If you are considering moving to Spain, you probably have already some reasons to like the country. But, before we get to the actual possibilities and requirements, let’s analyze the advantages and disadvantages of living in Spain:

Advantages of Living in Spain

Great Weather and Nature: Spain has one of the best climates in Western Europe. Not only that, it has one of the most diverse landscapes in the continent. From snow covered peaks to beaches to deserts and forests, Spain has it all. More than that, you don’t have to travel much to find all these options.

Delicious Affordable Restaurants and Nightlife: Spain is famous for its tapas, its cuisine and its nightlife in general. Prices are also pretty affordable and you can have a decent meal Menu del Dia for around 10 euros in most of the cities.

Safety: Spain is pretty safe. It is in fact one of the safest countries in Western Europe, and much safer than the United States. This is especially truth if you are going to smaller cities outside of the Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia axis.

Relatively Affordable Cost of Living: Spain cost of living is also relatively low for Western European standards. This is especially true if you considering to live in any city except the capital and Barcelona. Real estate is affordable, and rentals are easy to find.

Relaxed Immigration Policies: Immigration policies in Spain are considerably more relaxed when compared to other Western European countries like the UK or Germany.

Disadvantages of Living in Spain

High Taxes: Spain has currently one of the highest tax burdens in the world. High taxes affect almost all types of residents, but some less than others. Passive residence or retired people will certainly pay less taxes in Spain compared to business people or employees.

Bureaucracy: Spain, like most European Latin countries is pretty bureaucratic. The bureaucracy is not only complex in itself, but also lengthy. Expect each and every possible of moving to Spain to be quite slow, including those to be done before arriving in the country.

Faltering Economy: It is no surprise that having high taxes and overwhelming bureaucracy would affect any country’s economy. That happens in Spain, that has one of the highest unemployment rates in the European Union. Salaries are also lower than most other Western European countries.

How to Immigrate to Spain

Before we analyze each one of the options to live in Spain, let’s consider some broad aspects that apply to almost every type of residence permit.

First of all, it is important to stress that those below are only for non-EU citizens. If you are an EU citizen you will have everything much easier. The requirements are usually lower or non existent.

Now, let’s check one by one all of the options to immigrate to Spain as a non-EU citizen.

Regardless if you are an EEA citizen or not, you will have to acquire at some point a Spanish NIE. More information about the NIE and how to obtain it is available here.

Immigrate to Spain as a Student

Studying in Spain can be a great idea if you are a non-EU citizen. Tuition fees are much lower than in countries like USA, Canada or UK, and Spain has world class universities.

The financial requirements to study in Spain are also quite low. You have show that you have 6500 euros available to cover your expenses to get the first visa and residence permit as a student. Apart from that, the other basic requirements usually apply.

Immigrate to Spain based on Employment

One of the most popular options to acquire residence in Spain is through employment (trabajo por cuenta ajena).

The main document you will need for this visa depends on your employer. He will have to apply for your initial residence and work permit.

Apart from that, you will have to apply in your country of residency, and not in Spain, like most visas/residence permits.

Immigrate to Spain to Retire

If you want to retire in Spain, the most suitable visa is the one below (non economically active person visa/residence permit).

Immigrate to Spain as non Economically Active Person

This is a great option if you don’t want to run business or have a job in Spain. It applies well if you are living off investments, or if you are a shareholder of a company abroad and earn dividends from it. It is also a great option if you live from income originated on real estate rentals for example. The name of this residency in Spanish is residencia no lucrativa.

The main requisite to acquire this type of residence is to prove you have enough money to qualify. Currently, this sum is at %400 of the IPREM annually.

The IPREM is currently at 537,84 euros per month. 400% of that times 12 months is roughly 25,776 euros. This amount may vary depending on where you apply and what type of income you have.

You will also need a private health insurance to go along with your application. A clean criminal record is also required.

Immigrate to Spain as an Entrepreneur

If you want to move to Spain as an Entrepreneur, you basically have two options.

The first option is the visa to work by your own means (trabajo por cuenta propria). This visa is rather complicated, as the number of documents required is quite high.

