Services for foreign citizens
Visas
If you are interested in the Visa, ask us for more information.
Visas in Spain: benefits and possibilities for applicants and families
The different visas allow applicants and their families to reside in Spain and enjoy benefits such as access to the labour market, mobility throughout Europe and the possibility of applying for nationality after a period of legal residence.
Benefits of the Digital Nomad Visa
Tax benefits
Digital benefits
How to come to live in Spain and continue working remotely?
- Quick resolution Once you submit your visa application, you will receive the resolution in approximately 20 days.
- Apply for nationality You can only do this after having resided legally in Spain for 5 years and having renewed your visa continuously.
- Pay less tax You can choose to be taxed as a non-resident at a flat rate of 24%, instead of facing a progressive tax of up to 48%.
- Travel with your family You can bring your family members with you as long as you can prove that you have sufficient funds for each of them.
Requirements and personalised advice for the application process for the digital nomad visa in Spain
- Have at least 3 years of work experience in the area or a related professional degree.
- Have worked at least 3 months for a foreign company with a contract of at least 1 year.
- Have written authorisation to work remotely.
- The company must be located outside Spain.
- The income from Spanish clients must not exceed 20% of your total income.
- Have an income level of at least €30,240 (more if you are travelling with family members).
- Have a clean criminal record.
- Have private medical insurance with full coverage in Spain.
What is residence for investors in Spain?
It is a residency programme for foreign investors who wish to live and work in Spain.
By making an investment in the country – whether through government bonds, shares, bank deposits or other permitted options – investors can obtain a long-term residence permit.
This special visa allows investors and their families to reside and work legally in Spain and, in some cases, to travel freely within the Schengen area.
Benefits of applying for investor residency in Spain:
- Legal residence: It allows you to work and live legally in Spain, including work permit, as long as you are of legal age.
- Stay requirements: There is no requirement to reside in Spain continuously; only an annual visit to the country is required to maintain the golden visa.
- Options for family members: The main investor can apply for residence permits for their spouse and children at the same time, making it easier for the whole family to move to Spain.
Documents required to apply for investor residency in Spain
- Document showing your intention to apply for an entrepreneur visa or residence authorisation.
- Passport.
- Proof of payment of Tax 038 (form 790).
- Medical insurance, either private or public, providing full cover in Spain.
- Documentation justifying the investment:
- Investment in Spanish stocks or shares: A statement from the Investment Register of the Ministry of Economy is required for shares, or a certificate from the financial intermediary registered with the National Securities Market Commission for the purchase of shares.
- Investment in Spanish public debt: You need a certificate from the Bank of Spain or the financial institution that managed the investment, confirming that you are the holder of the purchase.
- Investments in bank deposits: You need a certificate from the financial institution confirming that you are the sole holder of the deposit.
Necessary requirements for the application:
- Not be a citizen of the European Union: This permit is aimed at citizens of countries outside the EU, who face more difficulties in obtaining a visa for Spain.
- Be of legal age: You must be at least 18 years old.
- No criminal record: You must not have had a criminal record in Spain or in any other country during the last 5 years.
- Have health cover in Spain: You must have public or private health insurance in Spain; travel or home country insurance are not valid.
- Demonstrate sufficient means: You must demonstrate that you have sufficient funds to support yourself and your family, if you are also applying for a visa for them.
- Make the required investment: You must make the stipulated investment (1 or 2 million euros, depending on the option chosen) and present the document confirming this.
- Note: Although it is still possible to invest in property and real estate, this option will soon be repealed.
What is a work permit as a highly qualified worker in Spain?
It is a residence permit that allows non-EU citizens to live and work legally in Spain in qualified, technical or managerial positions.
The visa for qualified professionals is a residence permit that allows non-EU citizens to live and work legally in Spain, provided they get a job offer in a Spanish company for a qualified, technical or managerial position.
Suitable job profiles include:
- Executives and managers with responsibility for a team.
- Workers in technical and specialised positions requiring advanced knowledge.
- Non-European citizens with advanced studies at prestigious universities or business schools.
