A visa without the right to earn income (Visado de Residencia No Lucrativa) is a long-term residence permit in Spain introduced by the government to stimulate the Spanish economy.

It is also known as a non-commercial visa to Spain, as it is intended for non-EU citizens who have sufficient funds and want to retire or reside in Spain without obtaining a work permit or conducting business.

How to apply for a Spanish non-profit visa

The process of applying for a non-profit visa to Spain is relatively simple, provided that the applicant meets the visa requirements and can provide all the necessary documents.

Requirements for obtaining a non-profit visa to Spain

You are eligible to apply for a non-profit visa to Spain if

• You are a citizen of a third country (not the EU/EEA or Switzerland)
• You want to live in Spain long-term
• You have the necessary financial resources to support yourself and your dependents and live in Spain without working
• You have no criminal record
• You have sufficient health insurance
• You do not have any diseases listed in the 2005 International Health Regulations of the World Health Organization (WHO)

Family reunification

Immediate family members, including spouse or civil partner and dependent children, are eligible for a residence visa in Spain on the basis of the main applicant's application for a non-profit residence visa. This is possible provided that the applicant can provide evidence of additional income to support each family member.

Income requirements 

In 2022, the minimum monthly income required to obtain a non-commercial visa for Spain is 2,316.08 euros (2,526.70 USD) per month and 579.02 euros (631.68 USD) for each additional family member included in the application.

The Spanish government sets the cost at 400 percent of the monthly IPREM [Indicador Público de Renta de Efectos Múltiples]. The IPREM is an index that is used to provide economic support, such as grants, subsidies, unemployment benefits, and the minimum wage.

As of 2023, the IPREM has increased to 600 euros, meaning that the current minimum income requirement for a non-profit visa is 2400 euros (2619.12 USD) per month and the same income of 600 euros (654.78 USD) for each dependent. Income can also be presented in the form of annual income or savings, which will be 28,800 euros (31,450 USD) for the main applicant and 7,200 euros (7,864 USD) for each dependent.

Applicants must present bank statements as proof that they have sufficient funds from various sources, such as employment abroad and business, or monthly income from non-work activities, such as pensions and rent.

Documents required.

1. National visa application form

2. Valid passport with a validity period of at least one year and one blank page

3. A recent passport photo on a white background

4. Police clearance certificates issued from all countries of residence within five years prior to application. 

5. Public or private health insurance policy

6. A valid medical certificate of health

7. Documents confirming the availability of sufficient financial resources

• Bank statements for the last three months
• Employment contract with salary statement
• Proof of investment
• Confirmation of other types of income, for example, from rental housing

8. Visa application form (EX-01) for a visa without the purpose of making a profit

9. Marriage certificate or document confirming civil partnership if the applicant is applying on behalf of a spouse or civil partnership partner

For all documents not in Spanish, a sworn translation into Spanish by a sworn translator or translator registered in Spain is required. Family members in the application must also provide documents such as a medical certificate, health insurance and a certificate of no criminal record (if they are over 18 years old).

The current prices for applying for a non-commercial residence visa in Spain are

• 123 euros for US citizens
• 507 euros for Canadian citizens 
• 80 euros for all other nationalities

How to apply for a non-profit visa to Spain?

The first step in applying for a non-profit visa is to collect all the necessary documents. You can apply for this residence permit no later than 90 days before your planned date of travel to Spain.

The application for a Spanish non-commercial visa can be submitted to the Spanish Embassy, the Spanish Consulate or a third-party organization that provides visa services on behalf of Spain in your country of residence.

Visa application process

The application process is as follows:

1. Applications for a non-profit visa to Spain must be submitted by the main applicant. 
2. Making an appointment and submitting the application and all required documents: Non-profit visa applications must be submitted in person by appointment only at a Spanish embassy or consulate.
3. Confirmation of receipt: The Embassy of Spain will provide the main applicant with a confirmation of the submitted non-commercial visa application with a code that will allow him/her to check the status of the application through the web portal.
4. Correction of the visa application: The embassy may ask applicants to provide any missing documents or to provide additional documentation they deem necessary to continue the processing. They may also ask applicants to schedule another visa appointment to participate in a second interview.
5. Waiting for the decision: The decision-making stage for a non-profit visa generally takes 90 days; however, this period may be extended if additional verification or additional documents are required. 
6. Obtaining a temporary residence permit: The residence permit must be collected in person by the main applicant within one month of its receipt.  

