Foreigners quite often consider real estate in Spain as a possible relocation option. The country with a fairly stable economy, low crime rate, and comfortable climatic conditions provides a high standard of living. Along with selecting a home and researching information about possible relocation areas, the primary issue remains finding a job. It is important to not only find suitable vacancies in a new country but also to keep in mind that legal employment requires a work visa. Let’s look at the main options for obtaining a residence permit with the right to work in Spain.
Content:
- What you need to know
- Residency through social integration
- Residence permit for individuals having EU family members
- Residence permit for students
- Residence permit for internship
- Work permit for entrepreneurs
- Digital nomad visa
- Residence permit for real estate investments
What you need to know
Migrants coming from non-EU countries can stay in the kingdom for no more than 90 days. However, even during this period, without a work permit, expats cannot hold any positions, including officially freelancing. EU citizens also have to apply for a residence permit, but they obtain documents through a simplified procedure, since they have an EU registration certificate that allows them to work.
Residency through social integration
The Arraigo Social is a work and residence permit in the kingdom, which is issued exclusively to third-country nationals who have lived in the state for 3 years. To obtain residency through social integration, the applicant is subject to the following requirements:
- They must not be a citizen of the EU/EEA or Switzerland, and not be a family member of an EU citizen.
- The applicant must not have a criminal record in Spain or other countries.
- The period of residence in the country has been at least 3 years, and they should not have been abroad for no more than 120 days during the entire specified period.
- The applicant must have a valid employment contract with a minimum duration of 1 year, which is signed by the employer. The contract and employment must comply with all social security benefit requirements.
It is also necessary to have family ties in the country. This could be a marriage, children, or a civil partnership. To prove their ties, the expat must submit a report issued by the Autonomous Community or City Council in whose territory their apartment in Spain is located. The residence permit is valid for a year.
Residence permit for individuals having EU family members
This type of residence and work permit is called Tarjeta Comunitaria. Family members of a citizen of the kingdom or another member state of the European Union or the Agreement on the European Economic Area, as well as Switzerland, who do not have citizenship of one of these countries, can apply for and receive a residence card of a family member of a Union citizen. To stay in the kingdom for more than 3 months, you must:
- Be a self-employed worker in Spain or have sufficient financial means so as not to become a burden on the country’s social security during the period of your residence.
- Have paid insurance that covers treatment during your stay.
- Be enrolled in a public or private educational institution recognised or funded by the government.
- Be related to an EU citizen.
The residence card is valid for 5 years from the date of issue. Residency is cancelled if the person who obtained it has been outside the state for more than 180 days.
Residence permit for students
The residence permit for students is called Visado de Estudiante. To obtain a visa, it is enough to submit documents to one of the educational institutions included in the RUCT register. The duration of the permit depends on whether you plan to pursue short-term or long-term studies. The student visa allows you to work, but not more than 30 hours a week, provided that this does not interfere with your studies. The only drawback of this permit is that the time spent on a student visa is not included in the period required to obtain citizenship.
Residence permit for internship
Obtaining a residence permit to have an internship is possible on the basis that you have an agreement or contract. The permit is called “residencia para prácticas profesionales.” The validity period is 1 year. It can be obtained after graduation or during your studies. The internship must be within your major.
Work permit for entrepreneurs
Entrepreneurs have the opportunity to obtain a work visa. To do this, you must provide a business plan. ENISA (National Innovation Company), which cooperates with the migration authorities, will assess whether the submitted business plan is innovative or of particular economic interest to the country.
To be eligible, applicants must:
- Stay in the state legally;
- Have valid health insurance;
- Reach the age of 18;
- Have no criminal record;
- Have financial means of at least €2,160 per month.
This amount is equivalent to 200% of the minimum wage (in 2023, it is set at €1,080 per month). The entrepreneur must have an additional 75% for the first dependent (family member) and 25% for each additional dependent.
Digital nomad visa
Residents of third countries who come to work remotely through the use of a computer, telematics, and other telecommunication systems can apply for the digital nomad visa.
Qualified individuals are eligible to apply for a remote work permit if they prove that they are graduates or postgraduate students of accredited universities and other higher education institutions and business schools or have a minimum of 3 years of professional experience.
Residence permit for real estate investments
The Golden Visa is issued to non-EU citizens who intend to make a significant investment in the Spanish economy. It provides the holder and their family members with a residence permit in the state and visa-free access to the Schengen Area. Permits are issued to those who purchase an apartment or house in Spain worth at least €500,000. The owner of the property and their dependents receive the right to reside and work in the country for 2 years. Subsequently, the permit can be renewed several times as long as ownership of the purchased property is retained.
Business people investing in a Spanish company are also eligible for this residence permit, which is why it is also called the Investor Visa. After 5 years of residence in the kingdom, investors can apply for permanent residence. Citizenship can be obtained after 10 years.
Our website offers up-to-date information about the state’s visa regime and home prices and contains listings for apartments in development projects in Spain and on the secondary market. Check out the current offers right now!