There are several options for obtaining a residence permit in Spain. The easiest way for an adult is to buy a property in Spain or a long-term rental for at least two years. In this case, you get a residence permit without the right to work in this country.
Another condition for obtaining such a residence is proving a certain passive income, calculated by the formula: 400% IPREM (Indicador Público de Renta de Efeitos Múltiples) per year. This abbreviation is an index whose value is in the general government budget. This index determines the limit of personal and family income, which is the basis for calculating and receiving certain types of social assistance from the state.
In 2022, the IPREM was 579.02 euros per month. That is, the amount you would have to show as passive income was calculated using the formula: 579.02*4= 2316.08 euros per month or 27,792.96 euros per year. In 2023, IPREM increased to 600 euros per month, which means that the minimum passive income for your residence permit in Spain must be at least 28,800 euros for the principal applicant and 8,200 euros for each family member if you want each member of your family to obtain a residence permit in Spain.
Suppose you plan to buy a residential or commercial property in Costa Blanca. In that case, we will help you prepare all the necessary documents for obtaining a residence permit and provide information and legal support while getting documents.
Other Ways to Legally Obtain a Residence Permit in Spain
In addition, there are several other legal options for obtaining a residence permit.
Family reunification.
This is also a legal way to live long-term in this sunny country. To get it, you must: prove your Spanish ancestry; be invited by close relatives who already have a residence permit in Spain, live and officially work here; be born in the territory of the Spanish Kingdom, in which case you have the right to obtain Spanish citizenship within a year under the accelerated procedure; have close relatives, subjects of the Kingdom of Spain, that is, in fact, Spanish citizens.
Marriage to a Spanish citizen.
One year after marriage, you will be able to apply for citizenship. Until then, you will have a residence permit in Spain.
You are obtaining an education in Spain.
For this, the applicant must enroll in a fee-based educational institution accredited by the Ministry of Education of Spain. At the same time, there are no restrictions on age or direction of study. The residence permit in Spain may be renewed every year until the end of the studies. With a student residence permit, you can count on the opportunity to work part-time. After three years, you can apply for a residence permit with the right to work and, after five years, obtain permanent residency.
Refugee status with a request for political asylum.
You can apply to the Spanish embassy in your country or locally with a perfect reason to request asylum. If you pass the tests and are approved, within a few months to three years, you are granted refugee status, which gives you all the same rights as locals, except the ability to vote in elections.
You are obtaining a Golden Visa.
This type of residence permit is also issued subject to the real estate purchase, but the purchase must be at least 500,000 euros. Apart from buying real estate, you can invest an equal amount in the Spanish economy: invest in Spanish projects, open a company with at least the declared capital, buy shares in Spanish companies, place a deposit in a Spanish bank (for this, you must first open a bank account), and so on. The Golden Visa enables its holder to reside in the country throughout the year, extend residence in Spain for a longer period in a simplified way, and obtain a residence permit in Spain from all family members of the principal investor.
Obtaining a residence permit in Spain based on residency.
There is no simplified system for obtaining a long-term residence permit for citizens from third-world countries. Only after living in this country for ten years will you be eligible for permanent residency in Spain (citizenship). You will have to renounce your citizenship in your own country, as Spain does not recognize the existence of two passports.
Opening a start-up project in the country by a foreign national.
This option appeared in 2013 to attract innovative companies to the country. However, your project must be genuinely creative to qualify for a residence permit in Spain under this program from the Spanish Ministry of Economy. Suppose someone around you has already obtained a residence permit under this procedure, and the project operates in the country. In that case, you have the right to join the team, receiving the same privileges, but only as a co-founder of the project. If your start-up seems innovative and promising, you can count on financial support from the Ministry of Economy for its development.
Buying property in Spain for residency is the easiest way to get a Spain residence permit.
Real estate agency Lenovaz provides information and legal and organizational support if you decide to get a residence card in Spain. We recommend buying a property in southern Costa Blanca. This is the option that you will never regret and which requires the least effort on your part.
Do you have any questions? Ask us in chat or via messenger. We will answer them all as soon as possible. See you in this sunny country!
Services You Will Need After Obtaining a Residence Permit in Spain