Spain is a stunningly versatile country where everyone can find something to their liking. Lovers of culture, art and music will find a huge range of entertainment, museums and places of interest. The gastronomy is also prodigious, and Mediterranean cuisine is one of the healthiest.
Spaniards in general are very warm, which is reflected in a culture where people value a good time and an active social life. With almost 320 days of sunshine a year, Spain offers plenty of time for outdoor activities. All this, combined with a relaxed and social atmosphere, certainly contributes to a good quality of life for expats.
How to apply for residence in Spain: comparison of visa types and requirements
Visa Type | Non-Lucrative Visa See more |
---|---|
Gives you permission to work | |
Family members may apply for a visa together with the applicant | |
Need for proof of funds: the amount on the applicant | € 28.000 / year |
Need for proof of funds: the amount per family member | € 7.000 / year |
Need for investment | |
The need to submit a business plan | |
Applying at the consulate in the country of residence | |
Possible to apply in Spain, on condition of legal entry | |
Need to reside in Spain for more than half a year | |
For how many years can I get my first visa? | 1 year |
Visa Type | Golden Visa - Investments See more |
Gives you permission to work | |
Family members may apply for a visa together with the applicant | |
Need for proof of funds: the amount on the applicant | € 28.000 / year |
Need for proof of funds: the amount per family member | € 7.000 / year |
Need for investment | |
The need to submit a business plan | |
Applying at the consulate in the country of residence | |
Possible to apply in Spain, on condition of legal entry | |
Need to reside in Spain for more than half a year | |
For how many years can I get my first visa? | 2 years |
Visa Type | Golden Visa - Start-up See more |
Gives you permission to work | |
Family members may apply for a visa together with the applicant | |
Need for proof of funds: the amount on the applicant | € 7.000 / year |
Need for proof of funds: the amount per family member | € 3.500 / year |
Need for investment | for a startup needs |
The need to submit a business plan | |
Applying at the consulate in the country of residence | |
Possible to apply in Spain, on condition of legal entry | |
Need to reside in Spain for more than half a year | |
For how many years can I get my first visa? | 2 years |
Visa Type | Digital Nomad Visa See More |
Gives you permission to work | |
Family members may apply for a visa together with the applicant | |
Need for proof of funds: the amount on the applicant | € 28.000 / year |
Need for proof of funds: the amount per family member | € 9.000 / year |
Need for investment | |
The need to submit a business plan | |
Applying at the consulate in the country of residence | |
Possible to apply in Spain, on condition of legal entry | |
Need to reside in Spain for more than half a year | |
For how many years can I get my first visa? | Visa - 1 year Residence - 3 years |
Visa Type | Self-Employed Visa (Cuenta Propia / Autonomo) See more |
Gives you permission to work | |
Family members may apply for a visa together with the applicant | |
Need for proof of funds: the amount on the applicant | € 7.000 / year + the capital needed for the project |
Need for proof of funds: the amount per family member | doesn't allow you to bring family |
Need for investment | for a project needs |
The need to submit a business plan | |
Applying at the consulate in the country of residence | |
Possible to apply in Spain, on condition of legal entry | |
Need to reside in Spain for more than half a year | |
For how many years can I get my first visa? | 1 year |
Visa Type | Student Visa See more |
Gives you permission to work | authorisation can be requested |
Family members may apply for a visa together with the applicant | |
Need for proof of funds: the amount on the applicant | € 7.000 / year |
Need for proof of funds: the amount per family member | € 3.500 / year |
Need for investment | |
The need to submit a business plan | |
Applying at the consulate in the country of residence | |
Possible to apply in Spain, on condition of legal entry | |
Need to reside in Spain for more than half a year | |
For how many years can I get my first visa? | 6 months to 1 year |
Visa Type | Tarjeta comunitaria (for family members of an EU citizen) |
Gives you permission to work | |
Family members may apply for a visa together with the applicant | |
Need for proof of funds: the amount on the applicant | Depends on activity |
Need for proof of funds: the amount per family member | Depends on activity |
Need for investment | |
The need to submit a business plan | |
Applying at the consulate in the country of residence | |
Possible to apply in Spain, on condition of legal entry | |
Need to reside in Spain for more than half a year | |
For how many years can I get my first visa? | 5 years |
Visa Type | Certificado UE (for EU citizens living in Spain) See more |
Gives you permission to work | |
Family members may apply for a visa together with the applicant | |
Need for proof of funds: the amount on the applicant | Depends on activity |
Need for proof of funds: the amount per family member | Depends on activity |
Need for investment | |
The need to submit a business plan | |
Applying at the consulate in the country of residence | |
Possible to apply in Spain, on condition of legal entry | |
Need to reside in Spain for more than half a year | |
For how many years can I get my first visa? | permanent |
Features | Non-Lucrative Visa See more |
Golden Visa - Investments See more |
Golden Visa - Start-up See more |
Digital Nomad Visa See More |
Self-Employed Visa (Cuenta Propia / Autonomo) See more |
Student Visa See more |
Tarjeta comunitaria (for family members of an EU citizen) | Certificado UE (for EU citizens living in Spain) See more |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Gives you permission to work | authorisation can be requested | |||||||
Family members may apply for a visa together with the applicant | ||||||||
Need for proof of funds: the amount on the applicant | € 28.000 / year | € 28.000 / year | € 7.000 / year | € 28.000 / year | € 7.000 / year + the capital needed for the project | € 7.000 / year | Depends on activity | Depends on activity |
Need for proof of funds: the amount per family member | € 7.000 / year | € 7.000 / year | € 3.500 / year | € 9.000 / year | doesn't allow you to bring family | € 3.500 / year | Depends on activity | Depends on activity |
Need for investment | for a startup needs | for a project needs | ||||||
The need to submit a business plan | ||||||||
Applying at the consulate in the country of residence | ||||||||
Possible to apply in Spain, on condition of legal entry | ||||||||
Need to reside in Spain for more than half a year | ||||||||
For how many years can I get my first visa? | 1 year | 2 years | 2 years | Visa - 1 year Residence - 3 years | 1 year | 6 months to 1 year | 5 years | permanent |
Benefits of obtaining a Spanish residence