What to do upon arrival in Spain

All foreign nationals, including each family member over the age of 18, who hold a Spanish non-commercial visa or any other residence card must apply for a NIE (Número de Identificación de Extranjero) within one month of their arrival in Spain.

What is a NIE number?

The NIE number is a Spanish identification and tax number that is provided to foreign residents of Spain as a form of national identity card and to carry out legal or official activities in Spain. The NIE number is required to open a Spanish bank account, register as a foreign student, pay taxes, or any other legal or professional activity.

Validity of the Spanish

The initial non-commercial visa is valid for one year. It can be extended twice for another two years, for a total of five years of residence. To renew your visa, you must spend at least 183 days a year in Spain and continue to prove that you have sufficient economic means to be self-sufficient. After the fifth year of residence, you will be eligible to apply for permanent residence in Spain.

The Spanish Golden Visa, officially known as the Spanish Investor Visa, is a residence permit issued to non-EU nationals who make significant investments in Spain, such as buying real estate, investing in a company, or creating jobs.

The Spanish Golden Visa program has several investment options. You can invest 500,000 euros in real estate, 2 million euros in Spanish government bonds, or 1 million euros in shares of Spanish companies

Requirements for candidates:

• You are over 18 years old
• You are not an illegal resident of Spain
• You have no criminal record in the last five years
• You are not on the list of undesirable persons
• You have private health insurance that will cover your stay
• You can prove that you have enough money to live without working in Spain
• You have not been refused a residence permit in other countries or in Spain
• You do not have any of the diseases according to the 2005 decree

There are several ways to obtain a Golden Spanish Visa:

• Real estate investment €500,000
• Business development €1 million
• Transfer of capital €1 million

Real estate investment

This route requires you to invest a significant amount in Spanish real estate. The defined amount of the program is €500,000. You can choose residential or commercial real estate, or a combination of both. The real estate involved can be rented out. Different buyers can also combine their investments in one property, and any amount in excess of the minimum investment can be mortgaged.

Business development in Spain

This route to obtaining residence in Spain through investment is more directly aimed at helping the Spanish economy. If you choose this option, 1) you must create jobs 2) the investment must have a socio-economic impact on the country 3) promote scientific/technological innovation. The minimum investment amount for this option is 1 million euros.

Transfer of capital

You can also invest a substantial amount in Spanish treasury bonds to take advantage of the benefits of the Golden Visa program in Spain. Due to the financial security of these bonds, this option is quite popular among applicants. Treasury bonds are backed by the government. This is a relatively safe form of investment that can provide competitive returns. The minimum investment requirement for this option is €1 million. Otherwise, you can invest a minimum of EUR 1 million in shares of Spanish companies or bank deposits in Spanish financial institutions.

Business projects in Spain

Projects that will be considered eligible for the Spanish Golden Visa must meet the following criteria:

• When it can be argued that it will be an engine of job creation.
• When the investment is expected to have a positive social or economic impact on the geographical area of investment.
• When the investment is a significant contribution to scientific and/or technological innovation.

There are currently more than 3,000 startups in Spain in which to invest. In order to promote these projects, the government has introduced tax changes that favor investment in these companies. This option requires special care due to its legally complex procedures. Therefore, we strongly recommend going through this process with the help of an agent.

The process of obtaining a Spanish Golden Visa 

1. Decide on your investment route: Choose whether you want to invest in real estate or make a capital investment.

2. Make a qualified financial investment: Translate all documentation into Spanish or English and legalize it according to the standards of the Spanish government.

3. Prepare the documents.

4. Submit the initial application to the Spanish Consulate: You will need to pay the state application fee and provide all the required documentation.

5. Make an appointment for an interview

• Attend a biometric data collection session in Spain:
• Wait for the final approval

6. Once your Gold Visa is approved, pay the government authorization fee.

7. Open a Spanish bank account and NIE: A bank account and NIE (Foreigner's Identification Number/Tax Identification Number) make it easier to conduct business and personal affairs in Spain.

