A Spanish Student visa is a Long-Stay Visa that allows you to stay in Spain for more than three months and engage in education-related activities.

You can get a Spanish Study Visa to engage in any of the following activities:

• Take or extend studies in an authorized teaching center, to obtain an official degree.
• Carry out research or training activities.
• Participate in exchange programs for students in any educational or scientific, public or private, officially recognized centers.
• Perform non-work placements.
• Carry out volunteer services as a student.

How to Apply for a Spain Student Visa?

The application process for a Spain Study Visa can often be complicated, requires a lot of energy, and a lot of documents to be collected. That is why, when you put so much effort on it, you want the outcomes to be positive.

Even if you have everything ready, but you apply too early, or too late, or at the wrong place, then the outcomes will not be very pleasant.To make sure you get a positive answer on your application, complete the steps given below.

Do I Need a Spain Study Visa?

If you are a national of a country in Europe, there is a high chance that you do not need a visa to study in Spain. Instead, they can just move to Spain, settle here, complete the procedures required in Spain, and start studying.

If by now, you have figured out that you DO need a visa to study in Spain, then you can start applying. Yet, before you start the concrete procedures, you need to figure out a few things. Note that applying on the right time, at the right place, and for the right visa are crucial.

Make Sure You Complete the Pre-Eligibility Criteria for a Spanish Study Visa

This is the basement of your application. If you do not meet the pre-eligibility criteria, the chances to get a visa are zero. You must meet one of the following to be able to apply:

• You are admitted to an accredited educational institution in Spain.
• You are admitted at an officially recognized research or training center in Spain.
• You have an agreement signed with a public or private body or entity, a vocational training center or an organization where you will be volunteering.

Check When and Where to Apply

The earliest you can apply is three months before your intended departure to Spain, while the latest is three weeks. Yet, you are recommended to apply at least one month in advance.

You should lodge your application at the Spanish consulate in your country of residence, or a third-party visa application center, to which Spain has outsourced visa submission.  It all depends on how Spain has regulated visa submission in your country of residence.

Complete the D Visa Application Form

The application form for a Spain Study Visa is the first document you should obtain/complete. The form should not be confused with the Schengen Visa application form since they are different.

The application form for a long-stay study visa contains questions on your identity, intended period of stay in Spain, the purpose of visa application, and other questions on your background.

Make sure all the information you give in this form is correct and in compliance with the information that the other documents contain.

Collect the Supporting Documents to Apply for Spain Study Visa

Next, continue collecting the required documents to apply for a Spain Study Visa. Aside from the main required documents for a Spain visa that include the application form, your valid passport, passport photos, and photocopies of previous visas and passports, you need to submit additional documents.

First, submit the documents that prove your purpose of applying for a Study Visa:

• Studying: Admission letter issued by an educational institution (school/college/university) accredited in Spain. This document must contain the start and end dates of the course.
• Research or training: Admission letter issued by a research or training center officially recognized in Spain.
• Non-labor practices: An agreement signed between you and a public or private body or entity, or an officially recognized vocational training center.
• Volunteer service: An agreement signed between you and an organization in charge of the program. The document must list and describe the activities you need to perform, as well as the available resources to cover your trip, food, and accommodation during your stay.

Then you need to submit documents regarding your stay in Spain. These documents are:

• Proof of economic solvency. During the year 2019, an amount of about €540 is required for each month of stay in Spain, in order to cover expenses of subsistence. You will have to submit one or more of the following:
  • Bank statements for the last three months.
  • Scholarship award.
  • Documents that prove the studies have been paid by you or are covered by the body with which the activity will be carried out.
  • In case your parents will pay the expenses, a notarized document must be presented, signed by them, stating their commitment to cover the expenses. You should also submit a copy of parents’ banking history of the last two months, a photocopy of their passports and your birth certificate.
• Medical Insurance. You must purchase health insurance arranged with an insurance company authorized to operate in Spain with a validity of one year. Travel insurance is not accepted.
• Proof of accommodation. This could be a rent or dorm agreement, or letter issued by the academic institution indicating details of the accommodation. In the case of accommodation in a private residence, you must present a letter from the owners in the one that expresses its agreement.

If the duration of the requested stay is more than six months, it is also necessary to provide:

• Official medical certificate. This document must not be older than three months. It should be duly apostilled, with a translation into Spanish.
• A certificate of criminal record issued in the country where you have resided in the last five years. This document too, must not be older than 90 days, must be duly apostilled, with translation into Spanish.
• In case the applicant is a minor, a notarized consent of parents or legal guardians indicating the center of studies, address and personal data of the person responsible for the child in Spain is compulsory.

Make a Visa Appointment & Attend the Interview

Depending on how Spanish authorities in your country of residence have regulated appointments, you will be able to schedule a visa interview in two forms:

• Online through the website of the consulate or third-party visa center.
• Through phone.

On the day of your interview, you will need to complete three procedures:

1. Give your biometrics. If this is the first time traveling to the Schengen territory in the last five years, you will need to give your biometrics. This means you will have your facial image and fingerprints taken.
2. Attend the interview. The interview will last between 10-20 minutes. A visa consular will ask you questions regarding your application, background and the intention of your trip to Spain. You will also need to give the required documents, and answer any questions asked related to these documents.
3. Pay the visa fee. In most countries, you will need to pay the visa fee during the interview, or just before you meet the visa consular. However, in some others, you will need to pay the fee prior to the day of your appointment at the bank or online.

After you complete these steps, you need to wait for the processing of your visa. Usually, it takes about a month for your application to be processed. Once you get the visa, you can freely travel to Spain.

