- Jacques Paillard
At the 娱乐城优惠 Events, I didn't only enjoy dancing the night away at some great venues, but I also got to know some great friends.
If you plan to relocate to Spain for work and are moving from outside the EU/EEA, you will need to apply for a Spanish work visa. When it comes to getting a work residence permit in Spain, EU-citizens have it easier. For non-EU citizens, the process may take longer and require more preparation. No matter where you are coming from, this guide covers all the work visa requirements and application processes, from how to get an employment permit, or a skilled worker visa, to how to register with the local authorities, and all the other formalities of living and working in Spain.
If working in Spain is not your objective, you are perhaps moving there to retire or study. In this case, both your visa type and the application process are slightly different as you will mainly need to show proof of sufficient financial means.
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If working in Spain is not your objective, you are perhaps moving there to retire or study. In this case, both your visa type and the application process are slightly different as you will mainly need to show proof of sufficient financial means. The costs and requirements for a Spanish visa vary greatly depending on the purpose of your stay (e.g. work, study) and where you originally come from. Did you know that citizens from the United states and Canada have to pay much higher visa fees for Spain than any other country in the world? Read on to find out just how much more.
Work Permits and Employment-Based Visas
As Spain belongs to the European Union,听whether or not听you need a听work permit or employment visa, depends on where you come from. If you are a national of an EU/EEA country, you can skip directly to鈥Formalities After Entering the Country__,鈥痑s you are free to live and work in Spain. Non-EU/EEA nationals will need a visa depending on the purpose of their stay.
For EU/EEA Nationals
If you are an EU, EEA, or Swiss national, living and working in Spain is relatively straightforward. You can stay in the country for up to three months without听reporting听your presence or听registering听with the authorities. You are only required to hold a valid national听ID card or passport, which you will need to present to the authorities whenever requested.
As a national of one of these countries, you do not need a听visa or work permit听to stay, work, or study in听Spain. Keep in mind that there are still some formalities you will need to consider, such as obtaining the鈥疐oreigner鈥檚听Identity Number听(狈煤尘别谤辞听de Identidad de听Extranjeros__,听also known as听NIE)听and听registration of residency鈥(empadronamiento__), which are covered in this guide.
For Non-EU/EEA Nationals
If you are not from an EU-country, you will need permission from the Spanish government to live and work in听Spain. This means you need to apply for a听work visa. There are two types of visas that you can apply for when you are already in Spain. These two visas fall under the entrepreneur law: the European Blue Card (visa for high-skilled workers), or the entrepreneur visa, if you want to start you own company (por听cuenta听propia__).
For regular听work permits, no matter if you want to be a freelancer鈥(补耻迟贸苍辞尘辞)鈥痮r work for an employer (por听cuenta听ajena__),鈥痽ou will need to start the听application听process from your country of origin.
Work Visa Requirements and Application Forms for Spain
To apply for a work permit, you will have to fill out the corresponding application form for the type of work permit visa you will need. You can find the correct form on the website of the鈥. After filling out the application, you will need to bring the form including the following documents to the Foreigner鈥檚 office, or鈥Oficina听de听Extranjer铆a:
- copy of your passport;
- criminal record;
- medical certificate;
- three passport-sized photographs;
- your NIE (if you are already in the country);
- your employer鈥檚 social security number;
- job offer with the labor conditions;
- full description of the job and the company鈥檚 activity;
- proof of your employer鈥檚 financial assets (if needed)
- and the corresponding听鈥.
Spain Work Permit Types
- Type A鈥痺ork permit is for seasonal and limited work, with a maximum duration of nine months, including renewals.
- Type B鈥initial鈥痺ork permit allows you to work in Spain, in a specific occupation and geographical area, for a maximum period of one year.
- Type B renewed鈥痺ork permit is a renewal of the initial work permit,听extending听it to a maximum of two years. You can also carry out various professional activities with this permit.
- Type C鈥痺ork permit is a renewal of the type B permit and allows you to carry out any activity in the country.