8. Obtaining a Golden Visa: You will be issued a residence permit that will be valid for one year

Required documents:

• Your completed application form
• Original and a copy of your international passport valid for at least one year with two blank pages for the visa
• A recent passport-size color photo on a white background
• Original and copy of valid health insurance: Public health insurance or private health insurance contracted with an insurance company licensed to operate in Spain
• Original and a photocopy of the medical certificate with the original translation and a photocopy of the translation, if required. This document must be issued no more than 90 days prior to the date of your visit and must contain a letterhead and the original signature and/or seal of the doctor (only documents certified by a doctor of medicine or doctor of philosophy are accepted).
• A certified copy of a police clearance certificate reflecting your behavior over the past five years, issued in your country of origin. The certificate must be issued no more than 90 days prior to application and must be valid for three months after the date of issue. For all applicants other than Singaporean nationals, their certificate must be legalized by the Spanish consulate/embassy in that country.
• Proof of payment of the visa fee, which must be paid in the local currency (euros) Please note that the amount of the fee may change regularly due to fluctuations in exchange rates.
• Proof of legal residence in the consular district where the applicant resides
• A document proving the identity and legal capacity of the legal representative, if the application is submitted through him/her. An original and a copy of the identity document or passport, as well as proof of a power of attorney or other document confirming the representative's authority, must be provided.

Can I bring my family members with me?

You can also include the following family members in your application:

• Your spouse
• Your minor unmarried children (under 18 years of age), as well as any adult dependent children.
• Dependent elderly parents.

Obtaining permanent residence in Spain

When your initial residence permit expires, you can apply for an extension. You can get another 5 years of residence in Spain, and you can apply for an extension of your residence permit indefinitely if you meet the initial requirements.

Obtaining Spanish citizenship for investment

The Spanish Golden Visa gives you a better chance of obtaining Spanish citizenship than any other visa, which is why the program is also known as "Spanish Citizenship by Investment".

You will be able to obtain a Spanish passport after 10 years of residence in Spain on a Gold Visa if you meet the following criteria:

• You have been in Spain for at least 183 days a year for 10 years.
• You speak Spanish at least at a basic level.
• You have a basic understanding of Spanish history and culture.
• You have no criminal record or debts in Spain.

Do citizens of former Spanish colonies get citizenship faster?

Yes, if you come from a former Spanish colony (one of the following countries), you can obtain Spanish citizenship in two years of residence instead of ten:

• Argentina
• Bolivia
• Chile
• Colombia
• Costa Rica
• Cuba
• Dominican Republic
• Ecuador
• El Salvador
• Guatemala
• Honduras
• Mexico
• Panama
• Paraguay
• Peru
• Philippines
• Venezuela

If you are from one of the above countries and have received a Gold Visa, you can become a Spanish citizen within two years, provided that you have visited Spain at least eight times during this period.

Which family members can I bring to Spain on a family reunification visa?

A family reunification visa allows non-EU nationals to bring their immediate family members to Spain. Immediate family members include

• Parents and in-laws (in the ascending line) over the age of 65
• Children under 18 years of age, including adopted children or children of your partner (in the descending line)
• Spouse or civil partner
• Parents under the age of 65 can be brought to Spain if there is a good reason that they are unable to take care of themselves.

Children aged 18 to 21 can be brought to Spain if they are studying and economically dependent on you. Children over 21 can be brought to Spain if they are disabled and you are their primary caregiver.

Requirements for a family visa to Spain

There are quite a few requirements for family reunification in Spain. Therefore, pay attention to the variety of documents that you and your family members need to submit to obtain a family reunification visa and residence permit.

Since the documents required for each family member are different, we will start with the documents required for all applicants.

For non-EU nationals residing in Spain

• A completed visa application form - model EX02.
• A valid passport, a copy of the passport and copies of passports of family members.
• Residence permit.
• A legal document confirming your relationship with a family member (more on this below).
• A certificate of housing availability obtained from your city hall. It shows that your home has enough space for everyone.
• Proof of health insurance
• Public health insurance if you have access to the Spanish healthcare system.
• Private health insurance if you are unemployed or not eligible for healthcare in Spain.
• Proof that your family member(s) is financially dependent on you.
• For example, bank statements showing that you make regular payments or pay for the basic expenses of a dependent.
• Evidence that you have sufficient funds to support your family.
• You must show that you have more than 150% of the IPREM cost per 1 family member. In 2022, this is €868.53 per month or €10,422.36 per year.
• For any additional family members, you must have at least 50% of the IPREM. In 2022, this is €289.51 per month or €3,474.12 per year.

