Immigration
Entry Requirements
U.S. citizens may enter Spain for up to 90 days in a six-month period for tourist or business purposes without a visa. Your passport should be valid for at least three months beyond the period of stay.
A visa is required if you plan to live and work in Spain. If you are staying for more than three months, you must request a Temporary Residence Visa (Visado de Residencia). This is required for you to begin the residency process once you arrive in Spain. For more information on Spain’s entry requirements, please visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website or the U.S. Department of State’s website.
Additional information is available at the Spanish Embassy website. Once you are on the site, you can click on the English button at the top of the page and then on the Information for Foreigners tab for more useful information.
Temporary Residency
If you plan to stay in Spain for longer than 90 days but less than five years, you can apply for temporary residency. Upon arrival, you will be issued a Foreigner ID number (Número de Identidad de Extranjero, NIE) and a Residency Card (Tarjeta de Residencia).
If you want to apply for temporary residency without getting a Work Permit, you must show proof that you have the means to provide for yourself and family members (if applicable). Authorizations for a period not exceeding five years may be renewed regularly. A Temporary Residence Card lasts for one year, but can be renewed for two more years.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs provides more information on temporary residence on its website.
Permanent Residency
After residing in Spain for five consecutive years and meeting the requirements, you are eligible to apply for long-term residency. These visas entitle their holders to reside, to reside and work, to study or to research in Spain.
After residing in Spain for five consecutive years and meeting the requirements, you are eligible to apply for long-term residency. These visas entitle their holders to reside, to reside and work, to study or to research in Spain.
The visa must be applied for in person at a Diplomatic Mission or Consular Post in the Spanish district where you live or a Spanish Diplomatic Mission or Consular Post in the United States. There is a general application fee of about US$80, which is nonrefundable. Ask your Spanish Diplomatic Mission or Consular Post if there are any additional fees, depending upon your application. The Long-Term Visa must be processed within one month after the application is submitted. A visa solely for residence and not for work takes three months. Once your visa is issued, you can collect it at a Diplomatic Mission or Consular Post within one month of being notified. If your visa application is refused, the reasons for refusal will be explained in a notification to you. You can appeal to the High Court of Justice of Madrid within two months of being notified.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs provides more information on long-term visas.
Work Visas
To work in Spain, you must be over the age of 16, but over 18 to be self-employed. To receive a Work Visa, you must first obtain a Work Permit through your employer’s endorsement. A Work Permit provides authorization that a company is allowed to hire an employee from outside of the country. A visa is required to allow you to live in Spain. Your employer will assist you in the process of submitting the required paperwork.
There are three general types of Work Permits:
- Employee Work Permit: Issued for seasonal work, usually for a particular contract or location. When first issued, it lasts for nine months, but allows for renewal.
- Self-Employed Work Permit: Allows for work in a particular area or occupation for a specific amount of time and can be limited to a specified location. Upon renewal, the amount of time can be extended and the limitations on location can be lifted.
- Either Employed or Self-Employed Work Permit: Allows for business to be conducted within Spanish borders and allows return to the home country. This pertains to a particular occupation and may be renewed.
Once you have obtained the appropriate permit, you can apply for a Work Visa. Upon arrival in Spain, register for the appropriate type of Social Security and apply for a foreigner identity card.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs provides more information on requirements for working in Spain.
Retirement
A Retirement Visa (Visa de Jubilados) allows you to live in Spain as a retiree without working. You must show proof that you will be receiving a pension from a public or private institution, specifying how much you will receive each month. You must show proof of any other sources of income or properties in Spain and original proof of ownership. You may also be asked to get medical insurance.
The Office of the Interior also provides an extensive downloadable list of forms to complete, depending upon your residency requirement needs.