There is a wide variety of visas you can apply for to move to Spain: choosing the right one will save you time and any legal problems. By obtaining one of the following visas, and with some other precautions, you will succeed in your intent. Here is a guide on how to do it. Warning: if you are already a citizen of one of the countries belonging to the European Union, you will not need a visa.
Steps
Step 1. Obtain a Residence Visa to move to Spain after retirement
- Visit the Spanish Consulate of your jurisdiction.
- Since each Consulate requires different documents, search the internet and download those required by the your jurisdiction. It will be a list similar to what follows and will also specify whether it is necessary to go personally to the Consulate to apply, how to make an appointment, which documents must be in Spanish and so on.
- Fill in 2 application applications for a National Visa.
- Bring 2 passport-sized photos; both must be on a white background.
- Make sure your passport has a residual validity of at least one year.
- Obtain proof that you are a legal resident of the country where you live.
- Bring documents that prove your family ties.
- Get proof that your criminal record is clean.
- Obtain a medical certificate stating that you are not suffering from contagious diseases.
- Get proof that you have sufficient financial resources to provide for yourself (and your family, if any) for the duration of your stay.
- You will have to pay a money order to apply for a visa.
Step 2. Obtain a Residence Visa to work in Spain as an employee
- Visit the Spanish Consulate of your jurisdiction.
- Fill in 2 applications for a National Visa. You must be at least 16 years old for this type of request.
- Get a letter of approval from Extranjeria (the Spanish immigration office) addressed to your future employer.
- Make sure your passport has a residual validity of at least 4 months.
- Bring 2 passport-sized photos.
- Obtain proof that you are a legal resident of the country where you live.
- Get proof that your criminal record is clean.
- Obtain a medical certificate stating that you are not suffering from contagious diseases.
- You will have to pay a money order to apply for a visa.
Step 3. Obtain a Residence Visa exempt from the work permit
This visa is designed for foreigners who move to Spain to pursue artistic, academic, scientific, cultural or religious activities.
- Visit the Spanish Consulate of your jurisdiction.
- Fill in 2 application applications for a National Visa.
- Make sure your passport has a residual validity of at least one year.
- Get proof that you are a legal resident of the country where you live.
- Get proof that your criminal record is clean.
- Obtain a medical certificate stating that you are not suffering from contagious diseases.
- Obtain an invitation letter or document describing the activities you will participate in.
- Obtain documents certifying that the organization you will work for is accredited by the Spanish authorities.
- You will have to pay a money order to apply for a visa.
Step 4. Obtain a Residence Visa for investors or freelancers
- Visit the Spanish Consulate of your jurisdiction.
- Fill in 2 applications for a National Visa.
- Make sure your passport has a residual validity of at least 4 months.
- Bring 2 passport-sized photos.
- Obtain proof that you are a legal resident of the country where you live.
- Fill in the EX01 template correctly.
- You can request the model directly from the Consulate.
- Get proof that your criminal record is clean.
- Obtain a medical certificate stating that you are not suffering from contagious diseases.
- Show proof of an academic qualification or degree if related to your occupation.
- Get a list of the documents you need to do your job and specify your current situation with respect to each of them.
- Present proof of your financial stability.
- You will have to pay a money order to apply for a visa.
Step 5. Find a house in Spain
- A simple internet search will help you find a home.
- Contact anyone you know in Spain for some advice.
Step 6. Find an international moving company
- A simple internet search will help you choose the best international moving company.
- Contact any acquaintance who has made an international move for some advice.
Method 1 of 1: Moving to Spain
Step 1. Make sure that you have closed all your bank accounts in the country you live in and that you are transferring the money to a Spanish account as soon as possible
Step 2. Pay off all debts before you leave
Solve any problem that might be difficult to handle from another country.
Advice
- The rules concerning the criminal record are stringent. Be sure to ask the relevant Spanish Consulate for details.
- For most Visas you will be required to submit one original and two copies of each document. For the others, an original and a copy will suffice.
- Each photo must be on a white background.
- After your arrival in Spain, be sure to visit the Oficina de Extranjeros (the office of foreigners) and apply for a NIE number. It is a national identity number.
- If you want to reunite with a family member legally resident in Spain, you may be eligible for a visa. Ask for more information at the relevant Spanish Consulate.
- A medical certificate from your doctor confirming that you do not have any contagious diseases should be accepted as proof of your medical condition.
- In general, any documents you provide will need to be translated into Spanish.
- If you move to Spain from the United States, you will be able to retrieve your criminal record on the internet. Otherwise you can ask the Consulate for more information on how to obtain it.
- At this address you can find the application forms for any type of visa:
