A Complete Guide to Moving and Legalizing Your Stay in Spain in 2025

Spain continues to be one of the most attractive destinations in Europe for relocation, thanks to its mild climate, high quality of life, well-developed infrastructure, and welcoming attitude toward foreigners. In 2025, Spanish legislation continues to evolve, offering migrants a broad range of options for legal residency — from investment and employment to settlement and eventual citizenship. This article offers a comprehensive look at all the current opportunities for moving to and legalizing your stay in Spain.

General Overview of Life in Spain

Geography and Climate

Spain boasts a diverse range of climate zones. The north features a temperate climate with cool summers, while the south and Mediterranean coast experience hot summers and mild winters. The Canary Islands enjoy a year-round spring-like climate, offering ideal conditions for both living and leisure.

Popular Regions

The most sought-after regions include Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Malaga, and Alicante:

• Madrid is Spain’s business and administrative hub, known for high salaries and strong career prospects.
• Barcelona offers a cosmopolitan atmosphere and a rich cultural life.
• Valencia is praised for its comfortable climate, affordable housing, and solid infrastructure.
• Malaga and Alicante are resort cities with vibrant international communities and strong demand for rental properties.

Foreign nationals are also drawn to the Canary and Balearic Islands due to their warm climate, established tourism industries, and favorable tax conditions for residents.

Quality of Life

Spain offers high-quality and accessible healthcare through both public and private providers. Its education system includes free public schools and private international institutions. The country has an extensive transportation network, including high-speed AVE trains, regional buses, and domestic flights.
Spain is generally safe, especially in provincial and coastal areas. The cost of living varies significantly: it’s higher in major cities and tourist hotspots, but inland areas offer more affordable housing, cheaper food, and a slower pace of life.

Demographics and Migration Trends

Spain actively welcomes migrants — a response to its aging population and labor shortages in key sectors such as agriculture, elderly care, hospitality, IT, and construction. The government supports integration by providing access to language courses, vocational training, and social adaptation programs.
As of 2025, the number of new residents continues to grow steadily, especially from Latin America, Eastern Europe, the Maghreb, and Ukraine.

Legalization Options in Spain in 2025

1. Non-Lucrative Residence Permit (residencia no lucrativa)

This type of residence permit is ideal for retirees, individuals with passive income, and others who do not plan to work in Spain. It is not officially intended for remote employees working for foreign companies — in such cases, the digital nomad visa is a more appropriate choice.

Requirements:

• A stable monthly income of at least €2,400 (approximately 400% of the IPREM — this figure may change annually),
• Private health insurance and proof of accommodation,
• No criminal record.

The initial temporary residence permit is issued for one year and can then be renewed for two years, and again for another two years. After five years of continuous legal residence, you become eligible to apply for permanent residency (residencia permanente).
At each renewal, you must again prove sufficient income, suitable housing, and valid health insurance.

After five years, you may also switch to a different type of residence status — for example, self-employment (autónomo), employment-based residency, and others — paving the way for employment and eventual citizenship.

Benefits:

• Children can attend public or private schools.
• Access to public healthcare and social services.

The right to open a bank account, rent or buy property, obtain a driver’s license, and sign contracts for utilities and telecom services.

2. Digital Nomad Visa

This program has been in effect since 2023 as part of the Startup Law and remains relevant in 2025, especially among IT professionals, marketers, designers, analysts, and other digital professionals.

The visa is intended for:

• Employees of foreign companies (outside of Spain),
• Freelancers and self-employed individuals whose income comes at least 80% from foreign clients.

Key requirements:

• Verified stable income of at least €2,500 per month (or €30,000 per year) for the main applicant, proven through bank statements, contracts, invoices, and tax returns.
• No more than 20% of income may come from clients in Spain.
• Private health insurance covering the entire period of stay.
• No criminal record for the past 5 years.
• Higher education or at least 3 years of relevant professional experience.
• Documents proving remote work (e.g., employment contract with a foreign company, employer’s letter, business registration, etc.).
• Motivation letter.

Visa validity:

• Initially issued for 1 year when applying from abroad.
• When applying from within Spain, a residence permit for up to 3 years may be granted.
• Renewable.
• After 5 years of continuous residence (minimum 183 days per year), you may qualify for permanent residency (residencia permanente).

Additional features:

• Spouses and children can obtain residence permits as dependents.
• All family members gain access to healthcare and education.

Tax regime (Beckham Law):

Remote employees who obtain this visa and are employed by a registered company may benefit from the special tax regime known as the Beckham Law. It offers a flat 24% tax rate on foreign income for up to 6 years, subject to specific conditions.

