Want to live in Spain and don't have European citizenship? Spain offers several legal pathways to settle down: from starting a venture, investing in an existing business, to opting for the digital nomad visa or golden visa, among others. Each option has specific requirements, processing times, and exclusive benefits. In this updated guide, we tell you 7 viable ways to emigrate to Spain without needing an EU passport.
These are 8 options for settling in Spain without an EU passport:
1) Entrepreneur Visa
The Entrepreneur visa is obtained for creating an company with innovative character and special economic interest for Spain. For this reason, the company must meet at least one of the following conditions: job creation, socioeconomic impact in the area where the activity is developed, relevant contribution to innovation.
The applicant's professional profile is very important to obtain the visa. Their training, professional experience and involvement in the project are analyzed. The business plan is the other pillar. It should include the description of the venture, the product or service, the market analysis, the sources of financing, and the added value it will generate in the economy.
The main advantages of this visa over other visas are:
- It is granted for three years.
- No minimum investment amounts are required.
- The maximum response time to the visa application is 10 days.
- The applicant's family may accompany the applicant. This includes children under 18 years of age and older children and parents who are financially dependent.
2) Buying a business
In order to buy a business or franchise and settle in Spain, it is necessary to apply for a self-employment visa. The main requirement is that the business to be purchased generates income to support themselves financially in Spain. And, moreover, that it has done so steadily in recent years. Of course, these types of businesses are not usually cheap.
There are all kinds of trade and small businesses for sale in Spain. Let's see some examples:
- 80m2 bakery with workshop in a good neighborhood of Barcelona: 150.000€.
- Nursery of 350m2 and capacity for 41 children, in Barcelona: 100.000€.
- Sports center in Madrid, with gym, paddle tennis courts, cafeteria, swimming pool, spa, cafeteria and hairdresser: €190,000.
Most sales ads do not report the turnover or profitability of the business. It is necessary to contact them to obtain these data. The sale prices do not include the rent of the premises, but it is usually stated in the text of the ad. It is important to do a good search and research work to find the project that fits your needs and experience. Keep in mind that in Spain the purchase of a business is called "traspaso de negocio".
In deciding whether to grant the visa, the government of Spain will also evaluates the applicant's experience in the field of commerce.
More information on our website: How to buy a business in Spain and get residency
3) Open a professional office
Self-employed professionals can immigrate to Spain by opening their own studio or practice. They will have to apply for a self-employment visa, since they will be working as freelancers. It is a type of visa that fits all types of work that can be done without being an employee. From a consultant for large companies to a qualified technician.
The main requirement to obtain it is to demonstrate training, experience, and the ability to generate sufficient income in Spain to support themselves financially. To do so, a project must be submitted detailing, among other things:
- type of work or activity you do.
- expected investment and expected profitability.
- your income and saved capital.
- who your customers will be.
- work equipment.
- costs of developing your activity in Spain (e.g. renting a coworking space).
- Proof that funds are available to make the necessary investment.
In order to obtain the visa, the project must have a favorable report from the Economic and Commercial Office of the region of Spain where you are going to reside. In our experience, the level of requirement for relocation projects is higher in regions with a stronger economy. In areas of Spain with fewer immigrants and more need for resources, projects tend to obtain favorable reports more easily.
More information on our website: Self-Employment Visa in Spain: Requirements and Complete Guide
4) Being a digital nomad
Online workers are very welcome in Spain. The digital nomad visa has unique advantages over the others and only three important requirements: to be working online, have an income of at least €31,752 per year and work experience or studies of three years or more.
Let's take a look at some of its advantages:
- It allows you to bring your family and gives them permission to work as well.
- During the first five years they pay less tax than the rest of the taxpayers in Spain.
- You can apply for a visa directly from Spain.
- The deadline for response to the application is 20 days. If there is no response, it is considered approved.
- It allows you to be absent from Spain for six months of the year.
- It is possible to register with the Social Security only with a passport.
The digital nomad visa was created in December 2022. It is a strong bet by Spain to attract international talent. Another requirement is that the applicant cannot have more than 20% of its turnover. with Spanish customers.
More information on our website: Digital Nomad Visa in Spain: Complete Guide
5) Living on rents
Those who are able to live without working in Spain have a visa tailored to their needs: the non-profit residence. It is granted for a maximum of one year, renewable thereafter. You must have a regular income or savings sufficient to support you for one year.
The minimum income requirement for 2026 is €2,800 per month for the applicant and €700 for each family member. Therefore, a family of four must demonstrate a monthly income of €4,900, or have savings of €58,800, as the visa is valid for one year.
It is important to be clear that this visa does not allow to work. Therefore, it is required to prove income for living expenses "without the need to develop any work or professional activity". This visa does not work for freelancers with clients outside Spain. Because when residing and working in Spain -even if it is at a distance and abroad- they must pay taxes in Spain. In such cases, the digital nomad visa must be requested.
To apply for a non lucrative residence visa, you must also prove that you live in Spain. It can be with a rental contract, public deed of ownership or notarial deed of the person with whom you are going to reside.
More information: Non-lucrative residence visa in Spain: Complete guide 2026
6) Study
Going to study in Spain and then obtaining permanent residency is a rarely used option. At the end of your studies in Spain, it is possible to extend your legal stay for up to one year to get a job or start a business.
