Moving to Spain is possible if there is a reason to open local residency. The reason for obtaining a residence permit can be, for example, official employment, financial independence, purchase of real estate, reunification with relatives, work as an entrepreneur or researcher. Over time, it is possible to replace the residence permit with a permanent residence permit (usually five years after immigration), and, after the same period of time - to apply for citizenship by naturalization.

Obtain the right to reside in the Kingdom of Spain can those who have no criminal record and dangerous to society diseases, know and recognize the national laws, sufficiently financially secured and agree to undergo biometric procedures, such as photography and fingerprinting. To remain in the country permanently, you must maintain an official reason for being in the state until you receive your permanent residence card.

It is guaranteed to immigrate to Spain with a passport from any of the European Union countries. EU citizens have the right to reside permanently in their favorite state of association, with access to employment, business, health care and education. To find out about the possibility of obtaining an EU passport for up to 12 months, you can ask a dedicated specialist Immigrantinlaw.

Peculiarities of migration laws in Spain

The main document that regulates the sphere of migration in Spain is the organic law 4/2000 “On the rights and freedoms of foreigners and their social integration”. It lists the conditions for entry into the territory of the kingdom, ways to obtain a permit for temporary or permanent residence, conditions for refusal or revocation of residency. Additional rules are regulated by Royal Decree No. 557/2011. The conditions for naturalization are presented in the Civil Code of July 24, 1889.

Migration laws in Spain are more loyal than in most other countries of the European Union. The Kingdom allows financially backed foreigners to move, even if they have no direct connection to the state or the population. Residence permits are granted through investments in the economy of the country, including the purchase of residential or commercial real estate. The right to legalization is even for illegal immigrants within the framework of prolonged residency (from 2-3 years of residence), but by individual decision of the authorities.

How does the process of relocation to Spain take place?

The most common way to emigrate from other countries to Spain is as follows:

1. Opening a national visa.
   At this stage it is necessary to determine the legal basis for immigration, check yourself for compliance with the requirements, collect and notarize a package of documents. The dossier for a visa is submitted personally to the diplomatic mission of Spain and is considered within a month.
2. Moving and issuance of a resident card.
   With a national visa you can arrive in Spain, register in the municipality of the province, and before the expiration of the document to apply for a residence permit. The residence permit is issued at the police or migration office at the place of registration.
3. Renewal of a residence permit.
   Usually residency in Spain is granted for 1-5 years, depending on the reason, after which it can be extended. The document is re-issued by analogy with the receipt of the primary residence permit, provided that the reason for being in the kingdom remains in force.
4. Obtaining a permanent residence.
   Long-term residence in Spain is granted to those who have been legally present in the country for 5 years or more. This residency requirement is not relevant for those who have Spanish roots, are registered as refugees or have made a significant contribution to the economic, scientific or cultural progress of the kingdom. The residence permit is issued by the police or migration authorities. The status has no time limit, but every five years the resident card itself must be changed.
5. Entry into citizenship.
   Spanish passport on the basis of naturalization is granted after ten years of continuous residence as a resident. It is required to renounce citizenship in the home country, to pass tests for knowledge of the language, laws and socio-cultural norms of the kingdom, to have a stable source of income for self-sufficiency.

Immigration to Spain is possible with or without the right to work. Most residence permits allow you to be officially employed in the kingdom or run your own business. Residence permit without the right to work is issued to those who want to live in the country and is able to provide for themselves, for example, working remotely for a foreign company or receives income as a rentier, pensioner, shareholder. In this case it is necessary to receive every month on the bank account from 2400 EUR, i.e., four subsistence minimums as of 2024.

Sometimes the right to employment is subject to restrictions, for example, students can work no more than 30 hours per week, provided that it does not interfere with their studies. The same rule applies to those who have come to participate in a non-productive internship, as an intern or for a voluntary mission. A residence permit without access to the labor market is of the immigration type, i.e., it allows subsequent naturalization, but the foreigner will still need to have a source of income for self-sufficiency without applying for social benefits in the Kingdom.

Easier and faster to go to Spain for permanent residence have the right the EU passport holders. A number of EU countries grant citizenship without renouncing a similar status in the home country, preliminary opening of residence permit and passing the language exam. You can get more information at a free consultation with a specialized lawyer Immigrantinlaw.

Common ways to open a visa and temporary residence permit with the possibility of conducting labor and professional activities in Spain include the following:

• Employment.
  Obtaining a residence permit will require an employment contract with a Spanish employer. Foreigners are hired within established quotas and after the vacancy has been competed among locals. Exceptions are certain professions such as technicians, researchers, management personnel, artists, foreign media correspondents and church representatives.
• Investment.
  Financially secured foreigners can buy real estate in Spain with a value of 500,000 EUR or more, on the basis of which they can obtain residency. Investments of one million EUR or more in the assets of existing commercial corporations, shares of venture capital and investment funds licensed by the state are also allowed. It is also possible to place 1 000 000 EUR on deposit in a local financial institution to obtain a residence permit. Another way is to buy two million EUR worth of government securities.
• Family reunion.
  Children, spouses, parents of citizens or residents have the right to reside in Spain. The inviting relative must necessarily provide for the foreigner, for which he/she must have an income of 450 EUR for the first person and 300 EUR for each subsequent person. Husbands and wives of Spaniards obtain citizenship in 12 months after the move.
• Education.
  A residence permit is issued to those who are studying at Spanish schools, academies, universities, language courses, internships or specialized training. A residence permit can also be issued to a minor if the move is approved by his parents. After receiving a diploma, it is possible to stay in the country for another year to find a job or start a business.
• Business.
  Foreign entrepreneurs may establish a company in Spain, open a branch of a company operating abroad, or register for self-employment. If an immigrant's business plan is approved by the authorities, he or she will be granted the right of residence. Unlike many other EU countries, Spain does not regulate the amount of authorized capital of companies and does not impose regional restrictions.
• Refugee status.
  It is possible to move to Spain for humanitarian reasons if you can prove that it is dangerous for your life or health to stay in your home country. Most often such applications are approved for those who come from regions with active military operations. More rarely, refugee status is granted on a personal basis, for example, for those who are persecuted at home because of their membership of the LGBT community or racial minorities.

