Spain Visa Options: How To Move to Valencia, Spain

A Spain Visa is an absolute essential if you’re planning on coming here long-term. So if you’re planning on moving to Valencia, you’ll need to get a Spanish Visa. 

In this guide, I’ll walk you through the most common types of Spanish visas, how to apply, and what to expect once you arrive. I’ll also provide some extra resources to help you get through the bureaucracy. Because spoiler: it’s not super easy! 

Get Support From a Lawyer

First thing’s first – I’m not a legal professional and cannot provide you any legal advice. This entire article is just meant to serve as a starting point in your research. 

But if you want an immigration lawyer to help you along, then I recommend checking out Your Spanish Visa. They’re a bilingual legal team that will help you decide which Visa option is right for you AND handle the entire visa process for you. 

When I moved to Valencia, I did everything on my own. 

…and I can’t say I’d want to do it again… 

So I recommend partnering with a team that can save you from a LOT of headaches. 

Short-Term vs Long-Term Spain Visas

If you’re only visiting Spain for tourism or business for less than 90 days, you likely just need a Schengen Visa.

For many western countries – this is just a tourist “visa”. 

In reality, you don’t need to do any extra work at all. Your passport will be enough. 

But if you’re planning to live, work, or study in Spain for more than 90 days, you’ll need a Long-Term Spanish Visa. That’s where this guide comes in.

👉 Check if you need a visa to visit Spain

Types of Long-Term Spain Visas

There are a lot of reasons for moving to Valencia. Maybe you’re a freelancer. Or maybe you’re retiring. Maybe you’re just looking for a better quality of life for your family. 

This means you’ll need to apply for the appropriate Spanish visa based on your circumstances. So here are a few of the most common options: 

1. Non-Lucrative Visa

Perfect for retirees or anyone taking a sabbatical. In other words — people that want to live in Spain without working in Spain. 

• You must prove you can financially support yourself (roughly €2,400/month in income, plus more if you bring family)
• Requires private health insurance
• No local employment allowed
• Renew after the first year

📌 Official requirements from the Spanish Consulate in the U.S.

This is the most common option for US, Canadian, and UK citizens that want to retire in Spain. Again, the paperwork can be tricky — so I recommend checking out Your Spanish Visa. They’ll give you a free consultation to see if this is the right choice for you. 

2. Digital Nomad Visa in Spain

Introduced in 2023, this visa option has been a great option for remote workers and freelancers from outside the EU. So if you work for a company registered outside of Spain, then this is the best choice. 

Because in case you didn’t know: you need a visa if you plan on working here for more than 90 days. 

The good news is that most countries have tax agreements with Spain. So if you’re on the Digital Nomad Visa, you’ll get credits so you don’t pay taxes twice. 

• Must show consistent income from remote work or freelance contracts
• Income threshold: at least €2,763/month before taxes (more for families)
• Faster processing compared to some other visas. Resolution in 20 business days. 
• Up to a 3-year visa.
• Can be applied for from within Spain (if you’re already in the country on a tourist visa)

👉 Read about Spain’s Startup Law and Digital Nomad Visa

Again, I definitely recommend reaching out to Your Spanish Visa to process this one. Sometimes the paperwork can be complicated. And it’s easy to mix up the Digital Nomad Visa with the normal Work Visa. 

3. Student Visa

If you’re coming to study at a Spanish university as someone from outside the EU — then this is the one you’ll want to apply for. 

This is a really convenient option as it’s not a very complicated process. This is the visa you’ll need if you’re applying for the NALCAP program.

And that language exchange program is actually how I first came to Spain! It has its pros and cons – but overall I recommend it.  

• Requires proof of enrollment in a recognized program
• Must show sufficient funds and private or public health coverage
• Allows part-time work (up to 30 hours per week)

🎓 Official Student Visa Page

4. Work Visa

To get a traditional work visa, you’ll need a job offer from a Spanish employer. These are typically only approved for positions on Spain’s shortage occupation list or highly qualified roles.

It’s one of the most difficult ones. There are extra costs for your employer, and there needs to be a reason for the employer to hire externally. 

• Requires employer sponsorship
• Includes both work and residence authorization
• Processing times vary

👔 Catalog of needed professionals

Note: As of 2025 in Valencia, some of the most-needed professions are related to engineering, construction, and maritime experts.  