To prove this, submit bank statements for the last 6 months and an employment contract that lasts at least 1 year or is indefinite. If you are self-employed, submit an income tax return.

For a family member abroad

• A completed Schengen visa application form (if applicable) or a sworn statement from a Spanish resident stating that you will reside with him/her in Spain.
• A valid passport and a copy of the foreign passport.
• Certificate of no criminal record for the last 5 years.
• A health certificate (not older than 3 months) confirming that you do not have any serious illnesses and do not pose a threat to society.
• A legal document confirming your relationship with a family member in Spain

All of these documents must be translated into Spanish and notarized or apostilled in your home country.

The process of applying for a residence permit in Spain

A non-EU citizen in Spain needs to start the process by requesting an appointment at the Office for Foreigners (Oficina de Extanjeros) and submit the EX02 form along with all supporting documents.

Once you have been approved for a residence permit for family reunification, your family members must start the process on their side.

The application process for a family member who is abroad

You have 2 months from the date of obtaining a residence permit for the purpose of family reunification to apply for a residence visa for the purpose of family reunification.

You must apply for this visa in person at the Spanish consulate in your country. Please bring all translated and notarized documents in Spanish with you. You may also be invited for an interview.

The consulate will respond to your visa application within 2 months. After receiving your visa, you will have 3 months to move to Spain. If you do not receive a response, consider your application rejected due to administrative silence.

Processing time - how long does it take to get a family reunification visa?

The entire process from the application to the actual arrival of the family member(s) in Spain can take from 4 to 6 months.

How long is a residence permit for family reunification valid for?

The validity period of a residence permit for family reunification depends on the validity period of the non-EU citizen's residence permit.

Temporary residence permit - a temporary residence permit for the purpose of family reunification is valid until the expiration of the non-EU citizen's temporary residence permit.

Permanent residence permit or long-term residence permit in the EU - family reunification residence permit is valid until the expiration of the TIE card - non-EU foreigner's identity card.

Can my family work or study in Spain on a family reunification visa?

Immediate family members, such as partners or children over the age of 16, can work, be self-employed or study. They will also have access to the Spanish health and social security system as they are dependent on you.

Extended family members will need to apply for their own residence or work permit to legally live independently and work in Spain.

Upon arrival in Spain

1. Upon arrival in Spain, your family members should take care of obtaining some important documents.
2. Register at the City Hall to obtain an empadronamiento certificate
3. Obtain a TIE card (foreigner's identity card) within 1 month of arrival in Spain.
4. Get Spanish health insurance
5. Obtain a NIE number (if you plan to work)
6. Open an account in a Spanish bank
7. Get a Spanish SIM card

Entrepreneur visas are residence permits issued by the Spanish government to foreign nationals who wish to establish or expand a commercial enterprise in Spain but are not citizens of the European Union.

If you are setting up a business in Spain that serves the public interest and contributes to the country's economy, you may be eligible for a three-year residence permit, known as an entrepreneur visa.

Business plan requirements

According to Law 14/2013, which regulates all visas falling under the Entrepreneurs Act, for this type of residence permit, the business idea plays a crucial role when applying for an entrepreneur visa.

• This is because the law states that the law governs all visas that fall under the Entrepreneurs Act. Your business idea, i.e. the product or service that you want to sell in Spain, must carefully meet the three aforementioned basic conditions.
• First, and most importantly, it must be an original business concept.
• Then, you have to ensure that your firm will be revenue-generating in Spain and grow in the country, which will ultimately require hiring more staff.
• Finally, it is very important that the organization provides investment opportunities in the country

Documents required to apply for an entrepreneurial visa

• National visa application form. Each applicant or agent must fill out the visa application form and sign each section before submitting it.
• A valid, unexpired passport. Both the original and a photocopy of the page or pages of the passport containing biometric data must be submitted. The passport must be valid for at least one year and have at least two blank pages. If your passport is older than 10 years, it will not be accepted.
• An up-to-date passport-sized color photograph, which must be taken against a light background with the face facing forward. The photo must not show dark or mirrored glasses, as well as clothing that covers the oval of the face.
• Documents confirming payment of the required fee.
• Proof that you meet all the requirements, such as having sufficient financial resources, social security, health insurance, etc.
• Prepare a business strategy. You will be required to present your business strategy, in which you will comprehensively describe your activities and explain how they will affect the economic climate in Spain. The contribution of your business to the development of jobs, innovation and a positive impact on the socio-economic prosperity of the nation.
• A document from the Commercial Office confirming your business concept will be accepted for consideration. Approval is based on originality, job creation and added value for the Spanish community. If the Commercial Office approves the business plan, your idea will be recognized as economically important for Spain. After that, you will be authorized to apply to the relevant immigration office for an entrepreneurial visa.