However, self-employed individuals and freelancers do not qualify for this benefit.

This visa has become particularly popular among professionals from the U.S., the U.K., Latin America, and CIS countries who seek to combine a comfortable life in Spain with international work opportunities.

3. Residency Through Rooting (Arraigo)

Arraigo is a special legalization program for individuals who are residing in Spain illegally and want to legalize their stay by demonstrating strong ties with Spanish society. There are three main types.

3.1. Social Rooting (Arraigo Social)

Requirements:

• Illegal stay in Spain for at least 3 continuous years (brief absences up to 120 days allowed).
• A one-year employment contract or strong family ties with Spanish residents (e.g., spouse, children, parents).
• Proof of social integration — typically a certificado de empadronamiento confirming at least 2 years of residence in a neighborhood, plus a certificate from language or cultural adaptation courses.
• No criminal record in Spain or country of origin.
• Proof of sufficient financial means to support yourself.

The application is submitted to the Immigration Office (Oficina de Extranjería) with a full set of documents. The decision is usually issued within 3 months. If approved, the applicant is granted a 1-year residence permit with the right to work.

3.2. Employment-Based Rooting (Arraigo Laboral)

Requirements:

• Illegal stay in Spain for at least 2 years.
• Proof of actual work in Spain during the past 6 months — at least 6 working days or 30 calendar days of legal employment. This may include contracts, payslips, employer letters, or any other official documentation.
• No criminal record.
• Proof of residence (registration).

This residence permit allows for 1 year of legal stay and work, with the possibility of renewal. After 5 years, applicants may qualify for permanent residency.

⚠️ In 2025, authorities have tightened evidence requirements for employment-based rooting, so official documentation is essential to avoid rejection.

3.3. Family Rooting (Arraigo Familiar)

Requirements:

• Presence of close family members:
  • A child born in Spain (even if the parents are undocumented), or
  • a spouse who is a legal resident or Spanish citizen.
• Proof of family ties through official documents (birth certificate, marriage certificate).
• No criminal record.
• Registration at place of residence.

This is the fastest path to legalization for those with close family connections in Spain. No minimum stay in Spain is required. The residence permit is issued for 1 year with the right to work and can be extended.

General Recommendations for Arraigo Applicants

• All applicants must have a valid passport or identity document if possible.
• It's recommended to prepare a detailed file with supporting documents: lease agreements, proof of community involvement, language course certificates, etc.
• Timely registration with the municipality (empadronamiento) is crucial, as it's one of the key documents.
• In case of a rejection, applicants have the right to appeal or seek legal assistance.

4. Spain’s Golden Visa Program

The Golden Visa was a special residence permit program for investors and their families, allowing residency based on substantial contributions to the Spanish economy.

🛑 This program was officially canceled as of April 3, 2025.

5. Residence Permit Based on Employment Contract

This residence permit is granted to foreign nationals invited to work in Spain under an employment contract. The primary condition is that the job must be included in the official list of "ocupaciones de difícil cobertura" (hard-to-fill occupations), published quarterly by the Public Employment Service (SEPE). As of 2025, priority is given to sectors such as agriculture, construction, elderly, and disability care, as well as IT and telecommunications.

To obtain this residence permit, the applicant must:

• Have a signed employment contract with a Spanish employer, approved by the Immigration Office (Oficina de Extranjería);
• Provide evidence that the vacancy cannot be filled by a Spanish or EU citizen;
• Submit documents proving professional qualifications (e.g. diplomas, certificates, work experience);
• Not be residing illegally in Spain at the time of application (except under the "arraigo laboral" provision).

The employer must ensure that employment conditions meet Spanish labor standards (salary, working hours, insurance) and be registered with the social security system.

The initial residence permit is granted for one year and can be renewed as long as the employment continues. After 5 years of continuous legal residence, the holder may apply for permanent residency, and after an additional year, for Spanish citizenship (subject to conditions). Unlike some other permits, this type grants immediate legal work and residence rights in Spain, making it attractive for professionals planning long-term integration.

6. Self-Employment Residence Permit (Autónomo)

Non-EU foreign nationals may obtain a residence permit in Spain by registering as a self-employed individual (autónomo). This path suits freelancers, consultants, artisans, small business owners, and startup founders seeking to legally work and live in Spain.

Requirements for the self-employment permit include:

• Residing outside Spain at the time of application;
• Submitting a business plan approved by an accredited Spanish institution (e.g. Chamber of Commerce);
• Demonstrating sufficient financial resources to launch the business and support oneself (typically from 130% IPREM per month — about €900 per applicant, plus additional amounts for dependents);
• Providing qualifications (e.g. diplomas, licenses, certificates);
• Having health insurance and no criminal record in the past 5 years;
• Proving the business project’s viability and sustainability, including projected income, tax obligations, and anticipated expenses.