After You Arrive in Spain

Upon arrival in Spain, depending on the intended period of stay, you may have another one or two steps left to complete.

Note that if you are permitted to stay in Spain for a maximum of 180 days, then you do not need to complete any other procedures. On the other hand, if you will be staying in Spain for more than six months, then you should get a Foreigner Identity Card

.

Apply for a Foreigner Identity Card within one month of arrival in Spain, at the Foreigners Office in the area where you have settled.

Spain Student Visa Fees

When you submit your application for a Spain Student Visa, you will also need to pay a certain fee. The fee is required in order to cover the expenses for the processing of your application. The amount of money you need to pay depends on your nationality, as given below:

• USA citizens will need to pay a fee of €141 to get a Student Visa for Spain.
• Canadian citizens have to pay a fee of €83
• Applicants of other nationalities have to pay a fee of only €80.

Spain Student Visa Validity

If you get a Long-Stay Student Visa for Spain for a maximum of 180 days, this means you cannot stay in Spain a day more.

On the other hand, if you get a Spain Student visa that does not mention such a restriction, you will then have to get a Foreigner Identity Card, which is valid for one year.  You can renew it for five times, as long as you continue the studies.

Can I Work with a Spain Study Visa?

If your Spanish Study Visa is valid for 180 days, then you cannot work in Spain. On the other hand, if your visa is valid for longer, then you can obtain your Foreigner Identity Card, which enables you to get a work authorization.

Your Spanish residence permit entitles you to work either part-time or in a temporary position. The company that employs you is responsible to apply or work authorization for you.

You will be permitted to study, as long as your job does not interfere with your studies. Note that a job in Spain while studying cannot be your first source of money.

Can I Bring My Family Members to Spain with a Student Visa?

Your family members – your spouse or registered partner, and dependent children under 18 – can join you while you are studying in Spain.

You must prove you have the financial means to support them. Their intended period of stay must be at least 6 months. They are not permitted to work while in Spain as dependents of a holder of a student visa.

Spain Short term Study Visa

If you want to attend a study course in Spain, that is shorter than three months, then apply for a Spain Study Visa. You should submit the following additional documents:

Documents to submit

To apply for a short term study course in Spain, you should submit the following documents:

• Letter of admission at an education institution in Spain.
• The content of the studies plan, training or research to be conducted.
• Proof of payment of tuition or booking of the course or studies to be performed.

Working in Spain may be the goal of many. A country rich in history, beautiful beaches, and vibrant nightlife, working in Spain will be like a continuous vacation. Moreover, the country is always in search of highly skilled persons and has a list of shortage occupations.

If you are searching for a workplace where you are appreciated as a worker, but also a lover of the sun, Spain looks like the ideal place for you.

Yet, to work in Spain you must meet several criteria and may have to complete some processes, as getting a Spain work visa.

Do I Need a Spain Work Visa?

A Spain Work Visa is a Long-stay Visa for Spain, which enables you to engage in a paid activity.

Only nationals of several countries located in Europe are eligible to move to Spain and work here without a visa. If your country is located outside Europe, for sure you need a visa.

Types of Spain Work Visas

If by now you have concluded that you need a visa to work in Spain, then the first thing you should know is that there are two types of visas for working in Spain. These are:

• Employment visas for Spain. This visa is for working for a company/institution/organization in Spain, the main categories of which are:
  • Spain Au Pair Visa
  • Spain Entrepreneur Visa
  • Spain Working Holiday Visa
• Self-employment visas for Spain. This visa is for establishing or investing in an already established company/institution/organization in Spain, or for working as a freelancer.

How to Apply for a Spain Work Visa?

To apply for a Spain Work visa, you need to meet some requirements and also complete the application steps as set by the Spanish authorities. Further, in this article, find all of these steps and requirements simply explained in chronological order.

Get a Job in Spain/Business Plan

First, check for which work visa you are going to apply. If you are applying for a Spain employment visa, you will need to get a job at a company, institution or organization in Spain. You should have a concrete job offer, as stipulated by the Spanish authorities.

On the other hand, if you are applying for a self-employment visa, you must prove you have an investment plan or a freelancing plan, and the means to finance your idea.

Check When and Where to Apply for a Spain Work Visa

Apply at most three months before your intended to trip to Spain. Make sure you apply well in advance. You will need to submit your application at one of the following:

• The Spanish Embassy or Consulate in your country of residence.
• A third-party visa application center.

Where you need to apply, it depends on how the Spanish representative authorities in your country of residence have established visa submission. You should check with them to know for sure where you need to apply.

Collect the Required Documents to Apply for Spain Work Visa

Now, this is the most important part of your visa application for work in Spain. Collect the required documents according to the criteria set, as explained below.

You should collect the Spanish D Visa application form, your passport and copies of pages with important data, older passports and visas, and two recent photographs. In addition, you should collect the following documents:

• Work Authorization. Your employer should get this document for you. Note that on the submission date, this document cannot be older than one month.
• Police record. A document no older than six months, that shows that you have committed no criminal activity in the last 5 years.
• Medical Certificate. A document issued by a legally known physician which states that you are not suffering from any disease or that you may have a serious public health impact.
• Proof of accommodation.
• Proof of the professional qualification for the job you have been offered in Spain.
• Work contract. A document sighed by your employee and you, which indicates your work conditions, including the monthly payment.
• License or registration required to carry out the work in Spain.

Note that depending on the job offer or to your investment plan you will need to submit additional documents. Your nationality also plays a role in the list of the documents you need to submit. The consulate will provide you with a full list of the documents required according to your case.

Make a Spain Visa Interview Appointment

There are two ways to make an appointment for a Spain Work Visa application, through the call center of the Spanish consulate or third party visa-processing center or online through their website or the website of the visa-processing center.

