You must obtain an employment visa before you can work in Spain if you are not an EU citizen. In addition, you must remember that the requirements are different compared to working in Canada.

Canadians who want to live permanently in Spain may wish to consider the Entrepreneur and Investor Visa. This is a more expensive but opportunistic way to apply for permanent residence. 

You can move to Spain using a non-lucrative visa, but you cannot work here as a Canadian citizen with this visa.

Canadian citizens can study in Spain with a student visa and are almost considered temporary residents. Then, after their education, they can remain in the country and search for jobs in Spain.

Step 1 – Understand Your Situation.

There are various kinds of residence permits in Spain, each with a unique procedure. For instance, getting a work permit requires a different process than getting a non-lucrative visa.

You should first determine which type of visa would be best for you and your situation.

Canadians are not EU citizens, so the procedure is more complicated. Therefore, satisfying all the requirements and conditions may be challenging, but don’t fret. We can assist you and make things simpler.

We can help you decide whether a Spain residency visa is correct for you and assist Immigration officials because our team speaks Spanish.

Step 2 – the immigration procedure

The procedure for obtaining a visa typically begins in your home country, except for the entrepreneur visa or the highly skilled professional visa, for example.

You must first apply to the Spanish Embassy or Consulate in your home country or the location where you are legally resident to request a Spanish visa.

Once your application has been accepted, the Embassy or Consulate will grant you a visa so that you may enter Spain and stay there.

Make sure you travel within 90 days of the visa being issued.

Upon entering the country, you must apply for a residence permit once you have received an NIE number.

You may live in the country for one year with this residence permit. After the first year, you may renew it for two more years, as long as you still meet the exact requirements.

You may apply for Spanish nationality after living in the country for ten years if you renew your permit.

Step 3 – Working in Spain

Some ex-pats would like to work when they live in Spain, so they must get a work permit. 

Someone wanting to live in Spain who cannot meet the stringent conditions and requirements for other types of residence permits may find the work permit an appropriate option.

• You cannot apply for most things from Spain.
• To obtain a work permit before immigrating to Spain, you must receive a job offer.
• Only listed government roles are eligible for Work Permits.
  

Step 4 – Moving to Spain but not working.

You can live in Spain as a citizen of Canada without working on a non-lucrative visa. However, this visa will be the best option if you have enough money to live there.

With this visa, you can also use your private or state pensions to support yourself financially.

Step 5 – Getting an NIE

The first thing you should do after obtaining a visa at the Spanish Embassy in your home country and arriving in Spain is to get your NIE number.

In Spain, everything requires an NIE number. An NIE number is required to open a bank account, buy a property, and more. It is an identification number for foreigners.

The NIE application is relatively simple if you know the steps. But, first, you must complete this process at your local police station.

Step 6 – The paperwork

Each residence permit 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

There are other visas requiring more paperwork. For instance, the Golden Visa requires evidence that the applicant has bought a Spanish asset. Furthermore, the entrepreneurship visa requires the applicant to produce a business plan.

Step 7 – Translate the documents. 

The documents you submit must be translated into Spanish and certified with the 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.

If you have lived in the country for more than one year, you may apply for a residence and work permit for your family.

The following are considered family:

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

The family member you wish to bring to Spain cannot be in the country during the application process, as you will be applying for the family reunification residence permit.

Permanent residence

It is common for Canadians who live in Spain for a year or longer to seek permanent residency immediately afterwards. The country’s attractive climate and opportunities become addictive for many and encourage people from across the world to adopt Spain as home.

Getting a permanent residency permit requires living here for five years.

Golden Visa

Canadian citizens may participate in the Golden Visa Program to become a permanent resident of Spain. The investment requirements are available in several fields and real estate. It is designed for non-EU citizens, like Canadians.

Our lawyers can help you if you want to immigrate to Spain. Canadians can also start and operate their businesses using this programme.

Citizenship

Canadian entrepreneurs can start and operate businesses with the Wealth Visa programme’s most significant advantages. Moreover, Canadian citizens can become Spanish citizens through this programme.

The waiting period for Canadian citizens wishing to obtain Spanish citizenship is at least five years. However, time frames may vary depending on how the foreign citizen arrived in Spain. 

The wait time might be significantly shorter for those with Spanish family roots or married to a Spanish citizen.