Your work profile

The first thing that the relevant authorities will pay attention to is your professional profile.

Your ability to implement your company's concept in the real world is just as important as your business idea. Therefore, as a foreigner wishing to obtain an entrepreneurial visa in Spain, you must show that you have the necessary skills and credentials to effectively develop your company concept. That is why you must show your current level of education and professional experience.

On the other hand, you will need to describe why you want to start a company and how you came up with the business concept. That is why you want to explain, primarily through your CV, who you are, where you studied, what your profession is, and how your experience is not only related to your project, but also how it can help the Spanish economy in its effective implementation.

The more experience, knowledge and abilities you can demonstrate, the more likely you are to be approved.

The procedure for applying for an entrepreneur visa

From outside Spain

• To begin with, you can start the procedure from your home country by submitting all the necessary documents online through the electronic headquarters of the Unidad de Grandes Empresas (UGE). There you will receive a visa that will allow you to travel to Spain and enter the country during your visit.
• The documents required to obtain the permit also vary. In this situation, you can fill out and submit the application form here. Through this e-cabinet, you can apply for an initial permit, attach documents to a pending permit, correct the request by providing additional documentation, apply for a renewal of the permit, check the progress of your dossier, and access notifications in practice.
• Once you have created your business plan, you must submit it in order to have it evaluated and determine whether your idea is suitable for an entrepreneurial visa. If you are in your home country at the time of submitting the application, you must submit it to the Main Department of Foreign Trade and Investment.
• Submitting the application and documents, as well as viewing notifications in the electronic headquarters of the Ministry of Labor and Social Security, must be done using a digital certificate. After 10 days, you will receive a notification of approval or rejection of your business plan. After that, you can go to Spain to obtain a residence permit.

From Spain

• On the other hand, you also have the option of obtaining this permit directly in Spain together with a visitor visa. This makes the procedure simpler and easier to fulfill.
• The main difference is that you do not need to apply for a visa, but instead you can get a resident card.
• If you are in Spain and have a valid tourist visa, you can apply directly to the UGE headquarters in Madrid. In this case, the relevant documents must be delivered to the Large Business Department. In order to submit a business plan, you must contact the Ministry of Economy
• In any case, once you have submitted all the necessary evidence, the administration will have twenty days to review your entrepreneurial visa and decide on how to proceed with your application.
• Within a maximum period of one month, the applicant or his/her representative must personally collect the business visa. This period starts to run from the day following the day of the positive decision. The applicant will be informed by the consular section about the process of returning the passport, as well as any other original documents that may be required.
• When you receive a positive decision, you will need to make an appointment with the immigration service for fingerprinting.

Permanent residence is a status that allows non-EU nationals who have been continuously and legally residing in Spain for 5 years to obtain an indefinite residence permit. This residence card is valid for five years and can be renewed. It allows you to live and work in Spain as a self-employed person or as an employee (cuenta ajena and cuenta propia), with the same rights as any other Spanish citizen.

In addition, it allows its holder to stay outside of Spain for 6 months without any legal problems. This period can be extended to a full year within the 5-year validity period of the permanent residence permit.

Go to the police and get a so-called "certificado de residencia". This is a certificate that contains your name and the years during which you lived in the country as a student/resident. It is stamped and signed by the police, so you will know exactly how long you have left until you receive a permanent residence permit.

How to apply for permanent residence in Spain

Once you have lived in Spain for the required number of years, applying for permanent residence is quite simple. You will simply need to take the application and the required documents to the relevant police station in Spain. In some cases, however, you can apply directly to the immigration department. It is important that you apply for permanent residence approximately three months before the expiration of your current visa or permit.

In addition to the application form (Form EX-17), you will need to provide a number of documents when applying for permanent residence in Spain. These include the following: 

• Your current passport and residence permit 
• Proof of residence in Spain, such as a rental agreement
• Medical certificate and health insurance 
• Proof of residence in Spain for five years, such as payslips or tax returns
• In some cases, you may also need certificates of no criminal record from Spain or your country of origin, marriage or divorce certificates. 

