Temporary Residency in Spain

Main Types of Temporary Residency Permits in Spain in 2025

1. Non-Lucrative Visa (No Work Allowed)

Suitable for those living on passive income or savings.

2. Telework / Digital Nomad Visa

Based on the Startup Law (2023) and 2024/2025 regulations.

• Income: ≥ 200% SMI (€1,184 × 2 = €2,368/month) + 75%/25% SMI per family member
• Validity:
• Consular visa — up to 1 year
• Spanish residence permit — up to 3 years → renewable for 2 years
• Requirements: remote work for a foreign company, ≤ 20% income from Spanish clients, university degree or ≥ 3 years relevant experience

3. Residency and Employment (Cuenta Ajena)

• Requires a job offer from a Spanish employer.
• First authorization — up to 1 year, tied to region and job.
• From 2025, after the first renewal (4 years of work), job/region restrictions are lifted.

4. Highly Qualified Professionals, Freelancers, Entrepreneurs

• Cuenta Propia — own business or freelance work.
• Ley 14/2013 (UGE Fast Track):
• highly qualified professionals,
• intra-company transfers,
• innovative startups.
• Standard duration is 1 + 2 + 2 years, but with expedited processing.

5. Studies, Research, Internships

• Estancia por estudios allows residence > 90 days and up to 30 working hours per week.
• After graduation, can switch to work residency within 3 months.
• Time under student or other “estancia” regimes does not count toward naturalization residency requirements.

6. Arraigo (Legalization Based on Exceptional Circumstances)

7. Family Reunification (Reagrupación Familiar)

• Spouses, children under 18, and dependent parents.
• First card duration matches that of the sponsoring resident.

8. “Golden Visa”

• As of April 3, 2025, applications based on €500,000+ real estate investments are no longer accepted.
• Existing permits remain valid until expiration.

Application Procedure — Step by Step

1. Consular stage (if applying from abroad)
2. Obtain NIE and enter Spain
3. Cita Previa at Oficina de Extranjería → biometrics → TIE card issued
4. Renewal online 60 days before expiration
5. After 5 years — apply for long-term residency and reach halfway to citizenship via naturalization

Official Sources

1. Real Decreto 1155/2024, Reglamento de la Ley Orgánica 4/2000
2. Real Decreto 629/2022 (Arraigo Reform)
3. Digital Nomad Visa
4. Non-Lucrative Residence Visa
5. End of “Golden Visa” (Press Release 02/04/2025)
6. IPREM 2025 Amounts
7. SMI 2025: Real Decreto 87/2025