Getting Visas to Work, Study, or Retire in Spain

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   Convalidación y Homologación

   English-Speaking Lawyers

   Official Translators in Spain

  

 

See also: Madrid Restaurant Menus

What types of visas are available to live, work, or study in Spain?

Any non-EU citizen who wants to stay in Spain legally for more than 90 should request a visa from their closest Spanish consulate or Spanish embassy before coming to Spain. Having a visa will allow you to travel freely between the Schengen countries and may entitle you to certain benefits, such as health care. There are several types of visas you can apply for: student visa (for studies over 90 days), residence visa for self-employment, residence visa to work as an employee in Spain, residence visa to retire in Spain, or residence visa for non-lucrative purposes. Certain professions (such as researchers, scientists, and missionaries) are exempt from the requirement to get work authorization from the Spanish authorities, but they must still apply for a special residence visa.

 

Click on any of the links above for general information on the application process for each type of visa for Spain. The requirements and processes are different for each type of visa and may even vary from one embassy or consulate to another. For questions or more detailed information, it’s best to contact the Spanish consulate in your area.

 

General notes on visas for Spain

It is important to have all of the required forms, photos, photocopies, and documents completed at the time you apply for the visa. If anything is missing, the consulate most likely will not accept your application – even if you promise to turn in the missing things later that day.

If you are applying for a work or residency visa and want to bring family with you, each additional member must complete all of the same forms. In addition, you must provide copies of your marriage certificate for your spouse and birth certificates for your children.

Make copies of everything you turn in – you will not get back any of the papers you hand over.

Many consulates will let a legal representative drop off the application materials, but the visa itself must always be picked up in person by the applicant. A legal representative must have a written, notarized authorization from the visa applicant that includes the name and passport number of the applicant and the name and passport or ID number of the representative.

 

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passports -- schengen area -- prorroga -- work permits -- nie -- empadronamiento

spanish driver's license -- bringing pets to spain -- setting up a business

convalidación y homologación de títulos -- english-speaking lawyers in spain

official translators in spain

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