Spain

EU Schengen

Capital Madrid

Currency EUR

Languages Spanish

Official fee from 80 EUR

Spain is an EU and Schengen member state. Following Organic Law 1/2025 (BOE, 3 January 2025) and the new Immigration Regulation RD 1155/2024 (in force 20 May 2025), the country abolished its investor Golden Visa (last applications 3 April 2025) while retaining strong pathways for remote workers (Digital Nomad/Telework visa), highly qualified professionals, students, and the passive-income Non-Lucrative Visa.

Start your application Save Compare with similar

Immigration Pathways

(5) Last updated: Jun 7, 2026 · 5 days ago

4 of 5 pathways lead to long-term settlement — 4 to permanent residence, 4 to citizenship.

5 of 5 pathways are backed by official government sources.

Sort: Recommended Lowest official fee

Work / Employment Medium confidence

Highly Qualified Professional (HQP / PAC) Work Visa

Work and residence pathway for professionals with a confirmed Spanish job offer in a qualifying highly skilled role.

Processing time: Authorization decided in approximately 20 working days; visa in approximately 10 working days
Validity: Initial permit up to 3 years (indefinite contract), renewable in 2-year increments
Language requirement: None for the visa itself
Documents: 5 required
Permanent residence: Yes · After 5 years of continuous legal residence
Citizenship: Yes · Generally after 10 years of legal residence (reduced periods for certain nationalities)

Requirements

Qualifying job offer from a Spanish employer in a highly skilled role
Salary meeting threshold: approx. EUR 40,000/year (general/academic-scientific) or approx. EUR 54,000/year (managerial)
University degree and/or proof of at least 3 years specialized experience
Health insurance / Social Security enrollment
Legalized criminal record certificate

Required Documents

HQP residence authorization filed in Spain by the employer via UGE-CE required
Valid passport + National Visa Application form + photos required
Legalized criminal record certificate required
Health insurance / Social Security enrollment required
University degree and/or proof of at least 3 years specialized experience; job contract required

Official fees

Authorization + national visa fees (varies by nationality; others approx.) 106 USD

Process Steps

1
Secure job offer

Secure a qualifying job offer.
2
Employer files authorization

Spanish employer files the HQP authorization (UGE-CE).
3
Authorization approved

Authorization approved in approximately 20 working days.
4
File visa

Applicant files the visa at the consulate within 1 month.
5
Visa issued

Visa issued in approximately 10 working days.
6
Enter and register

Enter Spain, register Social Security, obtain TIE within 1 month.

Official Sources

Official Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration (UGE-CE highly qualified professional authorizations) · Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration

Study / Student High confidence

Long-Stay Student Visa (Type D)

Visa for full-time study at an accredited Spanish institution for programs longer than 90 days.

Processing time: Typically 4-8 weeks, up to 12 weeks in peak season
Validity: Duration of the study program
Language requirement: None for the visa itself (depends on the program)
Documents: 6 required
Permanent residence: Yes · Study time can count partially; switching to a work/residence permit and reaching 5 years of legal residence leads to long-term residence
Citizenship: Yes · Generally after 10 years of legal residence (reduced periods for certain nationalities)

Requirements

Official acceptance/enrolment letter from an accredited institution (full-time program)
Proof of financial means: 100% of IPREM (approx. EUR 600/month)
Health insurance with full coverage in Spain
Criminal record certificate (for programs over 6 months), apostilled + sworn translation
Medical certificate (for programs over 6 months)
Proof of accommodation

Required Documents

National Visa Application form + photo + valid passport (at least 1 year validity) required
Official acceptance/enrolment letter from accredited institution (full-time program) required
Proof of financial means: 100% of IPREM (approx. EUR 600/month) required
Health insurance with full coverage in Spain required
Criminal record certificate (for programs over 6 months), apostilled + sworn translation
Medical certificate (for programs over 6 months)
Proof of accommodation required
Foreign documents with sworn Spanish translation + apostille/legalization required

Official fees

Visa fee (approx., varies by nationality/reciprocity) 80 EUR

Process Steps

1
Get admission letter

Get official admission letter from the institution.
2
Prepare documents

Gather, apostille and translate documents.
3
Book appointment

Book a consular appointment (via BLS portal where applicable).
4
Submit

Submit the application in person.
5
Await decision

Await decision.
6
Collect visa

Collect the visa.
7
Obtain TIE

If staying over 6 months, obtain TIE within 1 month of arrival.

Official Sources

Official Student visa - Consulate General of Spain in San Francisco · Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation

Investor / Golden Visa High confidence

Investor (Golden) Visa - DISCONTINUED

Spain's investor Golden Visa has been abolished. No new applications accepted since 3 April 2025.

Processing time: Not applicable - pathway discontinued
Validity: Not applicable - pathway discontinued
Language requirement: Not applicable

Digital Nomad High confidence

Digital Nomad / Telework Visa - remote work for non-Spanish employers

Residence visa for remote employees and freelancers working for companies outside Spain (self-employed may do up to 20% of work with Spanish firms).

