Visas / Residence
All visa routes and residence permits for Spain, requirements, process, and timelines.
Eu_nie_tie
EU Registration, Certificado de Registro UE
Online verifiedEU citizens do not receive a TIE; they receive a registration certificate in the Central Foreigners Register. Proof of means and health coverage are usually required.
Requirements
EU passport or ID EX-18 form Proof of means or employment Private or public health insurance Empadronamiento
Tips
EU/EEA/Swiss citizens staying in Spain longer than 3 months.
NIE, Número de Identificación de Extranjero
Online verifiedThe NIE is only an identification number; it does not grant residence. It can be obtained inside Spain or at a Spanish consulate abroad.
Requirements
Passport EX-15 form Modelo 790 cód. 012 (fee) Proof of economic reason Cita previa
Tips
Any foreigner performing an economic or legal act in Spain (purchase, investment, contract, bank).
TIE, Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero
Online verifiedThe TIE is the physical proof of residence permission. It is collected after a favorable resolución and toma de huellas (fingerprinting).
Requirements
Passport Resolución favorable Modelo 790 cód. 012 EX-17 form Cita previa for toma de huellas
Tips
Non-EU citizens who have received residence authorization and need the physical card.
Work_digital
Digital Nomad / Teletrabajo internacional
Online verifiedRoute created by the Startup Law (Ley 28/2022). Allows living in Spain while working for foreign employers or clients, with a favorable tax framework.
Requirements
Passport Proof of contract with a foreign employer or several foreign clients Degree or three years of professional experience Qualifying health insurance Proof of income above SMI threshold Criminal record + apostille
Tips
Non-EU workers and freelancers working for companies outside Spain or with foreign clients.
Non-lucrative residence
Online verifiedResidence permit without the right to work. Sufficient passive income (~€2,400/month + dependents) and comprehensive health insurance without co-payment must be proven.
Requirements
Passport EX-01 form Bank statements (12 months) Comprehensive health insurance without co-payment Criminal record + apostille Medical certificate
Tips
Non-EU individuals with passive income who do not intend to work in Spain.
Work permit (cuenta ajena / cuenta propia)
Online verifiedThe employer usually initiates the application (cuenta ajena). Cuenta propia requires a business plan and proof of means.
Requirements
Employment contract or business plan Proof of qualifications Criminal record + apostille Medical certificate Catálogo de Ocupaciones (for certain occupations)
Tips
Non-EU individuals with a Spanish employer (cuenta ajena) or those starting an autónomo activity (cuenta propia).
Entrepreneur / Startup Route
Online verifiedLey 14/2013 plus reforms. Faster track through UGE-CE. ENISA assessment for project innovation. Allows family from day one.
Requirements
Business plan in Spanish Founder CV Proof of means Comprehensive health insurance Criminal records
Tips
Non-EU founders of innovative projects with significant economic impact for Spain.
Students
Student visa
Online verifiedResidence during studies. Allows limited work up to 30 hours per week with authorization. Can lead to modification into a work permit.
Requirements
School/university acceptance letter Proof of means (100% IPREM/month) Health insurance Criminal record for studies longer than 6 months Medical certificate
Tips
Non-EU students enrolled in a regulated educational institution (university, master's, language courses, FP).
Family
Reagrupación familiar
Online verifiedThe sponsor must show sufficient income, adequate housing, and a minimum period of legal residence. The process has two steps: authorization in Spain, then visa at the consulate.
Requirements
Proof of family relationship, apostille, and translation Housing report (informe de vivienda) Sponsor income proof Family member criminal records
Tips
Non-EU residents bringing close family (spouse, children, parents under specific conditions).
Family member of EU citizen, Tarjeta familiar UE
Online verifiedA more favorable route than standard reagrupación. Grants residence and work without restriction. Based on Directive 2004/38/EC.
Requirements
Passport Proof of family relationship (apostille and translation) EU passport/ID of the family member Empadronamiento at the same address EX-19 form
Tips
Non-EU spouse, partner, or child of an EU citizen living in Spain.
Arraigo
Arraigo social
Online verifiedRegularization of status for people who have lived in Spain long-term. Since the 2025 reform (RD 1155/2024, in force 20 May 2025) it requires 2 years of continuous residence plus either family ties or an integration report, and proof of economic means. A work contract is no longer mandatory.
Requirements
Proof of 2 years of continuous residence (historical empadronamiento) Criminal record from your country of origin and Spain Proof of economic means (at least 100% of the IPREM) Family ties OR an integration report (informe de arraigo social, municipality)
Tips
Non-EU individuals with at least 2 continuous years of residence in Spain. Since RD 1155/2024 (in force 20 May 2025) a work contract is no longer required; you show economic means plus family ties or an integration report.
Arraigo laboral
Online verifiedSpecial variant; prior work in Spain must be proven (e.g., labor court judgment, inspection report).
Requirements
Historical empadronamiento (2 years) Proof of employment (court ruling, inspection, contracts) Passport Criminal records
Tips
Individuals with at least 2 years of residence and 6 months of documented work in Spain (including unreported work proven in court).
Arraigo por Formación
Online verifiedNewer route (Real Decreto 629/2022). Temporary permit during training, with a possible transition to a work permit upon completion.
Requirements
Empadronamiento (2 years) Enrolment in regulated training/FP/university Criminal records Passport
Tips
Individuals with at least 2 years of residence who commit to regulated training or studies in Spain.
Renewals
Renewal / Modification of Residence Permit
Online verifiedRenewals are filed 60 days before expiry and up to 90 days after (with a fine). Modification of type (e.g., student to work) has specific conditions.
Requirements
Existing TIE EX-17 or EX-23 (depending on type) Proof that conditions are still met Modelo 790 cód. 012
Tips
Anyone with an existing residence permit nearing expiry or changing type.
Golden_visa
Golden Visa / Investor Visa, Historical
Online verifiedConsider active alternatives: Non-lucrative visa, Digital Nomad visa.
The investor visa for the purchase of real estate valued at €500,000 or more was abolished on 3 April 2025. Other investment forms (shares, deposits, public debt, projects of general interest) were also abolished for new applications. This is not an active route for new buyers.
Requirements
(transitional cases only) Proof of investment before 3 April 2025 Legal opinion on validity
Tips
Investors who started the process under Ley 14/2013 before 3 April 2025.
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