Non-EU citizenship

If you are from a country that does not belong to the EU, the European Economic Area (Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway) or Switzerland and you want to live in Spain, you must complete immigration formalities.

The good news is that Spain has specific legislation to promote the arrival of international talent in Spain. This is Act 14/2013, known as the entrepreneurs act. Furthermore, the start-ups act (Act 28/2022) has recently been approved, bringing new features and improvements.

This legislation creates faster, easier immigration procedures for specific groups: investors, researchers, highly-qualified professionals and inter-company transfers, as well as teleworkers and digital nomads.

In this section, we will be focusing on these groups. And we also include university students. See the different options below to find out what you must do. If none apply to you, you must take into account that there are actually many more channels for entering and residing in Spain following the general immigration procedure (Organic law 4/2000). You might be able to explore other possibilities with the help of expert advice.

I am an investor

I want to invest, but not reside, in Spain. In this case you need not complete any immigration formalities but you will need an identification number to carry out financial transactions.

• If you invest in a start-up company  approved by ENISA, you only have to get a tax identification number (NIF)
• If you make any other kind of investment, you must get an NIE number. When you are notified, you will receive a white document, which is why it is commonly known as the white NIE:

Identity number for foreign nationals (NIE)

I want to invest and reside in Spain (Golden visa): In this case, you must get a visa if you are outside Spain or a residence permit if you are already legally in the country. Remember, not all amounts nor types of investment are enough. We will tell you how to do it below.

Residence for capital investors: visa and permit

I am an entrepreneur

If you are coming to launch an entrepreneurial activity of special economic interest and/or of an innovative nature for Spain, you should ask for a residence permit as an entrepreneur and business activity. For fast-track entry under Act 14/2013, the business project must be accredited by ENISA. Full details are given in the following link:

Residence for entrepreneurs and business activitiy: permit

If the activity you want to pursue does not meet the requirements to be considered of special economic interest and/or of an innovative nature for Spain, you must follow the general immigration law formalities (Organic Law 4/2000). You must apply for residence with self-employment:

Residence with self-employment: visa and permit

I am a researcher

Do you have a job offer in Spain as a researcher at a university, business or research body established in Spain? If so, the body hiring you must request a residence permit.

If the organisation has been granted the permit and you are legally in Spain, you will have complied with this formality and you can stay to live and carry out a training or research activity. 
If you are outside Spain, the permit granted is a requirement for you to obtain a visa to come here to live and work.

Residence for training and research: visa and permit

I am a highly qualified professional 

If you have been offered a job as a highly qualified professional, the company or organisation that is hiring you must apply for a residence permit. 

If you are already legally in Spain and have been granted a permit, you will have complied with this formality and you can stay to live and work.
If you are outside Spain, the permit granted is a requirement for you to obtain a visa to come here to live and work.

Residence for highly qualified professionals: visa and permit

I am a professional on an intra-company transfer

This applies if the foreign company you work for moves you to a Spanish company from the same business group or a Spanish company with which it has a close business relationship. The company or organisation must apply for a residence permit to carry out the intra-company transfer.  

If you are already legally in Spain and have been granted the permit requested by the company, you will have complied with this formality and you can stay to live and work.
If you are outside Spain, the permit granted is a requirement for you to obtain a visa to come here to live and work.

Residence for intra-company transfer: visa and permit 

I am a digital nomad

Are you a non-EU citizen coming to Spain to work remotely or undertake professional activity for companies located outside Spain, via the exclusive use of IT, telematic and telecommunication media and systems? If so, you can request a visa or residence permit to live and work in Spain.

Residency for digital nomads: visa and permit

I am a student

If you are planning to start or continue your studies at an authorised centre in Spain for a period of over 90 days and you are outside the country, you must get a study visa. If you are already legally in Spain, you must get a permit to stay here to study. 

Stay for studies: visa and permit

I am a relative of a European citizen

If you are a relative of a national of the European Union, European Economic Area (Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway) or Switzerland and you are accompanying or joining him or her and will live in Spain for a period of more than three months, you must apply for a supporting document: 

Residence card for family members of European Union nationals

I am none of the above

If none of the above profiles apply to you, you must follow the general immigration formalities. You can find information on the Spanish Government Immigration Portal.

Consult another formality in this section:

Once you have obtained your visa or permit and are in Spain, you can then apply for your identity card for foreign nationals.

Identity card for foreign nationals (TIE)

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