When moving to Spain, follow the below guidelines

1. European resident:

If you plan to spend over 90 consecutive days in Spain, you must apply for a residency permit, even if you are a national from an EU country. Attaining residency in Spain is fairly straightforward, fast and cheap procedure for all EU residents. Residency permits are fast-tracked and streamlined for all nationals of Member states of the EU by law. Normally achieved in under 30 days

Non-European resident:

If you plan to spend over 3 consecutive months in Spain, and reside outside of the Union, you are normally required to apply for a visa to live and work in Spain legally. There are many different Spanish visas availableto pick from, ranging form tax-free visas (Digital Nomad Visa), to Golden Visas (which don’t require you to live in Spain for renewal purposes). You may not spend in Spain over 90 days in every rolling 180 days if you have not attained a visa permit (known as the 90/180-day rule). Depending on which visa you choose, it can take under 30 days or well over half a year.

2. Obtain a NIE number:

A NIE number is an administrative number required to pay taxes in Spain. Almost everyone in Spain will ask you for this number. It is required, for example, for the following activities:

• Buying/selling/renting property.
• Inheriting assets in Spain.
• Importing/buying/selling a car.
• Importing/buying/selling a boat.
• Taking out insurance.
• Working in Spain (only short-term jobs <3 months).
• Obtaining a mortgage loan.
• ·Paying import tariffs on importing goods to Spain at customs (aduanas) in airports.
• Some private foreign schools require a NIE number from parents and/or new (foreign) pupils to enrol them!

3. Open a Bank account:

For almost any activity in Spain, you will be required to open a bank account. Spanish banks take money-laundering very seriously (understatement). Unless you can clearly prove where your money comes from, they will not open an account for you. The following documents are required:

• Passport in force
• Payslips or tax returns
• Your international tax code
• Reference letter

4. Work / Study / Retirement:

The process of moving to Spain requires you navigate through a complex procedure of a long stay visa and residence permit application. Therefore, you are advised to seek the help of Spain immigration experts.

Work:

Unfortunately, as a non-EU citizen, you cannot just move to Spain and get a job there. You need to obtain a work visa if you want to move to Spain and participate in a paid activity.

Spain offers a variety of work visas for anyone who wants to work there and is always in search of highly skilled individuals for professions in employee shortage.

You can also apply for an EU Blue Card if you are a highly skilled individual who can fill the position in a job with a worker shortage.

Study:

To get a study visa, you first need to be enrolled in an accredited educational institution in Spain, and then apply for a Spain student visa.

Once you obtain your student visa and arrive in Spain, you need to get a Foreigner Identity Card (TIE) as proof that you are allowed to stay legally in the country for more than six months.

A student visa will also permit you to work part-time or in a temporary position as long as it does not affect your studies.

Retirement:

Although Spain does not have a designated visa for retirement, it offers other pathways that can lead to retirement. Two of the most popular ways for retirement in Spain among foreign retirees are the Golden visa, also known as the Spain Investor visa, and the Non-Lucrative Visa.

To be eligible for retirement in Spain, you must have a clear criminal record and meet the financial requirements. Therefore, you must be financially independent and have sufficient funds to support yourself.

A Golden visa can also lead to permanent residency in Spain