It all depends on how the Spanish representation has regulated this issue in your country. In some countries, you can make the appointment in only one of the ways and in others in either way.

Attend the Spain Work Visa Interview

On the day of your interview, you will need to do the following:

1. Give your biometrics, your facial image, and fingerprints, if you have not traveled to Schengen countries in the last 5 years.
2. Pay the visa fee. Again, it depends on your country how the payment is completed. You may have to pay in cash during the interview or at a bank before or after the interview.
3. Attend the interview. The interview is a short meeting with a visa consular. You will submit your document to this person, as required. You will also need to respond to several questions regarding your trip.

Wait for the Processing of Spain Work Visa

Most countries process your visa application within one month. In some others, this process can be extended for up to 2 months. That is why you should make sure you apply well in advance, in order to avoid any possible delays.

After You Arrive in Spain with a Work Visa

As soon as you arrive in Spain, depending on the intended length of your stay, you may need to complete some other actions. If you have a visa with a six months validity, which indicates “exempt from work permits”, you can go on and work. You will not need to register or obtain work authorization.

On the other hand, if you have a visa with three months validity with the obligation of obtaining a residence permit (explained below) you have one month to register at the corresponding Social Security scheme in Spain. If you are an employee, your employer will complete this process for you. If you are self-employed, you have to apply by yourself.

Upon registration, you should immediately apply for your foreigner identity card at the Foreigners’’ Office or at the Police Station.

Also read: Travel insurance options for residents in Spain

Spain Work Visa Fees

The Spanish Visa fees for those coming to the country for employment purposes are as follows:

Note that if you will be applying through a visa center you will pay an additional small fee to the visa-processing center.

How Long Can I Stay in Spain with a Work Visa?

Your visa will stipulate how long you can stay in Spain for work. If your visa sticker has a validity of six months, this is the longest you can stay in Spain.

If your visa indicates the validity of three months with the right to get work authorization, then you are entitled to apply for a residence permit that is valid for one year. You may also apply for the extension of your work residence permit before the expiration of your current permit.

Can I Bring My Family Members?

You can bring your family members in Spain after you spend a year working and living here. You must have a residence permit that allows you to spend another year working in Spain, in order to be able to bring them here.

Your family members can also work in Spain without the need for work authorization. Family members of Spain EU Blue Card holders do not need to wait a year to join their family members.

A Spain Au Pair Visa is a Spanish long-stay visa for students that want to work for a particular family in Spain, to help them with house chores or babysitting.  You can apply for a Spain Au Pair visa if you meet the following conditions:

• You are between 17 and 30 years of age.
• You speak Spanish, English, French or German.
• You know at least basic Spanish.
• You do not have children.
• You must find a host family before you apply.

In this article, you can find detailed information on everything that you need to know for an Au Pair Visa for Spain.

Do I Need to Apply for a Spain Au Pair Visa?

Whether you need a visa or not it depends on two factors: the length of your intended stay, and your nationality.

If the intended period of stay is up to three months, you will not need a visa if:

• You are an EU/EEA national.
• You are a national of one of the 62 countries under the Schengen visa-free regime.

If the intended period of stay is longer than three months, then you will not need a visa only if you are a national of European Union member countries, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland.

How to Apply for a Spain Au Pair Visa?

The application process for an Au Pair Visa for Spain is not as complicated as it may sound. You need to follow some procedures step by step, and make sure you meet the eligibility criteria. Following, find the ultimate guideline on how to apply for a Spain Au Pair Visa.

Find a Host Family in Spain

This is the first thing you should do, once you make sure that you meet the eligibility criteria for an Au Pair Visa for Spain, as listed at the beginning of the article. You can find such a family in many ways, either online or through friends.

After you find this family, you and the hosting family should sign an agreement, which indicates that:

• You will look after the children of the host family or help in light household chores.
• You will work at most 5 hours per day.
• The host family offers you one single-person room.
• The host family provides you with food 7 days per week.
• You will receive pocket money from the host family, between €50 and €70.
• You will be able to take off at least one day per week, and one week of paid leave in six months.
• The agreement is valid for at least one month and one year at most.

Check When and Where to Apply for a Spain Au Pair Visa

Next, check where you need to lodge your application. Depending on your home country, this process is differently regulated by the Spanish authorities. You may have to apply at the Spanish embassy or consulate in your country of residence. The third option is that you may need to apply at a visa application center to which Spain has outsourced visa application in your country.

Check with the Spanish representative diplomatic mission in your country of residence for information in this regard.

You must make sure you submit your application on time. Note that the earliest you can apply is 90 days before your departure to Spain. Yet, apply at least five weeks before your trip, in case of any possible delay in processing by the embassy.

Gather the Supporting Documents to Apply for a Spain Au Pair Visa

Collecting the required supporting documents for a Spain Au Pair Visa is a very important part of the visa application process. These documents prove that you meet the criteria for getting this visa, and moving to Spain as an au pair.

The supporting documents for a Spain Au Pair Visa are:

• The standard required documents: visa application form, digital photos, passport, and copies of older visas and passports.
• Agreement with the host family. This document must include the duration of the agreement, which must be no longer than a year. It should also state the work conditions – working hours, days off, pocket money, obligations, etc. -and give the address of the host family and other details about them.
• Proof of financial means. Documents that show you can cover your living expenses and your trip from home to Spain and back.
• Medical Certificate. A document issued by a certified doctor that confirms you do not have any disease that could have a serious effect on public health.
• Medical Insurance. Purchase insurance for the whole period of stay from an authorized health insurance provider in Spain.
• Police clearance. A document obtained at the Police station in the country/ies that you have resided in the last five years. The clearance must be no older than three months.
• A notarized invitation letter from the host family in Spain, if the intended duration of stay is no longer than six months.

