LATEST. Digital Nomad Visa
In September 2023 A Place in the Sun editor Liz Rowlinson interviewed Sun Lawyers Relocation Expert, Mark McMillan about the latest developments regarding applications for the new Digital Nomad Permit.
March 2023 Digital Nomad Visa
In March 2023 A Place in the Sun editor Liz Rowlinson interviewed Sun Lawyers Relocation Expert, Mark McMillan about the latest developments regarding applications for the new Digital Nomad Visa.
Non- Lucrative Visa Application webinar
In May 2022 ‘A Place in the Sun’ asked us to take part in a webinar that would help people understand that applying successfully for a non lucrative visa so that they could live in Spain was not the big hurdle that they might have thought.
Visa and Residency Applications
Since the UK left the EU when the transition ended on 1/1/21 the rules for applying for residency to live long-term in Spain changed. British citizens are now treated in the same way as Americans, Canadians and Australians (i.e. with third-country status) who want to spend more than 90 days in 180 in Spain. The application is made via one of the three Spanish Consulates in the UK, located in London, Manchester and Edinburgh. You are advised to apply to the consulate nearest to where you live.
One of the important changes to know is that applications for Spanish residency now begin before you come to Spain, in the UK with an application for one of the long stay visas that are available.
While the rules on residency have altered British citizens still have the same rights to buy property in Spain as they have always enjoyed.
What are the different types of long stay visas?
LATEST NEWS: Are you worried that you don’t have enough income to get the non lucrative visa? We have some information that might help you…
Principal applicants are expected to prove an income of around £2,000 per month; with another £500 for any spouse or dependent. You might worry that your income will not meet this through your pension for example. But the good news is that the Spanish Consulates can be receptive about seeing other forms of income or potential sources of funds. Learn more…
What is the 90 day rule?
Visitors from the UK may enter any European Union country without a visa for stays of no more than 90 days in any 180 days. But the 90-day rule means that the amount of time British people can spend in the Schengen area is limited. So if you spend 85 days on the Costa Blanca you will not be able to enjoy a week in France within the same 180 day period. There are online calculators to help work out how many days you have used and how many are left.
Visa application support
Whichever long-term visa best suits your circumstances, the application is detailed, lengthy and may require document translation. If an application is rejected because of an error, you will forfeit the visa consular fee (over £500) and will need to begin the application process again. Sun Lawyers offer a visa application support service to ensure all of the requirements are met before the application is submitted.
Non-lucrative visa
This visa is designed with people who want to live but not work in Spain and will be the most popular choice for retirees. At the time of writing (October 2021 these visas are taking about three months to process). Once you have paid for and collected your visa from the Consulate you are required to travel to Spain within a month. Then within a month after arrival you arrange to attend a meeting at the immigration office or police station to exchange your visa for a 12 month temporary TIE (residency) card. After 12 months there is a process to re-apply for a further 2 years, and two years after that until permanent residence is granted after fiche years. After 10 years the option of Spanish Citizenship becomes possible.
Click to watch our explainer video about non-lucrative visas
Case Study – Application for a NLV
Read how we helped a family to apply for a long-stay non lucrative so they could start their new life in Javea on the Northern Costa Blanca.
Golden visa
The Spanish Golden Visa scheme offers British citizens a path to residency in Spain. The most common method is through an investment of €500,000 made through one or a number of property purchases totalling at least this amount. Spanish residency also conveys visa free access to the Schengen zone. We can provide all of the advice and support to help people through the Golden Visa Spain application process.
READ MORE: How to apply for a Spanish Golden Visa
Digital Nomad Visa
Applications are now being accepted in Spain for the Digital Nomad Visa. These applications can be made by a representative like Sun Lawyers who has an electronic signature and can make the application on your behalf. As of March 2023 applications cannot be made through any of the Spanish Consulates in the UK.
Over 40 countries across the world offer such visa opportunities and Spain is now added to that list. Learn more.
UK Citizen and passport holder married to an EU Citizen and passport holder.
A UK citizen has two paths to Spanish residency;
- Non-lucrative (or other) Visa
- Application as a family member of an EU passport holder already with Spanish residency.
This is a common question, especially when a UK citizen is married to an Irish person with an EU passport. In these circumstances (and assuming the EU applicant has been granted Spanish residency already,) the bar is set far lower for the UK applicant than if they were applying themselves as a non-EU citizen.
Other visas
We can provide support with the application of other long-terms visas including:
- Family re-grouping visa (permission in Spain by resident)
- Family re-grouping visa (via Spanish consulate)
- Employment & residence visa (permission in Spain by employer)
- Employment visa (via Spanish consulate)
- Self-employment and residence visa (permission in Spain)
Article from A Place in the Sun
In January 2022, A Place in the Sun wrote that in the months leading up to Christmas some clarity was emerging regarding non-lucrative visa applications. Lawyers reported more consistency in assessing and applicants realising a visa support service could save considerable time and increase the likelihood of a successful outcome. Article: Getting a Visa: Good Tidings and Great Tips
Living in Spain. Official information for UK nationals moving to or living in Spain, including guidance on residency, healthcare, passports and the Withdrawal Agreement.