Requirements to work in Spain

Spain has become, in recent years, the top destination in Europe for digital nomads and remote workers. Thousands of people, especially from European countries, move temporarily to our country every year to live and work remotely.

As an example, Gran Canaria, with Las Palmas at the forefront, occupies the first place in the world ranking of ideal destinations for remote work and hosting digital nomads, according to Nomad List, the global reference portal for these professionals with 80,000 users.

And if that weren't enough, the Spanish government is developing a new visa for digital nomads. This permit will authorize people to work remotely for foreign companies and reside in the country without the need for a regular work visa. While we wait for it to be officially approved (by the end of 2022), let's tell you everything you need to know to come and live and work in Spain.

Requirements for living in Spain

Excellent gastronomy, good weather, a great atmosphere, ease of travel, ancient culture, dreamy cities, numerous UNESCO World Heritage sites, and, in short, a high quality of life as a guarantee.

These are the basic reasons, among many others, that make thousands of people decide to stay and live and/or work in our country. But there is much more:

• Spain is among the 40 safest countries in the world.
• The public transportation system is one of the best and cheapest in the continent.
• It has an excellent healthcare system.
• Life expectancy is one of the highest in the world.

And we could go on and on... but it's not necessary. What is necessary is to know the requirements for living in Spain as a European or foreigner.

The Green Card for Europeans

All citizens from any country of the European Union, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland have it easy: there are no requirements or documents, beyond the ID card or passport, to reside temporarily in our country. However, if they plan to stay for more than 3 months, they must register with the Foreigners Registry and apply for the famous "Green Card."

This residence card is commonly known as the Certificate of Registration of the European Union citizen. The procedure is done by appointment at the National Police Commissioner's Office in the place of residence of the interested party. An NIE (Foreigner Identification Number) will be automatically assigned, and a green paper card will be delivered.

Obtaining this document is really simple and can be done in just 24 hours. To do so, you will also need to provide the following documentation:

• Passport (valid) and a copy of it.
• Document certifying possession of sufficient economic means.
• Private or public health insurance contract (European health insurance card may be valid).
• Rental contract or title of property.
• Proof of residence.

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Residing in Spain without a European passport

If you are not a European citizen, you will need to meet certain requirements to move to Spain.

The most important thing is to be clear about the purpose of your trip and how long you will stay in the country. Then, you will need to choose one of the visas for Spain.

These visas, which can be of short or long duration, temporary or permanent residence, do not apply to all nationalities and do not have the same costs. To learn more about the visa you will need based on your country of origin, click on this link.

Similarly, the basic requirements for living in Spain are:

• Having a valid passport.
• Applying for one of the types of visas for Spain.
• Having a non-criminal background certificate, a medical certificate, and international health insurance.
• Certifying the purpose of the visit.
• Presenting a certificate of economic funds and accommodation.

Photo by Andrew Neel from Pexels.

Requirements for obtaining residence and work permit in Spain

If your goal is to stay and work legally in Spain, either temporarily or permanently, there are legal requirements that all future residents, whether they are European or foreign, must know and meet for a peaceful stay like any Spanish citizen.

Requirements for Europeans

As we mentioned, European citizens who want to settle in Spain for a period of less than three months only need to present their passport or identity document.

If, on the other hand, you want to stay and/or work in our country for more than 3 months, you must register through an official application (EX18) in the Central Register of Foreigners at the Foreigners Office of the region where you want to live. This way, every European citizen and their family members can reside and move freely around the country for the time they have requested.

Requirements for non-Europeans

In this case, things are more "complicated," as more documentation is required.

To live and work in Spain, without being a citizen of the European Union, the first thing you need to do is have an offer to study or work in our country, that is, a visa to be with an employer or to work on your own.

If you get a job, the application must be accepted by the Public State Employment Service (SEPE), and once accepted, you will need to apply for a work visa in Spain, issued by the consulate in your country of origin. From there, you must comply with the aforementioned requirements to obtain the work permit in Spain.

Foreigners who want to study in our country must follow similar steps, even if they are not looking for work. In this regard, the respective universities and educational centers will facilitate, to a large extent, the procedures to become a temporary resident.

Although all these procedures may seem complicated, they are not: public services in Spain always facilitate, in a simple and professional way, that anyone starts their life or work journey in Spain as long as they meet the requirements and have the necessary documentation.

Being self-employed in Spain

The requirements for working as a self-employed person in Spain vary again when it comes to community, foreign, British citizens, or the length of time they will be in Spain.

If you are self-employed in any country of the European Union, travel to Spain, and stay for less than 3 months, you don't have to do anything, and you can invoice your work as you have been doing.

Things change if you are going to reside in Spain for more than 3 months. In that case, the first thing you will have to do is apply for the Green Card or residence card. Once you have it, before registering as a self-employed person in

Spain, you will need to: - Obtain the NIE: As a citizen of a EU country, you will only have to justify that the reason for obtaining it is for professional work. - Register the NIE with the Tax Office: Process the registration in the Census of entrepreneurs, professionals, and retainers (form 036 or 037).

After registering the NIE with the Tax Office, you can then process the registration as a self-employed person:

• First, you will process the registration in the Economic Activities Tax (IAE) with the Tax Agency, where you will have to choose the heading that corresponds to the economic activity you are going to carry out.
• Process the registration as a self-employed person with the Social Security.

The case of the United Kingdom

Since January 1, 2021, citizens of the United Kingdom in Spain are already considered non-EU citizens in terms of immigration. This has meant significant changes in obtaining their residence and work permits.

To be clear about the current processes and how the legal and labor relationship between the UK and Spain stands, click here.

Being a foreign self-employed person in Spain

Here, things are more complicated compared to EU citizens.

First, you will need a visa to enter Spanish territory and, later, obtain a long-term residence permit in Spain. So, any non-EU citizen who wants to register as a self-employed person in Spain needs 2 mandatory permits: the self-employed work permit and the residence permit.

To apply for the self-employed work authorization and residence, you will need to submit this documentation:

• Copy of your valid passport or travel document.
• Criminal record certificate.
• Health certificate.
• Project of the establishment or activity and the required authorizations or licenses. In addition to having an NIE number and a bank account in Spain.

Living and working in the Canary Islands

Now let's put aside the requirements for working in Spain. It's time to choose the destination. The Canary Islands are, year after year, one of the favorites for people from all over the world.

The Canary archipelago has positioned itself among the best destinations in Europe for remote work or simply to change their place of life and work.

The reasons are evident: fantastic weather all year round, overwhelming nature, beaches, gastronomy, a cost of living much more moderate than other major European capitals and Spanish cities...

Working and enjoying, from wherever you want and however you want, and also being able to save. This is the dream that more and more young Europeans and non-Europeans are betting on.

We must add to this the varied and extensive range of accommodations for all budgets and needs. This new guest, who decides to live and work in the Canary Islands, finds everything he or she is looking for here.

The community of remote workers in the Canary Islands is especially interesting in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. The capital of Gran Canaria has become one of the main destinations for remote workers, who seek to stay, especially in the Las Canteras beach area. A true oasis where locals and expats come together to work, have fun, surf...

It is, by far, one of the best areas to live in Las Palmas. In this regard, we have two accommodations that fit this new demand: Tusity WOW and Tusity ONE. Private apartments and studios with everything you need to spend a few days or a season on the island and feel at home.