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Interested in moving to Spain? Here’s what you need to know:
Spain at a Glance
- Spain is the fifth largest country in Europe, and has a population of ~46 million.
- There is more to Spain than just the mainland. There are two autonomous cities – Ceuta (on the north coast of Africa) and Melilla (on the north coast of Morocco), as well as the Balearic Islands, Canary Islands, and three small islands off the Moroccan coast.
- Spain is crazy for football (soccer), and consistently produces some of the best players in the world. Popular clubs include Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, and Valencia CF.
- The Spanish love to party. There are many national, provincial and local fiesta days during which shops and businesses close down and the celebrations spill over to the streets.
- Spain is the fourth-largest economy in the EU, with a GDP per capita of about €30,300 as of 2023.
Living Essentials
- Currency: Euro (EUR)
- Spoken languages: while Castilian Spanish is the official language, other languages like Catalan, Valencian, Galician, Basque, and Aranese are also spoken in specific regions.
- Major religions: Catholic (70.5%). 24.1% are unaffiliated (no religion), while other faiths comprise ~3.1%.
- Largest cities: Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Seville, Zaragoza, Cordoba, and Málaga.
Why Choose Spain
- Sunshine and generally a more relaxed way of life. The simple pleasure of going out for a drink and tapas (snack) and not having to pay a small fortune.
- There are beaches and the warm Mediterranean Sea, rugged coastlines, snowy mountains, flat open plains, lakes, beautiful cities and tiny hidden villages waiting to be explored.
- The country has 16 National Parks, the largest being the Sierra Nevada National Park with its skiing and hiking opportunities and stunning mountain scenery. The Doñana National Park has been given UNESCO World Heritage status for its biodiversity and is one of the most important wetlands in Europe.
- Spain is still more affordable than many first world countries for alcohol, cigarettes, and petrol (gas).
- The cost of living can be low (if you are prepared to live and shop as the locals do).
- House prices are on the low end (relative to other developed nations), with many bargains to be had outside of major metro areas.
– Note: cost of living in Spain varies significantly by region. For example, the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment ranges from €600 to €1,050 per month. - Spaniards place a lot of value on family and kinship. Families spend time together – a day out to the beach or the park, a party or a fiesta will see many generations interacting together.
- The Spanish people are friendly and like to help if they can. A few words of Spanish and an eagerness to learn go a long way to help integrate.
- For families with children, a move to Spain is a great chance to give them a second language (or maybe third or fourth, depending where you come from). If you are planning on retiring to Spain there are plenty activities and clubs to join.
- For legally registered expats, children are entitled to free education in the Spanish state schools. There are many international fee-paying schools as an alternative.
- Transport systems are good; buses and trains generally depart on time and arrive at the destination on time. Roads are great – an excellent motorway network runs through the country.
- Healthcare in Spain is excellent, with generally short waiting times for procedures at hospitals. Spain has reciprocal healthcare agreements with many countries for short stay visitors. Long-term residents must be registered to receive treatment or have private healthcare.
- Known for its high quality of life, and consistently ranks as one of the top countries to live in. Life expectancy is high – many attribute this to the healthy Mediterranean diet, rich in olive oil and fresh vegetables.
Spain Challenges
Note: these are common expat complaints, and may not apply to you.
- Paperwork is complicated, and there is plenty of red tape. Generally, generally anything legal can take a long time. This will be difficult to adjust to if you are used to efficiency. The mañana syndrome is still alive and well in Spain.
- There are national laws but also many provincial and local laws – what may apply in one town or village may be completely different a few miles away. Laws change frequently with little or no warning or publicity. What is right one day may well be wrong the next and even the Spaniards have difficulty keeping up sometimes.
- Spain is the birthplace of the siesta – chances are, shops will be closed in the mid-afternoon.
- Employment is hard to find, even if you speak fluent Spanish. To be self-employed (autonomo) is expensive.
Spain Visa Guide
- Spain is part of the European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA) – citizens of member states may travel within the country without a visa.
- Citizens of non-EU countries who wish to enter Spain for not more than 90 days within a 180 day period must apply for a short stay visa. This does not give the holder permission to work.
- A Tourist Visa is not currently needed by citizens of New Zealand, Australia, and the USA. If citizens of these countries plan a permanent move to Spain, a national visa is required. This can be obtained from the Spanish Embassy in the country of residence.
- Non-Lucrative Visa: for non-EU citizens who wish to reside in Spain without working. Requires proving sufficient financial means (€2,400 monthly for the primary applicant) and obtaining comprehensive health insurance.
Different types of Work Visas (for non-EU citizens): High-Qualified Professional Visa, General Work Visa, Digital Nomad Visa, and Startup Visa.
- Highly Qualified Professional Visa: for highly skilled professionals in fields like tech, finance, and engineering.
– Requirements: Job offer from a registered employer, salary threshold, and employer sponsorship.
– Pros: Faster approval process, direct employment.
– Cons: Strict criteria, limited to high-demand jobs1. - General Work Visa: for non-specialized roles with a Spanish employer.
– Requirements: Job on the Shortage List, employer proof of no EU candidates.
– Pros: Legal employment in Spain.
– Cons: Difficult approval process, employer-dependent. - Startup Visa: for entrepreneurs with innovative businesses.
– Requirements: Approved business plan, significant savings (e.g., €32,000+)
– Pros: Flexible work, can hire staff, valid up to three years.
– Cons: Requires strong innovation and financial proof1. - Self-Employed Visa (Autónomo Visa): for freelancers and entrepreneurs starting their own business.
– Requirements: Viable business plan, sufficient financial resources.
