So, you’re thinking about making the move to Spain—how exciting! But, of course, before you can start planning beach trips and tapas nights, you’ll need to figure out which visa is right for you. Whether you're looking to invest, work remotely, or just live the good life without working, Spain has several visa options for long-term migration.
I’m here to break it all down for you, sharing what I’ve learned through my own journey—because trust me, I know how overwhelming it can get!
clickable questions I'll be answering
What Types of Long-Term Visas Are Available in Spain?
There are a few main visa types that people typically go for when moving to Spain long-term. Let’s go over the big ones:
Golden Visa: This one’s pretty straightforward—if you’ve got the cash, you can get residency in Spain by buying property worth at least €500,000.
Digital Nomad Visa (DNV): Ideal for remote workers or freelancers who want to live in Spain but work for non-Spanish companies.
Non-Lucrative Visa: If you don’t plan to work but have enough savings to support yourself, this might be your best bet.
Work Visa: For those lucky enough to have a job offer from a Spanish employer.
Student Visa: Perfect for those looking to study in Spain.
How to Choose the Right Visa for You
Choosing the right visa can feel like a daunting task, but it all comes down to your situation. Ask yourself:
Do you have the funds to invest in property? If yes, the Golden Visa is your fastest option.
Are you working remotely and want to keep doing so from sunny Spain? If yes, the Digital Nomad Visa could be perfect.
Do you plan to live off savings or passive income without working? Then the Non-Lucrative Visa is worth a look.
Do you have a job lined up with a Spanish company? If so, the Work Visa is the way to go.
For me, the Golden Visa sounded amazing, but €500K on property wasn’t in the cards. That’s when I realised the Digital Nomad Visa was the best fit for us—and if you're like me, working remotely and earning from non-Spanish companies, this could be your best bet too. Just be sure to plan well in advance—think 6 months at least—so you don’t run into any surprises.
A Breakdown of Visa Prerequisites
Here’s the nitty-gritty of what each visa requires, including how often they need to be extended and when you can apply for permanent residence or citizenship:
Golden Visa
Investment: You’ll need to buy property worth €500,000 or more.
Financial Means: You’ll need to show proof of funds to support yourself and any dependants.
Residency Requirement: You can live in Spain, but there’s no minimum stay requirement.
Visa Duration: The Golden Visa is granted for 1 year and can be renewed every 2 years.
Permanent Residency: You can apply for permanent residency after 5 years of holding the Golden Visa.
Citizenship: After 10 years of legal residence in Spain, you can apply for citizenship.
Digital Nomad Visa (DNV)
This is the one I went for, and it's ideal for remote workers or freelancers. However, it has some pretty specific requirements:
Proof of Income: Your income needs to come from one single source. This could be tough if, like me, you have multiple clients.
My workaround:
Get an ABN (Australian Business Number) in your name.
Set up an ACN (Australian Company Number) at least a year before you plan to leave.
Create a contract between your company and yourself.
Pay yourself through the company, which makes the income traceable to one entity.
Income Threshold: As of 2024, you’ll need to show proof that you’re earning at least €2,646 per month (200% of the Spanish minimum wage). If you’re bringing family, that number increases:
First family member: Add 75% of the Spanish minimum wage (€993).
Additional family members: Add 25% of the Spanish minimum wage (€331) for each.
Health Insurance: Same details as the Non-Lucrative Visa, however since we are considered a sole trader our method is a little different as we will be paying social security and will be concerned under the public healthcare system.
Visa Duration: The Digital Nomad Visa is initially granted for 1 year, but you can extend it for up to 3 years if your income and contract remain stable.
Permanent Residency: You can apply for permanent residency after 5 years of continuous stay.
Citizenship: Like the Golden Visa, you can apply for citizenship after 10 years of legal residence in Spain.
Non-Lucrative Visa
Financial Means: You’ll need to prove that you can support yourself without working. The amount? Around €53,184 per year (400% of the Spanish minimum wage).
Health Insurance: You’ll need health insurance with a certificate of cover to meet the visa requirements, and it needs to specifically cover the bare minimums. Typically, this means getting visa-compatible insurance, which often requires paying for a full year upfront. However, we found Feather Insurance, which offers everything you need for your visa but allows you to pay monthly instead—definitely a more budget-friendly option!
Residency Requirement: You’ll need to live in Spain for more than 183 days per year to keep this visa.
Visa Duration: The Non-Lucrative Visa is granted for 1 year and then renewed for 2-year periods.
Permanent Residency: After 5 years of living in Spain with this visa, you can apply for permanent residency.
Citizenship: Citizenship can be applied for after 10 years of continuous residence.
Work Visa
Job Offer: You’ll need a formal job offer from a Spanish company.
Contract: Your employer has to show that no other EU citizen could fill the role.
Documents: Be ready with proof of your qualifications and experience.
Health Insurance: Same details as the Non-Lucrative Visa
Visa Duration: Work Visas are usually granted for 1-2 years and can be renewed.
Permanent Residency: You can apply for permanent residency after 5 years of living and working in Spain.
Citizenship: Apply for citizenship after 10 years of legal residence.
Student Visa
Enrollment: You’ll need to be enrolled in a recognised educational institution in Spain.
Financial Means: You’ll need proof that you can support yourself during your studies.
Health Insurance: Same details as the Non-Lucrative Visa
Visa Duration: Student Visas are valid for 1 year, with the option to extend.
Permanent Residency: Time spent on a Student Visa usually doesn’t count towards permanent residency unless you switch to a work visa.
Citizenship: You can apply for citizenship after 10 years, but time on a Student Visa might not count fully.
Do Australians Need to Register for Spanish Taxes?
If you’re an Australian moving to Spain, good news—due to the tax treaty between Australia and Spain, you won’t need to register for Spanish taxes. You can continue paying taxes in Australia, and these are recognised by the Spanish government. This also means you won’t have to worry about double taxation, which is a huge relief for those of us working remotely and earning income from Australia!
Is It Worth It to Pay a Migration Service for Help?
Absolutely YES! I’ll be honest—I try to avoid spending money whenever possible, and I’m pretty budget-savvy. But when it came to navigating this visa process, paying for help was the best decision we made.
Even after weeks of researching, watching YouTube videos, and reading countless articles, I still hit roadblocks and found gaps in information. Enter Migrun (and no, this is not sponsored). They made the entire process so manageable. They have loads of 5-star reviews, and they even guarantee to help you reapply if you’re not accepted, or refund your money if they can’t get you a visa.
A little shoutout to Evgeniia from Migrun… she’s been a true blessing!
It’s also worth noting that if you’re already in Spain and applying for one of these visas, you won’t be kicked out after your 90-day stay is up. Your 90 days will be extended until you get your visa approved, even if it takes longer or they need more information from you. Typically, you’ll hear back within a month, unless your paperwork is a mess (haha).
Final Thoughts on Long-Term Visas for Spain
Choosing the right visa for your move to Spain really depends on your situation. If you have the cash, the Golden Visa is your fastest route. If you’re working remotely, like me, the Digital Nomad Visa is perfect (with a bit of prep). And if you just want to live without working, the Non-Lucrative Visa might be the way to go.
Please keep in mind that much of what I have mentioned is always subject to change, so if you're not sure.. it helps to check with the consulate website.
Got questions? Want to chat about your own journey? Feel free to reach out! I’d love to connect and help make this process a little easier for you.
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