What type of visa do I need to move to Spain as a non-EU citizen?

Due to its vibrant culture, great climate and high quality of life, Spain remains one of the most popular destinations for non-EU citizens wanting to move abroad.

Whether you’re considering moving to Spain to study, work remotely, launch your business, or enjoy your retirement, there are a few different visa options available to make that happen.

Here, we’ll give an overview of the main visa options available for non-EU citizens, depending on your reason for moving to Spain.

Please note that the once-popular Golden Visa (based on real estate investment) is no longer available as of April 2025.

Lifestyle-based visas (non-working residency)

Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV)

The Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV) is ideal for retirees or individuals receiving passive income. This visa type allows you to live in Spain without working or engaging in any professional activity.

This visa type is especially popular with American and British expats who want to retire or take a lifestyle break in Spain.

Who it's for:

• Retirees with pensions
• Individuals living off savings, rental income, dividends, or other passive income

Visa requirements:

• Proof of sufficient financial means (approximately €30,000 per year for an individual, higher for families)
• Private health insurance valid in Spain
• A clean criminal record
• You cannot be in employment or conducting freelance work

Validity and renewal:

• Initially issued for one year, the NLV is renewable for two years. After five years of continuous residency, you can apply for long-term residency and eventually Spanish citizenship (after 10 years of legal residence in most cases).

Study and internship visas

Student Visa

The Spanish student visa allows non-EU citizens to stay in Spain for the entire duration of an academic or vocational program.

Alongside your studies, the student visa also allows you to work part-time, up to 30 hours per week. 

Who it's for:

• University or language school students
• Participants in official training or professional development courses 

Requirements:

• Enrollment in a recognised academic institution
• Proof of funds (approximately €600–700 per month minimum)
• Private or public health insurance valid in Spain
• Clean criminal record

Internship Visa

Separate from the student visa, the internship visa exists to support recent graduates who want to complete an internship in Spain after their studies finish.  

Who it's for:

• Recent graduates with an internship agreement (convenio) or internship contract with a Spanish company

Requirements:

• Completion of a higher education programme within the past two years
• An internship offer aligned with your field of study
• Proof of financial means
• Private or public health insurance valid in Spain

Both the student and internship visas can lead to Spanish residence later down the line, for example, if you find a qualified job.

Entrepreneurship and innovation (under Spain’s ‘Entrepreneurship Law’)

Spain’s 2013 ‘Ley de Emprendedores’ (Entrepreneurship Law) created new visa categories to attract talent and innovation into the country.

These visas are processed more efficiently through a central government unit (UGE), and directly grant residence permits for two years.

Digital Nomad Visa (DNV)

The digital nomad visa (DNV) is a recent and highly popular option for remote workers and freelancers who want to move to Spain.

The DNV is often processed quickly and is renewable for up to five years. It also offers a special low-tax regime for up to six years (Beckam’s Law). If you have dependent family members moving to Spain with you, they can apply for dependent visas.  

Who it's for:

• Remote workers employed by companies outside Spain
• Freelancers with international clients

Requirements:

• Proof of remote work (either a contract or client base for at least 3 months)
• Minimum income of approx. €2,600 per month
• Demonstration of work history or professional qualifications
• Private health insurance valid in Spain
• Clean criminal record
• Tax residency outside Spain (at the time of application) 

Entrepreneur Visa

The entrepreneur visa is designed for people planning to launch a business in Spain. However, not all startups will qualify. The Spanish authorities will assess each application and score it based on innovation, scalability, and economic impact.

Generally, this visa is suitable for:

• Tech-driven startups
• Projects with strong financial backing
• Businesses expected to create local employment
• Ventures aligned with strategic sectors such as digital transformation, renewable energy, or biotech

To apply for the entrepreneurship visa, you must submit a detailed business plan which will be reviewed by a government agency (either ENISA or a similar institution), to determine whether the project meets Spain’s innovation and economic contribution criteria. 

This visa is not suitable for businesses such as cafés, small retail shops, or freelance consultancy services.

Highly Qualified Professional Visa

The Highly Qualified Professional Visa is for specialists or executives who are hired by Spanish or international companies. 

Who it's for:

• Managers, researchers, or specialists with high-level professional qualifications

Requirements:

• A university degree or comparable experience
• A job offer from a Spanish company or multinational
• The job must require skills aligned with the applicant’s education and experience
• Minimum salary thresholds apply (these vary depending on role and age) 

Intra-Company Transfer (ICT)

The Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) visa allows workers from multinational companies to relocate to the Spanish branch or subsidiary of that company.

Who it's for:

• Employees with at least three months of employment in their company
• People in executive, specialist, or trainee roles

Requirements:

• A valid work contract and required corporate documentation
• Proof of experience and salary
• A transfer plan explaining the purpose and duration of the transfer

Employment-driven residency in Spain: the reality

Many expats assume that securing a job offer in Spain will be a straightforward way to obtain a residence permit. However, in reality, this is one of the most restrictive and least accessible routes for non-EU citizens.

Spain applies a shortage occupation list (catálogo de ocupaciones de difícil cobertura) to determine which roles can be offered to non-EU candidates. This list only includes a few professions, is often limited to maritime or highly technical jobs, and is updated quarterly.

To hire from outside the EU, employers must prove that no EU citizen can fill the position before offering it to a non-EU national

Jobs such as waiter, teacher, shop assistant, or similar positions won’t typically qualify you for a standard work permit, even if the employer is willing to hire you.

Exceptions to the rules

There are two notable exceptions under the Entrepreneurship Law, which allow non-EU professionals to relocate to Spain through an employment contract without relying on the national shortage list. These are: 

• Highly Qualified Professional Visa for executives and specialists with advanced degrees or experience, usually in technical or managerial roles requiring specific skills
• Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) for employees of multinational companies moving to a Spanish branch 

Both of the above visa routes are processed by a centralized, fast-track system and are generally more viable than the standard work permit for non-EU applicants.If you're not eligible to relocate to Spain for work purposes under the shortage list or the exceptions mentioned above, other pathways outlined above such as study visas, internships, or the Digital Nomad Visa can sometimes lead to a change of residency status from within Spain.

What about the Golden Visa?

Until very recently, Spain offered a Golden Visa to those investing €500,000 or more in real estate. This visa granted residency with minimal stay requirements.

However, the Golden Visa has been officially withdrawn from April 2025 and is no longer available as a relocation option for those wishing to move to Spain.

In summary, choosing the right visa for your move to Spain depends on a number of factors including your professional background, lifestyle goals, and financial situation.

Spain offers a solid range of options — especially for remote professionals, entrepreneurs, and retirees — but it’s essential to understand the legal requirements before making plans.