- Permanent鈥痺ork permits have an unlimited duration, but you still听have to听renew them every five years. You can apply for this visa after your type C听expires.
- Other types of permits, such as the extraordinary permit (when a non-EU citizen has helped the Spanish economic and cultural progress), or a type F permit (for working at the Spanish borders, provided the worker returns daily to their own country).
High-Skilled Worker Visa (European Blue Card)
If you are a highly skilled worker, you can apply for a European Blue Card, the equivalent of the Green Card in the United States. This work and residence visa听allows听highly skilled non-EU workers to live and work in any European country,听with the exception of听Denmark, Ireland, and the United Kingdom.
Requirements for the European Blue Card
The听eligibility for this type of work permit听depends fully on your professional qualifications. According to the Spanish Ministry for immigration, a high-skilled worker is:
- the manager of highly qualified staff of large businesses, corporate groups, or听Small and medium-sized enterprises鈥(SMEs)听in strategic sectors;
- the manager of highly qualified staff of business projects in the general interest;
- a graduate or postgraduate from universities and prestigious business schools.
The process听to听apply听for a high-skilled visa and work permit is similar for other workers.听Your employer听must听carry it out, following听these鈥.
听Business Visa
Dependent on your country of origin, you may be able to enter Spain听without a visa听for business purposes. That is, only if you are from any of the countries that fall under the鈥疧therwise,听you will have to go to your nearest Spanish embassy or consulate. Once there, you will complete the Spanish Visa application form, which is identical鈥. You will need to bring the following听documents with you:
- Spain visa application form;
- two standard passport photos no older than three months;
- your passport (must be valid for three months after the day you leave Spain) and copies of your passport including pages with visas and stamps;
- flight booking confirming the in- and outbound date, as well as the booking of your accommodation;
- work certificate (or work contract that mentions salary, date when you started working and your role);
- letter of invitation from the company you will be doing business with, justifying your travels;
- travel health insurance for Spain;
- proof of sufficient financial means;
- proof of civil status.
听Costs for Spain Work Permits and Visas
As stated by the听,听these are听the long-term work permit types and work visa costs for听expats听who seek to听settle in Spain. You will not be refunded if your application is denied. Also, consult with the Spanish diplomatic missions or consular posts to see if you are eligible for a reduction or waiver of this fee.
Type of Visa | Costs (USD) | Costs (EUR) |
Employed Work Visa | 67-179 | 60-160 |
Seasonal Work Visa | 178-614 | 73-550 |
Self-Employed Work Visa | 134-1616 | 120-1447 |
Formalities After Entering the Country
Once in Spain, you will need to register with the corresponding social security scheme,听register听your听address (empadroniamento__), and apply for either a听Foreigner鈥檚听Identity Number听(NIE,听N煤mero de Identificaci贸n de Extranjero) or听Foreigner鈥檚 Identity听Card (_TIE,听_T__arjeta听de听I__dentidad de听E__xtranjero).听EU nationals need to register at the local municipal office, where they reside, get a tax number and a social security number. Non-EU nationals need to register at the foreigner鈥檚 office, get a social security number and听TIE,听which听already comes with a tax number.
The following table breaks听down听the steps听for EU and non-EU nationals:
EU nationals Non-EU nationals 鈥 Registering at the Foreigner鈥檚 office NIE (tax number for foreigners) TIE (foreigner鈥檚 identity card, with tax number) Social Security Number Social Security Number Empadronamiento听(registration of residence) 鈥
NIE,鈥疐oreigner鈥檚 Identity Number
NIE is the equivalent of a tax number in Spain. It is mandatory for all foreigners听who听will听carry out formalities in Spain, such as opening bank accounts or signing utility contracts. You can apply for an NIE at the Consular Post, or鈥颁辞尘颈蝉补谤铆补冲冲,鈥痮f the district you are moving to. You will need to provide the following documents:
- 鈥(with instructions in English to complete the form)
- a copy of your identity card or passport;
- proof of your interest in applying for a NIE听鈥撎齟conomic, professional, or social.