Make a Visa Appointment

You will need to make the appointment through the call center or online through the website of the embassy/consulate/visa center. It depends on the representative Spanish authorities in your country of residence. You should check with them for this information too.

Spain Au Pair Visa Interview

The interview is a short meeting of you with a consular officer. He or she will ask you questions regarding your trip and the documents you are submitting. You will be asked to submit the collected documents for a Spain Au Pair Visa during this interview.

If you have not traveled to the EU in the last 5 years, you will also need to give your biometrics (fingerprints and facial image) on the same day.

In most countries, the visa fee also needs to be paid on the day of the interview.

Pay the Spanish Au Pair visa fee

When you submit your application for a Spain Au Pair Visa, you will also need to pay a certain visa fee. The approximate fees, according to nationality, are as listed below:

• USA citizens will need to pay a fee of €141.
• Canadian citizens have to pay a fee of €83 to get an Au Pair Visa for Spain.
• Applicants of other nationalities have to pay a fee of only €80.

The fees for US and Canada are higher due to reciprocity measures.

After You Arrive in Spain with an Au Pair Visa

If you will be staying in Spain for over three months, once you arrive and settle with the host family, you must personally apply for the foreigner’s identity card. Apply for this card at the Police Station, Immigration and Documentation section closest to the house of your hosts.

Spain Au Pair Visa Validity

A Spain Au Pair Visa is valid for a maximum of one year. However, you will be able to apply for its extension, as long as the hosting family is willing to keep you, or you find another hosting family.

Note that your total stay in Spain with this visa cannot exceed the period of two years.

A Golden Visa for Spain, officially known as the Spain Investor visa, is a residence permit issued to non-EU citizens who make a significant investment in Spain, such as buy real estate, invest in a company, or create employment opportunities.

Who Can Apply for a Spain Golden Visa?

You qualify to apply for a Spain Golden Visa if you fulfill all the following conditions:

• You have proof of having made one of the investment options.
• You are over the age of 18.
• You obtain valid health insurance in Spain.
• You have enough financial means to sustain yourself and any family members.
• You have a clear criminal history in any of the places you have lived in.
• You are not in Spain’s list of undesirable people.
• You have no rejected Schengen Visas.

If you qualify, there are lawyers and Golden Visa professionals who are willing to assist and guide throughout the whole process of obtaining a Golden visa for Spain.

Companies like La Vida, which specialize in Golden Visa programs, have experts on hand, offering consultation and assistance on international real estate investment. Their experts can let you know whether you are a fit for the Spanish Golden Visa (through a free consultation), and arrange your trip to Spain to see your options first-hand. Unless you are an expert on Spanish legal and financial matters, you’ll need legal help to settle your investment.

What Are the Investment Options for a Golden Visa in Spain?

You can apply for a Golden Visa for Spain if you make one of the following investments:

You can also invest in a new business that will create employment opportunities for Spanish citizens, contribute to innovation in the fields of science or technology, and make a significant socio-economic impact.

The investment amounts for Spain’s residency program are somewhat different from the program requirements in Portugal.

Yet, nationals of the EU members states, Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland do not need to apply for this visa. If you are a national of one of them, you can just move to Spain without the need of this visa.

When and Where to Apply for the Golden Visa to Spain?

You should begin the application procedures after you have invested the required amount of money in Spain. You have to be committed to making the investment, although it doesn’t necessarily need to be finalized. The earliest you are permitted to apply is three months in advance of your intended trip to Spain.

You can apply for a Spanish Golden visa from your country of residence, by lodging your application at the Spanish embassy or consulate. You can also file an application in Spain if you are here with a long stay visa.

Documents to Submit When Applying for a Spain Golden Visa

These documents you need to submit to support your application are:

• The Spanish long stay visa application form.
• Two Spain passport photos.
• Your valid passport. It must be issued within the last 10 years.
• Proof of country of residence.
• Proof of investment. All documents proving the type and amount of your investment as well as the origin of your money.
  • Residency Visas for Acquisition of Real Estate:
    • Certification containing information of the dominion and taxes of the Land Registry, which corresponds with the property purchased.
  • Residency Visas for Capital Investors:
    • A copy of a statement of investment made in the Registrar of Foreign Investments of the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness, in case of investment in unlisted or company shares.
    • Certificate of a financial intermediary, duly registered with the National Commission of the Stock Market or the Bank of Spain in case of investment in listed shares.
    • A certificate of the financial institution or the Bank of Spain, if the investment is made in government bonds.
    • In the case of a bank deposit investment, a certificate from the financial institution.
  • Police Clearance. Submit this document in original, photocopied and translated. It must be no older than 90 days at the time of application.
  • Proof you have sufficient economic funds to support yourself and your dependents while in Spain.
  • Medical Insurance purchased from an authorized Spanish provider.
  • A medical certificate, which confirms you do have any disease that poses risks to the public health.

The experts at La Vida can assist you in obtaining all the required documents for your visa application, through their inside knowledge of Spanish laws and experience with local banks, developers, agents and lawyers.

How to Apply for a Spain Golden Visa?

To apply for a Golden Visa for Spain you must go through these steps:

1. Make one of the eligible investment options. You may need to travel to Spain with a regular Spain Visa during this time to finalize your investment.
2. Apply for a Golden Visa. You should lodge your application at the nearest Spanish Embassy within three months of making the investment. You can apply yourself or through a legal representative.
3. Submit the application along with the document file.
4. Get your residence permit. Once you receive your Spain Golden Visa, you have to travel to Spain and exchange it for a Residence Permit and submit your biometric information.

