Can you move to Spain?

Spanish naturalization by residence generally requires 10 years of continuous, legal, verified residence; reduced to 5 years for recognized refugees; reduced to 2 years for nationals by birth of Ibero-American countries, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, Portugal, or those of verified Sephardic Jewish origin; and reduced to 1 year for spouses of Spanish citizens (cohabiting, registered marriage) or those born on Spanish territory. Applicants must pass the DELE A2+ Spanish language exam (Instituto Cervantes; exempt for native Ibero-American speakers) and the CCSE constitutional/cultural knowledge exam (15/25 correct minimum). The 2026 government fee (Tasa 790-026) is €104.05, with processing taking 6-12 months for straightforward online applications. Standard naturalizing citizens must renounce their prior nationality during the Jura de Bandera oath; this is waived for citizens of Ibero-American nations, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, and Portugal, who retain dual nationality.

Spain's Digital Nomad Visa (DNV), under Law 28/2022 (Startup Law), can be applied for via the Spanish consulate abroad (initial 1-year visa) or in-country via the Unidad de Grandes Empresas (UGE) while on a valid tourist stay (initial 3-year residence permit). It's renewable for an additional 2 years, up to a cumulative 5-year maximum, which unlocks eligibility for permanent residency. Applicants need an active contract/business relationship with a non-Spanish company (3+ months prior to application, company operational 1+ years), a university/postgraduate degree or 3+ years of relevant professional experience, and — if self-employed/contracting — no more than 20% of total income from Spanish entities.

Long-term (permanent) residency in Spain requires 5 years of continuous, legal residence holding a valid temporary residency permit. To avoid resetting the residency clock, total time outside Spain must not exceed 10 cumulative months across the 5-year window, or 6 consecutive months in a single trip. Successful applicants receive the long-term TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero), granting the right to live and work indefinitely under conditions identical to Spanish citizens.

Processing times for Spanish visas and residence permits vary according to the visa category, the Spanish diplomatic mission handling the application, and the complexity of the applicant's circumstances. Applicants may be required to complete additional administrative procedures, including residence registration and biometric enrolment after arriving in Spain.

The documents required for a non-working (non-lucrative) residence visa in Spain depend on the nationality and purpose of stay. Applicants are generally expected to submit complete documentation when applying through the appropriate Spanish diplomatic mission or immigration authority. Foreign-issued documents may require certified translation into Spanish, legalization, or an apostille, depending on the issuing country and applicable international agreements.

Spain's Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV) is tailored strictly for retirees, self-sufficient individuals, and passive investors, explicitly prohibiting any remote or local professional work in Spain. Under recently reinstated criteria, NLV holders must remain physically present in Spain for at least 183 days/year to qualify for renewal — which directly triggers Spanish tax residency on worldwide income. 2026 financial thresholds are calculated via IPREM: the main applicant needs 400% of IPREM monthly (~€2,400/month, ~€28,800/year), plus 100% of IPREM (~€600/month, ~€7,200/year) per accompanying family member, provable via passive income only (pensions, annuities, dividends, rental yields) or equivalent liquid capital. Applicants need comprehensive private health insurance with zero co-payments/deductibles, and an apostilled criminal record certificate covering the past 5 years with a sworn Spanish translation.

Spain distinguishes between short-stay Schengen visas and long-stay national visas for foreign nationals intending to reside in the country for employment, study, business, retirement or family reunification. Citizens of the European Union, European Economic Area and Switzerland generally benefit from freedom of movement and do not require a visa to live and work in Spain, subject to registration requirements. Long-term residence permits are purpose-specific and are generally issued for employment, self-employment, remote work, education, retirement or family reunification. Residence permits may be renewed where the applicable legal requirements continue to be met. Eligible long-term residents may later qualify for permanent residence or Spanish citizenship, subject to residence, integration and nationality legislation.

Spain's Highly Qualified Professional Permit is a fast-track corporate employment visa for non-EU professionals in high-level managerial or highly technical roles at a Spanish company, processed via the Unidad de Grandes Empresas (UGE) with a statutory 20-day response window — no explicit refusal within 20 days triggers positive administrative silence (silencio administrativo positivo). 2026 minimum gross salary thresholds: €54,000/year for directors/managers, €40,000/year for scientific/technical professionals (up to 25% reduction if the hiring company is a recognized tech startup/SME). Applicants need a university degree or 5+ years of executive experience in the sector. Initial grant runs up to 3 years (tied to contract length) when applied for within Spain, with simultaneous family-member processing (spouse, children under 18 or dependent adult children, and dependent parents) granting immediate local work authorization.