TIE,鈥疐oreigner鈥檚 Identity Card
All non-EU nationals, who听wish听to stay in Spain for longer than six months,听need to apply for a TIE at the Foreigner鈥檚 Office. Aside from your personal information and residence status, this physical card also holds the NIE.听Therefore,听non-EU nationals only need to apply for the TIE. It听must听be renewed every five years, and it is mandatory that you carry it with you and present it to the authorities whenever requested.
To apply for a TIE, you will need to present:
- two copies of the form鈥齠illed out and signed;
- your passport with your date of entry stamp into Spain;
- three recent standard passport photographs;
- visa, when applicable;
- proof of payment of the fee (16 EUR/20听USD).
If you are a family member of an EU citizen, you will be given a specific type of TIE, the鈥tarjeta听de residencia de familiar de听肠颈锟絥辞听de la Uni贸n听().
Registering听Your Residence:鈥疎mpadronamiento
Every foreigner听must听register at their local听municipal registry,鈥笔补诲谤贸苍听Municipal.
You will need to provide:
- your personal information: name and surname, gender, place of residence, nationality, date and place of birth;
- your residency or ID card;
- your NIE;
- your qualifications.
Some requirements may vary by autonomous region. Moreover, some may allow you to register online and deliver your papers through the mail, while others may require an appointment, or鈥cita听previa, and for you to hand-deliver the application forms. Always check with your municipal registry office for the correct procedure.
Social Security Number
Generally speaking, if听you are doing any kind of paid work or internship, you need a social security number, whether you are an EU national or not. Check our guide on鈥working in Spain鈥痶o see how you can apply.
Self-Employment Visas for Spain
If you plan听to be听self-employed or an entrepreneur in听Spain, the procedure to apply for a听self-employment visa听is听similar to听the process听for an employed work visa.听But,听with some differences听to the听requirements and application forms you will need.
Application Process听and听Form听for听Spanish Self-Employment Visa
If you plan听to听embark听on an entrepreneurial journey in Spain, then your chosen activity needs to be innovative and of special interest to the country. If that is the case, then the first step to getting a self-employment visa for Spain is to put in a request (autorizaci贸冲冲苍) for a visa at the diplomatic mission or consular office in your country of residence.
You cannot be in Spain when requesting this authorization or visa. You need to bring the鈥, and pay two different fees in advance. You can download these from the听.
- ,听ep铆grafe听2.1,鈥钩艹俅前背钩泵巢蕴齣nicial听de residencia temporal; (Initial temporary residency authorization)
- , ep铆grafe 1.5, autorizaciones de trabajo por cuenta proprio; (self-employed authorizations)
You will also need:
- list of authorizations or licenses required for the professional activity;
- proof of training or qualification for professional activity;
- accreditation of sufficient economic investment;
- defined business plan, indicating planned investments, expected profits, and job creation (when applicable).
These organizations can certify your qualifications, investment, and project of the activity:
- Federaci贸n Nacional de Asociaciones de Empresarios y Trabajadores Aut贸nomos (ATA);
- Uni贸n de Profesionales y Trabajadores Aut贸nomos (UPTA);
- Confederaci贸n Intersectorial de Aut贸nomos del Estado Espa帽ol (CIAE);
- Organizaci贸n de Profesionales y Aut贸nomos (OPA);
- Uni贸n de Asociaciones de Trabajadores Aut贸nomos y Emprendedores (UATAE).
This should be processed within three months. Once your鈥补耻迟辞谤颈锄补肠颈贸苍鈥痠s听granted, you can apply for the visa.
Requirements for Spanish Self-Employment Visas
Once you听obtain听the authorization, you have one month to apply for the visa.听You听have to听do this听in person at the diplomatic mission or consular office, and you will need to bring the following documents:
- passport;
- criminal record from your country of origin or the country you have been living in the past five years;
- medical certificate;
- proof of payment of the corresponding fees.
The consular office then has one month to approve or deny your application. Once your visa is approved, you have one month to collect it in person. This visa will allow you to stay in Spain for three months. In this period, you will have to apply for a work permit and carry out all other formalities after听you听enter听the country.
