Visas & immigration
for Spain
Spain has two main legal frameworks governing immigration: the Ley de Extranjería (general immigration law) and the Ley de Emprendedores (Startup & Entrepreneurs Act), which since 2023 has significantly expanded options for highly qualified professionals, remote workers and investors. This guide covers all the main routes.
Find your visa
Answer two questions and we'll point you to the most likely visa route for your situation.
The main legal framework for non-EU immigration to Spain. Covers employment, family reunification, studies and residency. Most traditional work visas fall under this law.
The standard route for professionals relocating to Spain with an employment contract. The Spanish employer must apply for authorisation before the employee can apply for the visa at their local Spanish consulate.
Certain professions are exempt from proving no EU candidate is available. This includes: doctors, engineers, IT specialists, and other shortage occupations. Check the official list at sepe.es before applying.
For freelancers, consultants and self-employed professionals who want to offer services in Spain without an employer. Requires proving economic viability and registering as autónomo.
If you work remotely for a non-Spanish client while based in Spain, the Digital Nomad Visa (Ley de Emprendedores) is usually easier and more appropriate than Cuenta Propia. See below.
Citizens of EU Member States, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland do not need a visa or work permit to live and work in Spain. However, if you stay more than 3 months, you must register.
UK nationals are no longer EU citizens. Since January 2021, British nationals need a visa to live and work in Spain. They fall under non-EU immigration rules.
Required for non-EU nationals studying in Spain for more than 90 days. Limited right to work (max. 30 hours/week in practice). Can be converted to a work visa after graduation in some cases.
Popular with retirees and those with investment income. You cannot work in Spain under this visa. Requires proving sufficient funds to support yourself without working.
Under a non-lucrative visa you are a Spanish tax resident and must declare worldwide income in Spain. You cannot work remotely for foreign clients — for that, use the Digital Nomad Visa instead.
The 2013 Entrepreneurs Act, significantly reformed in 2023, created a fast-track immigration system for highly qualified professionals, remote workers, entrepreneurs and investors. Processing is faster and requirements are more flexible than the Ley de Extranjería.
Faster processing (20–45 days vs. 1–3 months) · No need to prove absence of EU candidates · Can apply in Spain (without going to consulate first) · Beckham Law tax regime available · Family members can work immediately
Introduced in 2023, this visa allows non-EU remote workers to live in Spain while working for employers or clients based outside Spain. A maximum of 20% of your income can come from Spanish clients.
If eligible, you can apply for the Beckham Law tax regime (flat 24% income tax on Spanish-sourced income) alongside the Digital Nomad Visa. Apply for Beckham within 6 months of your first day in Spain. This combination is one of the most tax-efficient options for high earners.
The most common route for corporate expatriates. If your employer is transferring you from a foreign office to Spain, this is your visa. It is faster and simpler than Cuenta Ajena because there is no need to prove absence of EU candidates.
If your company has offices in both your home country and Spain, the intracompany transfer visa is almost certainly the right route. Ask your HR or mobility team — they will likely have done this before.
For professionals with a university degree or 3+ years of demonstrated expertise, working in a sector considered strategic for Spain (technology, engineering, life sciences, finance). No need to prove absence of EU candidates.
Spain issues the EU Blue Card under this route for non-EU professionals earning above the threshold. The Blue Card allows easier movement within the EU after 18 months.
For non-EU nationals who want to start an innovative business project in Spain. The project must be assessed and approved by ENISA (national innovation agency) or a regional body as genuinely innovative and of economic interest to Spain.
The 2023 reform made it possible to apply from within Spain and reduced processing to 20 days. It also created a specific accredited entity list that can certify innovative projects, making the process more predictable.
The Golden Visa grants residency in exchange for a qualifying investment. Important: the Spanish government announced in 2024 plans to abolish the real estate route, citing housing market distortion. The other investment routes remain active.
In April 2024, the Spanish government announced its intention to eliminate the real estate Golden Visa. At the time of writing (2025) the legislative process is ongoing. Verify the current status before making any investment decision.
Visa comparison at a glance
| Visa | Law | Who | Processing | Duration | Work in Spain | Beckham Law |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EU Free Movement | EU Treaty | EU/EEA/CH | — | Unlimited | ✓ Full | — |
| Cuenta Ajena | Extranjería | Non-EU | 1–3 months | 1+2+2 yr | ✓ With employer | ✓ Yes |
| Cuenta Propia | Extranjería | Non-EU | 2–4 months | 1+2+2 yr | ✓ Self only | ✓ Yes |
| Non-lucrative | Extranjería | Non-EU | 1–3 months | 1+2+2 yr | ✗ No | ✗ No |
| Digital Nomad | Emprendedores | Non-EU | 20–45 days | 1+3 yr | ✓ Remote only | ✓ Yes |
| Intracompany | Emprendedores | Non-EU | 20–45 days | 3+2 yr | ✓ With employer | ✓ Yes |
| Highly Qualified | Emprendedores | Non-EU | 20–45 days | 2+2 yr | ✓ Full | ✓ Yes |
| Entrepreneur | Emprendedores | Non-EU | 20–45 days | 1+2 yr | ✓ Own business | ✓ Yes |
| Golden Visa | Emprendedores | Non-EU | 20–45 days | 2+2 yr | ✓ Full | ✓ Yes |
Visa-free entry — short stays up to 90 days
Citizens of the following countries can enter Spain (and the Schengen Area) without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. This covers tourism and short business visits — not the right to live or work in Spain.