Therefore, a study visa is a gateway to permanent residence in Spain. In addition, it allows you to bring your family and work up to 30 hours per week. This visa can also be requested while in Spain as a tourist. Unlike all the other visas explained in this post, the time lived in Spain with a study visa does not count towards citizenship.
The main requirements to obtain the study visa are:
- Have been accepted in an educational institution for face-to-face studies of at least 20 hours per week and that grants a degree or certificate of studies.
- You must have sufficient financial means to cover your living expenses in Spain. The minimum amount required by the government for 2026 is €600 per month. You must also demonstrate sufficient funds to pay for your return trip to your country. If you have a partner and minor children, they may accompany you during your stay in Spain. For the support of family members, you must add €450 per month for the first family member and €300 for each additional family member.
More information in our blog post How to obtain a student visa for Spain
7) Working as an employee
In order to obtain this visa, you must obtain a job in Spain in a dependent relationship from your country. The main requirements are that:
- the occupation to be performed by the worker appears in the catalog of occupations that are difficult to cover in the Spanish labor market. This catalog is published by the Spanish Government and is updated every three months. You can visit consult it in this link.
- the Spanish company has not been able to find a worker already resident in Spain to fill the position.
The application for a self-employment visa is initiated when a company offers to perform the employment contract.
General requirements
These 8 options to immigrate to Spain without EU citizenship also have common general requirements. They may vary from one to another and we recommend you to check those of the visa you are interested in. These are the general requirements:
- Health insurance: Visas do not entitle you to Spanish public health care. It is required to contract a private insurance with an insurance company operating in Spain. Travel insurance such as Assist Card is not suitable for these cases. It is necessary to contract a health plan with a private insurance company in Spain.
- Not to be irregularly in Spanish territory.
- Not having a criminal record in Spain or in the countries in which he/she has lived in the last five years.
- Not to be prohibited from entering the Schengen zone.
- Not suffer from diseases that may have serious public health repercussions. The list is detailed in the International Health Regulations 2005.
Visas may be renewed as long as the requirements continue to be met. In addition, after two years of legal residence in Spain, Hispanic American citizens may apply for Spanish citizenship. And children and grandchildren of Spaniards may apply for citizenship after one year of living in Spain. Citizens of other countries can apply for permanent residency after living in Spain for 5 years.
How can MBT Abogados help you?
Our headquarters are in Barcelona, and we also offer video conference appointments. We advise Latin American citizens who wish to live in Spain without an EU passport, analyzing your profile and proposing the most suitable residency pathway for your goals. We take care of preparing and reviewing all documentation, submitting the application to the competent authorities, and accompanying you every step of the way, whether you are in your home country or in Spain. Our team has experience in entrepreneur, digital nomad, investor, student, and work visas, helping you minimize risks and increase your chances of approval.
If you need help deciding which of the 8 options for settling in Spain without an EU citizenship is right for your situation,You can contact us through email or Whatsapp. You explain us your case and if we can give you a direct answer we will do it free of charge. Maybe your situation is more complex, and it is necessary that you meet with a lawyer from our firm. In that case, the lawyer will analyze in detail your case, if you have possibilities to emigrate to Spain and what would be the appropriate visa. The interview has 45 or 60 minutes duration and fees of €115 and €150 respectively. If you then hire a visa management service, the consultation fee will be deducted from the total cost.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) / Visas for Spain
If you do not have a European passport, you probably have doubts about the requirements, visas and procedures to move to Spain. Here we answer some of the most common questions we receive in our office:
- Can I apply for a visa to live in Spain if I am currently a tourist?
In most cases, residency applications must be submitted from your home country. However, some visas, such as digital nomad or study visas, can be processed from Spain if you are already here legally. - Which visa is the fastest way to move to Spain without European citizenship?
It will depend on your personal and professional situation. For example, a student visa can be processed in a few weeks, while an entrepreneur visa requires more preparation. A lawyer can help you evaluate which is the most expeditious in your case. - Can I take my family with me?
Yes, many visas allow for family reunification, either at the outset or once you obtain residency. This applies to spouse, registered partner and minor children, and in some cases, dependent ascendants. - Do I have to prove financial means to live in Spain?
Yes, all visas require proof of financial solvency. The amount varies according to the type of residence, but is usually based on the IPREM multiplied by a certain number of months. -
How much money do I need to emigrate to Spain without European citizenship?
The amount varies depending on the type of visa. For example, for a non-lucrative residence visa, you must demonstrate income or savings equivalent to 400 % of the IPREM (approximately €28,800 per year in 2026). Other visas may require more or less, depending on the case. -
Is it possible to move to Spain from my country without a previous job?
Yes, visas such as non-profit residency, study or entrepreneur visas do not require a prior employment contract, but do require proof of sufficient funds or a viable business plan. -
What documents do I need to apply for a Spanish visa from my country?
It depends on the visa, but generally includes a valid passport, criminal record certificate, private medical insurance, proof of financial means and, in some cases, a study or business plan. All documents issued in your country must be apostilled, and, where appropriate, translated into Spanish by a sworn translator.