If your application is approved, you will receive an official notification. You can then go to your local police station to be fingerprinted and complete the application process. Then, within a month, you will return to collect your permanent resident card. 

Costs of permanent residence in Spain

Unlike most other countries, applying for permanent residence in Spain is inexpensive. However, there may be small fees (less than 20 euros) for obtaining some of the required documents. In addition, you may have to pay for translation if some of your documents are not in Spanish. However, the application itself costs only 80 euros.

Extending your permanent residence permit

Once you become a permanent resident of Spain, your residence card will be valid for five years. After this period, you can easily extend it for another five years. You just need to fill out another EX-17 form, present proof of your address, as well as the original resident card and passport. After that, you will be fingerprinted again and pay the renewal fee.

IMPORTANT! That it is not necessary to reside in Spain for the full five years to renew your permanent residency. This caveat only applies if you are applying for permanent residence for the first time. However, to renew your status, you must not spend more than one full year outside of Spain or the EU.

Permanent residence in Spain for family members

If you are a non-EU citizen and move to Spain, you can bring your family to the country on a family reunification visa. This way, you can bring your parents, spouse, or children to Spain. However, you will have to first move to Spain on the appropriate visa and wait a year before you can apply for a family reunification visa for your family.

Thus, it is likely that you will have lived in Spain for five years and will be eligible for permanent residence before your family. Because of this, your family members will have to apply for permanent residence separately. 

Of course, the situation is different for citizens of other EU countries. All EU citizens can legally live and work in Spain without a visa, so if your spouse is an EU citizen, they can come to Spain with you and get permanent residence after two years. However, if you are an EU citizen and have family members from a third country, they can usually come to Spain with you. They will then need to obtain a residence permit in Spain and become eligible for permanent residence after five years.

Citizenship by descent is commonly referred to as "jus sanguinis", which means "right of blood". This means that Spanish citizenship can be obtained by individuals who have parents, grandparents or even great-grandparents who were born in Spain. However, it is important to note that there are certain conditions that must be met to be eligible for Spanish citizenship by descent.

First, the Spanish ancestor must not have renounced Spanish citizenship at any point in his or her life. Secondly, the descendants must be able to prove their family relationship with the Spanish ancestor through official documents such as a birth certificate, marriage certificate, and passport.

How to apply for Spanish citizenship by descent?

It is wise to plan your application for Spanish citizenship through the program of descent. It is important to make sure that you are fully aware of the steps that need to be taken, as well as the documentation that will be required to support your application.

Requirements.

If you want to apply for Spanish citizenship by descent, you need to collect a number of important documents.

First, you need to provide your birth certificate and the birth certificates of your parents. You will also need to provide your parents' marriage certificate, if applicable.

In addition, you will need to provide proof that your parents or grandparents were Spanish citizens at the time of your birth, such as their Spanish passport or national identity card.

In order to apply for Spanish citizenship by descent, you will also need to provide various other documents, including your own passport, proof of residence in Spain (if applicable) and proof of your ties to Spain, such as a letter explaining your connection to the country.

It is important to note that the process of applying for Spanish citizenship by descent can be complex and lengthy, so it may be helpful to work with an experienced immigration lawyer to ensure that your application is complete and accurate. However, with the right documents and support, you can achieve your goal of obtaining Spanish citizenship and enjoying the many benefits it offers.

The first fundamental step you must take is to make sure that you meet the requirements for Spanish citizenship by descent.

According to Article 11 of the Spanish Constitutional Law, you can apply for Spanish citizenship by descent if you are eligible for Spanish citizenship by descent if

• Your mother or father are Spanish citizens by birth;
• Both of your parents are Spanish citizens by birth;
• One of your grandparents or great-grandparents (within four generations) was a Spanish national by birth; or
• You were adopted by Spanish nationals before you turned 18.

Required documents

• Your current passport,
• Birth certificate and documents confirming your place of residence, if any;
• Certificate of no criminal record;
• Certificate confirming that you have passed the DELE A2 and CCSE exams;
• Proof of payment of the application fee;
• Current census and historical ("padron"); and
• Demonstration of possession of sufficient economic means

Please remember that in order to obtain a Spanish passport and become a citizen of the country, you must also pass two citizenship exams. If you fail either of the tests, you will still have 3 opportunities to retake the exams until you need to pay again.