Types听of听Work Permits for Spanish Self-Employed听Workers
- Type D initial鈥痺ork permit allows you to carry out a specific activity for a maximum of one year, which could be limited to a geographical area.
- Type D renewed鈥痺ork permit allows you to extend your initial work permit for two years, and work in various activities. The Spanish government permit could also limit this permit to a geographical area.
- Type E鈥痺ork permit is issued after the renewed work permit expires. It allows you to work in any professional activity for a maximum of three years.
A permanent work permit can be granted after the type E permit expires. Even though it is permanent, you still have to renew the permit every five years.
Costs听of听Self-Employment Visas听for Spain
The costs for a听business听visa depend on where you originally come from. US citizens and Canadians pay the highest fee of 100-170 EUR (118-200听USD). Citizens from any other country only pay 80 EUR (95听USD).
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Residency Permits: Temporary and Permanent
Are you wondering听how to apply for a temporary residence permit听and听how to become a permanent resident in Spain? The main听requirement听to obtain the latter is to be a temporary resident for five uninterrupted years.
Temporary residence in Spain means听you are planning on staying longer than 90 days, but less than five years. Even if you do want to stay for five years or longer, you will only be able to get permanent residence after five years of living and working in Spain.
How to Apply for a Spanish Temporary Resident听Permit
There are many different types of temporary resident permits for Spain. In this section, we will explore the most common ones in detail, explain how to apply for them, and which documents you will need to have at hand.
For EU/EEA Nationals
As mentioned above, EU/EEA nationals do not need work permits or visas to enter, live, work, or study in Spain. In fact, they are free to roam the country for three months without听registering听with local authorities. The only thing EU/EEA nationals need to do if they want to work in Spain is get a NIE or鈥狈煤尘别谤辞听de Identidad de听Extranjeros鈥(foreigner鈥檚 tax identification number) and register at the local municipal office, where they听reside. After being in the country for three months, it is mandatory to register as temporary residents. The application process for a temporary resident permit is very straightforward for EU/EEA nationals.
Required Documents
- Valid passport or identification document.
- Two copies of the鈥, filled out and signed.
- NIE (狈煤尘别谤辞 de Identidad de Extranjeros)
- Empadronamiento鈥(local municipal registry): you will have to have registered with the local听笔补诲谤贸苍听Municipal where you are residing, before applying for the temporary residency.
Depending on your status, there may be other requirements:
- salaried workers: a contract from the employer or other proof of听employment;
- self-employed workers: proof of registration with the registry of economic activities, or鈥censo听de听actividades听别肠辞苍贸尘颈肠补蝉, or other proof of professional听status;
- students: registration with your education establishment, proof of a private or public healthcare听coveragevalid听in Spain, and a formal declaration that you have means to support听yourself;
- pensioners: proof of healthcare coverage that is valid in Spain.
If you do not fit any of these categories, you need to at least show proof of healthcare coverage that is valid in Spain and that you have sufficient means to support yourself and your family.
For Non-EU/EEA Nationals
A temporary residency permit is the same thing as a long-term visa. In the previous section,听we already covered all work-based visas. If you are not eligible for any of the work-related visas, you will need a non-lucrative visa.
Non-Lucrative Residence Visas
As a non-EU national, you will need a work and residency visa in order to work in Spain. When听you听apply听for a visa you will need to state the purpose of your stay, so they can correctly process your application.
Golden Visa (Investors Residency)
If you听purchase a听property over 500,000 EUR (595,000 USD),听you are eligible for听Golden Visa, which allows you to live in Spain.
The required documents to apply for a Golden Visa are the same as for other visas. But there is one exception: You will need to provide proof of purchase. Such proof can be the certification of domains, the charges of the Land Registry, as well as the deed of sale.
You can find more information on investing in Spain on the鈥.
Study Visa (Research Work)
If you wish to study, research, or do other non-labor activity in Spain, you will need to follow the same procedures to obtain an authorization for a visa,听and then apply for the visa.