The EU is implementing ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) — similar to the US ESTA. Visa-free travellers will need to register online before visiting. Check the latest status at ec.europa.eu/etias before travelling.
NIE & TIE — your identity numbers
| Document | What it is | Who needs it | How to get it |
|---|---|---|---|
| NIE | Número de Identificación de Extranjero — your permanent tax ID number. Never changes. | Any foreigner who needs to pay taxes, open a bank account, buy property or sign a contract in Spain | Police station (Comisaría), Spanish consulate abroad, or via gestor |
| TIE | Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero — biometric residency card containing your NIE. Must be renewed. | Non-EU nationals who have been granted a residency permit | Police station, after residency permit is approved |
| Certificado de Registro UE | Registration certificate for EU citizens. Proves legal residence in Spain. Contains your NIE. | EU/EEA/CH nationals staying more than 3 months | Oficina de Extranjeros or police station |
How to get your NIE — step by step
This is a very common problem. Options: try at 8am sharp when new slots are released · use a gestoría (accountant/admin service, €50-150) who often has priority access · some cities allow walk-ins at certain times · if urgently needed, some consulates can issue a NIE before you arrive in Spain.
Empadronamiento — register at your address
Registering at your address with the local town hall (padrón municipal) is one of the most important steps after arriving in Spain. It is free, simple, and unlocks access to healthcare, schools, social services and many administrative processes.
Without empadronamiento you cannot enrol your children in school, access the public health system, or complete many visa renewal applications. It is required even for EU citizens.
| Step | What to do | Documents needed |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Book appointment | At your Ayuntamiento (town hall) website or in person. In Madrid: madrid.es → Padrón Municipal | — |
| 2. Attend appointment | Go with your documents. Both adults in the household should attend if possible. | Passport or ID card, rental contract or property deed, completed Hoja Padronal form |
| 3. Receive certificate | Issued same day or within a few days. Ask for several copies — you will need them for different processes. | — |
| 4. Update when you move | You must update your empadronamiento every time you change address, even within the same city. | New rental contract |
Permanent residency & long-term residence
After 5 years of legal, continuous residence in Spain, you can apply for permanent residency (residencia de larga duración). This gives you the right to live and work in Spain indefinitely without renewing your permit every 1-2 years.
Family reunification — bringing your family
Once you have been legally resident in Spain for at least 1 year (or have a multi-year permit), you can apply to bring your family members to live with you.
Spouse or registered partner · Children under 18 (or over 18 if dependent due to disability) · Parents (only if economically dependent on you and over 65 in most cases)
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Minimum residence | 1 year legal residence with a renewable permit, OR valid multi-year permit from Emprendedores law |
| Economic resources | 150% of IPREM for the sponsor + 50% per additional family member (approx. €900 + €300/person) |
| Accommodation | Proof of adequate housing for the family (empadronamiento certificate + rental contract) |
| Health insurance | Family members must have private health insurance or access to Spanish public health system |
| Processing time | 3–6 months from application |
| Can family work? | Yes — family members granted under reunification can work in Spain immediately |
Under the Ley de Emprendedores (Digital Nomad, Intracompany, Highly Qualified, etc.), family members can be included in the initial application — you don't need to wait 1 year before bringing them. This is a significant advantage for families relocating together.
Same-sex couples
Spain legally recognises same-sex marriage since 2005 and has one of the most progressive legal frameworks in the world for LGBTQ+ rights. Same-sex spouses have exactly the same immigration rights as opposite-sex spouses.
Married same-sex couples: full spousal rights for all immigration purposes — family reunification, residency, nationality. Unmarried same-sex partners: recognised if registered as pareja de hecho (civil union). Registration at the town hall is straightforward and gives equivalent rights to marriage for immigration purposes.
| Situation | Spain recognises? | Documentation needed |
|---|---|---|
| Married same-sex couple | ✓ Full recognition | Marriage certificate (apostilled if foreign) |
| Civil union / pareja de hecho | ✓ Equivalent rights | Registration certificate from country of origin + registration in Spain's pareja de hecho registry |
| Unmarried couple (no registration) | Partial — no automatic rights | Must register as pareja de hecho in Spain first |
Bringing your pets to Spain
Spain is a very pet-friendly country. Most dogs and cats can enter without quarantine if the documentation requirements are met. Requirements differ slightly depending on whether you are coming from an EU country or from outside the EU.
Rabies vaccination: valid and up to date
EU Pet Passport: issued by a vet in your country
Tapeworm treatment: required for dogs entering from Finland, Ireland, Norway, UK, Malta
No quarantine required if all documents are correct.
Rabies vaccination: administered after microchipping
Rabies antibody test (titre test): required from most non-EU countries — must be done at an approved laboratory
3-month wait: after positive titre test result
Official health certificate: from a government-authorised vet
No quarantine if requirements met. Total process: 3-6 months.
Pit Bull Terrier · Staffordshire Bull Terrier · American Staffordshire Terrier · Rottweiler · Dogo Argentino · Fila Brasileiro · Tosa Inu · Akita Inu · and breeds with similar physical characteristics.
Note: Madrid and some regions have updated regulations — check locally.
Hold: larger dogs travel in temperature-controlled cargo hold
Airlines: Iberia, Vueling, Ryanair and most major carriers accept pets — book in advance, places are limited
Finding a vet in Spain: use the search at redfeder.es for AVEPA-registered veterinary practices