– Pros: Multiple projects, lower income threshold
– Cons: Not for first-time applicants. - EU Blue Card: for highly skilled non-EU professionals.
– Requirements: University degree or equivalent experience, job offer with a salary above the average for Spain.
– Pros: Pathways to residency and mobility across EU member states.
– Cons: Salary threshold requirements. - Spain Digital Nomad visa: must earn at least €2,762 per month (gross) for individual applicants, with higher thresholds for families. At least 3 months of work experience in the current position.
– Education requirement: hold a university degree or have three years of relevant work experience
– Duration: Initially valid for 12 months, renewable for up to five years. Family members, including spouses, children, and dependent relatives, can join the applicant.
– After five years of residency, applicants can apply for permanent residency.
– Visa holders become tax residents in Spain and may benefit from a reduced tax rate of 24% on income up to €600,000 per year
– Application process: Requires an NIE number, health insurance, and a clean criminal record.
Residency and Citizenship
- All EU/EEA citizens have the right to live and work in Spain. Those citizens planning to stay longer than 3 months must register at the local foreigner’s office or Police station – a Residence Certificate will be issued.
- Financial means requirement for EU/EEA citizens to register in Spain: as of 2024, it is 100% of IPREM (€7,200 annually for the primary applicant).
- Proof will also be required of entitlement to private or Spanish healthcare.
- Permanent residents need to register at their local town hall. This means that your local town will get central government funds allocated according to the number of people registered.
- Any non-EU/EAA citizens staying longer than three months require a Residence Card.
- After five uninterrupted years of residency, non-EU citizens can apply for long-term residency, not necessarily being treated as Spaniards but having similar rights.
- A non-EU/EAA legal spouse and dependent family of an EU/EAA citizen has the same rights as a EU/EAA citizen, however within three months of arrival they must apply for a EU Family-member Residence Card.
- Spain Golden Visa program: while the future of this “residency via investment” program is uncertain, it’s still active as of 2025.
– Investors and their families can live in Spain, as well as travel visa-free within Schengen
– Requires an investment in one of the following: €500,000 in Spanish real estate, €2 million in Spanish public debts, €1 million in Spanish companies, or a €1 million deposit in a Spanish bank account
– Eligibility: at least 18 years old, clean criminal record, health insurance in Spain, and provide proof of sufficient funds while staying in the country. - For non-EU citizens, comprehensive health insurance is required for residency applications. EU citizens may use their EHIC or access public healthcare if employed.
Ways to Obtain Spanish Citizenship:
- Citizenship by Birth: automatically granted to children born in Spain to Spanish parents or born abroad to Spanish parents.
– Requirements: Proof of parentage and birth certificate. - Citizenship by Residency: available after ten years of legal residency in Spain.
– Requirements: Clean criminal record, language proficiency (DELE A2), and integration into Spanish society. - Citizenship by Marriage: available after one year of marriage to a Spanish citizen and one year of residency in Spain.
– Requirements: Marriage certificate, proof of residency, and legal status. - Citizenship by Descent: available to grandchildren of Spanish citizens who lost their nationality due to exile or other reasons.
– Requirements: Documentation proving ancestry and specific conditions related to exile or loss of nationality. - Citizenship by Option: available to individuals with Spanish parents or guardians, or those adopted by Spanish nationals.
– Requirements: Proof of parentage or adoption.
Recent updates:
- Simplified Documentation for Descendants: Applicants who are children or grandchildren of Spanish nationals no longer need redundant certifications if their family lineage is already registered in Spain.
- Language Test Exemptions: Citizens of Ibero-American countries, Andorra, and Sephardic Jews are exempt from the DELE A2 Spanish language test if they can prove long-term residence or educational qualifications in Spanish-speaking institutions.
Spanish Citizenship Application Process:
- Required documents include a valid passport, NIE, proof of residency, and criminal record certificate.
- Language Proficiency: Typically requires passing the DELE A2 Spanish language test and the CCSE exam.
- Final Requirements: Swearing an oath of allegiance, declaring renunciation of previous nationality (except for certain countries), and registering in the Spanish Civil Register.
- Processing Time: Can vary from several months to a few years depending on the pathway chosen. For example: Citizenship by Residency typically takes 1 to 3 years after completing the required residency period.
- Application Fees: Generally range from €100 to €200, depending on the type of application.
Other useful notes:
- The NIE (Número de identificación de extranjero) is the identification number issued to anyone who is not a Spanish citizen. An NIE number is needed for just about everything: buying or renting a house, buying a car, registering with doctors and clinics, obtaining insurance, enrolling children in school, setting up a business, or getting a job.
- When going to register for anything, take multiple copies of any certificates, passports, and forms. Bring plenty of passport size photos for each member of the family.
Business in Spain
- Some joke that the best way to make a small fortune in Spain is to start with a large one!
- Starting a business in Spain is tough. The majority of expats will open a bar or restaurant, usually with no prior knowledge of the trade and then wonder why, in the majority of cases, it fails.
- Today, the tourists are fewer and the laws are tougher. For any budding entrepreneurs it is important to do your homework and research your market before you take the plunge. Take advice on the legal side of becoming self-employed, as the amount of paperwork and red tape can confuse the Spanish, never mind a non-Spanish speaker.
- One of the biggest gripes about being self-employed in Spain has always been the amount of the monthly Social Security payment that gives entitlement to health care and pensions etc.
– The present monthly amount of €270 (a reduced payment of €50 for the first six months). - Get advice from a gestor (accountant). You will be responsible for paying your own Social Security payment and taxes. Your gestor will help you register at the Hacienda (tax office).
Helpful Resources
- Spain Visa Types: a detailed breakdown of the various Spanish visas you can apply for (official government website).
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