5. Entrepreneur Visa

If you plan on starting a business in Spain, then this is the option you’ll go for. Typically, this type of Spain visa is reserved for people who have the funds (and the marketing plan) to make an effective business. 

So while this isn’t the right option for everyone — it’s a great opportunity for innovators who want to settle in Spain.  

• Your business must be deemed “innovative” and economically viable
• Requires approval of your business plan by ENISA or a similar agency
• Popular in tech, sustainability, and digital services

💡 Explore Spain’s Startup Visa

6. Golden Visa (Investor Visa)

This is the “investment” visa that has been INCREDIBLY controversial. 

So controversial, in fact, that it’s been canceled as of April 2025. 

The reason this type of Spanish visa option was removed was due to the negative impacts it had on the real estate market. Many foreign investors would use this as a way to buy up homes and then rent them for profit. 

And considering the cost of living crisis in Valencia, as well as the lack of affordable housing… 

Well, it saw a LOT of backlash. 

So if you want to come to Spain, you’ll have to find a way that doesn’t involve simply buying a vacation or rental home. 

7. Family Reunification Visa

This type of visa won’t apply to everyone. But it’s primarily for people with direct Spanish family members. 

Which includes spouses. 

So if you’re married to someone from Spain, then you can apply for a visa through this method. 

• The sponsor must prove financial stability
• Available for spouses, minor children, and dependent parents
• Often applied for while the family member is already a resident in Spain

👨‍👩‍👧 Learn more from Spain’s Ministry of Inclusion

✍️ How to Apply for a Spanish Visa

Once again – this is NOT legal advice. I’ll give you some general support based on my previous experiences, as someone who came here from the USA. 

But typically, this is what the process looks like:

1. Gather your documents (passport, financial proof, insurance, etc.). 
2. Get official documents apostilled and translated when needed
3. Fill out the appropriate visa application form
4. Schedule an appointment at your nearest Spanish consulate/embassy or, in some cases, travel to Spain as a tourist and apply from within the country.
5. Submit your paperwork
6. Wait for approval (expect to wait a few months)

In my case, it took approximately 4 months for my student visa to get approved. And then AFTER I got here, I still had lots of bureaucracy to deal with. 

I also heard a LOT of horror stories from people who didn’t understand all the rules. For example, while you’re waiting on your visa – you typically need to give up your passport (for Americans). 

So no traveling while waiting!

That’s why I 100% recommend hiring professionals that can make your immigration process stress-free. 

Life After Getting Your Visa

Once your Spanish visa is approved, and you arrive in Spain, there are a few important steps to take:

• Register your address (empadronamiento) with the local town hall
• Apply for a TIE card (residency card) ASAP — it’ll likely take around 90 days to process due to how slow administrative tasks can be. 
• Set up local banking and healthcare
• Fulfill your tax obligations, if applicable.

Which means you need to find a place to live ASAP. And you’ll ALSO need to open a bank account. 

I’ll create some guides on how to move to Valencia, specifically. But in the meantime, feel free to book an appointment with me if you’d like some personalized advice! 

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Get That Spain Visa – The Right Way

Spain has a visa option for just about everyone—retirees, students, remote workers, and entrepreneurs. The key is choosing the right fit for your situation and getting the paperwork right from the start.

But I have one last piece of advice. 

➡️ Be a responsible citizen.

Valencians are currently dealing with overtourism. They’re dealing with inflation. They’re dealing with high rates of unemployment. 

And now they’re dealing with lots of people from richer countries moving here because it’s “cheap”. 

So please consider ways that you can leave a POSITIVE impact on the locals. Try to integrate into the lifestyle and respect the local culture. 

(Which is more than just siestas and wine, btw).  

If you want help with the legal and paperwork side, then I highly recommend Your Spanish Visa. And if you go through me, you’ll get 10% off if you choose to work with them (after your free consultation). 

And if you want support with moving to Valencia responsibly:

• Follow me on social media 
• Subscribe to my newsletter
• Send me a message 
• Or book a consultation with me

Other Free Valencia Travel Resources:

• Best hotels to stay at
• My restaurant recommendations 
• How to book flights 
• Top things to do 
• Fun facts about Valencia 
• The best travel medical insurance