Moving to Spain: A Guide
This guide provides information for those looking to live in Spain, whether you’re an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen or a national of another country.
For EU/EEA/Swiss Citizens:
If you’re a citizen of an EU/EEA country (including Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway) or Switzerland, you have the right to live and work in Spain without a visa, thanks to the freedom of movement principle.
- Registration: If your stay exceeds three months, you must register with the Central Register of Foreign Nationals (Registro Central de Extranjeros) and obtain an EU Registration Certificate (Certificado de Registro de la UE).
- Registration Requirements: You’ll generally need to demonstrate sufficient financial resources (through employment, self-employment, or other income) and have health insurance coverage.
- Family Members: Family members of EU/EEA/Swiss citizens, regardless of their nationality, also have the right to reside in Spain. They will need to apply for a Family Member Residence Card (Tarjeta de Residencia de Familiar de Ciudadano de la Unión).
For Non-EU/EEA/Swiss Citizens:
If you’re a citizen of a country outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland and wish to study, work, or reside in Spain, you’ll need the appropriate visa. The type of visa required depends on the purpose of your stay:
- Visa Types: Common visa options include:
- Student Visa: For those pursuing studies in Spain.
- Work Visa: For those with a confirmed job offer in Spain.
- Non-Lucrative Visa: For those wishing to reside in Spain without working, but with sufficient financial means.
- Golden Visa/Investor Visa: For significant investments in Spain.
- Application Process: The visa application typically involves submitting an application form, passport, photos, proof of financial means, health insurance, and other supporting documents to the Spanish consulate in your home country.
- Residency Authorization: Once in Spain, you’ll need to apply for a Residency Authorization (Autorización de Residencia) at the relevant immigration office (Oficina de Extranjería).
- Renewing, Extending, or Modifying Authorizations: If you already hold a residency authorization, information on renewing, extending, or modifying it can be found on the official website of the Spanish Ministry of the Interior.
General Advice for All:
- Official Sources: Always consult the official website of the Spanish Ministry of the Interior (Ministerio del Interior) or the Spanish consulate in your home country for the most up-to-date and accurate information.
- Legal Counsel: For complex situations or if you have any doubts, seeking advice from an immigration lawyer in Spain is recommended.
- Language: Learning basic Spanish will greatly assist you in daily life in Spain.
Read More: Applying for Asylum in Spain (Spanish Post)
¿What are my options?
This section provides official application templates for initiating immigration procedures, as well as other guidance templates for various communications with the Administration. It is important to note that if you are applying for asylum, subsidiary protection, or temporary protection, none of these authorizations apply, and you should contact the Asylum and Refuge Office directly.
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Without a Residency Permit
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If you do NOT yet have a permit to reside in Spain, here you can find the options available to you:
With Authorization
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However, if you have a permit to reside in Spain, here you can find information about the different actions you can take
European Union
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We also have information for citizens of the European Union
The information provided here is for informational purposes only and is extracted from official websites or other sites that report on the subject. We do not guarantee the absolute accuracy of this information, therefore it is always advisable to consult official and updated sources on the subject.
Application Forms
In this section, you can download official application forms for initiating procedures related to immigration and other guidance documents for various communications with the Administration.
General Application Forms
This content is in Spanish
Official forms required for initiating procedures related to the documentation of foreigners in Spain, regulated by Organic Law 4/2000 on the rights and freedoms of foreigners in Spain and their social integration.
Support for Entrepreneurs
This content is in Spanish
Official application forms for initiating procedures regulated by Law 14/2013 on support for entrepreneurs and their internationalization.
Recruitment from Origin
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Forms for requesting the recruitment of foreign workers through the collective management procedure for recruitment from origin.