If you hire the services of La Vida – Golden Visas, they can assist you in finding a lawyer, who can act as your legal representative and finish the bureaucratic and technical aspects of your Golden Visa. This includes overseeing the completion of the property and processing the visa application for you and your family.

What Are The Benefits Of The Spanish Golden Visa?

Some of the benefits that derive from the Spanish Golden Visa are:

• You and your family members will receive Residence Permits, allowing you to live in Spain.
• You and your family members can travel to all Schengen Zone countries visa-free for up to 90 days in a 180-day period.
• You do not need to live in Spain to renew the Golden Visa.
• If you do live in Spain, you become eligible for permanent residence after five years.
• You can apply for Spanish citizenship after ten years of residence.
• You and your family members can make use of Spain’s health and education system.

Note: If you want to travel abroad while residing in Spain, you should check out travel insurance options.

Can I Bring Family Members With Me?

You can include the following family members in your application as well:

• Your spouse
• Your unmarried minor children (under 18) as well as any adult children who are dependent.
• Dependent elderly parents.

How Long Can I Stay in Spain With a Golden Visa?

The Spain Golden visa is initially valid for one year. Then, you can apply to convert your visa into a residence permit for investors and get a two years valid residence permit.

For How Long Is the Residence Permit Granted?

The Residence Permit you receive via investment is valid for two years. You can then renew it indefinitely every two years as long as you have maintained the investment (in other words, as long as you still own the property you have purchased).

If you actually decide to live in Spain, then after five years of living in Spain with a two-year Residence Permit, you can apply for a Permanent Residence Permit.

For How Long Is the Spanish Golden Visa Residence Permit Granted?

The Residence Permit you receive via the Golden Visa is valid for two years. You can then renew it indefinitely every two years as long as you have maintained the investment (in other words, as long as you still own the property you have purchased).

If you actually decide to live in Spain, then after five years of living in Spain with a two-year Residence Permit, you can apply for a Permanent Residence Permit.

How Long Do I Have to Stay In Spain To Renew the Residence Permit?

There are no stay requirements in order to renew a Golden Visa Residence Permit. You only have to travel to Spain when you need to apply for renewal.

However, if you intend to apply for permanent residence, then you must live in Spain for at least five years without interruption (at least six months out of the year). If you ever plan to apply for Spanish citizenship, then you have to live in Spain for at least ten years.

Can I Lose The Residence Permit?

Yes, if you cannot prove you have maintained your investment in Spain, then you will lose your Golden Visa Residence Permit. For example, if you sell your property or liquidate your investment.

Spain Residency Through Real Estate (Buying A House)

The most common type of investment route to Spanish residency is through buying property worth at least €500,000. This can be a single unit or several units which amount to half a million.

You have to prove you have acquired ownership of the property/properties through a certificate issued by the Spanish Land Registry, which states the purchase amount.

Getting Permanent Residency in Spain

When your initial residence permit is about to expire, you can apply for its renewal. You can get another 5 years in Spain, and you can endlessly apply for the renewal of your residence permit, as long as you meet the initial requirements.

Getting Spain Citizenship by Investment

A Spanish Golden Visa leads to Spanish Citizenship more than any other visa, that is why the program is also known as Spain Citizenship by Investment. You will be able to get Spanish passports after 10 years in Spain with a Golden Visa, given that you meet the following:

• You have remained in Spain for at least 183 days per year, in 10 years.
• You speak Spanish at least of basic levels.
• You have a basic understanding of Spanish history and culture.
• You have no criminal convictions or debts in Spain.

Do Nationals From Former Spanish Colonies Get Citizenship Quicker?

Yes, if you are from a former Spanish colony (one of the following countries), you can get Spanish citizenship in as little as two years of residence as opposed to ten:

• Argentina
• Bolivia
• Chile
• Colombia
• Costa Rica
• Cuba
• Dominican Republic
• Ecuador
• El Salvador
• Guatemala
• Honduras
• Mexico
• Panama
• Paraguay
• Peru
• Philippines
• Venezuela

If you are from one of the aforementioned countries, and you receive a Golden Visa, then you can become a Spanish citizen within two years, provided that you have traveled to Spain at least eight times within that period.

Can I Use a Mortgage To Get a Spanish Golden Visa?

No, you will not qualify for a Golden Visa if you use a mortgage to pay for a property in Spain, at least not for the minimum requirement. You have to make a payment of at least €500,000 in full from your own funds, but for anything that exceeds that amount, you may be able to use a mortgage or financing.

Can I Travel in Europe With a Spanish Golden Visa?

Yes, a Spain Golden Visa allows you and your family members to travel through Schengen Zone visa-free for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. However, non-Schengen countries in Europe have their own visa requirements, so free travel is not always guaranteed.

Do I Need Health Insurance Cover For Spain?

Yes, it is a requirement of the Golden Visa application process to obtain health insurance. You and your family members must have valid health insurance even if you never intend to live in Spain at all.

What Kind Of Health Insurance Should I Have In Spain?

Residents in Spain are eligible for public health insurance. However, to make use of Spain’s public health system, expats have to be employed and pay taxes in Spain, as it is financed by taxpayer money.

If you have a Golden Visa, and you do not intend to live in Spain, you will have to take out private health insurance through a company which is allowed to operate in Spain. If you will live in the country and pay taxes, then you and your family members can make use of its health system.

Spain Golden Visa and Taxes

If you are not a full-time resident in Spain, then you do not need to pay income tax. You are considered a resident only if you live there for more than half the year (more than 183 days).

