Is it hard to get residency in Spain?

Many of the residency permit application procedures can be tough: a lot of documents and requirements. In order to solve this situation, the Golden Visa was created. You just need to invest 500.000€ in Spanish real estate and you will easily get your residency.

Is getting residency in Spain easy?

Although Spain makes it quite easy to obtain permanent residency, there are still a few hoops to jump through. The most important requirement, though, is that non-EU nationals must have legally lived in Spain with an NIE number for five years. Of course, you will have to meet other criteria, too.

How long does it take to get residency in Spain?

The residence permit is usually issued for a period of 2 years, renewable, provided that you still meet the economic requirements and you have lived at least 183 days in Spain each year. After 5 years of holding the temporary residence permit, you will be eligible for permanent residency.

How much money do you need to get residency in Spain?

Main Applicant - The main visa applicant will need to prove an income of 400% of the Spanish IPREM (Indicador Público de Renta de Efectos Múltiples), which in 2022 equates to €579,02. This means you will need to have an income of at least €2,316,08 per month or its legal equivalent in foreign currency.

How can I get residency in Spain?

Individuals can obtain permanent residency in Spain after having legally lived in the country for a period of five uninterrupted years. When they fulfill this specific condition, they can apply for permanent residency and then gain the right to live for the rest of their lives in the country.

✅ How to Enter Spain with a Tourist Visa and Get the Residency

Can I live in Spain if I buy a house?

Yes, you can get residency in Spain after buying a house, and that is thanks to the golden visa scheme. Since 2013, non-EU citizens who purchase a property in the Spanish territory can get a 2-year residence permit (that can be renewed) as long as the property investment is at least € 500.000.

What are the pitfalls of retiring to Spain?

Can I live in Spain when I retire?

Yes, Americans can retire in Spain. Technically, you can enter the country and stay there for 90 days with an American passport. However, if you wish to spend more than 90 days there, you must get a visa. The best visa option for that is a Residence Visa without the right to work.

Can you live in Spain without residency?

First you get a tourist visa, then the residency

The tourist visa will allow you to stay in the country for just 3 months. 90 days is the maximum amount of time you can legally live in Spain without getting residency. Once that period ends, you will need to go back to your country.

What are the requirements to retire in Spain?

To qualify for the minimum Spanish state pension, you'll need to have made social security contributions in Spain for at least 15 years. To get a full Spanish state pension, you'll need to have at least 37 years of contributions.

Can I live permanently in Spain?

Moving permanently to Spain after Brexit

If you are one of them and you have been living in Spain lawfully for at least five years, you will be able to apply for indefinite permission to reside there, in Spanish “permiso de residencia de larga duración”.

What are the benefits of having Spanish residency?

How long can I stay in Spain if I own a property?

At present you can only spend up to 90 days in Spain, then you must leave the country. You will then not be able to return to the Schengen Area until 180 days have passed since your date of entry into Spain (or elsewhere in the Schengen Area).

What are the disadvantages of taking Spanish residency?

The disadvantage of Tax Residency

Tax residency means that the foreigner in Spain who has this status will have to pay all the taxes that the residents must pay; still, they are not considered the country's residents. So, they pay those taxes as non-residents.

How do I get residency in Spain 2020?

How long does residency last in Spain?

What is permanent residency in Spain? It is called a Spain permanent residence if non-European Union citizens have lived continuously in Spain for five years and have obtained a residency card indefinitely. You can renew these residency cards every five years.

Can Brits retire to Spain after Brexit?

The answer is simple: yes. It is still possible to retire to Spain after Brexit, even though the path has now changed (things are not that simple now that Brits are subject to the same immigration rules as non-EU citizens).

What's the 90 day rule in Spain?

How does the '90/180-day rule' work? Without a visa, you can only stay in Spain for 90 days within a 180-day period. You can use your 90 days as you wish, either staying for 90 days in a row or breaking the days up into smaller chunks. Either way, you cannot be in Spain for more than 90 days in a 180-day period.

What happens if you stay over 90 days in Spain?

If you leave Spain, you may be registered as having overstayed the 90-day period by Spanish immigration. This could make it difficult for you to return and/or mean you have to pay a fine. In the worst-case scenario, you could face deportation and/or a ban from the Schengen area.

Is retiring to Spain a good idea?

Is retiring to Spain a good idea? Retiring in Spain is a very good idea. Spain has many great benefits for expats retiring there such as a low cost of living, a great climate and excellent affordable healthcare. All of these benefits give expats retiring in Spain a very high quality of life.

Can I live in Spain without a job?

You can move to Spain without a job.

Nevertheless, you will then need to apply for any residency that does not list it as a requirement.

Do retired expats pay taxes in Spain?

Yes, expats in Spain need to pay taxes. The most basic tax that expats must pay in Spain is the income tax. The income tax is calculated upon the expat's worldwide income. However, if you are a Spanish non-resident, the income tax is calculated just upon the income generated in Spain.

How much tax will I pay on my pension in Spain?

Investment interest and dividends are taxed at 19%, although are typically lower through double taxation agreements. Interest tax is exempt for EU citizens. Royalties are taxed at 24%. Pensions are taxed at progressive rates, from 8% to 40%.

Is moving to Spain a good idea?

There are extensive air routes, railways, ports and roads in Spain that make the country an excellent base for travel around Europe and farther afield. Also, those wishing to move abroad to Spain should be able to return home whenever necessary with minimal hassle.

Do you pay council tax in Spain?

IBI is a local charge in Spain that is similar to council tax in the UK. The letters I.B.I. stand for Impuesto sobre Bienes Inmuebles, literally an immovable property tax. Depending upon where in Spain your property is located you can expect to pay this expense either once or twice per year.