How can I stay in Spain legally?
Lily Fisher
Updated on April 28, 2026
How can I legally live in Spain?
The non EU-foreigners need the residence permit to inhabit in the Spain. To enter the Spanish country the foreigner will be required to show his valid passport and the corresponding visa. Residence permit is required in order to remain and live in Spain after a period of time exceeding 90 days..How long can you stay in Spain as a non resident?
How long can I stay in Spain without becoming a resident? You can stay in Spain for a maximum of 183 days per year (6 months) in order to not become a resident. If you spend an extra day (184 days and onwards), you will be regarded as a resident, hence paying resident taxes in the country.How can I stay in Spain for a year?
Non-lucrative residency visaThe non-lucrative visa will allow you to live in Spain for a period longer than 90 days, lasting 1 year from the moment it is granted. This type of residence permit can be renewed only if you have lived in Spain for at least a period of 183 days (hence becoming a resident).
How can I live in Spain without a visa?
The 90-day ruleThis rule simply states that you can live in Spain without residency for a maximum of 90 days. After those 3 months, you need to either obtain a residence permit, or leave the country. And that is because the shortest stay option is the tourist (or Schengen) visa, which lasts exactly for 90 days.
✅ How to Enter Spain with a Tourist Visa and Get the Residency
Can I live in Spain permanently?
Moving permanently to Spain after BrexitIf 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”.
Can you just move to Spain?
Because there is no one right to emigrate to Spain. There are different kinds of residence permits in Spain, and the procedure for each of them is completely different. Trying to get a work permit is a completely different journey than getting a non-lucrative visa.How can I stay in Spain for longer than 90 days?
If you are a non-EEA national (including British) and wish to stay in Spain for longer than 90 days, you will need a visa. You should apply for the visa that suits your purpose from a Spanish Consulate in your home country.
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Your dependents may be:
- Spouse or legal partner.
- Children.
- Parents.
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 happens if I stay in Spain more than 90 days?
The Schengen law states that you can't stay in the Schengen Area for more than 90 days. If you do, you're subject to a fine and possibly deportation and being banned from re-entering the Schengen Area.How much money do I need in the bank for Spanish residency?
You must have income of at least €25,560 annually, plus €6,390 per each additional family member. Income may be derived from investments, annuities, sabbaticals and any other sources of income. The visa issued will have a validity of three months and fifteen days, with multiple entries and 90 days of stay in Spain.How can I live in Spain for 6 months?
Living in Spain for 6 months consecutivelyIn order to live in Spain for 6 months in a row, you will need to request a visa. In most cases, this would likely be the retirement visa or the non-lucrative visa.
Can I get residency 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.How long can I stay in Spain without a visa?
Spain is a party to the Schengen Agreement. This means that U.S. citizens may enter Spain for up to 90 days for tourism or business without a visa. Your passport should be valid for at least three months beyond the period of stay. You must have sufficient funds and a return airline ticket.What documents do I need to live in Spain?
Residency card
- NIE, or your foreigner's tax number.
- Your S1 form if you are a pensioner or proof of Spanish health insurance if not.
- Proof of fee payment for the residencia application (paid at any Spanish bank)
- The completed residency application form.
- Passport.
- Two passport size photos.
- Proof of income.
How long can a UK citizen stay in Spain after Brexit?
UK citizens in Spain will be able to remain for a period of 3 months at a time, staying longer than this will require a visa. To spend more than 90 days in Spain in a period of 6 months Brits will need to acquire a Spanish Schengen visa. This can be obtained from a Spanish embassy or consulate in UK.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).Can I still retire in Spain?
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 I stay in Europe for 6 months?
Once you are allowed to enter the Schengen Area — with just your passport or with a short-term visa — you are ONLY permitted to stay for 3 months (90 days) in any 6-month period (180 days).Can I holiday in Spain for more than 3 months?
Important: don't mistake it for the 183-day ruleThe problem is that this rule is often called the 180-day rule too (since you are allowed to stay in Spain for 3 months within a total period of 180 days), and it generates a lot of confusion with another rule with a similar name: the 183-day rule.