Looking to stay in Spain for more than 90 days? Then you must apply for a long-stay visa, and this article will be your go-to guide. Find all your available options, requirements, application process, and some frequently asked questions you cannot miss.
Keep reading and find out how to obtain a long-stay visa successfully.
What is a long-stay visa for Spain?
A long-stay visa is actually a temporary residency permit granted to non-EU nationals who wish to live, work, or study in Spain for longer than 90 days.
As we will see below, there are many long-stay visa options, and in order to find the right fit, the applicant must consider both the requirements and application process of each visa or residency type, as well as his or her plans in Spain.
That is because some visas do allow work, others allow work but under certain conditions, others are more flexible in terms of bringing your relatives with you, etc.
Hence, the next sections are crucial to fully understand what path you should follow as a non-EU citizen wishing to move to Spain.
Who needs a long-stay visa?
Non-EU citizens (or citizens outside the EU/EEA) who wish to move to Spain for a period longer than 90 days (or the days allowed by their tourist visa within the Schengen Area), must apply for a long-stay visa in order to live (and even work) in the Spanish territory.
In case the planned staying period does not surpass those 90 days, a tourist visa will be enough. But in those cases, you must bear in mind that a tourist visa does not allow you to work.
Do you have any questions so far? Ask us anything and get an immediate answer:
Types of long stay visa for Spain
In Spain, there are several types of long stay visas. Let’s explore the most popular options
Digital Nomad Visa
If you’re a freelancer, contractor, or employee of a foreign company looking to work remotely from Spain, the digital nomad visa was the long stay visa designed for you.
It offers the possibility to live in Spain for up to three years (with further renewals), a fast-track approval in just 20 working days, and the advantage of applying directly from Spain.
Additionally, if you come as an employee, you may benefit from significant tax reductions under the Beckham Law, which makes this option especially attractive for remote professionals.
Student visa
For those wishing to enroll in a language course, complet a university degree, or master’s, the student visa is the way to go.
It allows you to work up to 30 hours per week and move to work permit after completing your studies as long as you come to enroll in higher education. Hence, it is a great entry door to stay in Spain for the long-run.
In the latter case, you can also start your application directly from Spain as a tourist, as long as you still have 2 months left on your Schengen visa.
Non-Lucrative Visa (Non-Profit Residency)
If you have sufficient financial means (over €30,000) and no intention of working in Spain, the non-lucrative visa (or non-profit residency) is your ideal choice.
This type of visa must be requested from your home country and allows you to live in Spain for one year, with the option to renew for an additional four years (in 2+2 periods) before applying for permanent residency.
By simply contracting private health insurance and proving you have the necessary funds in your bank account, you can begin the application process with ease.
You can learn more about this visa here.
Entrepreneur Visa
Planning to launch an innovative business project in Spain? The entrepreneur visa lets you live in the country for three years while developing your idea.
In order to obtain his long stay visa, authorities will assess whether your project is unique in the market, incorporates a high level of technology, and contributes to job creation in Spain.
To apply, you’ll need to submit a comprehensive business plan demonstrating the viability and impact of your proposal.
Highly Qualified Work Permit
If you’ve received a job offer from a Spanish company with a salary above €40,000, you may qualify for a Highly Qualified Work Permit (HQV), a streamlined and faster alternative to the standard work visa.
This permit is designed for two professional profiles, provided they have a university degree or at least three years of experience in a similar position:
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Managers leading teams
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Technical professionals such as engineers, architects, or software developers
The HQV grants a three-year residence and work authorization, renewable and conducive to long-term settlement in Spain.
Regular Work Permits in Spain (Employed or Self-Employed)
If your goal is to live and work in Spain but you don’t meet the criteria for the entrepreneur or highly qualified visas, you can still apply for a regular work and residence permit, available in two main forms:
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Employed Work Permit (por cuenta ajena): For those with a valid job offer from a Spanish employer. The company submits the application on your behalf, and once approved, you’ll be able to live and work in Spain for one year, renewable.
