Key guidelines for obtaining long-term residence in Spain.
The Long-Term Residence authorization is one of the most sought-after permits for non-EU citizens living in Spain.
It offers an indefinite right to reside, with a card that is renewed every five years. Typically, it is granted to those who have lived legally and continuously in the country for the past five years. Below, we outline the essential guidelines for securing this status.
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Key guidelines for obtaining long-term residence in spain:
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- Continuous residence for five years »
- Absence of criminal record »
- Economic means requirement »
- No need for prior employment or contributions »
- Employment authorization »
- Restrictions on leaving spain »
- Family reunification »
- Seeking professional advicetext »
- Other types of residency available in Spain »
- Schedule an appointment with a solicitor »
1) Continuous residence for five years:
The primary requirement for Long-Term Residence is to prove you have lived in Spain legally and without interruption for five years.
However, there are other specific scenarios that can also qualify you for this permit, including:
- Receiving a contributory retirement pension from the Spanish Social Security system.
- Holding an EU Blue Card and having resided for five continuous years in the EU, with the last two years spent in Spain.
- Receiving a permanent disability pension or similar contributory benefits in Spain.
- Being born in Spain and having lived here legally for at least three consecutive years before turning 18.
- Being a former Spanish national who has lost their citizenship.
- Having been under public guardianship in Spain for five consecutive years before the age of 18.
- Being a recognized stateless person, refugee, or beneficiary of subsidiary protection in Spain.
- Having made exceptional contributions to Spain’s economic, scientific, or cultural progress, as certified by the relevant ministries.
2) Absence of criminal record:
All applicants must present a clean criminal and police record from their previous countries of residence. Any existing criminal history must be resolved before applying.
3) Econoic means requirement:
Unlike initial residency applications, proving financial means is not a mandatory requirement for the Long-Term Residence permit. While not obligatory, you may choose to submit a work contract or bank statements as supporting documentation.
4) No need for prior employment or contributions:
You are not required to demonstrate a history of employment or contributions to the Spanish Social Security system to be eligible for this permit.
5) Employment authorization:
One of the main advantages of this status is that it grants you the right to work or be self-employed in Spain under the same conditions as Spanish nationals, without needing any additional work permits.
6) Restrictions on leaving Spain:
To maintain the continuity of your residence, you must be mindful of time spent outside the country. You cannot be absent for more than six continuous months, or a total of ten months over the five-year period. For work-related reasons, absences cannot exceed one year in total.
7) Family reunification:
Holders of Long-Term Residence can apply to reunite with their parents, provided they themselves have the required residency status to act as sponsors.
8) Seeking professional advice for key guidelines for obtaining long-term residence in spain:
The application process for Long-Term Residence involves strict legal requirements and precise documentation. Seeking help from an immigration lawyer can ensure your application is error-free, helping you avoid unnecessary delays or denials.
For expert assistance with your Long-Term Residence application or any other Spanish residency procedure, please contact our team and we will get in touch with you to begin the process of application.
9) Other types of residency available in Spain:
- Digital-Nomad visa Spain (Remote worker in Spain)
- Non-Lucrative Visa Spain (Spanish visa non lucrative)
- Student-Visa Permit (Student-Visa & up-to 30 hours work per week)
- Self-Employed Visa Spain (Self employed expats in Spain)
- Visa-Categories in Spain (Arraigo, Special Cases, etc.)
Immigration procedures and immigration regulations change regularly, and it is crucial to stay updated with the most recent information from a reliable source. If you have any questions or concerns about your situation, we advise to consult an immigration authority or legal professional who specializes in immigration matters.
We offer Spanish Residence Services and can assist you with most Spanish legal processes.
Permanent residency is permitted after 5 years of Temporary Spanish Residency through Digital-Nomad, Non-Lucrative, Student-Visa or Self-Employed. This followed by 5 years of permanent residency in Spain and permits Spanish Citizenship applications to obtain a Spanish Passport.