At the government鈥檚听Portal de听滨苍尘颈驳谤补肠颈贸苍听site, you can find all the information on the formalities for鈥,鈥,鈥, or other鈥痠n Spain.
Alternatively, you can also apply for a visa for residence only, which will not allow you to carry out any professional activity. You can find all the information on鈥痮n the official immigration website.
Family Reunification:听Family, Spouse and Fianc茅 Visas for Spain
For EU/EEA Nationals
If you are an EU/EEA or Swiss National, and your family is too, then you听are allowed to听bring them immediately with you when听you听move听to the country. They do not need visas or residency permits, as they are themselves EU/EEA or Swiss nationals.
For Non-EU/EEA Nationals
Are you wondering if you can bring your family with you? The answer is: not yet.鈥疧nly foreigners,听who have lived in Spain for a year and have renewed their initial residence authorization, can reunite with their families.
Luckily, there are exceptions to this rule. Your family members can join you immediately in Spain if you hold one of the following residence permits:
- an EU long-term residence permit from another EU member state;
- an EU Blue Card;
- entrepreneur听visa;
- study/research听visa.
Which Family Members Can I Bring?
According to the Spanish immigration law,听you听are allowed to听reunite with your spouse or any person with whom you have a similar relationship.听听Fianc茅s/fianc茅es, civil partners, and even unmarried partners (pareja de听hecho) fall under that category. In short: spouses and fianc茅s are included in Spain鈥檚 family visa application process.
You can also reunite with your children, if they are under the age of 18, or, if they have special needs, up until the age of 21. This can also apply to parents and parents-in-law if they need assistance.
Application Process听for Family Reunification听Visa
If you are one of the lucky ones who can take your family immediately with you, then you will need to apply for your family鈥檚 residence visa at the Spanish Embassy in your home country.
Are you already in Spain and want to reunite your family? Then you must go to the local Foreigner鈥檚 office with the following documents:
- original and copy of your own passport;
- copies of the passports of your family members;
- copy of your own residence permit;
- proof of the family relationships (marriage certificate, birth certificates);
- copy of employment contract;
- proof of financial means to support your family;
- proof of鈥痟ealth insurance;
- proof of accommodation for you and your family (rental contract, certificate of property purchase).
Once the application for family reunification is approved, your family听has to听go in person to the Spanish Embassy in their home country to apply for a residence visa. This听has to听be done within two months of receiving the family reunification certificate. The documents they will need to bring with them are the same as for regular visa applications.
Retirement Visa
Retiring in Spain is very popular; it is always sunny, the healthcare system is excellent, and the infrastructure good. To retire in Spain, you will need to prove that you have health insurance for Spain, receive a monthly retirement settlement from your home country, and have enough financial means to support yourself.
You can find more information on how to obtain a non-lucrative retirement visa and the application process on the鈥.
Residence without Work
Living in Spain without working is possible. For this, you need to apply for a non-lucrative residence permit (residence without a work permit). One of the requirements is proof of sufficient financial means for you and your family members for the听period of time听you wish to stay, as well as full healthcare coverage.
Requirement and Fees for a Spanish Temporary Resident Permit
Before you can complete the application for a temporary non-lucrative resident permit, you will need an initial authorization (autorizaci贸冲冲苍) with its own set of documents and听application forms. Only after getting this initial authorization, you will be able to apply for a visa. Keep in mind that you will not be issued a visa if you are already in the country, so make sure you do it before you move by applying in person at the Spanish Diplomatic Mission or Consular Office of the country where you legally reside.
You will need to bring a printed application form corresponding to your situation, which you can get for free either at the鈥痮r at Spain鈥檚 Diplomatic Missions or Consular Posts abroad.
In general, all official documents need to be in Spanish and previously legalized by Spanish authorities. Be sure to check all the鈥痮f your documents.
You will need to bring:
- your听passport;
- criminal record from the country where you have lived in the past five听years;
- two standard passport听photographs;
- medical听certificate;
- copy of your work contract, stamped by the Immigration听Office;
- proof of payment of the visa application fee.
