Spanish immigration routes for international clients
Move to Spain
Explore the main legal routes for moving to Spain, including visas, residence permits, work authorisations, family immigration and practical procedures. Use this page as a starting point to understand your options and move from general information to a case-specific immigration plan.
What this service covers
Understand the legal structure of your move to Spain
Every immigration matter should be reviewed against the applicant’s current circumstances. Your nationality, professional situation, financial resources, family relationships and long-term objectives can all influence which immigration route should be considered.
This page brings together the main immigration routes, procedures and practical resources relevant to international clients dealing with Spanish immigration law.
The information is general and is intended to help you understand the structure of the process before obtaining case-specific legal advice.
Immigration routes
Main legal routes for moving to Spain
The correct route depends on the purpose of your move, your nationality and the professional, financial or family circumstances supporting your application.
Digital Nomad Visa
A route for qualifying international remote workers and professionals who want to live in Spain while carrying out remote professional activity.
Explore Digital Nomad Visa →Non-Lucrative Residence
A residence route that may be relevant to non-EU nationals who intend to live in Spain without carrying out professional activity.
Explore Non-Lucrative Residence →Highly Qualified Professionals
Immigration assistance for qualifying international professionals and companies employing specialised talent in Spain.
Highly Qualified Professionals →Self-Employment in Spain
Immigration planning for international applicants who intend to develop an independent professional or business activity in Spain.
Self-Employment Visa →Family Immigration
Residence options related to qualifying relationships with Spanish citizens, EU citizens or legal residents in Spain.
Explore Family Immigration →Residence Permits
Temporary and long-term residence, renewals, modifications and other immigration procedures for applicants in Spain.
Explore Residence Permits →Immigration legal strategy
Prepare the legal route before filing.
A well-organised application starts with understanding the route, evidence and procedural steps that apply to your circumstances.
How an immigration lawyer can help
From immigration options to a case-specific plan
A lawyer can review the proposed route, identify missing or inconsistent evidence, organise the application and explain the procedural steps that follow submission.
For international clients, legal assistance can also help coordinate documentation issued abroad, translations, legalisation or apostille requirements and other documents that may need to be prepared before they are used in Spain.
Immigration documentation
Prepare the documents supporting your move to Spain
Immigration procedures are highly dependent on supporting evidence. The exact documentation varies according to the route and circumstances of the applicant.
Identity & civil records
Passport information, civil status certificates and other personal documentation may form part of the application.
Professional evidence
Employment, remote work, professional experience or business documentation may be relevant depending on the immigration route.
Financial evidence
Certain procedures may require evidence related to financial means, income or other economic circumstances.
Foreign documents
Documents issued outside Spain may require translation, apostille or legalisation depending on the procedure.
Moving from abroad
Moving to Spain from an English-speaking country
Explore Spanish immigration, visa and residence options for citizens of major English-speaking countries planning to move to Spain.
Discuss your situationImmigration guides
Practical resources for your immigration process
NIE Number in Spain
Learn what an NIE is and when it may be needed in connection with procedures in Spain.
Read NIE guide →Apostille, Legalisation & Translation
Understand the preparation of foreign documents intended for use in Spanish procedures.
Document requirements →Recognition of Foreign Degrees
Explore recognition and homologation procedures for foreign academic qualifications in Spain.
Degree recognition →Family Immigration
Review residence options based on qualifying family relationships in Spain.
Family immigration →Work in Spain
Explore immigration routes connected with employment, professional activity and international mobility.
Work in Spain →Immigration Appeals
Review the legal options that may be relevant when an immigration application has been refused.
Immigration Appeals →How it works
From general immigration information to a clear plan
Identify your objective
Define whether you want to work, live, join family, establish a professional activity or pursue another immigration route.
Review your circumstances
Consider nationality, current status, work situation, financial circumstances and available documentation.
Select the legal route
Determine which immigration procedure should be analysed in greater detail.
Prepare the next steps
Organise documentation, identify potential issues and prepare the application strategy.
Case-specific advice
Discuss your move to Spain with an immigration lawyer
General information can help you understand the available immigration routes, but the appropriate strategy depends on the facts and documentation of your individual case.
Book online consultationFrequently asked questions
Moving to Spain: common immigration questions
The appropriate route depends on factors such as your nationality, professional activity, financial circumstances, family relationships and the purpose of your move.
Yes. Many international clients begin by reviewing their immigration options, documentation and application strategy before travelling to Spain.
Spain has immigration routes for qualifying international remote workers who meet the applicable professional, financial and documentary requirements.
Certain residence routes may be relevant to applicants who intend to live in Spain without carrying out professional activity.
Eligible family members may be able to accompany or join the principal applicant depending on the immigration route and family relationship.
Depending on the procedure and country of issue, foreign documents may need an apostille, legalisation and, where applicable, an official translation.
Yes. Online consultations allow international clients to review their circumstances and prepare an immigration strategy before moving to Spain.
No. The information is general. A case-specific assessment requires reviewing your individual circumstances, objectives and documentation.
Planning to move to Spain?
Schedule an online consultation to review your circumstances, identify the immigration route that may apply and understand the documentation and next steps for your case.