Illegal immigration to Spain

Some people try to move to Spain illegally, usually by entering the country on a visa-free regime or with a visa issued for a short-term purpose (e.g., tourism or visiting relatives). Such foreigners remain in the state after the expiration of the entry document, sometimes even successfully employed. However, illegal immigration is punishable by the laws of Spain and the European Union: if a violation is detected, the foreigner can be fined, deported and banned from re-entering any of the Schengen countries.

Spain may exceptionally grant residence permit for those who are in the country illegally from 2-3 years and demonstrates a stable relationship with the local community. Usually, the foreigner is required to prove family ties with local residents and the presence of a source of income. However, such a residence permit is a preference and is issued only at the discretion of the authorities, and not every request is approved. It is easier and simpler to immigrate to Spain with a personalized plan drawn up by specialists in international law Immigrantinlaw.

Individual selection of immigration program

Get more information about the peculiarities of immigration to the EU at a free consultation

Book a consultation

Costs and fees for immigration

To obtain the documents that entitle you to immigrate to Spain, you will need to pay the following amounts (in euros):

• national visa - 90;
• residence permit
• from 11 to 38 (depends on the basis);
• renewal of residence permit - the same as the initial registration;
• obtaining a residence permit card - 22;
• applying for citizenship - 105.

Administrative fees are only part of the costs that an immigrant will face. At the stage of document processing, translators and notaries will need to be involved, who on average charge from 10-12 EUR per page of the document being processed.

It will be necessary to buy tickets to Spain, rent real estate (from 800-1000 EUR per month for a one-bedroom apartment), pay for realtor services, if necessary, also bring the stuff. Naturalization in the state takes from ten years, during which you need to permanently reside in the kingdom, where the average amount of monthly expenses per person is about 750 EUR without taking into account the rent of housing.

Immigration to Spain without large investments, long-term residence with a residence permit and demonstration of financial security is possible with the support of specialists in international law. Specialized lawyers Immigrantinlaw choose an individual way for the client to obtain European documents in a short period of time.

Pros and cons of the immigration to Spain

The advantages of moving to Spain include:

• High living standard of the population.
  The Legatum Prosperity Index ranking on the quality of life of the population placed Spain on the 24th line out of 167 possible. In the World Prosperity Index, the kingdom scored 185 points and 200 possible points, which equates to a rating of “Very High”. The purchasing power of the population is also high: even with a minimal income one can afford everything necessary for comfortable living.
• Decent level of income.
  The average salary in Spain before tax deductions is about 2500 EUR per month (as of 2024). Dedicated specialists and management personnel can earn from 4000-5000 EUR. At the same time, a family of four requires about 2500 EUR per month, excluding real estate rent.
• Personal and public safety.
  Spain is a member of the European Union, NATO, and the Schengen zone, which provides its residents with maximum protection of civil rights and freedom of movement in the developed countries of the world. In the Vision of Humanity Global Peace Index, the kingdom is ranked 23rd out of 163 countries, which testifies to its state security.
• Comfortable living conditions.
  Spain is located on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, known for its long, wide beach lines, pleasant warm, mild and humid climate, and minimal pollution (35 points out of 100). Everything necessary for life is available even in small communities, from hospitals to shopping and entertainment.
• Loyal migration policy.
  The laws of Spain provide a wide range of options for legal move to the kingdom with subsequent naturalization. Locals are friendly to migrants, who receive virtually all the rights of the native population after opening a resident card. Many people in the country speak fluent English, which simplifies immigration. Special integration courses can be attended for comfortable adaptation in society.
• Decent level of general civil rights.
  Residents of Spain have unlimited access to a well-developed health care system, which has an index of 77 points out of a possible 100, i.e., high. The educational system of the kingdom also deserves attention, which allows you to get a diploma from a prestigious university with worldwide recognition, including studying on a budgetary basis.

The disadvantages of moving to Spain include the high cost of utilities, especially electricity and centralized heating. In many apartments and houses there are simply no batteries, and in winter the residents have to be on their own, for example, they install convectors. Many immigrants complain about the difficulty in mastering the Spanish language, which has a peculiar structure.

Not all foreigners are satisfied with the slow and measured mentality of the Spanish population, which affects, among other things, the quality of services. As in other EU countries, there is a strong bureaucracy: queues for appointments last for weeks in the authorities, and waiting for a decision on the application can take months, regardless of the terms stipulated in the legislation.

Despite some disadvantages, moving to Spain allows immigrants to raise their quality of life to a higher level. The country is one of the most sought-after places to move to in Europe. You can learn about the ways of simplified immigration to Spain at a free legal consultation by specialists Immigrantinlaw.

About the author

Diana Weber

Lawyer of international law

Diane Weber is an international law specialist with 10 years of legal practice experience. Her portfolio includes successful stories of citizenship in different European Union countries under simplified procedures. Diana provides detailed advice and helps many people to achieve their immigration goals in a short period of time, including resolving visa issues, assisting in obtaining residence permits and citizenship in the EU countries. In her blog, Diana Weber enjoys providing readers with detailed information about the features of most popular programs for obtaining a second passport.