Residence in Spain: permits and requirements
Living legally in Spain is possible through 8 permit types: temporary, family, permanent, study, international protection, retiree. Each program has its own requirements; below are the duration, renewal, costs and documentation according to the country's official sources.
Temporary Residence Authorization for Salaried Employment
Residence type #1 of 8
Residence permit for salaried foreign workers already in Spain with a job offer
Requirements
- Not be an EU/EEA citizen
- Lack criminal records in Spain and previous countries of residence
- Not have entry to Spain prohibited
- Have a work contract signed by the employer
- The occupation must be listed in the Catalogue of Hard-to-Fill Occupations
- Have legally stayed in Spain for at least 1 year (labor rooting) or 3 years (social rooting)
Documentation
- In-force passport
- Criminal record certificates from the country of origin and previous countries of residence
- Work contract signed by the employer
- Certificate of municipal registration
- Residence fee receipt (form 790 code 052)
- Documents proving the rooting situation (where applicable)
Frequently asked questions about residence in Spain
How many types of residence permits are there in Spain?
Spain offers 8 residence permit types, grouped into the categories temporary, family, permanent, study, international protection, retiree. Each permit has its own requirements, duration and documentation, detailed in this fact sheet according to the country's official sources.
How long do residence permits in Spain last?
Durations vary by permit type: 1 year (renewable to 2 years); Same validity as the sponsor's authorization at the time of entry; if the sponsor holds long-term residence, the family member also obtains long-term residence (RD 557/2011 art. 58); Indefinite (applied for after 5 years of legal residence); the TIE card renews every 5 years; Stay authorization for studies: length of the program, max. 1 year (2 years in higher education), extendable (RD 557/2011 arts. 37-44). The exact details of each type appear in the corresponding fact sheet.
Can residence permits in Spain be renewed?
Yes. All residence permit types of Spain (8 in total) are renewable before their expiration, according to the rules of each program.
What documentation is usually required to reside in Spain?
Although each permit requires its own file, the most recurrent documents are: Certificado de antecedentes penales; Tasas; In-force passport. The complete list by residence type appears in each fact sheet, together with the corresponding official link.
Does residence in Spain lead to nationality?
Yes, through the Naturalization by residence pathway, which requires 10 years (5 refugees; 2 Ibero-Americans, Andorra, Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, Portugal and Sephardim; 1 year in art. 22.2 CC cases) of legal residence. The complete requirements are in the nationality fact sheet of Spain.
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Anything to correct or add about Spain?
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