Along with any person not native to Spain, after a set period of time you must by law apply for residency if your stay is to be prolonged.

ABAD solicitors are able to assist and give advice in obtaining residency, however for a residency application the individual must be present.

Non-European Union citizens are eligible to visit Spain on a tourist visa, where applicable, for up to three months (90 days), after that period, they are by law obliged to apply for residency, if their intention is to stay, whether for work, retirement, education or to reunite with family. This rule is set for everyone, the only element that changes slightly is the process they go through to achieve it.

Recent regulation allows persons from the UK, USA, Australia and New Zealand to enter Spain without a visa at the moment, as long as their stay is within the 90 days, everyone else will need a visa. A visa can be collected from a Spanish embassy in the country of origin.

Persons wanting to extend their stay in Spain must gain possession of a residence card (Tarjeta de residencia) which is their visa and permit to live in Spain.

If the intention is to directly live in Spain, then you have 30 days upon arriving to submit an application for a residency card. You must also present yourself at a designated police station or office.

Everyone applying will be told what documents they will need to provide for the submission of the paperwork. Each application can be different according to the individual’s case.

The following are standard documentation that most applicants will be required to provide, as well as any other depending on the individual:

• Photocopies of your passport.
• Evidence of present address, and reason for residency, like a work contract.
• Passport sized photographs.
• Financial evidence, showing how you plan to support yourself.
• Any other documents asked for, will be dependent on the individuals situation, and any changing regulations.

The residency card acts in the same way as the residency page for European Union citizens. Both forms of residency are initially valid for one year.

Upon renewal, which must be done before it expires, the time between renews will increase.

Investor Visa

To obtain an Investor Visa it is required to invest, at least, 2 million euros in Spanish sovereign debt or 1 million euros buying Spanish companies’ stock or in Spanish bank deposits. As soon as the investment is made there is a 60 day deadline to request the visa.

Along with your visa application you will have to prove your investment, in order to do it you will need one of these documents:

 If you have invested in Spanish companies’ non-listed shares you´ll have to attach the investment declaration statement previously submitted to the Foreign Investment Registry.

• However, if you have acquired listed shares then the mandatory document to enclose is a duly registered certificate from your financial intermediary.
• In case you have invested in Spanish sovereign debt the financial intermediary or the Spanish Central Bank must issue a certificate stating that you are the sole owner of the investment for at least 5 years.
• Finally,when investing in bank deposits, a different certificate is required from the specific financial entity ensuring sole deposit ownership.

Abad & Asociados Lawyers can guide you on this new law providing you with peace of mind and obtaining all the necessary documents for you to obtain your Investor Visa.

It is important to stress that regardless, once it is obtained the Investor Visa only lasts one year. After it has expired you will need a Resident Visa, which grants a renewable two-year stay period.

In order to obtain this new Visa it is required to fulfil the following additional requirements:

•  Application must be made by the end or within 90 days since the Investor Visa expiry date.
• You must have visited Spain at least once during the previous Visa period.
• You must maintain the initial requirements for the Investor Visa.
• Tax and social security regulations observance.

As you probably know thanks to the Schengen Agreement as soon as your Spanish Visa is obtained you´ll be able to freely travel across the EU.

Real Estate Visa – GOLDEN VISA

You can qualify to obtain a Real Estate Visa (GOLDEN VISA) by investing 500.000 € or more in the acquisition of Real Estate in Spain, but bear in mind the initial investment of 500.000 € must be free of any charges, liens or encumbrances and must not include taxes paid.

To prove the purchase a certificate from the Property Land Registry must be enclosed alongside the visa request. Certificates dated over 91 days before the visa application will not be valid. However, if the Property Land Registry registration is being processed, an authentic copy of the title deed and proof that the Property Land Registry has been submitted or renewed within 60 days before the visa request, this will also be required to be presented

It is important to stress that regardless, once it is obtained the Real Estate Visa (GOLDEN VISA)  only lasts one year. After it has expired you will need a Resident Visa, which grants a renewable two-year stay period.

In order to obtain this new Visa it is required to fulfil the following additional requirements:

• Application must be made by the end or within 90 days from the Real Estate Visa expiry date.
• You must have visited Spain at least once during the previous Visa period.
• You must maintain the initial requirements for the Real Estate Visa.

The Schengen Agreement within the EU Countries means that as soon as a Spanish Visa is obtained you´ll be able to freely travel across the EU, with the added benefits that this could mean for you and for your Company. Abad & Asociados will be delighted to advise and assist you in the process of obtaining this Visa.