Your route to residency in Spain
Several residence routes, one coordinated file. We assess your profile, choose the right permit and manage the process end to end — from the document list to the appointment for your residence card.
Spain is one of the most popular destinations in Europe for people relocating from outside the EU — for its climate, its cities and a set of residence permits designed for remote workers, retirees, entrepreneurs and professionals.
Each route below suits a different profile. The cards summarise who it fits and what usually decides the file; the detail pages go further. The right choice always depends on the full picture — income, family, timing and plans for work — which is what we review with you in the consultation.
How we work
We don’t file the first route you mention — we run a short assessment of your income, work situation and plans, then recommend the permit that actually holds up, with a full document list before you commit to anything. Once you’re in, we handle the file with our immigration lawyers in Barcelona, coordinate translations and apostilles, and stay with you through the residence card appointment.
What we don’t promise
Processing times and document requirements are set by the Spanish authorities and vary by consulate and by season — we give you a realistic estimate based on current caseloads, not a fixed date. We also don’t recommend a route that doesn’t fit your real situation just because it’s faster; a permit that gets rejected costs more time than a slower, correct one.
- 01
Digital Nomad VisaMost requested
Live in Spain while working remotely for employers or clients outside the country.
Who it fits: Remote employees of companies based outside Spain, and freelancers whose clients are mostly abroad.
- 02
Non-Lucrative (Passive Income) Residence
Live in Spain without working, supported by pension, rental income, dividends or savings.
Who it fits: Retirees, investors and anyone who can support themselves in Spain without working.
- 03
Self-Employed Residence
Move to Spain to run your own business or freelance activity, based on a viable business plan.
Who it fits: Entrepreneurs and independent professionals who want to work for clients in Spain.
- 04
Highly Qualified Professional
A fast-track work and residence permit for senior, specialist and managerial roles in Spanish companies.
Who it fits: Professionals with a job offer from a Spanish company for a qualified or managerial position.
- 05
Company Branch & Intra-Company Transfer
Open a branch or subsidiary in Spain and move managers and employees from your company abroad.
Who it fits: Owners and managers of companies outside the EU who want a presence in Spain.
- 06
After Your Studies in Spain
Options for graduates who completed a degree, master's or doctorate in Spain.
Who it fits: Students finishing or who have just finished higher education in Spain.
- 07
Start-up Visa (Entrepreneur Residence)
Move to Spain to launch an innovative, scalable business, backed by a favourable ENISA report on your plan.
Who it fits: Non-EU founders who want to launch an innovative business of special economic interest for Spain.
- 08
Student Visa (Stay for Studies)
Live in Spain while you study full-time at an accredited centre, with the right to work part-time.
Who it fits: Non-EU nationals admitted to a full-time programme in Spain — a university degree, master's or doctorate, or a language or vocational course that meets the required hours.
- 09
Audiovisual Visa (Film, TV and Performing Arts)
Come to Spain to work on a film, series, broadcast or live production, from a short shoot to a long-running project.
Who it fits: Non-EU actors, directors, producers, technical crew and performing artists engaged by a production company or organiser in Spain.
This page gives general orientation. The right route and the exact requirements are confirmed only after reviewing your file.
Who will manage your file
The people who run your process in this country — and what each of them does for you.
Can Lav
Founder & Lead Consultant
Founded LAVCOM Partners in Barcelona in October 2023, with a background in real estate, international trade and a vehicle-rental venture in the United States. The first point of contact for every client, from the first question to the residence card.
Marc Pairó Pujol
Lawyer · Partner, ILLAY Legal
Immigration and international mobility lawyer, registered with the Barcelona Bar (ICAB no. 43030). Integrates immigration strategy with tax, commercial and labour law.
Darío Cerisole
Lawyer · Founding Partner & Managing Director, ILLAY Legal
Barcelona immigration lawyer, admitted to the Barcelona Bar (ICAB) and a founding partner of ILLAY Legal. Focuses on business immigration, highly qualified professionals and student mobility.
Frequently asked questions
Which Spanish visa is right for me?
It depends on how you earn — remotely for a foreign employer, freelance, running your own company, or living off savings and passive income — plus your family situation and timing. We review your profile in the free pre-call and point you to the route that actually fits, rather than the one you asked about.
How long does a Spanish residence application take?
It varies by route and by consulate or office workload, typically a few months from a complete file to the card appointment. We give you a realistic estimate once we know your route and starting point, not a generic number.
Can my family come with me?
Most routes allow your spouse and dependent children to apply alongside you, or shortly after. Family reunification requirements differ by permit, which we check as part of the assessment.
Do I need to already be in Spain to apply?
Some routes are filed from your home country at the consulate, others can be filed once you are already in Spain on another status. We tell you which applies to your route before you commit to either path.
What happens after I get the residence permit?
Most permits require renewal after one to three years, with conditions to maintain (income, ties, time spent in Spain). We flag these at the start so nothing catches you off guard later, and we're still reachable when renewal time comes.
Do you also handle tax and company set-up in Spain?
Yes — through our accounting and tax partners we cover autónomo registration, company formation and ongoing bookkeeping, so your residence file and your financial set-up stay consistent from day one.
Write to us — we reply on WhatsApp within one working day
Leave your name and number. No calendar, no long form. A person from our team gets back to you.
Ask on WhatsAppNot sure which route fits you?
Take the free pre-assessment. No e-mail needed to see your result.