DELE A2 is a basic language test that demonstrates that you have a sufficient level of Spanish. It is not required if you come from any Latin American country.

The CCSE is a cultural test about Spanish government, art, television, culture, and geography. If you have attended high school in Spain, this test is not required.

Submitting the application

The process of applying for Spanish citizenship by descent can be complicated for the unprepared and unwary person. Below is a simplified outline of the application process:

1. Pay the application fee and submit the documents and forms

The first step after you have completed all the documents and fulfilled all the requirements is to submit the application to the competent authorities. You can submit it in person to the registry office or online to complete this step. In addition, you have the option to make payment online or in person when submitting the documents.

2. Wait for a response from the government

Once you have submitted your application, the Spanish government has a full year to respond to it by law. If after a year you do not receive any response, it means that your application has been rejected due to administrative silence. However, if your application has been rejected, you can still file an appeal to have it reviewed. After submitting an appeal, you will receive a response within 3-4 months.

3. Make an appointment for the loyalty oath

If you make an appointment for the flag oath one year after you submit your application or at the same time as your appeal, you can obtain Spanish citizenship in less than a year and a half. After that, you can make an appointment to take the oath of allegiance not only at the registry office, but also at a notary public.

4. Get your passport and DNI

Once you have taken the oath of allegiance, you can visit your local police station in Spain and finally receive your passport and DNI.

5. Ask for a certificate of compliance.

Finally, you will need to request a certificate of compliance so that all public and private institutions that you have registered with your NIE can verify your new identification information. The certificate of conformity is a document that every foreigner obtaining Spanish citizenship must request at the end of the process to be able to accredit their identification in various public and private institutions.

Do you get citizenship if you marry a Spanish citizen?

You can obtain citizenship by marrying a Spanish national, but it is not automatic.

Marriage is one of the steps that will significantly speed up the process of obtaining citizenship. 

How to obtain Spanish citizenship through marriage step by step

Step-by-step process of obtaining citizenship by marriage

1. The first step in this process is to get married to a Spanish citizen. This can be done directly in Spain by entering it as a tourist or from your country of origin.
2. After the marriage is registered, you must apply for a residence permit in Spain. But since you will now be a family member of an EU citizen (your spouse), you can easily get a 5-year residence permit called "tarjeta comunitaria" (EU citizen family member visa).
3. After obtaining this visa, you must stay in Spain for one year, and after this period you can apply for citizenship.
4. Although you should generally receive your permit within one year, delays of 1 or 2 years are not uncommon.
5. Nevertheless, since you will be a 5-year residence permit holder, you will receive the permit before it is time to renew your card, so your status as a legal citizen will not change.

PLEASE NOTE that although registering your relationship through a civil partnership will also allow you to obtain a family member visa, it does not provide the same benefits in terms of reducing the time to obtain citizenship.

What are the main requirements?

In order to apply for citizenship by marriage, you must make sure that you meet the following requirements:

• You must pass the DELE A2 (language test) and CCSE (Spanish culture exam), which are taken at the Instituto Cervantes
• Include your full passport (must be valid at the time of application) and NIE
• Birth certificate from you and your spouse
• Criminal background check
• Registration at the City Hall (padrón in Spanish), where you and your spouse must have been registered at the same address for the last year. The absence of this document will result in the rejection of your application, so it is undoubtedly one of the most important parts of the process.
• Marriage certificate, which must be officially registered in Spain
• Proof of sufficient funds to support yourself in the country, in this case 150% of the IPREM
• Your current residence permit
• You will have to pay an application fee, which is about 100 euros

In accordance with the legislative norms of the European Union, the Spanish passport is equivalent to any other passport of the EU countries.

With a Spanish passport, you can reside both in Spain and in any other EU country, as well as move freely within the European Union, study and work in any EU country.

And your children can obtain Spanish citizenship by birth.

How to obtain Spanish citizenship? 

You can obtain Spanish citizenship on the basis of actual residence in the country; or by descent (if your parents are Spanish citizens or at least one of them; or your grandparents are also Spanish citizens); or through marriage with a Spanish citizen.

The most common way to acquire Spanish citizenship is by virtue of actual residence in Spain.

