Spain: Immigration and Visa - Page 3 of 3

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Visa Options For Non-EU Citizens To Live, Work Or Retire In Spain

Visa options: non-EU citizens, which from 2021 includes British citizens, must have an appropriate visa if they are to live in Spain. Professional advice is advisable to ensure you obtain the visa that best meets your circumstances and gives you the best benefits. Here we set out a summary of the main visa options. There...

Can I Still Move Or Retire To Spain?

So with the Brexit transition period ended on 31st December, what are the chances of being able to move or retire to Spain in 2021? Is it too late to take advantage of the existing rights as a citizen of an EU member country? Written by Nigel Ayres, CEO of Expat Network Spain...

Applying For Residence In Spain

Understand how to apply for and maintain residence in Spain An NIE (Numero de Identificacion de Extranjero) and a Tarjeta de Residencia (residency card) is required if you intend to stay in Spain for more than 90 days. It is possible to stay without applying for residence, but it is required for many purposes, including...

Moving Abroad Checklist

Initial Considerations

Will your partner be travelling with you?

If so, what will they be giving up in your present home and will they be able to continue with their career in your new home? You will need to check whether a separate visa is required for your partner to work or if your visa gives that right. If they are unable to work you will need to decide on the effect on your finances and what alternatives are available to give a fulfilling life (home business, training, voluntary work).

Are you taking family with you?

Moving with family raises many exciting opportunities, but also can create challenges. The HSBC Expat Explorer survey indicates that expat kids can take six months to settle in to their new country (see article). Getting young or even older children to prepare to move and leave their friends and family behind can be a challenge and should be thought through.

The options for education is another area that needs to be thought through.

Moving your child to a new country with a different education system can be a great opportunity to broaden their experience, but if they are close to key exams the timing can make this inadvisable. If you do take your family with you, it is important to decide between joining the local school system or choosing an international school.

Where will you be living?

Whether you will be living in a house or apartment, furnished or unfurnished, these decisions will affect what you need to take with you. The time you are planning to live overseas will also affect whether you should leave your property at home empty, rent it out or sell it. See the article Sell, Store or Ship.