Permanent residency. Are you ready to become a citizen of Spain? Unlike Portugal’s visa program, one is not required to reside in Spain to retain their residence permits. How to get a residency in Spain for non EU citizens. Basically we are talking about a card that has 5 years of validity, and that can be renewed indefinitely. In this article I am sharing my personal experience of becoming a Spanish resident for a non EU citizens (spanish residency for americans, if I would be more definite), via applying for a non-lucrative residency visa which allows to stay in Spain for a year. The permit will usually be issued for one year and renewed each year up to five years, at which point non-EU citizens who have lived lawfully in Spain for five years can apply for permanent residency in Spain. They can then apply for Spanish citizenship after 10 years (if they want to). Check out the Easiest countries in Europe to get Citizenship in our detailed article. After 5 years of holding the temporary residence permit, you will be eligible for permanent residency. You must show proof that you are living in the country, and that is demonstrating by having a rental contract or property deed. Spanish residency for non-European Union citizens married/family members of European Union citizens. Please read my article Spanish citizenship. There are two types: the EU permanent card, and the general one. The 2021 definitive Spain visa guide and types of Spanish visas for non-European Union citizens. After 10 years of legal residency (temporary or permanent) you may be eligible for naturalization. Spain’s Golden Visa was created to encourage non EU citizens to purchase homes in Spain. I have permanent residence in the UK/EU or will acquire it during the transition period Process for EU/EEA and Swiss citizens to obtain permanent residency rights in Spain . The same applies to UK nationals living in or moving to an EU country. On the 27th September 2013, the Spanish Government introduced Law 14/2013, in support for entrepreneurs and internationalization, to give non-EU citizens and members of their families the opportunity to obtain a Temporary Residence Permit in exchange for carrying out Real Estate investments in Spain whose value exceeds € 500,000 Euros. The permanent residency will entitle you to live and work in Spain indefinitely. On 1 January 2021, the rules for EU citizens living in or moving to the UK will change. NOTE: Article updated on 04 January 2021 1. Non-EU citizens, on the other hand, are required to complete various formalities that allow them to obtain temporary residence and then a permanent residency in Spain. After 5 consecutive years living in Spain you will be able to get the long-run or permanent residency. Questions and Answers – the rights of EU and UK citizens, as outlined in the Withdrawal Agreement. You may also be eligible for permanent residency if your spouse or partner is an EU resident. And in fact, this is a crucial step, as without a permanent residency/address, you can’t get registered as an EU citizen living permanently in Spain. As a non-EU citizen you will be required to apply for a Residence Visa should you wish to stay for more than 90 days in Spain, the different types but below are listed the most common: Non Lucrative Residence Permit: If you are not working you will need to prove sufficient funds to live in the country and medical cover. EEA (European Union countries plus Iceland, Leichtenstein and Norway) nationals and Swiss citizens are allowed to live and work in Spain on a permanent basis without a visa. Many EU countries offer a direct and simple ancestry path to residency and citizenship stretching back many generations. 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