- Spain is one of the most attractive countries in Europe
A great climate, excellent quality of life, cultural heritage and renowned gastronomy are just some of the reasons why people from all over the world choose to live here.
- One of the largest economies in the world
The stable economic climate & great infrastructure provides an excellent opportunity to set up a business, work for hire or invest in all kinds of projects.
- The country’s health care system
It is considered one of the best in the world, and life expectancy is the highest in Europe.
- Visa-free access to all Schengen countries
Residence gives the right to live in Spain all year round, and freely travel throughout the Schengen Agreement countries.
Immigration
services
Find more details on each visa type by clicking here:
20 years of experience
Over the years, our team of lawyers has made more than 1200 residence permits for foreigners in Spain.
Personalized approach
We will conduct a detailed consultation with you upon request, and find you the best option for obtaining visas.
Guaranteeing great results
We guarantee 99% success in obtaining visas when submitting documents prepared under the supervision of our attorneys.
Additional services
When you move to Spain, you may have other questions, with the resolution of which we are happy to help you.
Obtaining an NIE
Foreigners’ Identity
Number
Bank account
Open an account for
you at Spanish bank
Opening a company
We can help you open a company or a branch
Taxes
Personal and
corporate taxes
Insurance
We can help with
arranging insurance
Property Search
We find and arrange
rent or buy
Concierge Service
Any personal help
and assistance
Schools and Universities
Help with enrollment administration
Our team
Lusa Legal’s experienced team can help you with any questions you may have. Contact us today!

Valery Simonyants

Roman Bazoev

Hugo Echazarreta

Sergey Sablin

Yulia Senchenkova

Oscar Sanchez Rubira

Juan Arau Ceballos

Eva Gutierrez Alcalde

Alejandro Pons Abella
Contact us
What People Say
I would like to thank Yulia for her help in obtaining resident cards. Unlike many, you did everything competently, and it was very pleasant that you helped and supported at every stage. How much you worried about us and were happy with us. And even two years later, upon request, you sent our documents.
Thank you for the work done, and we will obtain the next cards with you. I would like to just say thank you very much!
We contacted Lusa Legal to extend the visa for the investor and family members. The whole process of renewing the residence permit in Spain took literally a month, and the documents were submitted through a lawyer, so there was no need to be personally present. We are very pleased with the work of the team of managers and lawyers.
We needed to arrange an extension of the residence in Spain for the whole family. The company’s managers helped to collect and translate all the documents, and the filing itself was carried out online through the company’s lawyer. After confirming our residences, we were also accompanied by manager Julia directly to receive cards in the police office, which greatly facilitated this process. We are grateful to the staff of Lusa Legal for such a personal wok with our case, and in the future we plan to continue to contact them on legal and immigration issues.
We wanted to open a business in Europe in the fintech industry, which was already working in Russia. Spain was chosen because of the rather acceptable cost of starting a business (staff, office, taxes). We contacted Lusa Legal for help with opening a company and obtaining startup visas for the co-founders. The company employees offered prompt advice on all issues, and helped us submit a business plan and a description of the project in the required format for the regulators. We were able to get our visas in Moscow, and with the help of lawyer Hugo we were able to get our residency permits. We are in the process of opening a company with their corporate lawyers. Thank you for help with all the legal and organizational issues.
We arranged our startup visas through the attorneys at Lusa Legal. Everything was done promptly, and we received approval in less than a month after submission. In Barcelona itself, the process of obtaining a residence permit took longer. We could not have done without the help of the staff and accompanying us, as the process itself is quite confusing. We are satisfied with everything and can recommend this company for getting visas to start a business.