Permanent residence in Spain

How to get the status of permanent residence in Spain

What is permanent residence in Spain, how can it be obtained and what benefits can an applicant expect? In simple words, the status of permanent residence gives its owner the freedom to live permanently in the territory of the Kingdom of Spain and at the same time to be officially employed, which is important.

It should be understood that “permanent residence in Spain” is not a legal term, but rather a description of the procedure itself, in which you are given the opportunity to change one country of permanent residence to another. This implies, in its turn, the solution of many problems, ranging from military service deregistration and ending with the closure of bank accounts with the subsequent opening of accounts in Spanish banks, for example.

Permanent residence in Spain is a permission obtained from the state for a foreign resident to live and work officially in Spain. Such a status can only be obtained after a certain period of continuous residence in the country, which also varies depending on the method you choose to obtain a Spanish passport.

Permanent residence in Spain for Russians and Ukrainians is an opportunity to obtain permanent residence on the territory of the Kingdom of Spain. The status shall be prolonged every five years for an unlimited period of time if you do not plan to obtain official citizenship yet. Quite often our fellow citizens choose this particular option with the extension of permanent residence, since obtaining a passport automatically means renunciation of their citizenship.

What is the difference between a residence permit and permanent residence in Spain

What are the main differences between a residence permit of Spain and permanent residence in this country? Spain grants permanent residence only in cases when the applicant had the status of a residence permit within the previous five years and lived in the country for the minimum allowed period of time per year.

A temporary residence permit is an opportunity to live in Spain legally without the right to be officially employed. It is quite simple to obtain it, having enough financial resources for investment, for example, or using one of the naturalization options in the country (family reunification, custodial care, marriage, and so on).

Permanent residence is an official permanent residence permit with the ability to be  officially employed, pay taxes and enjoy all the rights of Spanish citizens (except for voting and taking certain positions).

A residence permit through investment can be obtained as quickly as possible (about 6 calendar days). In other situations it shall be constantly prolonged. Permanent residence in Spain can only be obtained after the expiration of a five-year period with the status of a residence permit.

What gives permanent residence in Spain

The right of permanent residence in the territory of the Kingdom of Spain implies several basic nuances:

1. Residence in Spain on a permanent basis;
2. Obtaining education in universities of the country and Europe;
3. Obtaining high-quality medical services;
4. Official employment;
5. Guarantees of constitutional rights and freedoms along with other duties and rights of residents;
6. Establishing and conducting business; Guarantees of constitutional rights and freedoms along with other duties and rights of residents;
7. Enjoying all the benefits of native citizens.

The application to the consulate shall be submitted within 30 calendar days as of the date of the conclusion of the contract between the Spanish employer and the hired employee. What documents are needed to work in Spain? To apply for an employment visa under a contract you will need:

1. Employment visa application form (filled in Spanish);
2. Photo of the established size;
3. International passport valid for the next 12 months (photocopies of all pages shall be made);
4. Valid internal passport with copies of all pages;
5. Medical certificate of the established form;
6. Documents on the absence of a criminal record;
7. Copies of the contract;
8. Information about the payment of the consular fee.

The status of permanent residence implies that you do not have the opportunity to be engaged in political activities, register for elections to government bodies, serve in the Spanish army, police and some other structures.

Ways to obtain permanent residence and a residence permit in Spain

When answering the question of how to obtain permanent residence in Spain, it is worth noting right away that this status cannot be bought or sold, but can only be obtained in a five-year period after obtaining a residence permit.

Any non-resident can count on obtaining permanent residence by choosing the appropriate option of a residence permit in Spain. At the same time each of these options has its own characteristics and nuances that potential applicants should take into account.

For example, if your goal is to move and legalize in the country with a large family, you should consider residence permit programs for financially independent persons (purchase of real estate objects, investment in government bonds, acquisition of shares in Spanish companies, and so on).

If you have close relatives in Spain, you can take advantage of family reunification programs (mothers, fathers, grandfathers, grandmothers, sons, daughters). You can marry a Spanish citizen and obtain a passport in 12 months, however, in this case there are some “traps and pitfalls” as well.