Processing time: Decision in 10 days from submission (extendable)
Validity: Up to 1 year via consulate; up to 3 years if applied from inside Spain
Language requirement: None for the visa itself
Documents: 8 required
Permanent residence: Yes · After 5 years of continuous legal residence
Citizenship: Yes · Generally after 10 years of legal residence (reduced periods for certain nationalities)

Requirements

Remote work for a company located outside Spain (self-employed may do up to 20% with Spanish firms)
University degree from a recognized institution OR at least 3 years of professional experience
At least 3 months of prior employment with the company and company authorization to work remotely
Income meeting the threshold (approx. EUR 2,368/month solo on 2025 basis)
NIE (Foreigner Identity Number) obtained beforehand
Spanish Social Security registration OR authorized Spanish health insurance
Clean criminal record

Required Documents

National Visa Application form (signed) + photo + valid passport (original + copy of biometric pages, 2 blank pages) required
NIE (Foreigner Identity Number) certificate required
Company certificate proving at least 3 months employment, salary, and authorization to work remotely, plus company registration certificate (apostilled + Spanish translation) required
Proof of income meeting the threshold required
University degree OR proof of at least 3 years professional experience (apostilled + sworn Spanish translation) required
FBI/national criminal record check issued within last 6 months, apostilled + Spanish translation required
Responsible declaration on criminal records + Social Security compliance declaration required
Spanish Social Security registration proof OR authorized Spanish health insurance required

Official fees

Official visa fee base (approx.) 73.26 EUR

Visa fee - US nationals 190 USD

Visa fee - UK nationals 963 USD

Visa fee - Canadian nationals 1,566 USD

Visa fee - Australian nationals 3,020 USD

Visa fee - other nationalities 106 USD

Process Steps

1
Obtain NIE and documents

Obtain NIE and gather all required documents.
2
Email application

Email scanned numbered documents to the consulate (subject: APPOINTMENT REQUEST. TELEWORK VISA. [Name]).
3
Schedule appointment

Consulate confirms and schedules an in-person appointment.
4
Submit

Submit the application in person.
5
Track

Track via https://sutramiteconsular.maec.es/Home.aspx
6
Receive decision

Receive decision in approximately 10 days.
7
Collect visa

Collect the visa within 1 month of approval.
8
Register and obtain TIE

On arrival, register and obtain the TIE.

Official Sources

Official Telework visa - Consular Section, Embassy of Spain in Washington DC · Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation

Permanent Residence High confidence

Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV) - passive income, no work

Residence visa for people with sufficient passive income/savings who will not carry out any work activity in Spain (including remote work).

Processing time: Legal decision period 3 months
Validity: 1 year initially, renewable
Language requirement: None for the visa itself; required for eventual naturalization
Documents: 9 required
Permanent residence: Yes · After 5 years of continuous legal residence
Citizenship: Yes · Generally after 10 years of legal residence (reduced periods for certain nationalities)

Requirements

Sufficient passive income/savings: 400% of IPREM (approx. EUR 28,800/year) for main applicant; +100% IPREM (approx. EUR 7,200/year) per dependent
No work or professional activity in Spain (including remote work)
Private or public health insurance with full coverage in Spain (no copay, no deductible, no waiting period, 1-year validity)
Clean criminal record covering the last 5 years
Medical certificate issued within 90 days
Legal residence in the consular district at time of application

Required Documents

National Visa Application form (signed) + recent color passport photo (white background) required
Valid passport (original + copy, at least 1 year validity, 2 blank pages) required
Form EX-01 (residence authorization request) + Form 790-052 (permit fee form) required
Proof of legal residence in the consular district required
Proof of financial means: bank statements (3 months), bank certificates, tax return/income documentation required
Private or public health insurance authorized in Spain with full coverage, no copay/deductible/waiting period, 1-year validity required
Medical certificate issued within 90 days required
Criminal background check covering last 5 years, Hague Apostille + sworn Spanish translation required
Notarized affidavit of non-work commitment + Spain address required

Official fees

Residency permit fee (approx.) 13 USD

Visa fee - US nationals 140 USD

Visa fee - UK nationals 691 USD

Visa fee - Canadian nationals 789 USD

Visa fee - Australian nationals 313 USD

Visa fee - other nationalities 106 USD

Estimated total 2,052 USD

Process Steps

1
Confirm jurisdiction

Confirm you live in the consulate's jurisdiction.
2
Prepare documents

Gather and apostille/translate documents.
3
Book appointment

Book an appointment (e.g., via BLS center where applicable).
4
Submit

Submit the application in person.
5
Await decision

Await decision (SMS notification).
6
Collect visa

Collect the visa in person.
7
Enter Spain

Enter Spain within 1 year (365-day entry window, in force since 2025).
8
Obtain TIE

Apply for the TIE (Foreigner Identity Card) within 1 month of arrival.

Official Sources

Official Non-lucrative residence visa - Consular Section, Embassy of Spain in Washington DC · Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation

Some pathway details are machine-translated and may contain minor inaccuracies. Always verify with official sources.

Similar destinations

Czech Republic 14 pathways Official fee from 200 CZK

Malta 17 pathways Official fee from 50 EUR

Bulgaria 7 pathways Official fee from 267 EUR

Estonia 8 pathways Official fee from 100 EUR

Start your application