After this, the diplomatic mission has one month to respond to your application. Once it is approved, you will have one month to collect your visa in-person. When you have your visa, you have three months to enter Spain. From there, you have one month to apply for a work permit and register with the social security to carry out all the formalities after听you enter听the country.
Fees for听Non-Lucrative Visas
The requirements and fees for a temporary resident permit or non-lucrative visa depend on the type of visa you need.
Type of Visa | Cost (USD) | Cost (EUR) |
Schengen Visa (except from work permit) | 90 | 80 |
Non-working (Non-lucrative) residence visa | 710 | 636 |
Family Reunion | 90 | 80 |
How to Obtain Permanent Residency in Spain
In this section we will explain when and how you can apply for permanent residency in Spain. The application process is听fairly easy, and the benefits are many. Read on to find out more.
For EU/EEA Nationals
In general, you can become a permanent resident in Spain after working in the country for five years. This duration is not affected by temporary absence (under six months per year), compulsory military service, or a one-year absence for exceptional reasons听(e.g.听serious illness, work, or vocational training).听You will lose the right to permanent residence if you leave the country for more than two consecutive years.
You may obtain permanent residency in under five years if you:
- retire after having worked in Spain for the last year, or have lived there continuously for three years;
- stop working after no longer being able to work, and have lived in the country for two consecutive years;
- stop working due to a work-related injury or illness, regardless of how long you have lived in the country;
- start working in another EU country as a cross-border听worker, but听have worked for three consecutive years in Spain.
For Non-EU/EEA Nationals
As a non-EU national, the permanent resident visa requirements for Spain are straightforward. You must听live in听Spain for at least five consecutive years.听After that,听you can start the application process for permanent residency, or鈥residencia de听larga听诲耻谤补肠颈贸苍. Just like EU nationals, this will allow you to work and reside in Spain indefinitely, but maintain your nationality and passport.
Alternatively, you could also apply for a long-term residence for the EU, which would allow you to live and work in Spain, as well as in other EU member states, in the same condition as other European citizens.
Required Documents,听Application Process, and Costs for Permanent Residency in Spain
To apply for the standard long-term residence, you need:
- two copies of the application鈥, filled out and听signed;
- your passport, travel title, or registration听card;
- TIE (foreigner鈥檚 identity card);
- payment of the long-term residence fee (22 EUR/25 USD);
- if you have children, you will need proof that any minors in your care attend a school, such as a report issued by the authorities or听school;
- if you are married, you will need to take a copy of a marriage听certificate;
- a criminal record from your country of origin, and the country where you have lived in the last five years听(Spain);
- employment contract and/or proof of financial听means;
- proof of accommodation, proof of address (local registry).
To obtain the permanent resident permit, you听have to听apply at the鈥痬unicipal registry office鈥痗losest to you and take along the required documents.
To apply for the long-term residence in Spain and the EU, the same requirements apply, except for the following documents:
- two copies of the application鈥齠illed out and signed;
- your passport, travel title, or registration card;
- proof that you can support yourself and your family;
- proof that you have access to health insurance;
- proof of payment of the fee required for permanent residence (22 EUR/25 USD).
Types of Spanish Permanent Residence Permits
- :听Fill out this form if you want to apply听for permanent听residency听in听Spain;
- :听If you want to have permanent residency both in Spain in the EU, you can fill out this form.听Most expats prefer to have both.
- : If you are from another EU member state and have been living in Spain for five consecutive years, you can change your permanent residence to Spain.
- : This form applies to you if you have a family member who is a permanent resident in another EU member state.
Permanent Resident Benefits in Spain
One major benefit of being a permanent resident in Spain is that you can live and work in the country under the same rights and conditions as Spanish citizens. This means that you can stay in the country indefinitely, change jobs, and move to other regions like any other Spanish national. As a permanent resident, you get to keep your original nationality and passport, while enjoying the benefits of living and working freely in Spain.
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Discover our welcoming community of expats! You鈥檒l find many ways to network, socialize, and make new friends. Attend online and in-person events that bring global minds together.
Why you'll love 娱乐城优惠 in Spain
and countless possibilities for fun and friendship!