At Scornik Gerstein LLP we amass over 40 years of Immigration and Nationality Law practice. Our highly qualified lawyers are up to date on the challenging ever evolving Spanish immigration and nationality landscape. Our specialised Immigration team, operating from our UK and Spanish offices, deliver the highest quality legal services in situ, ensuring that our clients are never left unassisted while benefiting from any updated on any new regulation or amendment of Spanish immigration law and Spanish immigration case law, and provide a serious, realistic and effective service to clients in Spanish, English, Russian and Arab.
Over the last 40 years of Spanish democracy, Spain has experienced an impressive development in many aspects. The living standards are improving every year; large investments in transport and communication networks, healthcare equipment and education have been made. The combination of these factors with its excellent weather and pleasant lifestyle provides Spain's residents one of the best qualities of life in Europe. Consequently, Spain has become one of the most desirable countries to spend someone’s retirement years, open a business or just invest on real estate.
Our experience with both the Spanish and British immigration authorities allows us to navigate these convoluted systems on both sides of the Channel, supporting your interests when interacting with either authority. When moving between the UK and Spain, we cover all aspects of business immigration, employment migration, and ex-pat employment. Below are some of the most popular visas we are currently obtaining on behalf of our clients.
Investor or Spanish Golden visa
The Spanish real estate market has traditionally always been attractive to foreign investment, particularly at its luxury segment. The Spanish Investor also known as “Golden Visa” enables non-EU nationals to obtain residency in return for investing in Spanish real estate, companies, bank deposits or public debt, without the need to reside in Spain whilst benefitting from free movement throughout the European Schengen area, making Spain a financially attractive country to invest in.
The initial residence permit can be issued for a maximum of three years, and it has the possibility of being renewed for another 2 years if, during the initial period granted, the holder visits Spain at least once a year. The Spanish Golden or Investor residence permit allows the applicant to work either as a self-employed or as an employee; travelling around the Schengen Area and, eventually, can lead to obtain Spanish nationality depending on meeting other requirements and personal circumstances).
The Investor or Spanish Golden Visa benefits from an expedite process and can be applied for either from within Spain or from the country of residence of the applicant.
Retiring in Spain? Spanish Non-Lucrative Residency visa
If you wish to live in Spain but do not require to work, you can obtain the Spanish Non-Lucrative Residency visa, as it will allow you to permanently reside in Spain but not to work.
The main requirement to successfully obtain the Spanish Non-Lucrative Residency visa is to produce evidence of sufficient financial liquidity of no less than 25,560.48 € available. This can be held in a variety of formats, for example title deeds, credit cards accompanied by bank certificate, certified cheques, or a variety of other verifiable assets.
Other requirements are proof of private health insurance and a clean criminal records certificate from the applicant’s country of residence for the last 2 years plus a responsible personal declaration of lack of criminal records for the following 3 years.
Once the Spanish Non-Lucrative Residency visa is granted, the applicant has one month to collect it from the Spanish Consulate and three months within which to enter Spain as otherwise it becomes invalid. Once in Spain, the applicant will have one month to request the correct identity card ("tarjeta de identidad de extranjero"). Once the applicant has obtained this card, there is nothing further to be done, other than to register at the local Town hall where the applicant is going to reside.
Remote Workers or Digital Nomad Visa
If you wish to live and work in Spain and you can do your work remotely, i.e. using digital means, the Remote Workers or Digital Nomad Visa may be your solution.
Apart from being able to demonstrate that the work can be made remotely, if employed, the non-EU national applicant must have been working no less than 3 months for a foreign company which has been trading for more than a year or if self-employed, must have been contracting more than 3 months for at least 80% of foreign contractors.
The applicant must also be a graduate or postgraduate of universities of recognized prestige, vocational training and business schools of recognized prestige or with a minimum of three years of professional experience.
Opening a business in Spain? Spanish Self-Employed Residence Authorisation
The Spanish Self-Employed Residence Authorisation is available to those individuals who want to open a business or professional practice in Spain. The applicant’s family members will be allowed to move to Spain with him or her and his or her children will be allowed to study.
Applicants will have to prove that they hold enough funds to open the business, that it will create jobs in Spain, and that the individual holds the necessary qualifications to practice the activities involved in the business the successful applicant will run in Spain.
Spanish Grandchildren’s law or Ley de Memoria Democrática
The Ley de Memoria Democrática also known as the Spanish Grandchildren law provides for the child and grandchildren of originally Spanish nationals to apply for Spanish nationality on the back of their ancestors, but for a limited time only, 21/10/2024.
The process involves making an application before the Spanish Consulate corresponding to the applicant’s place of residence.
Studying in Spanish universities. Spanish Student visa
The Universities of Seville, Madrid, and Barcelona are popular choices among students all over the world.
Obtaining a Spanish Student Visa requires proving admission at the student centre, holding sufficient funds to support the student through the studies, holding a medical insurance policy and producing Criminal Records & Medical Certificates for those of full age.
The Spanish Student visa however also allows to work under limited circumstances and for up to 30 hours per week.
Other Immigration Services
Our Immigration Department also offers legal advice in the following areas of Immigration Law:
- Reunion with Spanish family.
- EU Residence permits for EU nationals and their family members.
- Assistance with consular procedures in Spanish consulates around the world.
- Entrepreneur Residence Permit to live and work in Spain.
- Working and Residence Permits for employees to work for a company in Spain.
- Residence Permit in Spain with non-profitable interests.
- Residence for foreign students who want to study in Spain.
- Renewal of Spanish permits and residencies.
- Transfer of non-European workers employed by European companies doing business in different EEC-countries from one country to another.
- Acquisition of Spanish nationality and passport.
- Spanish Judicial procedures in immigration matters: administrative resources: appeals, contentious-administrative procedures against resolutions rejecting Working Permits and expulsion orders from Spain.
If you would like more information, please do not hesitate to contact us.
