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Date Published: 09/04/2024

How to make the move to sunny Spain

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Find out where you can go to get help obtaining the right visa for you to live in Spain

Now that the borders have closed on free movement throughout Europe for British citizens, naturally one is left not knowing what to do should they decide that they wish to spend longer, or indeed reside in this stunning part of the world.

With so many differing reports on the numerous ways to come and remain in Spain, the route that one should take, whilst generally simple, can easily lead to confusion with what can seem like a labyrinth of paperwork.

As a member of a non-EU country, Brits will now need to apply for a visa in order to remain in Spain for longer than the permitted 90 days in every 180. There are a variety of different visas depending on your individual circumstances, and whilst the process can be a little daunting at times, British-run company in Spain Heniam & Associates have helped hundreds of people to find the right visa that fits their needs, making the process a relatively simple one.

As an added and exciting bonus to receiving your visa, you will be issued with a Spanish national card (TIE). This is the Spanish national identity number and card, and this will be used for all of your dealings whilst in Spain. It also entitles you to free travel throughout Europe, as if you were still an EU citizen.

The first stage is assessing what type of visa would be best for you. Do you want to work in Spain or retire here for that life of leisure you have been dreaming of? Perhaps you simply want to be able to spend the time you choose here, without being restrained by the time limits that are currently in force.

Here are some of the most common types of visas that might be what you are looking for (and some not so common!):

The Golden Visa

Considered to be an investor permit, to be eligible for this type of visa, the applicant must demonstrate that they have invested a significant amount of capital into Spain. This can be done via the capital invested in a Spanish property, in which case the minimum investment requirement is 500,000 euros; through an investment of at least 2 million euros in Spanish public debt securities; or 1 million euros in stocks or shares in Spanish companies, or lastly through the investment in a business project in Spain which is considered to be of general interest.

This visa is often the preferred visa route for many because the application can be carried out directly in Spain and it also makes it easy to bring one’s family members to Spain. Not only that, but there are also many individuals who, before Brexit, already had unencumbered capital already invested in their Spanish home, making it the easiest way to prove suitability. It is valid initially for 2 years renewable for 5, and it even entitles the holder the right to work whilst in Spain. However, if you wish to benefit from this type of visa in Spain you had better act fast as the government has proposed getting rid of the Golden visa program in the near future.

The Non-Lucrative Visa

This option is for those who wish to come and reside in Spain and don’t intend to work, at least at the outset. This visa has proved very popular among people since Brexit because it doesn’t require any type of investment in Spain. The applicant only needs to demonstrate that they have sufficient means to support them during their stay and this includes relevant medical cover.

This visa allows the holder the right to reside freely in Spain and it can even be converted later into a working visa, in which case all-in-one recruitment agency WorkinSpain can help you not only to sort out all your employment paperwork, but also to find the right job for you that will allow you to live and work in Spain.

The non-lucartive visa is initially granted for one year and this is renewable for two years on two occasions before entitling the holder to acquire a permanent residency status as they will then have resided in Spain for five years. The applicant must apply in the Spanish Consulate in the city that is closest to their city of residence. In the UK there are eight locations: London, Edinburgh, Manchester, Birmingham, Belfast, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Jersey. Therefore applicants will be required to travel to one of these to submit their visa application, and later to collect their visa. Once approved, all renewals of the visa can be carried out in Spain.

The application process is easy but there are several documents that will need to be produced, and as with all applications, some documents will need to be apostilled and officially translated into Spanish in order to be understood and recognised by the Spanish authorities. Once the visa is issued, the holder is required to get their NIE number and TIE card in Spain within a maximum of 3 months.

The Digital Nomad Visa

The long-awaited digital nomad visa is now available to apply for, and for some, this will be the perfect solution to their dreams of moving to sunny Spain. Much like the previous entrepreneur visa, it was introduced as a further means to attract international talent into Spain and the visa can be extended up to five years. It is another convenient method to gain residency in Spain because the applicant can apply directly from Spain with a tourist visa, allowing them to acquire a three-year TIE Card. The applicant can also bring their family to live in Spain under this visa, provided that they meet the financial requirements and can provide evidence that they can support each member of their family. The usual application route is also possible via the home country of the applicant, meaning that you begin your life in Spain with one year of residency which is renewable.

To be eligible for the digital nomad visa, the applicant must be able to demonstrate that either they are employed by a company that allows them to travel and work remotely from another country or be self-employed with several clients that are of an international nature, or where income is derived from different online activities, from outside of Spain.

The Student Visa

Recently, the student visa has proved to be a favourite among all of the visas. The great part about this visa is that the holder is not only entitled to reside in Spain, but they are also allowed to work up to thirty hours per week. It is a fantastic option for those who want to come and work in Spain as it allows them flexibility to come and discover the country whilst searching for that perfect opportunity.

This visa is applied for from the home country of the applicant and once the person has found the course that they are looking for. One of the requirements is that they carry out a minimum of 20 hours of study at an institution or academy. We have found that it is a very popular option for those looking to come and learn Spanish before finding and settling in the right role for them.

As can be seen there are many different types of visas available for those wishing to move to Spain. You can be confident that once you take that decision to come and live in Spain, you can find the right way to suit you, and it doesn’t have to be difficult.

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Heniam & Associates for Conveyancing, paperwork, legal advice and immigration throughout the Region of Murcia

Catering for the needs of expats living all over Spain, and particularly in the Costa Cálida and the Costa Blanca, Heniam & Associates offer a wide range of services including conveyancing, legal and administrative advice.

At the same time, their team of dedicated professionals appreciate the need to assist you in an easy and reliable manner, allowing you as much time as possible to enjoy your freedom, relax and make the most out of life in Spain. Without sacrificing efficiency, they offer personalised services to each and every client, listening to their needs in order to provide exactly the right service and desired outcome.

In the all-important field of Legal and Administrative Services, Heniam & Associates provide help in a wide range of matters including (but not limited to):

Conveyancing
Legal and professional communication assistance
NIE and TIE Applications
Commercial and company set-up and licensing
Spanish health and administrative services
Support and assistance with regulatory bodies
Professional will writing services and advice on intestate inheritance laws (both in the UK and in Spain)
Contract drafting (for businesses and individuals)
Dispute resolution
Digital signatures and certificates

Whether taking advantage of our conveyancing services or any other legal matter Heniam & Associates’ business partner HeniamLegal will represent you in the best possible way, excelling especially in their conveyancing service.

When buying a property in a foreign country it can be challenging to understand all of the
steps that have to be taken. Heniam knows that buying a home can be stressful and
they want to ensure that you have the resources that you need to make sure that the
transaction is as smooth as possible so that you can start to enjoy your new home without worrying about the details and any purchase pitfalls.

HeniamLegal will be on hand to assist you with every part of the process. They have
dedicated professionals on hand to assist you every step of the way ensuring that all
of the relevant checks and investigations are carried out and, of course, negotiating on your behalf and protecting your interests. You will always have the support you need with HeniamLegal and Heniam & Associates.

Heniam & Associates In addition, translation services are provided either for written documents or for occasions such as visits to the doctor or to administrative offices, and assistance is provided in finding the best deal on foreign currency transfers.