🇪🇸 Your Complete Guide to Moving to Spain
Everything you need to know about relocating to Spain as a non-resident — from visas and NIE numbers to mortgages and property buying
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Start My Free Pre-Approval📋 Who Can Move to Spain?
🇪🇺 EU / EEA Citizens — Freedom of Movement
Good news: you have freedom of movement. Moving to Spain is straightforward.
- Under 90 days: No permit needed
- Over 90 days: Apply for residency permit — simple, fast, usually under 30 days
- Work rights: Full right to work anywhere in Spain immediately
🌎 Non-EU Citizens — Visa Required After 90 Days
You’ll need a visa to stay longer than 90 days. Spain offers several excellent pathways:
1. Digital Nomad Visa
- Work remotely from Spain for a non-Spanish employer
- Minimum income: €2,400/month
- Tax benefits available under Beckham Law
- Processing time: ~30 days
2. Non-Lucrative Visa (Retirees / Passive Income)
- For those with sufficient passive income (pension, investments, rental income)
- Income requirement: €28,800/year for main applicant + €7,200/year per dependent
- Cannot work in Spain under this visa
- Renewable annually, leads to permanent residency after 5 years
3. Work Visa
- Requires a job offer from a Spanish employer
- Employer must sponsor the application
- Processing time: 3–6 months
4. Student Visa
- Must be enrolled in an accredited institution
- Allows part-time work (up to 30 hrs/week)
- Can transition to work visa after graduation
Without a visa, non-EU citizens can only spend 90 days in any rolling 180-day period in Spain. Overstaying can result in fines and future entry bans.
✅ Essential Steps to Move to Spain
Get Your NIE Number
The NIE (Número de Identidad de Extranjero) is your Spanish tax identification number. You need it for almost everything:
- Buying, selling or renting property
- Getting a mortgage
- Opening a Spanish bank account
- Working legally in Spain
- Buying a car, boat or insuring property
- Enrolling children in school
- Paying taxes in Spain
How to apply: Through the Spanish consulate in your home country, or at a police station (Comisaría) in Spain.
Processing time: 1–2 weeks (faster if applied in Spain)
Open a Spanish Bank Account
Essential for paying bills, receiving salary, and managing your mortgage. Spanish banks have strict compliance requirements.
Typically required documents:
- Valid passport
- NIE number
- Proof of address (rental contract or property deed)
- Recent payslips or tax returns
- Reference letter from your existing bank
- Proof of income source
Secure Your Mortgage (If Buying Property)
Don’t wait until you’ve found the perfect property — get pre-approved first. Here’s why it matters:
- Know your exact budget before house hunting
- Make stronger offers — sellers prefer buyers with financing confirmed
- Faster closing (4–6 weeks vs 3+ months)
- We compare rates from 12+ Spanish banks on your behalf
Non-resident mortgage terms:
- Up to 70% loan-to-value (80% for residents)
- Repayment period: up to 25 years
- Rates: from ~3.5% (variable by bank and profile)
- Must be fully repaid before age 75
Register at the Padrón
Once you arrive, register at your local town hall (Ayuntamiento). The Padrón (municipal register) is required for:
- Access to public healthcare
- Enrolling children in school
- Applying for your TIE residency card
- Voting in local elections (EU citizens)
Set Up Healthcare
- Public healthcare: Available once you’re working and paying social security
- Private insurance: Required for Non-Lucrative visa applicants; recommended for faster service
- EHIC/GHIC card: EU citizens can use for temporary coverage
Cost: Private insurance from €50–150/month depending on age and coverage
🏠 Ready to Buy Your Spanish Home?
Non-residents can get up to 70% financing. Find out exactly how much you can borrow — free, no commitment, in 24 hours.