The permit is issued for one year and is renewable if the conditions are met: active business operations, tax, and social security payments, and no outstanding debts to Hacienda (tax authority) or Seguridad Social.

After 5 years of legal residence, entrepreneurs may apply for permanent residency, and eventually for citizenship (subject to additional integration and language requirements).

As of 2025, Spain offers social security contribution discounts for new autónomos during the first 12–24 months, making this route especially appealing to early-career professionals, startup founders, and freelancers.

7. EU Blue Card

The EU Blue Card is a residence permit for highly qualified professionals from non-EU countries. It aims to attract talent to key sectors and allows not only work and residence in Spain, but also potential mobility within the EU with similar rights.

To qualify for the EU Blue Card in Spain in 2025, applicants must:

• Hold a higher education degree (bachelor's or above) or have at least 5 years of verified professional experience in a relevant field;
• Have an employment contract or job offer valid for at least one year;
• Earn an annual salary of at least 1.5x the national average (around €40,000–€45,000 in 2025), or 1.2x if working in a high-demand field (e.g. IT, engineering, healthcare);
• Have no criminal record and valid health insurance.

Benefits of the EU Blue Card:

• Immediate eligibility for family reunification (spouse and children may obtain residency at once);
• Possibility to change employers or move to another EU country after 12–18 months of residence;
• Period of residence counts toward permanent residency or citizenship, including time spent in other EU countries;
• Direct access to recognition of professional qualifications and participation in public tenders, projects, and academic initiatives.

The Blue Card remains one of the most flexible and prestigious residence permits for professionals seeking to build a career in the EU while retaining mobility and access to the European labor market.

8. Student Visas (Estancia por Estudios)

A student visa allows non-EU citizens to legally reside in Spain for the duration of their studies. It is suitable for those enrolled in Spanish universities, master's programs, vocational training (FP), language schools, and accredited online programs with in-person modules in Spain.

Key features in 2025:

• Issued for up to one year, renewable annually for the duration of the program.
• For programs longer than 6 months, applicants must provide:
  • Proof of sufficient financial means (at least 100% of IPREM — approx. €735/month or €8,820/year);
  • Proof of accommodation in Spain (rental, dormitory, or invitation);
  • Health insurance coverage;
  • No criminal record (if over 18).

Benefits of a student visa:

• Legal right to work part-time (up to 30 hours/week), as long as it does not interfere with studies (contract must be registered, but no separate work permit is needed);
• Opportunity to complete internships (prácticas) — paid or unpaid — as part of the curriculum;
• Eligibility to switch to another type of residence permit, such as:
  • Employment-based permit, if hired after graduation;
  • Self-employment permit (autónomo);
  • Residence under the Talent Attraction Law for recent graduates (if offered a qualifying job).

After 3 years of continuous stay on a student visa, applicants may apply for arraigo para la formación — a residence pathway based on training that can lead to employment.

In 2025, the student visa remains one of the most flexible and promising immigration routes to Spain, particularly for young professionals and students seeking long-term integration via education and the labor market.

Family Legalization in Spain

Family members of legal residents are entitled to reunification. This includes spouses, children under 18, and financial dependents. Applicants must demonstrate sufficient income and adequate housing.

Taxes and Tax Regimes

New residents may benefit from the Beckham Law: a flat 24% tax rate on income up to €600,000. Spain also has double taxation treaties. Taxes on property, inheritance, and capital gains vary by region.

Pathway to Citizenship

Standard route: 5 years of temporary residence + 5 years of permanent residency. Citizenship may be requested after 10 years. For nationals of Latin America, Andorra, and the Philippines — only 2 years. Requirements include Spanish language proficiency, integration, and clean criminal records.

Helpful Resources and Tips

• Official Ministry of the Interior website: www.interior.gob.es
• Immigration portals: Extranjería, Parainmigrantes.info
• Legal consultations, expat Telegram groups
• Job platforms: InfoJobs, LinkedIn, Indeed
• Housing: Idealista, Fotocasa
• Language schools: Cervantes Institute, online programs

Conclusion

In 2025, Spain will offer a wide range of legal pathways to residency: from traditional visas to innovative options for digital nomads and investors. The choice depends on financial means, migration goals, and level of preparation. The key is to carefully study the requirements and proceed step by step. Life in Spain offers comfort, safety, and rich cultural experiences — well worth the effort for successful integration.