Visa & Residency Guides
Everything you need to know about getting legal residency in Spain. Each guide includes exact requirements, timelines, costs, and municipality-specific tips.
Spanish immigration is complicated. The rules are different depending on where you're from, what you do for work, and how much money you have. These guides break down each visa type with the exact requirements, realistic timelines, and the gotchas that trip people up.
Important: Every municipality (Marbella, Estepona, Benahavis, etc.) handles things slightly differently. We include municipality-specific notes because the same process can take 1 week in Marbella and 3 weeks in Estepona.
Quick Visa Comparison
| Visa Type | Best For | Can Work? | Min. Income/Investment | Initial Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Non-Lucrative | Retirees, passive income | No | €2,400/month | 1 year |
| Digital Nomad | Remote workers | Remote only | €2,646/month | 3 years |
| Spouse/Family | Partners of residents | Yes | Varies (sponsor's income) | Matches sponsor |
| Golden Visa | Property investors | Yes | €500,000 property | 2 years |
| Student | Students, language learners | 20hrs/week | €600/month + tuition | 1 year |
| Work Permit | Job offer in Spain | Yes (employer) | Job salary | 1 year |
| Entrepreneur | Innovative startups | Yes (own business) | Business plan + funds | 1 year |
| EU Citizen | EU/EEA nationals | Yes | Self-sufficient | Permanent |
Which Visa Is Right For You?
I'm retired or have savings
You don't plan to work and can prove €2,400+/month income or equivalent savings.
→ Non-Lucrative VisaI work remotely
You're employed by or freelance for companies outside Spain and earn €2,646+/month.
→ Digital Nomad VisaMy partner lives in Spain
Your spouse or partner is Spanish, EU, or has legal residency in Spain.
→ Spouse/Family VisaI'm buying property €500k+
You're investing in Spanish real estate and want residency with flexibility.
→ Golden VisaI have a job offer in Spain
A Spanish company wants to hire you and will sponsor your work permit.
→ Work PermitI'm an EU citizen
You're from an EU/EEA country and have the right to live in Spain.
→ EU RegistrationAll Visa Guides
Non-Lucrative Visa (Visado No Lucrativo)
For retirees and those with savings or passive income who don't plan to work in Spain
Digital Nomad Visa (Visado para Teletrabajo)
For remote workers employed by or contracting with companies outside Spain
Spouse & Family Reunification Visa
For spouses and family members of Spanish residents or citizens
Golden Visa (Investor Visa)
For investors purchasing property worth €500,000 or more in Spain
Student Visa (Visado de Estudios)
For students enrolled in Spanish educational institutions
Work Permit (Permiso de Trabajo)
For those with a job offer from a Spanish employer
Entrepreneur Visa (Visado de Emprendedor)
For entrepreneurs starting an innovative business in Spain
EU Citizen Registration
For EU/EEA citizens moving to Spain - no visa needed but registration required
Important Notes
- • Immigration rules change frequently. Always verify current requirements with official sources.
- • Processing times vary by consulate and municipality. Our timelines are based on 2025-2026 experiences.
- • We strongly recommend using a gestoria or immigration lawyer for visa applications.
- • UK citizens are NOT EU citizens post-Brexit and need visas like other non-EU nationals.