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Spain occupies most of the Iberian Peninsula, stretching south from the Pyrenees Mountains to the Strait of Gibraltar, which separates Spain from Africa. To the east lies the Mediterranean Sea, including Spain’s Balearic Islands. Spain also rules two cities in North Africa and the Canary Islands in the Atlantic.
The interior of Spain is a high, dry plateau surrounded and crisscrossed by mountain ranges. Rivers run to the coasts, creating good farmland. Still, the interior of the country gets very hot in summer and very cold and dry in the winter. Droughts are common.
If you wish to immigrate in Spain and you have sufficient income to support yourself and your dependents, you may apply for a Non-lucrative residence visa. This visa does not entitle you to work in Spain.
You must have income of at least €25,560 annually, plus €6,390 per each additional family member. Income may be derived from investments, annuities, sabbaticals and any other sources of income.
The visa issued will have a validity of three months and fifteen days, with multiple entries and 90 days of stay in Spain. Within one month of your arrival in Spain, you must apply for a residence permit and a foreign national identity card.
The residence permit is usually issued for a period of 2 years, renewable, provided that you still meet the economic requirements and you have lived at least 183 days in Spain each year.
After 5 years of holding the temporary residence permit, you will be eligible for permanent residency.
The permanent residency will entitle you to live and work in Spain indefinitely.
After 10 years of legal residency (temporary or permanent) you may be eligible for naturalization. To become a Spanish citizen, you will be required to commit to renounce your previous nationality, have financial stability, no criminal record, attend an interview and prove your degree of integration into Spanish society, e.g. knowledge of Spanish language, culture, values and participation in Spanish social activities.
Note that nationals of the Philippines, Andorra, Spanish-American countries, Equatorial Guinea, Portugal, as well as individuals with Jewish Sephardic origin, may be eligible for citizenship after two years of legal residency.
| Entry visa requirement (from EU) | No |
Entry visa requirement (outside EU) | Yes |
Types of resident permits | Temporary, permanent residence permits, work permits, non-lucrative residence permit |
| Residency based on Work Visa Possibility (YES/NO) | Yes |
| Validity of temporary residence permit | 1 year |
| Time frame for obtaining permanent residence (approx.) | 5 years of consecutive living in Spain |
| Residency by Investment Availability (YES/NO) | Yes |
| Residence through Real Estate Purchase Availability (YES/NO) | Yes |
| Residency for Family Member Possibility (YES/NO) | YES, family reunion visa available |
| Time frame for obtaining citizenship based on residency | 10 years of living in Spain based on permanent residency |
Depending on the type of visa requested at first, permanent residency can be obtained gradually, meaning that a foreign citizen must first apply for a temporary or long-term residence permit based on which he or she can obtain permanent residency in Spain. Then, the next step is Spanish citizenship.
If you are interested in emigrating to Spain, you can rely on the counsel of our lawyers for applying for residency or even Spanish citizenship.
You must have lived legally in Spain for at least 10 years to get citizenship. Also,
you will get all The benefits of permanent residency, plus you can vote and hold public office in Spain,
pass on Spanish citizenship to your children automatically, and freely live and work in any EU
country. Spanish permanent or long-term residency is the opposite of temporary residency. Once you
Obtain this type of residency, you will be permitted to live in Spain indefinitely. You can only Apply for this residency when you have lived in Spain continuously for 5 years.
As mentioned above by our Spain immigration agents, residency and citizenship are two different matters for expats living in Spain. When they have a long-term permanent residence in Spain, individuals can retain their nationality and passport issued by their state of origin. When they choose to become citizens, they must renounce their original nationality and the passport issued by the authorities there.
At the level of 2022, those who want to obtain residency in Spain need to comply with the same requirements as in the past year. They can either choose employment or business for their relocation.
It is a country with social harmony. Other advantages include the reasonable cost of living in Spain compared to many other nations and the comparatively affordable cost of studying in Spain for international students. Spain’s liberalism is apparent through measures such as legalizing same-sex marriage as early as 2005.
