malta licensed agent
- The applicant must be a ‘fit and proper person’ that will undergo a thorough due diligence exercise. He has to have a clean criminal record and not hailing from any sanctioned countries
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Invest funds into one of the following:
- Make an investment in public debt for an amount equal to or greater than two million euros.
- Make an investment in bank deposits in Spanish entities or in shares of Spanish companies worth more than one million euros.
- Purchase property in Spain for a value greater than 500,000 euros.
- Set up a business in Spain subject to create jobs in Spain that will have an important impact on the country or region at a socioeconomic level that represents a scientific or technological novelty.
If you want to live in Spain, but don’t have an employer who hires one can still can get a Non-Lucrative Visa. Our immigration specialists in Spain will help get through all the paperwork required to get your non-lucrative Visa.
A Spanish non-lucrative visa application is a special residency permit in Spain for non-European individuals who intend to stay in the country for an extended period of time. This residence permit is non-profit in the sense that you will be unable to do any economic or professional activities in Spain.
This residency permit will allow you to settle with your family in Spain by demonstrating the availability of sufficient economic means. This permit can be achieved without working or investing in the country, the main requirement is to demonstrate sufficient economic means to leave in the country, certifying the availability of a non-working monthly income (eg. pension) that satisfies the minimum financial requirements.
The non-lucrative visa requirements are the following:
- Sufficient economic means
- Absence of criminal record
- Not having an entry ban in the Schengen Territory
- Not to be irregularly in Spanish Soil
- Private Health Insurance
- Minimum monthly income of €2,400 + additional monthly income of €600 for each family member.
The main requirement to get the NLV in Spain is to have enough economic means to stay in the country. You must have sufficient funds to cover your maintenance and stay expenses, including, if applicable, those of your family, during the period of time for which you wish to reside in Spain, without the need to carry out any work or professional activity. If you want to work remotely this is not your visa, your visa would be the digital nomad visa.
Proof of funds is the core requirement to obtain the non-lucrative visa in Spain. In 2023, the Spanish Government dictates that you must prove having the following income:
- Monthly Income of 2400€
- Monthly Income of +600€ for each family member in your care.
- Application for non-lucrative visa before the Spanish diplomatic mission or consular office; The form to be used for the application for temporary non-profit residence is model Ex-01.
- Decision on the authorisation of non-profit visa by the Government Delegation or Sub-delegation;
- Decision on the non-lucrative residence visa by the Spanish diplomatic mission or consular post;
- Collection of the visa at the Spanish consular post (Your NIE number is included in the visa).
- Entry into Spanish territory and stamp your passport.
- Application for the Foreigner Identity Card (TIE CARD).
The application must be accompanied by these documents:
- Valid passport or travel document, recognized as valid in Spain, with a minimum validity of 1 year.
- Criminal record certificate, or equivalent document, if the applicant is of legal age, issued by the authorities of the country of origin or of the countries where he/she has resided in the last 5 years.
- Documentation accrediting that sufficient economic means are available.
- Documentation demonstrating that you have a private or public health insurance taken out with an insurance company authorized to operate in Spain.
- Medical certificate that proves that you do not suffer from any of the diseases that may have serious public health repercussions in accordance with the International Health Regulations of 2005.
All documents submitted have to be translated by a Spanish approved translator, It may take the Spanish authorities up to three months to process your application for a non-lucrative residency visa. We are able to assist with all the necessary requirements via our Authorised Registered Agent in Spain.