Habitual residence means that Spain must be the applicant's main place of residence.

In other words, a foreigner must first obtain a temporary residence permit in Spain, then a permanent residence permit, and then apply for citizenship.

To do so, the foreign national must reside in Spain for the following minimum period:

• General rule for all citizens: 10 years of residence.
• For persons recognized as refugees in Spain: 5 years.
• For citizens of Latin American countries, the Philippines, Guinea, Andorra or Portugal: 2 years.
• 1 year for persons who are married to a Spanish citizen, as well as for persons born outside Spain from a father or mother (also born outside Spain), grandparents, provided that they are all Spanish.

Main requirements for an applicant for Spanish citizenship:

1. Residence in Spain for at least 10 years as a general rule or 1 year for spouses of Spanish citizens.

2. The applicant must be legally residing in Spain and the foreigner must have a valid residence permit when applying. For example:

• Residence permit for financially independent foreigners without the right to work;
• Residence permit for investment (Spanish Golden Visa);
• Residence permit on the basis of business in Spain (business immigration);
• Residence permit for family reunification in Spain;
• Residence permit on the basis of official employment, etc.

3. Availability of funds that allow the applicant and his/her family to reside in Spain.

4. Confirm a sufficient level of integration into Spanish society by passing two tests:

a test of Spanish language proficiency at a level not lower than A2;

a text on constitutional and socio-cultural knowledge of Spain.

5. No criminal record in the country of origin and Spain.

The term of consideration

The processing time is from 1 to 2 years after submitting the application for citizenship. After you receive a positive decision, you will need to take an oath in accordance with the Spanish Constitution (jura de nacionalidad).

Learn Spanish

Yes, it's true that more than 10% of Spain's population is made up of foreigners. And yes, this number never stops growing.

You will certainly find many communities of expats and foreigners in the same situation with whom you will be able to speak English or even your native language.

Nevertheless, learning Spanish can be of great benefit. It will make your life in the country much easier.

Spanish citizens may not be the best English speakers in the world. Especially if you are moving to smaller cities, the level of English there may not meet your needs.

In addition, especially for initial bureaucratic procedures such as obtaining a residence permit, Spanish can be very important.

It is very likely that civil servants there do not know a single word of English. Therefore, a minimal level of Spanish can save you.

Finally, it is obvious that if you really want to experience, understand and integrate into the Spanish culture, knowing the language is a must. It will allow you to make Spanish friends and socialize with locals, which will make your experience complete.

There are very strong expat communities

This is a major consequence of Spain being a favorite destination for many EU and other nationalities. Expat communities are everywhere. 

Just do a quick Google search, find a nice cafe in the center of Madrid or Barcelona and see what nationality the visitors are. Most likely, a significant percentage of them are not local.

Therefore, it will be very easy for you to start a new life here. Because you will meet a huge group of like-minded people who are or were in the same situation as you. People who also left their country to create a new future in Spain. And they all went through the same process, so you can benefit from their help.

In addition, we are talking about really open-minded people who are constantly organizing events to get to know each other. Meeting people and making new friends is very easy in Spain.

Understand the Spanish time

If you have visited or even lived in any other EU country, forget about their time. In Spain, everything works completely differently.

Shops and shopping centers are open late (usually until 21:00). People have lunch at 2:00 pm and dinner at 9-10 pm. Morning snacks are a must, and some people may even take a short nap (siesta) in the afternoon.

If you go out for lunch or dinner, take your time.

Spaniards like to sit around the table after they have finished eating and spend time talking. It's like a ritual that makes the lunch break seem endless.

Adapt to the climate and weather

Many people consider Spain to be a paradise because of its pleasant weather and ideal climatic conditions.

And yes, it's true that rain is not uncommon here, and the temperature is perfect.

So, in this sense, the advice here is simple: enjoy the country's climate as much as possible, never stay at home, walk under the sun, jog, walk and read on the beach, etc.

But, as difficult as it may be to imagine, the Spanish weather has its drawbacks.

First of all, because in some regions, such as Madrid and especially Andalusia (in the south), it can be very hot in summer. To the point where going out before 7 or 8 pm is not the best option.

On the other hand, in some regions to the north, such as the Basque Country, temperatures are lower and rain is more common. So if you are considering any of these regions as your new base of operations, keep these facts in mind.