Among those, one can expect to provide qualifications needed to run your business. Those usually are a university degree, but this will heavily depend on which type of business you will start.

You will also need to provide a business plan featuring the amount of money to be invested, the projected revenue, etc.

The second option is the investor visa (see below). You can also qualify for it if the amount of money you will invest, will be in a business. The amounts for this type of business are much higher as opposed to the one to work by your own means.

Immigrate to Spain as an Investor

Another option, if cash is not a constraint, is to immigrate to Spain as an investor. The so called Spanish Golden Visa, has quite high requirements in terms of capital. The advantage is that the process is less bureaucratic and you may get it quicker than going through the other alternatives.

Investments to get this type of residence permit start at 500,000 Euros and can be as high as 1 million Euros. The cheapest option require the applicant to invest 500,000 euros in Spanish real estate.

Once you get this visa you will also acquire the right to work or manage business in Spain.

Spain Digital Nomad Visa

As of 2023, it is also possible to move to Spain, at least temporarily with the new Spanish digital nomad visa.

Residence After Residing a Number of Years Illegally

As I mentioned above, Spain has one of the most relaxed immigration policies in Europe. If you have lived in Spain for a number of years illegally and you have a job, you can get a residence permit and make your status legal. The name of this residence permit is Residencia por Arraigo.

Residence Based on the Citizenship of a Family Member

You can also apply for residence in Spain if one of your immediate relatives is living/will be living you in Spain and he is Spanish or EEA citizen.

This usually applies for married couples. But it can also apply to couples (pareja de echo) and persons with some other specific types of family ties.

Spanish Citizenship by Naturalization

If you live a certain number of years in Spain, you will be eligible to apply for Spanish citizenship.

Usually, you will need to live in Spain for 10 years before you will be able to apply for Spanish citizenship. The number of years can be reduced significantly if you fall into some specific categories.

You can apply after 2 years if you are a ciziten of Ibero-America(most Latin American countries), Portugal, Andorra, Equatorial Guinea and the Philippines.

If you are married to a Spanish citizen you can apply after 1 year (as long as both of you are living in Spain).

More Information about Residency in Spain

If you want further information you can check the official Spanish Government website regarding living in Spain (in Spanish).

Other Resources to Travel and Live in Spain

If you are considering moving to Spain check our articles on how to retire in Spain. You can also check our guide on the cost of living in Madrid.

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Are you considering to move or retire in Spain? Below you will find information regarding cost of living in Spain, opening a bank account at Spanish banks and getting your residence permit to move to the Iberian peninsula.

Let’s analyze the pros and cons of moving temporarily or permanently to Spain. Spain is known for its pleasant weather, relaxing lifestyle and beautiful landscapes. Let’s analyze below the key factors involving retirement or relocation to Spain.

Retire in Spain: Overview

When one is thinking about moving to another country to work remotely, live from passive income or retirement, Spain is one of the most popular options. The country has an excellent transport and health care infrastructure, as well as an excellent climate. Spain also has some pretty affordable real estate, especially if you are moving from North America or Northern Europe.

Spain is also one of the top world tourism destinations in the world. This certainly counts as an advantage, as locals tend to have some knowledge of English, and services to non-Spanish speakers are widely available. Spanish is also known as one of the easiest foreign languages to learn.

The Iberian peninsula which includes Spain and Portugal has a number of different regions and climates. If you like hot weather, the sea side, mountains or a more a mild climate, you can find it all in the various regions of Spain.

Getting to Spain

Spain is probably one of the most accessible countries in the world in terms of transport infrastructure. Apart from that Spain has one of the most privileged locations in the world, in Western Europe. Most cities in Spain are well connected with state of art highways, and a rather efficient railway system. The least accessible regions of Spain is the Nortwestern part of the country, as well as the Canary Islands.

Most international visitors arrive to Spain by air. The biggest airports in the country in terms of traffic are in Barcelona (El Prat) and in Madrid (Barajas). There are also many other airports in the country with a sizable passenger traffic. Spain is extremely well connected to Europe by many low budget airlines, such as Ryanair and Vueling. Most intercontinental flights are operated by flag carriers, namely Iberia, the national one.