However, regardless of your residence status, if you have purchased a property in Spain, you still have to pay the relevant taxes, such as municipal and rental income taxes.

If you are not a full-time resident, you have to pay 24.75% on rental income or any other income obtained in Spain.

An Entrepreneur Visa for Spain is a long-stay visa, which enables its holder to remain in Spain for more than three months and engage in paid activity. The visa is aimed at:

• Entrepreneurs.
• Highly skilled professionals.
• Researchers.
• Workers performing inter-company business operations.

The Spanish Entrepreneur Visa permits its holder to live and to work in Spain in their field of expertise. The country favors applicants in professions or with startup ideas in line with the general interest of the Spanish economy.

Spain Entrepreneur Visa Types

Deepening on your occupation and the reason why you are applying for a Spanish entrepreneur visa, you can apply for one of the following:

• Visa for Entrepreneurs and Business Activities (REM). This is a visa for investors with a concrete business plan, which is in the general economic interest of Spain. A significant capital investment is required.
• Visa for Highly Skilled Professionals (TAC). This visa is for highly skilled foreigners that have a job offer in Spain in
  • management,
  • highly qualified staff at large businesses/corporates
  • SMEs in strategic sectors.

The visa is issued to graduates and postgraduates from universities and prestigious business schools.

• Visa for Intra-company transfer (TTI). This visa is for managers and other persons in high positions at a company outside Spain, whom their company wants to transfer to their branch/main office in Spain.
• Residency Visa for Training or Research (RIN). This visa is for foreigners that want to engage in training, research, development or innovation at a public or private institution in Spain.
• Visa for Family Members (RFI). This visa is for the family members of persons who hold any of the entrepreneur visa types listed above.

How to Apply for a Spain Entrepreneur Visa?

The steps to apply for a Spain Entrepreneur visa are quite simple. Yet, for these types of visas, a small mistake can cost you a lot. As the procedures, though simple, require a lot of energy, it is for your own good to try your best to get a positive answer on your first application.

The step by step application guide for a Spain Entrepreneur Visa:

Find out whether you are required to apply for a Spain entrepreneur visa

Anyone that meets the eligibility criteria can apply for an Entrepreneur Visa for Spain. However, nationals of EU member countries and the four non-EU Schengen members can move to Spain for such purposes, without this visa.

Please do not confuse the Entrepreneur Visa, for a visa that enables you to travel to Spain for business purposes. If you wish to engage in business-related activities, you should instead apply for a Spanish Schengen visa for business.

Check when is the right time to apply

Apply at most three months before the date of your intended departure to Spain. You are highly to apply one month before the latest.

Find out where you need to file your Spain Entrepreneur Visa application

Most times, such applications should be lodged at a Spanish consulate. Yet, check with for such information when you make the visa appointment.

Select the right entrepreneur visa type

As listed above in this article, select the visa that fits your intention of traveling to Spain most. Note that the application process really depends on the visa type you apply for.

Complete your application file.

This includes the application form and the required documents for a Spain Entrepreneur visa, as listed below:

• The standard documents required for Spanish visa application: Passport, completed application form, passport photo sized , copies of current and older passports and visas.
• Police certificate. This document should confirm you have not committed any crime in the country or countries where you have resided in the last 5 years.
• Proof of sufficient funds to support yourself. This could be your bank statements, job contract with your employer in Spain, etc.
• Health Insurance from an authorized provider in Spain. It must cover medical repatriation, evacuation, accidents, emergencies, sanitary assistance etc., with zero deductible and no co-payment.

Requirements according to the Entrepreneur Visa type:

• Entrepreneurs and Business Investors: A favorable report which confirms that the business project or the innovative entrepreneurial activities are proved to be of general interest of Spain. This document could be issued by the relevant Economic and Commercial Office of the geographic area or by the Directorate-General for International Trade and Investments.
• Highly qualified professionals, Intra-company transfer, Training or Research: An authorization of residence issued by the General Directorate of Migration is required. The authorization must have been processed by the Unit for Large Companies and Strategic Economic Sectors by part of the contracting party.
• Family members: Proof of family relationship with the Entrepreneur Visa holder, as marriage or birth certificate. Note that only the spouse and children under 18 of the visa holder qualify for application.

Make a visa appointment

Through phone or website of the consulate or visa application center, deepening how Spain has regulated this issue in your country of residence.

Attend the interview

On the day of your interview, show up on time. The interview is a meeting between you and the visa officer. You will be submitting the documents you have collected, paying the fee, and answering to the questions of the consular.

After You Arrive in Spain

Upon arrival in Spain, you have one month to get a tarjeta de identidad de extranjero (TIE), which means Foreigner Identity Card.

You should apply for a Foreigner Identity Card within one month of arrival in Spain, at the Foreigners Office in the area where you have settled.  You will need your passport with the Spanish visa in it, three photos, and proof of payment of the corresponding fee.

Spain Entrepreneur Visa Fees

To apply for a Spain Entrepreneur Visa you will need to pay some certain Spanish visa fees. The fees differ according to the nationality of the applicant, since there are different fees for US and Canadian nationals, due to reciprocity measures.

Find these fees listed following:

• Citizens of the United States need to pay €167 for an Entrepreneur Visa.
• Citizens of Canada need to pay a fee of €100 for this visa.
• Citizens of the rest of the world countries need to pay a fee of only €80.

Spain Entrepreneur Visa Validity

A Spain Entrepreneur visa is valid for one year.  While it is valid, you can apply for a residence permit that is valid for two years and it is renewable. You will need to apply to renew it before its expiration.

A Spain Working Holiday visa is a permit to work in Spain while there on holiday here. It is available only for the youngsters of a few world countries, for a maximal period of one year without the possibility of renewal or extension.