This visa has an initial duration of three years and can be renewed successively until permanent residence is obtained. It is not applicable to entrepreneurs or people who are self-employed.
Benefits of a work permit as a highly qualified worker:
- Legal residence and work in Spain.
- Free movement within the Schengen Area.
- Possibility of applying for residency for your family.
- Years under this visa count towards Spanish nationality.
- Valid in 25 of the 27 EU countries (except Denmark and Ireland).
- Possibility of applying for the visa from Spain as a tourist.
Main requirements for the Highly Skilled Worker Visa
- Education
You must have a master’s or doctoral degree from a recognised university or business school. It is essential that your employment in Spain is related to your studies. - Job Tasks
The position should be managerial, technical or specialist. The job description should clearly detail the technical or specialised tasks you will perform.. - Salary
- Managers/Directors: Minimum of 54,000 euros per year.
- Scientific or intellectual professionals: Minimum of 40,000 euros per year.
- The variable part of the salary does not count, and if you are under 30, the salary can be up to 25% lower. Furthermore, the salary in kind must not exceed 30% of the total.
- Job Offer
It is not necessary for the offer to be from a company; it is also valid if it comes from a university or public institution for functions such as research, teaching or technical tasks. - Other Requirements
- You must be over 18 years of age.
- You must not have a criminal record in Spain or your country of origin.
- You must have full medical health insurance in Spain (public or private).
- You cannot be in Spain illegally.
Difference with the EU Blue Card
- Scope: The Blue Card allows you to work throughout the EU, while this visa is only valid in Spain.
- Salary requirements: The Blue Card requires a salary between 1 and 1.5 times the average gross annual salary in the country of work, while the Highly Skilled Worker visa requires a salary of more than €50,000 per year.
Documentation required for submitting a permit application:
- Passport photo.
- Original passport and a copy (it must be less than 10 years old).
- Documentation showing that you have sufficient funds to support yourself.
- Proof of payment of the relevant fees.
- Detailed job description, indicating how the position is qualified.
- Applicant’s CV.
- Advanced academic degree from a prestigious university or business school, if you have one.
Application process for the highly qualified worker work permit
- Get a Job Offer
You need a job offer in Spain. The company hiring you must initiate and submit the application. - Submitting the Application
The company must complete and submit the application form. - Applying for the Initial Visa
If you are in Spain legally, you can apply for the three-year residence permit directly. If you are in your home country, you must apply for a one-year visa before arriving in Spain. This visa is usually processed within two weeks - Residence Permit
Before your visa expires, you can apply for a three-year residence permit. You will need to visit a police station for fingerprinting, and the residence card will be ready in about a month. - Renewal
Your permit can be renewed, subject to conditions, for up to five years.
Submission and management of the necessary documents
- Submission of Documents
Send your CV and job description to the Large Businesses and Strategic Groups Unit, which is part of the Directorate General for Migration. This unit will validate your position as being highly qualified. - Residence Authorisation
If you meet the requirements, you will receive a ‘residence authorisation for highly qualified professionals.’ This document must be sent to the Immigration Office to obtain your residence in Spain.
Inclusion of family members:
- Joint Application
You can apply for residence permits for your spouse and children together with your own. They must submit the same application and documentation as those required for family members of an investor.
Intra-company transfer:
Intra-company transfer authorisation
If you already work for a company and you are transferred to Spain, you must apply for an intra-corporate transfer residence permit. This process is different and usually quicker than other visas. It applies both for transfers within a multinational company and transfers within the same corporate group.
Renewal of the residence permit for highly qualified workers
- Duration and renewal period
The residence permit is valid for three years. To renew it, you must start the process within 60 days before it expires or up to 90 days after it expires. It is recommended that this be done within 60 days prior to expiry to avoid penalties from the Large Businesses Unit. - Renewal Requirements
- Fulfilment of Requirements: You must demonstrate that you have worked in the same company and performed the same functions for which the initial permit was granted.
- Necessary Documentation: You must provide proof that you maintain the employment relationship under the same conditions (salary, functions, position) and verify your situation on the SILICON platform to confirm that you comply with the established minimum wage.
