Spain
Explore Spain visa options and requirements with official source citations.
22 visa types · 14 guides · 17 forms
Immigration to Spain — at a glance
Spain runs a layered immigration system shared by three institutions. Spanish consulates abroad issue national (D) and Schengen visas, with most consular work routed through BLS or VFS application centres. Inside Spain, the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM, under the Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration) handles policy and most permit applications through the Mercurio digital portal. The National Police issue the foreigner identity card (TIE), the physical residence card every applicant collects after arrival, and run the empadronamiento support that connects residence to local services.
The country has been rewriting its migration rules at a steady cadence. The Ley de Extranjería reform that came into force on 20 May 2025 simplified the entry routes, redefined arraigo (rooting) categories, and unified work-residence permits. The Digital Nomad visa, introduced under the Startup Law in early 2023, remains a popular non-lucrative-equivalent route for remote workers. Non-Lucrative residence (NLV) is still the main passive-income route, while the Highly Qualified Worker permit and the EU Blue Card cover salaried roles above defined thresholds.
Spain's quirks are administrative rather than legal. Most non-Schengen applicants apply at a consulate in their country of legal residence — not their country of citizenship — and then complete the empadronamiento at the local town hall, get a tax ID (NIE) printed on the TIE card, register with social security, and book a fingerprinting appointment within 30 days of arrival. The guides in this hub focus on the document order that keeps the post-arrival sequence on track.
After arrival, the post-residence sequence is what trips up most applicants. You have 30 days to register with the local police for fingerprinting, collect the TIE card, and complete the empadronamiento at the town hall. The TIE replaces the visa as your residence document, and the NIE printed on it is required for opening a bank account, signing a long-term rental contract, registering for Social Security, and enrolling children in school. Renewals follow a 1+2+2 cadence (1-year initial, then two 2-year renewals) before the 5-year mark, where you become eligible for permanent residence and EU long-term-resident status.
Main pathways into Spain
Pick a route based on whether you have an EU passport (free movement), a Spanish employer, qualifying remote-work income, sufficient passive income, a Spanish family member, or a Spanish university admission. Most non-EU routes still grant an initial 1-year residence followed by 2-year renewals, with permanent residence available after 5 years.
- Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV)Passive-income residence; minimum income roughly 400% of IPREM (2026 IPREM = €600/month) per principal applicant.
- Digital Nomad visaFor remote workers earning at least 200% of the SMI from non-Spanish clients/employers (€31,752/year for 2026).
- Highly Qualified Worker permitFor roles requiring a degree or advanced specialised expertise; salary thresholds set per region.
- EU Blue CardFor employees with a salary at least 1.5x average gross (≈€44,000+) and a recognised degree.
- Student visaFor full-time studies of more than 90 days at a recognised institution; allows part-time work up to 30h/week.
- Arraigo (rooting) categoriesPath to residence after 2-3 years of irregular stay and ties; reformed in 2025.
Key facts about Spain immigration
Quick reference for the agencies, currencies, and rules that govern most applications.
As of
Issuing authority
Spanish consulates abroad + Secretaría de Estado de Migraciones in Spain
National Police issue the TIE card.
Currency
EUR (€)
Application portal
Mercurio (in-Spain) and BLS/VFS or direct consulates abroad
Empadronamiento
Required at the local Ayuntamiento — proves your address and unlocks healthcare and school enrolment.
Health insurance
Private cover with no co-payments and full coverage during stay (NLV / Digital Nomad) or social security (employer-sponsored).
Permanent residence
Available after 5 continuous years of legal residence.
Citizenship
Generally 10 years of residence; 2 years for nationals of Ibero-American countries, Andorra, Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, Portugal, or Sephardic Jews.
Typical fees and processing windows (Spain)
Indicative ranges drawn from official authority pages. Confirm the exact figures on the agency website before applying.
As of
| Pathway | Typical fee | Typical processing |
|---|---|---|
| Schengen short-stay visa (Type C) | €90 | 15 calendar days standard; up to 45 with additional checks |
| Non-Lucrative visa (NLV) | Approx €80–€140 consular fee + visa-issuance fee that varies by nationality | 1–3 months from consular appointment |
| Digital Nomad visa | €80–€90 consular fee + Modelo 790 fee on TIE issuance | 15–60 days; faster when filed in Spain through UGE-CE |
| Highly Qualified Worker permit (UGE) | Approx €419 employer fee + €19.30 worker fee | 20 working days statutory limit at UGE-CE |
| TIE issuance after arrival | €16.07 (Modelo 790-012) | 4–8 weeks from biometrics appointment |
Start with your goal
Choose what you want to do in Spain and get a tailored guide.
