Spain is the most popular destination in Europe for British expats, international remote workers, and non-EU nationals seeking a base within the Eurozone.
But moving legally, and staying legally, requires more than booking a flight and signing a lease.
Every residency route in Spain comes with its own eligibility conditions, document requirements, filing deadlines, and tax consequences.
Delaguía y Luzón is a law firm specializing in Spanish immigration law, providing professional visa application support, residence permit assistance, and citizenship services in Valencia, Spain.
With extensive experience in immigration law in Spain, the solicitors at Delaguía y Luzón assist individuals, families, and businesses with work visas, student visas, family reunification, residence permits, and Spanish nationality applications.
Initial consultation
We assess your eligibility across all residency routes and recommend the right pathway for your situation.
Document preparation
We identify all required documents, coordinate sworn translations and guide you through FCDO Apostille requirements.
Application drafting & submission
We draft and submit your application at the Spanish consulate in the UK or through the UGE or Oficina de Extranjería in Spain.
NIE and TIE management
We book cita previa appointments, attend alongside you and follow up on any processing delays.
Empadronamiento registration
We handle your municipal census registration at the local Ayuntamiento — required for healthcare, schools and most official processes.
Beckham Law election
Where applicable, we assess your eligibility and file Modelo 149 within the six-month window, coordinated with our tax team.
Family member applications
We include spouses, children and qualifying dependants so the whole family is covered from day one.
Renewal management
We track your permit expiry dates and manage every renewal to ensure your residency status never lapses.
Long-term & permanent residency
We prepare and submit your long-term or permanent residency application at the five-year milestone.
Employer compliance
We advise Spanish companies hiring non-EU nationals and UK companies relocating staff to Spain on all permit and compliance obligations.
Spain offers several distinct legal pathways for non-EU nationals seeking to live, work, or retire here.
The right route depends on your nationality, your source of income, whether you intend to work in Spain or remotely, and your long-term residency goals.
Working with an immigration lawyer in Valencia ensures you choose the right route from the start.
Here is a quick overview of the main options.
| Visa/route | Best for | Can you work? | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Digital Nomad Visa | Remote workers for non-Spanish employers | Yes — remotely | 1–3 years |
| Non-Lucrative Visa | Retirees and passive income holders | No | 1 year, renewable |
| Startup Visa | Entrepreneurs founding an innovative company | Yes — within the startup | 3 years |
| Work Permit | Non-EU nationals hired by a Spanish employer | Yes — employer-sponsored | 1–2 years |
| EU / EEA nationals | Citizens of EU member states, Norway, and Switzerland | Yes — unrestricted | Register within 3 months |
| UK nationals (post-Brexit) | British nationals — visa required unless Withdrawal Agreement applies | Depends on the route | Depends on route |
All routes lead to permanent residency after 5 continuous years of legal residence in Spain.
Introduced under Startup Law 28/2022, the Digital Nomad Visa is designed for professionals who work remotely for employers or clients based outside Spain.
To qualify, you need a minimum monthly income of approximately €2,849, private health insurance from a Spain-authorised provider, and proof that you have not been a Spanish tax resident in the previous five years.
One of its most significant advantages is access to the Beckham Law tax regime, which caps your Spanish income tax at a flat 24% for up to six years, compared to the standard rate of up to 47%.
The Beckham Law election must be made within six months of your first Spanish Social Security registration and cannot be applied retrospectively.
Processing time: Approximately 20 working days from the Spanish consulate, or faster if applying from within Spain through the UGE.
The Non-Lucrative Visa is the primary route for retirees, pension holders and those living on investment or rental income who wish to live in Spain without working.
You need a minimum of approximately €2,400 per month in demonstrable income, Spain-authorised private health insurance with no annual cap, and a clean criminal record apostilled by the FCDO.
The visa is valid for one year, renewable for two-year periods, and requires you to spend at least 183 days per year in Spain to maintain your residency status.
The Startup Visa, introduced under Startup Law 28/2022, is for non-EU entrepreneurs founding or developing an innovative company in Spain.
Qualifying companies must be certified as innovative by ENISA or an accredited body, less than five years old, and able to demonstrate a viable growth-oriented business plan.
Key benefits include an initial three-year residence permit, access to the Beckham Law 24% flat tax rate, and a 15% reduced corporate income tax rate for the first four profitable years of the company.
Delaguía y Luzón has an important advantage when preparing files since we are one of the few law firms in Spain that has signed the collaboration agreement between the Bar Association and the Government of Spain for the electronic processing of immigration and nationality files.
We are social security lawyers who can help you obtain your legal status in Spain.
We provide legal support for obtaining work visas and employment permits in Spain, advising both employees and employers on eligibility requirements, documentation, and timelines.
Immigration law in Spain governs the legal status of individuals without Spanish nationality who wish to reside, work, study, or engage in other activities within Spanish territory.
It encompasses a wide range of legal aspects, including entry, stay, residence, work permits, asylum, refuge, and expulsion of foreigners.
For those seeking expert guidance, an immigration lawyer in Valencia can provide personalised assistance to navigate these legal processes.
Spanish immigration law outlines the requirements, procedures, and rights for foreigners entering or residing in the country, with conditions varying based on individual circumstances, country of origin, and purpose of stay.
Finding a firm of expereinced social security lawyers is vital.
Labour and employment: Regulates the hiring and employment of foreign workers in Spain, including the requirements for obtaining work permits and working conditions.
Family reunification: Establishes the conditions and procedures for a foreign resident in Spain to apply for family reunification, that is, to bring their immediate family members (spouse, minor children, etc.) to reside with them in Spanish territory.
Asylum and Refuge: Defines the rights and procedures to request asylum or refuge in Spain by those fleeing political persecution, armed conflict or other situations of risk in their countries of origin.
Expulsion and voluntary return: Specifies the circumstances under which a foreigner can be expelled from Spain and the procedures for carrying out such expulsion. It also provides the possibility of voluntary return for foreigners wishing to return to their countries of origin.
With the help of an expereinced immigration lawyer in Valencia, you will be able to navigate this journey in confidence.
At Delaguía y Luzón we can help you carry out all your procedures related to immigration law so that you can obtain your residence or work permit. Or get family reunification or your visa for asylum or refuge.
As expereinced social security lawyers, we can assist you every step of the way.