Residence permits, work permits, EU Blue Cards, citizenship applications and visa advice for foreigners.
Filter by specialisation
Specialist immigration law firm serving international clients
Immigration law specialist with strong English services
Seville-based firm specializing in immigration and international clients
English-speaking firm in Marbella focusing on expat clients
Marbella-based firm with strong English-speaking team
Specialist firm for expats in Spain serving Marbella and surrounding areas
Alicante-based firm serving Costa Blanca expat community
Palma-based firm serving Balearic Islands expat community
Valencia-based firm with international practice
Valencia-based law firm with English services
Specialist firm for Costa del Sol property and expat issues
Madrid firm specializing in immigration and international clients
Spanish Golden Visa specialists with 4.6 stars (26 reviews)
Golden visa and investor visa specialists in Mallorca
Immigration specialists on Costa del Sol
Combined property and immigration services
Full-service legal firm in Estepona
Immigration-focused law firm in Malaga
Legal services for residents and investors
Immigration specialists in Valencia
Real estate and immigration law services
Full-service law firm for Costa Blanca
International legal services in Benidorm
Legal services for expat community
Immigration law specialists in Murcia
Property law services in Murcia region
Immigration specialists in Seville
Immigration specialists in Canary Islands
Full-service law firm in Gran Canaria
Legal services for Tenerife residents
Real estate specialists in Barcelona
General practice firm in Barcelona
National immigration law specialists
Real estate law specialists nationwide
Some countries offer residence permits linked to property investment (Golden Visa). An immigration lawyer can advise on thresholds and eligibility.
Processing times vary by country — typically 1–6 months. Your lawyer can track the application and respond to any requests for additional documentation.
Browse our verified directory of law firms across Spain's major cities. All listed firms offer English-language legal services to expats and foreign nationals.
Find My Lawyer in 60 SecondsSpain immigration is governed by the Ley de Extranjería (LO 4/2000) and its Reglamento (RD 557/2011), plus the Ley de Startups (Ley 28/2022) for entrepreneurs and digital nomads. EU nationals exercise free movement — only non-EU nationals require work/residence permits.
| Permit Type | Law / Art. | Duration | Key Requirement | Official Fee | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Permiso de trabajo + residencia (general) | LO 4/2000 art. 36 | 1 year (renewable) | Job offer from Spanish employer; employer applies at SEPE | €73.35 | 1–3 months |
| Tarjeta azul UE (EU Blue Card) | RD 1 557/2011 art. 83 | 4 years | Salary ≥ 1.5× average (≈€46,000/yr 2025); university degree; CDI offer | €73.35 | 2–4 months |
| Emprendedor / Entrepreneur (Ley Startups) | Ley 28/2022 art. 68 | 3 years | Qualifying innovative project; DGI authorisation; no salary minimum | €73.35 | 20 business days (guaranteed) |
| Nómada digital (Digital Nomad Visa) | Ley 28/2022 art. 74 | 1 year (→ 3 year TIE) | Remote work for non-Spanish employer(s); income ≥ 200% SMI (≈€2,268/mo) | €73 (visa) + €16 (TIE) | 20 business days |
| Visado no lucrativo (Non-lucrative) | RD 557/2011 art. 46 | 1 year (renewable) | Passive income ≥ €28,800/yr (2×IPREM×14); no work in Spain | €73 | 3–6 months |
| Golden Visa — Real estate | Ley 14/2013 art. 63 | 2 years → 5 years | Property purchase ≥ €500,000 free of mortgage/charges | €500–3,000 (abogado) | 20 business days |
| Arraigo social / laboral (Regularisation) | RD 557/2011 art. 124 | 1 year | 3 years illegal residence (social) or 2 years + work contract (laboral) | €73.35 | 3 months |
Profile: Indian national, software developer, remote contract with UK-based startup. Salary £60,000/yr. Wants to live in Valencia.
| Step | Timeline | Cost |
| Digital nomad visa at Spanish consulate (London) | Week 0–4 | €73 + apostilles ~€150 |
| NIE number (Comisaría de Policía, Valencia) | Week 5–6 | €9.84 |
| TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero) | Week 5–8 | €16 |
| Empadronamiento (municipal registration) | Week 5 | Free |
| Abogado extranjería (full service) | Week 0–8 | €800–1,500 |
| Total official fees | €249 | |
| Timeline to TIE card | 6–8 weeks | |
Under Ley Beckham / Startup Act régimen especial: pays IRNR 24% on Spanish income (not progressive IRPF up to 47%) for 5 years. Must apply within 6 months of arriving via Modelo 149. Income threshold: 200% SMI = €2,268/month minimum (based on 2024 SMI €1,134).