Explore visa types
22 visa types with step-by-step guides, requirements, and official sources.
Which Spanish route fits your situation?
Pick the situation that best matches you to see the most common starting point in Spain.
Situation 1
I work remotely for a non-Spanish employer or freelance for foreign clients.
The Digital Nomad visa is your route. Confirm your salary is at least 200% of the SMI and that you have at least 3 months of contract history with each non-Spanish client.
Situation 2
I have passive income (pension, investments, savings) and want to live in Spain.
Apply for the Non-Lucrative Visa. Plan funds at 400% of IPREM for the principal applicant and confirm the bank-statement format your consulate accepts.
Situation 3
A Spanish company has offered me a senior or specialised role.
Use the Highly Qualified Worker permit through UGE-CE for fast-track processing, or the EU Blue Card if your salary is at least 1.5x the average. Both bypass the labour-market test.
Situation 4
I am admitted to a Spanish university.
Apply for a Student visa with the acceptance letter; you may work part-time up to 30h/week alongside studies and then convert to a residence permit on graduation.
Situation 5
I am a national of an Ibero-American country and want a fast track to citizenship.
After 2 continuous years of legal residence on any qualifying permit, you can apply for Spanish citizenship via the reduced residence period for Ibero-American nationals.
Recent Spain immigration updates
Editorial summaries of policy changes our team has tracked. Always confirm details with the relevant agency before submitting an application.
Ley de Extranjería reform in force
The May 2025 reform restructured the arraigo categories (now five named routes: arraigo social, sociolaboral, familiar, formativo, and nuevo arraigo de segunda oportunidad), unified work-residence permit issuance, and shortened some renewal timelines.
Spain ended the Golden Visa investment programme
The investor visa via property purchase was abolished in April 2025. Existing visas remain valid; new applications are no longer accepted.
Spain immigration FAQ
The questions readers ask most about applying to live, work, study, and visit Spain.
How much income do I need for the Non-Lucrative Visa?
The minimum is 400% of the IPREM index for the principal applicant and 100% of the IPREM for each additional dependant. With the 2026 IPREM at roughly €600 per month, that translates to approximately €28,800/year for one applicant — but consulates increasingly look for ~€30,000+ to allow a margin. Funds must be passive (savings, pensions, investments); you cannot earn income from Spanish sources.
Can I work in Spain on a Non-Lucrative Visa?
No. The NLV explicitly forbids any economic activity. Remote work for foreign employers is a grey area officially, and many residents have used it informally — but Spain's preferred route for remote workers is now the Digital Nomad visa, which permits up to 20% of income from Spanish clients.
Does the Digital Nomad visa qualify me for permanent residence?
Yes. Time on the Digital Nomad visa counts toward the 5-year residence requirement for permanent residence. After 5 continuous years (renewals every 2 years), you can apply for permanent residence; you may also apply for citizenship after 10 years (or 2 years for Ibero-American nationals).
How does empadronamiento work?
Empadronamiento is registration at your local town hall (Ayuntamiento) confirming your address. It is the single most important administrative step after arrival because it gates healthcare, school enrolment, NIE issuance on your TIE, and many bureaucratic procedures. Some town halls require a rental contract; others accept a hotel reservation or a written invitation from a Spanish resident.
What is the difference between NIE and TIE?
The NIE (Número de Identidad de Extranjero) is your fiscal identification number, issued the first time you have a tax-relevant interaction with Spain. The TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero) is the physical residence card non-EU residents must collect after arriving on a residence visa; it carries the NIE on it and serves as your photo ID for residency purposes.
How do family reunification rules work?
After holding a Spanish residence permit for 1 year (and securing renewal for a second year), you can sponsor your spouse, children under 18, and dependants over 65. Income must be at least 150% of IPREM for the principal plus 50% per family member, and adequate housing must be demonstrated through a habitability report.
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