The main criteria to apply for a visa for seasonal employment in Spain, you must prove you meet the following criteria:

• You have not participated in this program before.
• The main purpose of your trip is vacationing in Spain, and working is your secondary intent.
• The initial job you will be doing in Spain cannot be filled by a Spaniard.
• You have obtained the necessary work permit (NIE).
• You will not be working for a period exceeding six months.
• You will not work for the same employer for more than three months.
• Your initial employer meets the conditions for hiring foreign workers for holiday employment.
• You have suitable accommodation in Spain.
• Your travel costs are covered.
• You will return to your home country after the seasonal contract ends.

What Can I Do with a Spanish Holiday Visa?

You can engage in the following activities with a Spanish Working-Holiday visa:

• Language teacher.
• Waiter.
• Receptionist.
• Barista.
• Model.
• Cook.
• Kitchen assistant.
• Other jobs in the service industry.
• Other jobs in the tourism industry.
• Jobs in information technology.

Who Can Apply for a Spain Working Holiday Visa?

Spain has a working holiday agreement with only a few world countries. Only the following are qualified to apply for this visa:

• Citizens of Australia aged 18 to 30.
• Citizens of Canada aged 18 to 35, due to the “Youth Mobility Program” agreement signed between both countries. Note that the annual visa acceptance quota for this program is 1000.
• Citizens of Japan aged 18 to 30.
• Citizens of South Korea aged 18 to 30
• Citizens of New Zealand aged 18 to 30.

If you are a national of one of the long-stay visa exempt countries, you can freely move to Spain and undertake a job related to seasonal employment, without this visa.

How to Apply for a Spain Working Holiday Visa?

You will need to apply for a Spanish Working Holiday Visa from your home country.  Check if there is a Spanish embassy or consulate in your home country and how this authority has regulated visa submission. Depending on that, you may need to submit your application at the:

• Spanish embassy.
• Spanish consulate.
• A third-party visa service center, to which Spain has outsourced visa submission.

You are also highly advised to ask to contact the Spanish authorities and ask them when the best time to lodge an application is. As visa processing sometimes takes several months, you should be prepared to apply in advance.

Get a Seasonal Job in Spain

The first step that you need to undertake in order to apply for a Spanish Seasonal Visa is to get a job in Spain. You can find a job online or through an employment agency.

Once you come up with an agreement with your employer, ask them to provide you with the documents required from his/her side. You can start the application procedures in your home country.

Make a Visa Appointment with the Spanish Authorities

You cannot just walk at the consulate and lodge your application. You will need to make an appointment first. Call the Spanish consulate in your country, and make an appointment. They might ask you to complete a form online, for the appointment.

If so, do as required. Remember that the number of visas is limited to every country, and there are quite a lot of applications each year. Get informed for these things in advance, so when the application period opens, you may an appointment ASAP.

Collect the Required Documents for Holiday Working Visa

The required documents are the nucleus of your application. Everything revolves around them. That is why you should pay special attention to each of these documents and obtain them on time. If you miss even one document on the day you submit your application, chances are high that you will be rejected.

Find here the full list of the required documents for a Spanish Working Holiday Visa:

• Standard Documents: This includes the completed visa application form, your valid passport, photos, and copies of previous visas and passports.
• Return ticket or sufficient funds to purchase one.
• Proof of sufficient financial means. at least 532.5 euros per month.
• Police clearance certificate. A document that shows that your criminal record is clear and you have not involved in any criminal activities in the last five years.
• Medical Certificate from your doctor issued in the last three months. The certificate must confirm that you are free of any disease that could seriously affect public health.
• Health insurance from a legal provider in Spain, which covers the whole period of your intended stay in Spain.
• Proof that you have completed at least two years of higher education.
• Proof that you have a basic knowledge of the Spanish language.
• Letter of support from the Department of Immigration and Border Protection.
• Foreigners’ Identification Number (NIE), also known as work authorization. It must be obtained before applying for your visa so you can present it alongside with the other documents.
• A pre-arranged contract of employment, valid up to the authorized stay.

Attend the Visa Interview

On the day of your interview for a Spanish Working Holiday Visa, have all these documents in your application file. The visa interview is a short meeting with a consular interview. During this meeting, he or she will ask you question on your application, background and why you wish to work in Spain with a holiday visa.

If you have not traveled to the Schengen Area in the last five years you will also need to give your biometrics. The fee is usually paid on the same day.

Pay the Visa Fee

You will need to pay a particular fee for the processing of your visa. According to your nationality, the visa fees are as listed below:

• Citizens of the United States need to pay a fee of €167
• Citizens of Canada need to pay a fee of €100
• Citizens of Japan, South Korean and New Zealand need to pay a fee of only €80.

After You Arrive in Spain

Note that once you get the visa that permits you to work while on a holiday in Spain, you are obliged to enter  Spain within 90 days issuance date.

Since you already have the NIE, the process to obtain the Foreigner’s Identity Card will be easier. You should apply for this card through the local Foreigner’s Office (Oficina de Extranjeros) or Police Station within 30 days of arrival in Spain.

How Long Can I Stay in Spain with a Working Holiday Visa?

The maximum period of authorized stay in Spain with a working holiday visa is one year.  Within this year the maximum employment period is six months, while you cannot work for more than three months for the same employer.

This visa cannot be extended or renewed.  Also, note that if you participate once in this program, you can no longer apply to participate again.

A Spanish non-Lucrative visa is a permit to enter Spain under the purpose of residence without working. It is categorized as a Spanish long-stay visa. The main requirement to get this visa is having sufficient financial means to support yourself without the need to get a job in Spain.