Check My Eligibility →🏖 Where to Live in Spain
🌿 Valencia
- Property: €2,000–3,000/m²
- 300+ sunny days per year
- Affordable cost of living
- Large and growing expat community
- Best for: Families, retirees, digital nomads
🏖 Costa del Sol
- Property: €2,500–4,000/m²
- Spain’s most popular expat destination
- Large British and Irish community
- Year-round warm climate
- Best for: Retirees, golf enthusiasts
⛵ Costa Blanca
- Property: €1,500–2,500/m²
- Most affordable Mediterranean coast
- Strong Dutch and German communities
- Alicante, Torrevieja, Benidorm
- Best for: Budget-conscious buyers
🏛 Barcelona
- Property: €4,000–6,000/m²
- International business hub
- Excellent public transport
- Beach + city lifestyle
- Best for: Professionals, entrepreneurs
🏝 Balearic Islands
- Property: €3,500–8,000/m²
- Mallorca, Ibiza, Menorca
- Luxury market with high rental demand
- Strong British and German buyer base
- Best for: Lifestyle buyers, investors
🏛 Madrid
- Property: €3,500–5,000/m²
- Spain’s best job market
- No beach, but great infrastructure
- Rich culture and nightlife
- Best for: Career-focused professionals
💵 Cost of Moving to Spain
Property Purchase Costs (approx. 10–12% on top of price)
| Cost Item | Typical Amount |
|---|---|
| Transfer Tax / VAT (ITP) | 6–10% of property value |
| Notary Fees | €600–1,200 |
| Land Registry | €400–800 |
| Lawyer Fees | ~1% + VAT |
| Mortgage Arrangement Fee | 0.5–1% of loan |
| Valuation | €350–500 |
| Total Additional Costs | ~10–12% of property price |
Monthly Living Costs (approximate)
| Item | Single | Couple |
|---|---|---|
| Rent (1–2 bed, city) | €600–1,200 | €900–1,500 |
| Utilities | €80–150 | €100–180 |
| Groceries | €200–350 | €350–500 |
| Transport | €50–80 | €80–150 |
| Health Insurance | €50–100 | €100–200 |
| Dining & Leisure | €200–400 | €400–700 |
| Monthly Total | €1,200–2,300 | €2,000–3,500 |
⏳ How Long Does It Take?
🇪🇺 EU Citizens: 1–3 Months
- Week 1–2: Find accommodation
- Week 2–3: Obtain NIE number
- Week 3–4: Open bank account
- Month 2: Register at Padrón
- Month 2–3: Apply for residency (if 90+ days)
🌎 Non-EU Citizens: 3–12 Months
- Month 1–3: Research visa, gather documents
- Month 3–6: Submit visa application
- Month 6–8: Receive approval
- Month 8–9: Move to Spain
- Month 9–12: Register locally, get TIE card
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a mortgage as a non-resident?
Yes! Non-residents can get up to 70% financing from Spanish banks. Pre-approval typically takes 24 hours with Tharros, and closing takes 4–6 weeks.
Can I work in Spain as a non-resident?
EU citizens: Yes, full work rights immediately.
Non-EU citizens: Only with a Work Visa or Digital Nomad Visa. Tourist and Non-Lucrative visas do not permit Spanish employment.
Do I need to speak Spanish?
Not initially. Many expat areas (Costa del Sol, Costa Blanca, Valencia) have large English-speaking communities. That said, learning Spanish significantly improves day-to-day life and is sometimes required for visa renewals.
What taxes will I pay in Spain?
- Residents: Income tax on worldwide income (19–47%)
- Non-residents: Tax on Spanish-source income only (24%)
- Annual property tax (IBI): 0.4–1.1% of cadastral value
- Wealth tax: Applies if Spanish assets exceed €700,000
How long until I get permanent residency?
After 5 years of continuous legal residence for both EU and non-EU citizens. Spanish citizenship can be applied for after 10 years (or 2 years for citizens of Ibero-American countries).
Can my family come with me?
Yes. Most visa types allow you to include your spouse or registered partner, dependent children under 18, and in some cases dependent parents. Family members receive the same visa status as the main applicant.
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