Moving to Spain in 2026: Step-by-Step Official Guide

By the SettleBuddy editorial teamUpdated 13 October 20268 min read

Moving to Spain from outside the EU means choosing a legal route first, because each one has its own income test, its own decision deadline and its own office. After that the steps are the same for everyone: the visa, the foreigner identity card, the municipal register and Social Security. This guide puts them in order using the Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration, Spain's consulates, the National Statistics Institute and the UK government's Living in Spain guidance, as read on 13 October 2026.

Quick answer

EU, EEA and Swiss citizens do not need a visa or permit under these rules. Everyone else needs a national visa for a stay of more than 90 days. The main routes are a job (the employer's authorisation takes up to three months, then the visa one month), remote work (income of 2,442€ a month in 2026), study (600€ a month) and family reunification. After arrival you register on the municipal register at your town hall and request a foreigner identity card within one month. The average household in Spain spent 35,101 euros in 2025.

Sunset in Madrid, Spain — Sunset in Madrid. Photo: Enrique Dans / CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons).

Step 1: Pick your route

Route	Main condition in 2026	Decision period
Employment	An employer in Spain obtains a residence and work authorisation; the job must pass the national employment situation test	Three months for the authorisation, then one month for the visa
Telework (digital nomad)	Remote work for companies outside Spain and income of 200% of the minimum wage, 2,442€ a month	10 days for the visa
Study	Admission to a full-time programme and 100% of the IPREM, 600€ a month	1 month for the visa
Family reunification	A resident with at least one year in Spain, adequate housing and 150% of the IPREM for a family of two	Two months in Spain, then one month for the visa
Highly qualified professional or EU Blue Card	A salary of at least 1.4 times average gross annual earnings for the Blue Card	Handled by the Large Companies and Strategic Groups Unit

The telework route has a shortcut. Foreigners who are legally in Spain, including visitors within their 90 days in a period of 180 days, can apply for the residence permit directly in Spain, where it can be valid for up to three years. The visa issued abroad lasts a maximum of 1 year.

Step 2: Gather the documents every route asks for

Passport: not issued more than 10 years ago, with two blank pages. Work visa applicants need a minimum validity of one year.
Criminal record certificate from the countries where you have lived, usually for the last five years.
Medical certificate stating that you do not suffer from a disease with serious public health repercussions under the International Health Regulations of 2005.
Health insurance with an insurer authorised to operate in Spain, for study, telework and family routes.
Sworn translations and legalisation: foreign documents must be translated into Spanish by a sworn translator and legalised or apostilled.

Step 3: Apply for the visa

Apply in person at the Spanish consulate for the district where you live, or at its visa application centre.
Pay the visa fee at the same time, in local currency. National visa fees differ by nationality because of reciprocity.
Keep the proof of receipt. Its code lets you check the status of your file online.
Collect the visa in person within the window you are given: one month for most visas, 2 months for a study visa.

Step 4: Arrive and regularise

Route	What to do after entry	Deadline
Employment	Be registered with Social Security, then request the foreigner identity card	Social Security within three months of entry; the card within one month of that registration
Study, for stays over six months	Request the foreigner identity card	Within one month of entry
Family reunification	Request the foreigner identity card	Within one month of entry
Telework visa	No identity card needed while the visa is valid	—

The card is requested in person at the police station for your place of residence.

Step 5: Register at the town hall

Once you arrive you need to register as a resident on the municipal register, the padrón municipal, at your local town hall. Children must be registered too, with their own residency documents.

Step 6: Work, tax and Social Security

Employees cannot start until they are registered in the Social Security system.
Reunited spouses, partners and working-age children may work without any further procedure.
Students in higher education may work up to 30 hours automatically.
Regulated professions: you may need to have your foreign qualifications recognised.
Tax: the UK government notes that residents of Spain must declare all assets they hold outside Spain and may need to file an annual tax return, with penalties for failing to do so. It recommends a tax adviser or a gestor, a private professional agent for administrative tasks.

Step 7: Driving

Rules depend on where your licence was issued. For UK licences, the UK government states that you can drive in Spain for up to 6 months, after which a licence issued in the UK or Gibraltar must be exchanged; apply before the 6 months is over. Licences from Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man cannot be exchanged, and holders must pass the Spanish theory and practical tests. For other countries, check with the Spanish Directorate General for Traffic.

What life costs

Measure, 2025	Amount
Average expenditure per household	35,101 euros
Average expenditure per person	14,066 euros
Single person under 65	23,784 euros
Couple with children	44,438 euros
Share spent on housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels	33.2%

These are annual figures from the National Statistics Institute's Household Budget Survey. Spending per person is highest in País Vasco, at 16,642 euros, and lowest in Andalucía, at 12,197 euros.

Staying long term

The ordinary work authorisation is granted for periods of more than ninety days and less than five years. One point for British readers from the UK government: Spain does not recognise dual citizenship with the UK.

Frequently asked questions

Can I move to Spain without a job?

Yes, through routes that do not need a Spanish employer: the telework permit for remote workers, with income of 2,442€ a month in 2026, the study route, with 600€ a month, or family reunification.

How long does it take to get a visa for Spain?

The legal decision period is 1 month for study and work visas and 10 days for the telework visa. A work authorisation in Spain adds up to three months before the visa stage.

What do I need to do when I arrive in Spain?

Register on the municipal register at your town hall and, on most routes, request your foreigner identity card in person within one month.

How much money do I need to move to Spain?

It depends on the route: 600€ a month for students, 2,442€ a month for teleworkers and 150% of the IPREM for a resident bringing one family member. Average household spending in Spain was 35,101 euros in 2025.

Can I apply for residence from inside Spain?

For the telework permit, yes, if you are legally in Spain. Adults can also apply from inside Spain for a study stay in higher education.

Can my family work in Spain?

Yes, if they come through family reunification. A reunited spouse, partner or working-age child may work employed or self-employed anywhere in Spain.

Do EU citizens need a visa to move to Spain?

No. The visa and authorisation rules described here do not apply to citizens of the EU, the European Economic Area or Switzerland.

Official sources

All figures verified against the official pages above on 13 October 2026. Rules differ by route and nationality, so confirm your own case with the Spanish consulate or foreigners' office. Information, not legal advice.