You can seamlessly become a part of a tolerant, welcoming, and cosmopolitan community. Spain is known for its diverse communities of expats and citizens from other countries. Naturally, you will find more opportunities to enjoy diverse cultures, cuisine, and traditions throughout the year!
Spain is also known for its vibrant festivals, annual celebrations, and pulsating nightlife. It can be called the bar capital of Europe and also has 40+ UNESCO World Heritage Sites that you will love exploring. From the charms of the Spanish countryside to the relaxing Mediterranean beaches and pristine mountains, the country offers everything you could want.
The non EU-foreigners need the residence permit to inhabit in the Spain. To enter the Spanish Country the foreigner will be required to show his valid passport and the corresponding visa.
Residence permit is required in order to remain and live in Spain after a period of time exceeding 90 days.
Other additional documents that you may require are your contract of employment, present bank statements, NOC (no objection letter) from the employer’s office in India (if applicable), IT return, and so on. Self-employed people will also require their IT returns and bank statements, along with all other documents related to registrations/licenses. Students will have to show proof of admission into a Spanish institution.
Those staying for more than 90 days for work or study purposes will require a national Spain visa. The application should be submitted at the Embassy of Spain, proving your study/work offer in the country and the funds to support your living and/or tuition costs throughout your stay. If you are working in Spain, you may get your work permit or employment visa (if your skill is on the list of shortage occupations in the country). You may have to prove your expertise and qualifications in this regard.
Once you become a permanent resident of Spain, your residency card is valid for five years. After this period, you can easily renew your card for another five years. You simply need to fill out another EX-17 form, show proof of your address, and present your original residency card and passport. You will then resubmit your fingerprints and pay the renewal fee.
Importantly, renewing your permanent resident status in Spain does not require you to have lived in the country for the full five years. This caveat only applies when you apply for permanent residency the first time. However, to renew your status, you should not spend more than one full year outside Spain or the EU.
Getting permanent residency in Spain is one thing, but keeping it is another. Generally speaking, after becoming a permanent resident, you should not be outside of Spain for more than one year at a time. Additionally, you should not be away from Spain for more than 30 months in total over the five-year period. If you do spend more than the acceptable time away from Spain, then you might lose your permanent resident status. Should this happen, it is possible to regain your residency status, although you may have to jump through a few extra hoops to do so.
The most straightforward way to become a citizen is through naturalisation. But it also requires more time than the other options. To become eligible for citizenship through aturalisation, you must legally reside in Spain for at least 10 years. Applying for citizenship via marriage or civil union’s the fastest way.
Spain only recognizes dual citizenship for nationals who have acquired Spanish nationality at birth. Naturalized citizens must renounce their previous nationality, except those from countries with which Spain has concluded a double-nationality agreement. Currently, citizens of the following countries may become Spanish naturalized citizens, without giving up their previous nationality: Andorra, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal, Puerto Rico, El Salvador, Uruguay and Venezuela.
1. Proof of your legal residence in Spain.
2. Evidence of your Spanish language and culture test.
3. Proof of your parent or grandparent's Spanish citizenship.
4. Once your application is approved, you will be granted dual nationality.
Ability to speak Spanish. In recent years, Spain’s job market has faced significant challenges. The Country has been grappling with a high unemployment rate, which is among the most Concerning aspects for job seekers.
In Spain, lots of people find work through informal routes such as word-of-mouth, networking, and speculative applications. This is especially the case for small- to medium-sized companies. As such, don’t restrict your job search to agencies and adverts: be proactive, seek opportunities, and network.
Spain’s unemployment rate is one of the highest in Europe and the highest among EU countries as of May 2020, measuring at 14.5%. This is over double the EU average of 6.7% in percentage terms.
Spain also has the worst youth unemployment in the EU, standing at 40.8% in June 2020. The Spanish government has implemented a specific plan to try and address the youth unemployment issue. The highest levels of unemployment are among unskilled workers.
Despite high unemployment, you can still find jobs in Spain in a number of sectors including IT, automotive, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, food and beverages, and tourism. Large global companies in Spain include:
There are many multinational companies located in Spain, and business consultants are often in need. In the finance sector, you can find work as a consultant, as a collections manager, or as an international financial director.
If you have solid skills in the technology sector, IT jobs are available in Spain. You can find employment doing software testing, coding and programming, and iOS and Android development.
Administration, you may be able to find a job in Spain that matches your skills. The demand for IT professionals is high in Spain, particularly in major cities such as Madrid and Barcelona.
Mechanical and industrial engineers are in demand – as long as you have the education and experience to do the job. Just make sure that you can speak Spanish so you can communicate with coworkers.
Spain’s Healthcare System is a universal healthcare system, and it is considered to be one of the best in the world. Healthcare assistants, childcare professionals, and elderly care professionals are the most in-demand jobs.
Catering, restaurant, hotel, and bartending jobs are an excellent option for Americans looking for work in Spain. You’ll have the best chance of finding this type of work in the major tourist destinations, such as the cities of Barcelona, Madrid, and Seville.
If you want to put your English language skills to work, you can find jobs as private tutors and university-level English teachers. Since the barrier of entry is relatively low, teaching is one of the most popular jobs in Spain for Americans and other native English speakers.
With the increased demand for native English-speaking teachers, Spain stands out even more for
Aspiring teachers. Both big cities and small towns offer placements in Spanish public schools,
Not all teaching jobs require certification, but some require certification such as TEFL, CELTA, or TESOL. For more information on different English teaching certifications, check out this useful guide.
People are always looking to update and remodel their homes, especially kitchens and bathrooms. Plumbers and electricians are in need of this type of work, as are other skilled tradesmen such as mechanics and welders.
Sales, engineering, customer service, marketing, tourism, finance, legal, healthcare, information Technology, and data processing are among the most popular jobs in Spain in 2024.
Let’s have a Deeper look at each of these especially when it comes to working in your native language.
International citizens looking to work in Spain must obtain the appropriate work visa. You can get a Spanish work visa from the Spanish Embassy or the Consulate in your last state/country of residence.
Once you receive your work visa, you have three months to apply for the corresponding permit with the Spanish authorities.
1. You secure a contract with a Spanish employer.
2. Your employer requests a work permit on your behalf to the local office of the Ministry of
Labor (Delegación Provincial del Ministerio de Trabajo e Inmigración)
3. You receive a copy of the visa application.
To work in Spain as a highly-skilled employee, non-EU citizens need to find a job which is listed as a ‘Shortage Occupation’. This is a job for which there is a lack of suitable candidates within the EU. The employer must then request a Work Visa from the Ministry of Labour.
If you are interested in working in a company in Spain as a highly qualified professional
(HQP) or You are a graduate or postgraduate from universities and prestigious business schools,
and you Have a job offer, you may be eligible to apply for a HQP residence permit.
Work permit applications can take up to 8 months to process so forward planning is needed. Once the Ministry of Labour has approved the application, the embassy or consulate issue the work and residence visa.
The process of obtaining a Work Visa for Seasonal Workers is similar to the process for highly-skilled workers. Employers need to apply for the visa on the worker’s behalf from the Ministry of Labour.
In addition to this process, seasonal workers need to demonstrate they have suitable accommodation arranged, their travel costs are covered, and that they will return to their country once the job has finished. The visas are valid for the duration of the work contract.
To work in Spain as a freelance, it is necessary to apply for a Work Visa at a Spanish consulate or embassy. The work visas are valid for one year but can be renewed if all the conditions are still met. The required documentation includes:
The EU Blue Card is for people who spent at least 3 years completing a higher education qualification which allows them to work as a skilled professional. People who have a minimum of 5 years’ professional experience at a high level are also eligible. The employer submits the application on the behalf of the applicant.