Railways in Spain are also pretty reliable, with the exception of eventual strikes. Most big cities are served by modern trains, with similar standards to those in other Western European countries. Regions like Asturias and Galicia also have railway access, but frequencies and routes are less available in these regions.

Opening a Bank Account in Spain

Spain is not the obvious destination for those willing to move for lower tax rates. In fact, tax rates in Spain are quite high. However, if you are planning to move and retire in Spain, opening a bank account in the country will certainly make your life easier. From paying bills to purchasing real estate, having a bank account in Spain will save you from a lot of hassle.

Spain bank infrastructure is also pretty advanced, and there are many banks to choose from. Since Spain is in the Eurozone and part of the SEPA, it is also a pretty safe place to store your savings.

Opening a bank account in Spain is possible for both residents and non-residents in Spain, however the requirements are different. Opening a bank account in Spain as a non-resident might be in some cases even easier than as a resident. It is important to stress though that requirements vary from bank to bank. Some banks may not open accounts for non-residents.

Requirements to Open a Bank Account in Spain:

Non-residents: If you are a non-resident, you will most likely need to obtain a certificate from the local police station, stating that you are not a resident of Spain. Getting this document is usually a simple process. Once you have your Certificate (Certificado de No Residente) there will be a number of banks in which you can open a bank account. You will also need a passport or ID card. This procedure usually applies for both EU and non-EU citizens.

It is important to stress that a bank account for non-residents usually has a limited time, and must be renewed if the customer still wants to use it as a non-resident.
Residents: The procedure to open a bank account in Spain as a resident is slightly different.  To open a bank account in Spain as a foreign resident, you will need a NIE (Número de Identidad de Extranjero). Getting the NIE is a more complex process than opening the bank account itself.

Once you have your NIE you will have basically same conditions to open a bank account and use its services as Spanish citizens.

Getting your Residence Permit in Spain

If you want to retire in Spain, and spend more than 3 months per year in the country, you will need to register your stay. The procedure is quite different from EU and Non-EU citizens.

EU Citizens

If you are an EU citizen, moving to Spain is a relatively hassle free procedure. However, you will still need to register your stay if you are planning to stay longer than 90 days at every 180 days. There are very few reasons that could be a problem to stay and retire in Spain as an EU citizen.

Non-EU Citizens

Even if Spain is a full European Union member, and immigration to the continent is a problem, it is still possible to get a permit to retire in Spain. There are categories of visas for retirees and non economic active citizens.

The good news is that there is a special visa for retirement, available for non-EU citizens. The bad news is that you need to provide evidence of a relatively high income to qualify for this visa. As of 2017, one needs to provide evidence of income of roughly € 2100 euros to qualify for this visa category.

Spain Cost of Living

The cost of living is also one of the most relevant factors for those willing to move or relocate overseas. While Spain is not the most affordable expat destination in the world, it can be cheaper than what you expect. This is especially the case if you are considering moving to a less populated area.

Even if Spain may seem a rather homogeneous country at the first glance, cost of living varies greatly in different regions of the country. The most expensive areas are the capital Madrid and Catalonia, especially in Barcelona. The cost of living is noticeably lower in regions like Galicia, La Rioja, and in some parts of Southern Spain.

Spain is also a great place for purchasing real estate. If you are looking for an investment, Barcelona and Madrid are definitely good options. For those willing to enjoy the relaxed Spanish lifestyle, there are many bargains available. Regions like Andalusia, as well as in the Comunidad Valenciana, have a number of empty properties, available since the Spanish real estate crash in 2008.

You may also be interested in checking the cheapest countries to retire in Europe. If you are looking for a cheaper option, you may want to check how to retire in Montenegro or Guatemala.

Other Resources for Traveling and Living in Spain

If you are visiting Spain soon you might want to check our guides to the country. Check where to stay in Madrid and the best places to stay in Valencia.

For those considering a longer stay check the average and minimum salary in Madrid and the cost of living in Madrid.

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