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Self-Employed Work Permit (por cuenta propia): For individuals starting their own business or working independently. You’ll need a strong business plan, proof of sufficient funds, and any necessary licenses.
Both options grant legal residence, access to public healthcare, and the opportunity to renew until you can apply for permanent residency after five years.
Requirements for long stay visas in Spain
The exact requirements for your long-stay visa will vary depending on the type of residency you choose to apply for.
Nevertheless, here is a general list that you will have to meet in the vast majority of cases:
- Demonstrate a lack of criminal records for the past 5 years through a criminal records certificate
- Hire private health insurance, without copayments and with full coverage in the Spanish territory
- Demonstrate sufficient economic means. The reference here is the IPREM or the minimum wage in Spain, and depending on the permit, the multiple of any of them will change
- Provide a full copy of your passport, all pages scanned
- Pay the corresponding immigration fee
- Medical certificate stating that you are not suffering from any contagious disease
- In case you are going to start working for a company, a job offer
Bear in mind that all foreign documents must be legalized or apostilled, and translated into Spanish by a sworn translator.
How to apply for long stay visas
In order to apply for a long-stay visa, you will have to take the following steps:
- Analyze all your options, and define what the right visa is for your particular case, considering its requirements and what it allows you to legally do in Spain.
- Find out the exact list of documents you must prepare for a successful application (bearing in mind that some extras may be requested based on the Spanish consulate in your country of origin)
- Prepare your file with all documents, and ideally, get an expert immigration lawyer to review it
- Once your file is ready, submit it to the Spanish administration. In this step, and depending on the permit you are going to apply for, you may be allowed to first travel and enter Spain as a tourist, and apply directly from the country
- Wait for the resolution (which can be 20 labor days or 3 months, depending on the residency type), and then travel to Spain if you are not already in the country
- Get your empadronamiento or city hall registration
- Make an appointment at the police station to get your fingerprints registered
- After 30-40 days, come back to pick up your physical residency card (called TIE)
FAQs about Spanish long-stay visas
Finally, let’s move on to the most frequently asked questions regarding Spanish long-stay visas. The same questions our clients ask over and over, and whose answers will clear the path for you to enjoy a smooth application process.
Can I get a visa to stay in Spain for 6 months?
If you wish to stay in Spain for more than 90 days (or for more than the time your tourist visa allows), then you must apply for a regular or temporary residence permit.
Typically, visas are granted to cover just your days as a tourist within the whole Schengen Area, which is a maximum of 90 days.
Hence, for periods of 6 to 12 months (or even more than that) you must obtain a valid residence permit.
And, as seen above, you have several options to do so.
Can I bring my family with me?
Yes, you can bring your family with you, and there are 2 options to achieve this goal:
- Some residence permits, like the digital nomad visa or the non-lucrative visa (to name a few), allow for a joint application, where you can include your spouse and children within your same application. This will also grant them residency in Spain, hence being able to come with you
- After one year in Spain, you can also apply for family reunification, where you, as a resident, will have the right to bring your relatives or family members with you. The main condition here is that they depend economically on you.
Can I modify or extend my long-stay visa in Spain?
Yes, you can either modify or extend (renew) your long stay visa in Spain.
Initially, you will be granted a 1, 2, or 3-year-long-stay visa (temporary residence permit). After this permit comes to an end, you can renew it (f you still meet the same requirements that gave right to your initial card), or modify into a new type.
Get in touch with our expert immigration lawyer team and get personalized legal advice to successfully obtain your visa or residency in Spain:
At Balcells Group we have been foreigners effortlessly moving to Spain for over 11 years. We help expats from all around the world with their immigration, business, tax and legal needs; ensuring a legally safe and enjoyable transition to the Spanish territory. Our multilingual team understands the importance of adapting to the cultural and legal specificities of our international clients. We offer a comprehensive service that combines the expertise of several generations of lawyers with the innovation needed to address today’s legal challenges, always striving to simplify processes and ensure reliable, effective results.
