You must obtain an employment visa before working in Spain if you are not an EU citizen. Working in Spain differs from working in Australia, so remember to get a work visa before you begin working.

Those seeking to live permanently in Spain may want to consider the Entrepreneur and Investor Visa. This is a more expensive but potentially more rewarding approach.

You may apply for a non-lucrative visa to move to Spain, but you may not work here as an Australian citizen with this visa.

Australian citizens can study in Spain with a student visa and become de facto temporary residents. After their studies, they may remain in the country and seek employment.

Step 1 – Understand Your Situation.

In Spain, there are different residence permits, each with its procedure. A work permit, for example, requires a different process than obtaining a non-lucrative visa.

You must first choose the visa that best meets your needs and situation.

It is more complicated for Australians to apply for EU citizenship because they are not citizens. However, we can assist you and make the process simpler. Despite all the requirements and conditions, you may find satisfying them challenging.

Our team can assist you in determining whether a Spain residency visa is the right solution for you, as well as help Immigration officials because we speak Spanish. 

Step 2 – the immigration procedure

The process typically begins in your home country unless you are applying for an entrepreneur visa or a highly skilled professional visa. The process typically starts in your home country.

Before travelling to Spain, you must first apply to the Spanish Embassy or Consulate in your home country or the location where you are legally resident to obtain a Spanish visa. 

Once your application has been approved, the Embassy or Consulate will issue you a visa so you may enter Spain and remain there.

Ensure that you travel within 90 days after the visa has been issued. 

Next, you must apply for a residence permit after receiving your NIE number. This is essentially a residency card

You may live in the country for a year with this residence permit. Afterwards, you can renew it for two more years if you still meet the exact requirements.

After living in Spain for ten years, you may apply for Spanish nationality.

Step 3 – Working in Spain

Working in Spain as an ex-pat requires a work visa.

Those hoping to live in Spain who cannot meet the demanding standards for other types of visas may find the work visa an appropriate alternative.

• Most applications must be made from outside of Spain.
• All work permit applications require a Spanish job offer.
• You can only work in roles where the government has identified a shortage.
  

Step 4 – Moving to Spain but not working.

You can live in Spain as an Australian citizen without working on a non-lucrative visa. However, this visa would be ideal if you have enough money to sustain yourself there. 

With this visa, you can use your private or state pensions to support your lifestyle while living in Spain.

Step 5 – Getting an NIE

Once you have obtained a visa at the Spanish Embassy in your home country and arrived in Spain, you should first get your NIE number.

Everything requires an NIE number in Spain. For example, an NIE number is required to open a bank account, purchase a property, and more. In addition, it is used to identify foreigners.

You must complete this process at your local police station to apply for an NIE. However, the process is relatively simple if you know the steps.

Step 6 – The paperwork

Each residence permit in Spain has its documents, but you will need the following. 

• A clean criminal record in Spain and your home country
• Proof that you can financially support yourself if you are applying for a student visa or non-lucrative visa
• Full public healthcare coverage
• A passport and two photo IDs

More involved visa applications require more paperwork. For example, the Golden Visa in Spain demands proof that the applicant has purchased a Spanish asset. In addition, the entrepreneurship visa requires the applicant to develop a business plan.

Step 7 – Translate the documents. 

Everything must be translated into Spanish, and the documents must be certified with a Hague Apostille. These documents are rejected if presented in the client’s native language. Therefore everything must be translated into Spanish.

Step 8 – Move with your family.

Family members may apply for a residence and work permit if the main applicant has lived in the country for more than one year.

The following counts as a family:

• Your parents
• Spouse or unmarried partner
• Your spouse’s parents
• Your children

To apply for the family reunification residence permit, the family member you wish to bring to Spain must not be in the country while you apply.

Permanent residence

Australians who live in Spain for a year or longer can seek permanent residency immediately. This is common for those who initially plan to move on a short-term basis as they become enticed by the country’s pleasant climate and opportunities. For many, it’s the natural path to choose Spain as their home.

You must live here for five years to get a permanent residency permit.

Golden Visa

Australians can become permanent residents of Spain through the Golden Visa Program. Investment in several fields and real estate is available. The programme is open to non-EU citizens, such as Australians.

Australians can start and operate businesses using this programme if they wish to immigrate to Spain. Our lawyers can help you with that.

Citizenship

The Wealth Visa programme offers entrepreneurs in Australia the most significant advantages when starting and operating businesses. Australians may also become Spanish citizens through this programme. However, it’s important that they understand their tax resident status

It takes at least five years for Australians to acquire Spanish citizenship, though periods may vary depending on how the foreign resident arrived in Spain.

Those with Spanish family roots or married to a Spanish citizen may have a significantly shorter wait time.