Below we list the main ways to obtain a residence permit, which will be your first step in obtaining the status of permanent residence:

• Purchase of Spanish real estate objects.

A residence permit can be obtained by investing the amount starting from €500,000 in the purchase of one or more residential, administrative or industrial real estate objects. You are free to dispose of it at your discretion (let it out for lease, for example), but you cannot sell it within 5 years.

• Residence permit for financially independent persons.

It is necessary to confirm that the applicant has enough money (at least four living wages in Spain) per month. At the same time you can confirm the sources of your regular income (conducting business, letting out the objects for lease).

• Residence permit through investment.

It is necessary to invest at least €2 million in government bonds or buy shares of Spanish companies (the amount starting from €1 million). It will be possible to return the investment only after a five-year period.

• Residence permit in Spain through family ties.

This option can be considered by the applicants whose close family already reside in the country. Who can use this method? Spouse of a Spanish citizen, as well as their children, minor children of Spanish citizens and children of non-resident applicants who already live in the country and have a residence permit, permanent residence or are of retirement age.

• Residence permit in Spain through family ties.

This option can be considered by the applicants whose close family already reside in the country. Who can use this method? Spouse of a Spanish citizen, as well as their children, minor children of Spanish citizens and children of non-resident applicants who already live in the country and have a residence permit, permanent residence or are of retirement age.

• Residence permit through marriage.

Marriage with a resident of the country will give you the opportunity to obtain a residence permit for a year, during which you are required to reside in Spain. You can work, participate in social life, learn the language, and enjoy many of the rights of residents. After 12 months the marriage should not be officially dissolved, which is checked by the regulatory authorities.

• Citizenship in Spain through custodial care.

If you have been adopted or are under the care of Spanish citizens or foundations, you may be eligible for Spanish citizenship. The only requirement to the applicant is that at least 24 months have passed as of conclusion of the agreement of custodial care or adoption.

Benefits of a passport and citizenship of Spain

What permanent residence and subsequent citizenship will give you? There are quite a few advantages, among which are:

1. Simplicity and ease of naturalization;
2. Living, working and studying in one of the most developed countries in Europe and the world;
3. Possibility to move to another European country for permanent residence at any time;
4. High level of remuneration;
5. High-quality medicine;
6. Favorable loan services in the best banks;
7. Security and safety of bank accounts;
8. Visa-free regime with many countries.

Residence permit for education

If you are going to Spain for permanent residence, you can plan to obtain a residence permit for education. Students shall receive and prolong a special visa (student residence) every year within three years. In three years you can apply for a residence permit, which shall give you the right for official employment.

Obtaining the status of refugees in Spain

This term describes the procedure of granting a certain category of persons with the status of refugees with the protection of the state. There are two main categories of refugees – political and humanitarian. In the first case the applicant can apply for official asylum for a three-year period with the right of prolongation, in the second – for 1 year with prolongation.

Obtaining a residence permit with an employment visa

The process implies a formal employment contract concluded between the applicant and the Spanish employer. The high unemployment level in recent years has made the prospects of such an option very illusory. However, many highly qualified specialists in professions which are in demand in Spain apply for a “blue” employment visa and successfully obtain it.

Obtaining permanent residence in Spain when registering business or purchasing a company

You can establish and register your own business in the country or purchase an existing company. The amount of investment is not strictly specified, but your company shall pay taxes, comply with the requirements of Spanish law and have a certain number of local employees on the staff. In this case you first obtain a residence permit and then it is replaced by permanent residence.

Residence permit in Spain for start-ups or innovations

You must have an innovative business project ready for presentation that will be of interest to potential Spanish investors. The main requirements for a startup are economic feasibility, creation of new job opportunities, profit for the country as a whole or for a particular region (tourism, for example).

A start-up visa is issued to the applicant and his entire family for 12 months. Then you obtain a residence permit for 2 years, which is prolonged for another two years. After 5 years of the total period you can apply for permanent residence.

Obtaining a residence permit in Spain by the period of stay in the country (by residence)

Some illegal immigrants may stay in the country for at least 36 months, which automatically entitles them to apply for a residence permit to the authorities. The method is rather doubtful, but nowadays it is used quite often.