Once you are in Spain with a non-Lucrative visa, you should apply for your residence permit for non-Lucrative purposes, which is renewable. That is why in many places you may notice that the visa is referred to as the Spanish Non-Lucrative Residence Visa.

Following in this article you can learn anything that you need in order to apply for a Spanish non-Lucrative visa.

How to Apply for a Spain Non-Lucrative Residence Visa?

Applying for a Spain Non-Lucrative visa is quite similar to the application process for every other long-term Spain visa. The first thing that you need to do is to find out the following:

Who Can Apply for a Spanish Non-Lucrative Residence Visa?

A Non Lucrative Visa for Spain is available to all persons who have a clear criminal record and the required financial means to support themselves and their dependents, if any, without the need of getting a job in Spain.

Note that if you are a national of one of the countries that do not need a Spain visa for long-term stays, you do not need this visa to move to Spain.

Find out when and where to apply?

• When is the right time to apply? Apply at least five weeks before your intended trip to Spain.
• Where you should lodge your application. This could be the Spanish embassy, consulate, or a third party company that offers visa services on behalf of Spain in your country of residence.

Once you figure out these two, you can continue the process by undertaking concrete steps.

Schedule a Visa Appointment

You should also find out how to schedule an appointment. You usually have two options: through phone, or by filling an online form at the website of the Spanish embassy/consulate/visa service center.

Make sure you schedule the appointment well in advance. In countries where Spanish authorities receive a lot of visa applications, the appointment can take months to be scheduled.

Submit the supporting documents for a Spanish Non-Lucrative Visa

Start collecting the required documents for a Spanish non-lucrative residence visa as soon as you make the appointment. Collect each document as required, in compliance with the criteria set by the Spanish authorities.

Full list of the supporting documents for Spanish Non-Lucrative Visa application:

• Visa application form. Do not confuse the national visa form with the Schengen visa form since they are completely different. Make sure you answer all questions correctly. The information you give in the application form must comply with that in the other documents.
• Valid Passport. It should be no older than 10 years, and valid for another year at least. It should have at least one blank page for the visa sticker.
• Two Identical Photos. The photos must be taken according to Spain visa photo specifications.
• Medical Certificate. Get this certificate from an authorized doctor in your country of residence. It should indicate that you do not have any disease that poses risks for public health. Remember that on the day you submit this certificate, it must be no older than 90 days.
• Health Insurance. Obtain medical insurance from a private insurer in Spain.
• Original Police Clearance Certificate. A document that confirms you have not committed any illegal activity in the last 5 years. This document should also be no older than three months on the day of submission
• NIE number. This a personal unique number, given to every foreigner who intends to stay in Spain for longer than six months. Apply for this number at the consulate, before you apply for a visa.
• Proof of sufficient income. The most important part of your application! If you fail here, your application will be rejected for sure. You need to prove you have a minimal amount of about 2,150€ per month, and an extra 535€ per month for every dependent you plan to bring with you. The following documents can serve as proof of financial means:
  • Bank statements for the last three months.
  • Letter of employment stating the salary, if you will be receiving a salary from an employer outside Spain.
  • Proof of investments.
  • Proof of other types of income, i.e. from rented property.
• Marriage/Birth certificate is required for those applying as a dependent.

Interview for Non-Lucrative Visa

As a part of your application, you will need to attend a visa interview at the responsible visa admission authorities in your country of residence. On the day of the interview, you will:

1. Meet with a visa consular for the interview.
2. Submit the supporting document to the interview
3. Give your biometrics – fingerprints and facial image – if you have not traveled to the Schengen territory in the last five years.
4. Pay the visa fee. Check how the Spanish authorities have regulated this issue in your country of residence. You may need to pay in cash, money order or certified check.

Pay the Fee for a Non-Lucrative Visa

The amount that you need to pay for a non-lucrative visa for residency in Spain depends on your nationality. This happens due to reciprocity measures that Spain has undertaken for several countries.

The current visa fees for a non-lucrative residence visa for Spain are as follows:

• Citizens of the United States need to pay a fee of €123.
• Citizens of Canada need to €507 for a Spanish non-lucrative visa.
• An amount of €80 is required from the nationals of other world countries for the processing of this visa.

Please remember that if your application is rejected or you decide to withdraw it while it is being processed, you will not get a refund. The Spanish visa fees are nonrefundable in any case.

Once you are done with these steps, all that is left for you to do is to wait for the processing of your visa.

Spanish Non-Lucrative Visa Processing

The Spanish authorities may take up to three months to process your non-lucrative residence visa application. Though most countries process the visa from two to five weeks, if the Spanish authorities in your country receive a lot of applications for Spain, then the processing may be delayed to three months.

Once you are notified that you have been granted with a visa, you have one month to collect it. If you do not, the embassy will cancel it.

After You Arrive in Spain

Once you arrive in Spain, you have one month to apply for your Foreigner Identity Card at the Foreigners Office in the area where you have settled. You will need your passport with the Spanish visa in it, three photos, and proof of payment of the corresponding fee. As a non-lucrative visa holder, you can travel abroad to the 25 other countries in the Schengen Area. To do so, you may want to check out travel insurance options for Spanish residence permit holders.

Validity of a Spanish Non-Lucrative Visa

A Spanish Non-Lucrative Visa is valid for three months and 15 days. Within this period, you will need to apply for your Non-Lucrative Residence Permit in Spain.

The Residence Permit is initially issued with a validity of two years. You can then renew the permit for another 5 years given that you have stayed at least six months per year with a Non Lucrative Residence Permit in Spain during the last two years.

After five years in Spain with a temporary residence permit, you will be eligible to apply for a permanent residence permit.