Spain
Kingdom of Spain · Capital: Madrid
Spain blends a world-renowned lifestyle and climate with modern routes for mobile professionals: the Startups Law brought a Digital Nomad Visa with a reduced tax regime, while Highly Qualified Professional permits and the non-lucrative visa cover skilled workers and the financially independent. (The investor 'golden visa' was discontinued in 2025.)
Migration statistics
Who is arriving
Top source countries and the make-up of recent arrivals into Spain.
Policy overview
6 visa routes into Spain
Eligibility, fees, processing times and whether each route leads to permanent residence.
Digital Nomad
Residence for remote workers and freelancers serving mostly non-Spanish clients, with access to a reduced ~24% tax regime.
Eligibility
- Remote employment/clients outside Spain
- Income of at least 200% of the minimum wage (EUR 2,849 a month, EUR 34,188 a year in 2026)
- Degree or 3+ years' experience
- Health cover and clean record
Document checklist (9 items)
Core
Professional
Financial
Background
HQP
A fast-tracked work and residence permit (under the Startups Law / UGE) for skilled hires by Spanish employers.
Eligibility
- Job offer in a qualified role
- Relevant degree or experience
- Salary of at least EUR 40,077 a year (EUR 54,142 for directors) in 2026
Document checklist (10 items)
Core
Professional
Background
Non-Lucrative Visa
InvestorNon-Lucrative
Residence for the financially independent who can support themselves without working in Spain, popular with retirees.
Eligibility
- Proof of passive income/savings (~€28K+/yr)
- Private health insurance
- Clean record
Document checklist (10 items)
Core
Professional
Financial
Background
Self-Employment Visa
EntrepreneurCuenta Propia
Residence to run your own business or professional activity in Spain with a viable plan.
Eligibility
- Viable business plan
- Relevant qualifications/licences
- Sufficient investment and funds
Document checklist (12 items)
Core
Professional
Financial
Background
Student Visa
StudentStudent
Study at a Spanish institution, with the ability to switch to a work permit after graduating.
Eligibility
- Enrolment at an accredited institution
- Proof of funds
- Health insurance
Document checklist (9 items)
Core
Professional
Financial
Background
Family Reunification
FamilyES-FAM
Join a spouse, partner or close family member who is a citizen or resident.
Eligibility
- Genuine relationship to a citizen/resident
- Sponsor meets income/housing rules
- Relationship evidence
Document checklist (9 items)
Core
Professional
Financial
Background
Economic context
The numbers behind the move
Pay reflects the local market in Spain, what you'd typically earn there, not your current salary.
Skill shortages
Sectors actively recruiting from abroad
Where Spain needs foreign talent most, and what those roles pay.
Technology
Madrid/Barcelona hubs and nomad inflows drive tech demand.
Healthcare
Health and elder-care roles face regional shortages.
Tourism & hospitality
A vast tourism sector needs management and skilled staff.
Engineering & renewables
A renewables boom drives demand for energy engineers.
Recent changes
What's changed lately
Recent policy changes that affect migrants, newest first.
- NeutralJul 15, 2026 · 3 months ago
ETIAS start date withdrawn, no new date set
Not yet in force. In mid-July 2026 the EU removed its 'last quarter of 2026' target for ETIAS, the online travel authorisation for visa-free visitors to Schengen countries. The official site says ETIAS is not in operation and no applications are collected. The fee will be EUR 20 once it launches; the EU says it will announce a start date several months ahead.
Launch targeted for the last quarter of 2026No launch date; not in operation
Quality of life
What living there feels like
Madrid
Capital & jobsSpain's economic heart with the deepest job market, superb transit and a famous social life.
- Cost index
- 70
- 1-bed rent
- $1,400
- Quality
- 83
Barcelona
Tech & beachesA design and startup hub on the sea, magnetic for nomads, with the catch of tight housing.
- Cost index
- 74
- 1-bed rent
- $1,500
- Quality
- 84
Valencia
Best value big cityRepeatedly voted the world's best city for expats, sunny, affordable and walkable.
- Cost index
- 60
- 1-bed rent
- $1,050
- Quality
- 86
Málaga
Costa del Sol techThe Costa del Sol's rising tech and nomad hub, with 300 days of sun a year.
- Cost index
- 60
- 1-bed rent
- $1,050
- Quality
- 85
Seville
Andalusian cultureA beautiful, affordable Andalusian capital steeped in culture (and very hot summers).
- Cost index
- 56
- 1-bed rent
- $950
- Quality
- 83
Bilbao
Reinvented industryA reinvented Basque city with strong industry, top food and high quality of life.
- Cost index
- 64
- 1-bed rent
- $1,100
- Quality
- 84
Alicante
Costa Blanca sunAn affordable, sunny Costa Blanca city with a large international retiree community.
- Cost index
- 56
- 1-bed rent
- $900
- Quality
- 83
Palma de Mallorca
Island lifestyleAn island capital with year-round appeal and a wealthy international community.
- Cost index
- 68
- 1-bed rent
- $1,300
- Quality
- 85
Granada
University & valueA stunning, very affordable university city beneath the Sierra Nevada.
- Cost index
- 50
- 1-bed rent
- $800
- Quality
- 82
Living essentials
The practical day-to-day of settling in Spain.
Excellent universal public healthcare; affordable, popular private cover.
Free public schools, many bilingual/international schools, low-cost universities.
Affordable for Western Europe; coastal/Madrid housing rising.
Excellent and cheap fibre, a nomad favourite.
Sunny Mediterranean; hot interior summers, mild coasts.
Safety & climate
The reception you can expect
How welcoming the public and political mood is, how safe it is, and how geopolitically stable the country is right now.
Anti-migrant sentiment
trendGenerally welcoming, with strong Latin-American and lifestyle-migration ties.
Higher = more hostile public/political climate.
Geopolitical stability
A composite of governance, security and regional-risk signals. Higher means a more predictable environment for settling long term.
Higher = more stable.
Safety
Very safe; tourist-area pickpocketing in Barcelona/Madrid.
Higher = safer (crime index 33/100).
Where to live
Which Spain city fits you?
Cities matched to who you are, career, family, retirement, study or remote work. We flag the ones to consider and the ones to approach with care.
Valencia
Relaxed and sunny
Repeatedly voted the world's best city for expats, sunny, affordable and walkable.
Málaga
Beach + remote work
The Costa del Sol's rising tech and nomad hub, with 300 days of sun a year.
Madrid
Sunny, sociable capital
Spain's economic heart with the deepest job market, superb transit and a famous social life.
Barcelona
Mediterranean creativity
A design and startup hub on the sea, magnetic for nomads, with the catch of tight housing.
Bilbao
Green Basque city
A reinvented Basque city with strong industry, top food and high quality of life.
Palma de Mallorca
Balearic good life
An island capital with year-round appeal and a wealthy international community.
Granada
Andalusian student city
A stunning, very affordable university city beneath the Sierra Nevada.
Seville
Historic and warm
A beautiful, affordable Andalusian capital steeped in culture (and very hot summers).
Alicante
Easygoing beach city
An affordable, sunny Costa Blanca city with a large international retiree community.
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