From tourist to resident
It is still the dream for many people - to start afresh in a new country where the weather is good and the lifestyle relaxed. Spain ticks many of the boxes for those looking for somewhere new and whether you are wanting to retire, work abroad or invest, there are a number of different op- tions. Here we consider what they are.
Spain offers so much as a country. It’s rich in culture, history and traditions. The sun shines for most days of the year and bec- kons you outdoors. It’s relatively cheap to buy property here and the cost of living is also relatively low. All in all, it remains a fa- vourite destination for those wanting an adventure and something new, whatever their stage of life. So, how do you go about it?
Firstly, the requirement for residency here depends on your nationality and your status. If you are a national of a country in the European Economic Area then you have a more straightforward application procedure. Outside of the EU and you have a more complicated route to take, but there are still a number of options.
It’s important to be aware that there are variations in the application process across Spain depending on which autonomous community you are applying to and each case is reviewed individually. It is impossible to give the absolute terms and conditions, but here we do our best to provide a general guide.
Residency for EU/EEA citizens
If you would like to live in Spain and you are a national of a country in the EU/ EEA then you will apply for a residence card or TIE. You can obtain this at a Spanish National Police Station in the province where you live.
For your application to be successful you will need to fulfill the requirements for your group – this is whether you are a pensio- ner, worker, self-employed or living off your own resources. All these groups re- quire that you have sufficient funds to sup- port yourself and your dependents and that you can also demonstrate that you have the necessary healthcare insurance.
To obtain your card you will also need to register on the padrón. This is the central register of residents in the town where you live. You will also need:
- A valid passport and copy
- Documents that demonstrate that you have sufficient funds to live in Spain
- Proof that you have access to private or public health insurance
- A birth certificate for those under 18 years of age
- A marriage certificate
- Rental contract or proof of home ownership
Your EU residency card, once you receive it, will also include the very important NIE number which is beneficial to memorise as it is required for a number of different activities.
Moving from a non-EU country
If you are moving from a non-European Union country then you will need a visa before applying for your Spanish residency card.
Non-lucrative visa
To obtain this residency permit in Spain, you must have either savings in the bank and/or proof of income. There is a formula which calculates the exact amount. We generally round it up to simple numbers, as the expected amount will increase anytime.
One visa application would require to have €30,000. Regarding couples or families, it would be €10,000 per additional family members. If you choose this option, you will not be allowed to work in Spain - it is specifically designed for pensioners and retired people.
You will also need a public or private health insurance plan, as well as a police check, a medical certificate and a marriage certificate (all of them officially translated into Spanish). The non-lucrative visa is probably the most accessible method for the majority of those interested in living in Spain after retirement. Initially, the visa is granted for a year but after that you can renew it for another two years, followed by another two years and finally you can become a permanent resident.
Digital nomad visa
This is an option for people who are working online and are self-employed or are employed by a business outside of Spain. You will need to prove that you work remotely and your employment is provided from elsewhere. Private health insurance will be required here too, as well as a marriage certificate and a birth certificate (for minors).
Golden visa
This is an alternative for people who have plenty of money to invest. For example, if you have 500,000€ or more to invest in property or you make a deposit in a Spa- nish bank account or have shares worth at least 1,000,000€. Alternatively, you can apply for a golden visa if you are investing a significant amount of money (not specified) in a business in Spain. Private health insurance will be required here too, as well as a marriage certificate and a birth certificate (for minors).
Other visas
There are more alternatives and, as we mentioned before, each case is unique. So, for example, there is a student visa if you are intending to enrol at a Spanish university. Working and business visas are also a possibility, but you must have a sponsor – a Spanish company that is willing to hire you and present the paperwork needed to obtain the visa. For a business visa you need a business plan that is sufficiently robust and backed by a sufficiently sound financial status to gain approval.
Seek advice
Most important of all, if you want to make your dream a reality, is to get the correct advice for your individual circumstances. This is a brief, general guide but does not replace getting the right assistance from an expert.
