How to become a resident in Spain? Find out if it’s worth it!
More and more Poles dream of life under the Spanish sun. Statistics don’t lie – every year our compatriots buy several thousand properties in Spain, and many of them decide to move there permanently. No wonder – the climate, lifestyle, cuisine, and the openness of the inhabitants attract like a magnet. But how to become a resident in Spain? Who is a resident in Spain and what conditions must be met to enjoy all the privileges? Check whether it’s worth becoming a tax resident in Spain and learn practical tips!
What will you find in the article?
Who can become a resident in Spain?
Who is a resident in Spain? A resident can be anyone who meets the specified conditions and decides to formalize their stay. Most often these are people who plan to relocate to Spain relocation to Spain, want to work here, run a business, invest, or simply enjoy life in the southern part of Europe.
Poles, as citizens of the European Union, have the right to free entry and stay in Spain for 90 days without any formalities. However, if you plan to stay longer, you must ensure the formalization of your stay and meet the conditions set by Spanish law. A resident in Spain can be anyone who proves that they have means to support themselves, health insurance, and a place of residence. It is worth remembering that residency in Spain must be met both formally and in fact – authorities may request proof of residence, e.g., utility bills or a rental contract.
Additionally, if you stay in Spain for at least 183 days in a year, you automatically become a tax resident in Spain. This means the obligation to file tax returns with the Spanish tax office on all income – both income earned in Spain and abroad.
What documents are needed to obtain residency in Spain?
How to become a resident in Spain? The key is to prepare the appropriate documents. The most important of them are:
- A valid passport or identity card,
- Proof of income (e.g., employment contract, bank statement, documents confirming running a business),
- Proof of place of residence in Spain (rental agreement, property deed),
- Health insurance (public or private),
- Completed application for registration of residence for an EU citizen.
The application is submitted at the local office (Registro Central de Extranjeros). After a positive verification you will receive the so-called green card – Certificado de registro de ciudadano de la Unión Europea, which confirms your resident status in Spain. It is usually issued for five years, and after this period you can apply for permanent residency if you have continuously lived in Spain for at least five years.
It is worth remembering that residency conditions in Spain must be met not only on paper. Authorities may request additional documents, e.g., utility bills, proof of registration, or rental contract. If you plan to purchase real estate, it is worth using the help of an experienced broker and lawyer who will take care of the safety of the transaction and explain all legal nuances.
How long does the process to become a resident in Spain take?
How to become a resident in Spain and how long does it take? The process itself is not complicated, but it requires preparing the appropriate documents and a visit to the office. Usually the whole process—from collecting documents to obtaining the green card—takes from a few days to a few weeks, depending on the region and the workload of the officials.
Remember that you become a tax resident in Spain automatically after 183 days of stay in the calendar year. You will not receive a special certificate for this, but you must file the appropriate tax declarations. A tax resident in Spain is subject to different rules than a non-resident – this includes, among other things, income tax, property tax, and inheritance and gift tax. More on this topic you can find here:
What benefits does residency status in Spain provide?
Is it worth becoming a resident in Spain? The answer depends on your plans and lifestyle, but there are really many benefits. Residency gives the right to legally work, run a business, use the public health service, education, and also easier access to loans and other financial services. For families with children, it also provides the option to enroll their children in Spanish schools and kindergartens.
A resident in Spain, by meeting the conditions, also gains greater legal stability and security – for example, they are not at risk of having to leave the country after 90 days. For people planning a longer stay or investments, this is a solution definitely worth considering. Additionally, a tax resident in Spain can benefit from tax reliefs and other privileges that are not available to non-residents.
Many Poles wonder whether it is better to be a tax resident in Spain or to remain a non-resident. The differences are significant – they concern, among other things, the amount of taxes, reliefs, and obligations toward the Spanish tax office. Non-residents pay tax only on income earned in Spain, whereas residents pay tax on all income, regardless of where it was earned. More on this topic you can find in the article:
Summary
How to become a resident in Spain? Remember that buying property in Spain does not automatically make you a resident in this country. It is a process that requires meeting certain conditions, but it provides many benefits. A resident in Spain must meet conditions both formally and in practice, and a tax resident in Spain is subject to different rules than a non-resident. If you dream of life under the Spanish sun, want to invest, or simply feel secure – it’s worth considering obtaining residency.
