IN ENGLISH
Spanish immigration, explained in English
María José Barba is an immigration consultant based in Madrid who advises in English, Spanish and French. These pages cover the procedures foreign residents ask about most often, written for people who do not know the Spanish administrative system — because that is where most of the avoidable mistakes come from.
BEFORE YOU READ ANYTHING ELSE
Spanish immigration law changed twice recently: Royal Decree 1155/2024, in force since 20 May 2025, and Royal Decree 316/2026, in force since 16 April 2026. A guide written before those dates may be confidently wrong. Every page here shows when it was last reviewed.
The Spanish digital nomad visa, explained by someone who files them
Spain's digital nomad visa in 2026: the 200% SMI income threshold, the 20% Spanish-client cap, which documents the UGE actually checks and how long it really takes.
ReadThe non-lucrative visa: living in Spain without working
Spain's non-lucrative residence visa in 2026: the 400% IPREM income requirement, why most health insurance policies fail, and what the consulate really checks.
ReadNIE, TIE and the EU certificate: which one do you actually need?
NIE, TIE and the EU registration certificate are three different things. What each one is, which you need, and how to book the fingerprint appointment.
ReadEmpadronamiento: the small step everything else depends on
The padrón is the town hall register and it underpins almost every immigration procedure in Spain. How to register, what to bring, and what to do when there are no appointments.
ReadThe Spanish student visa, and the five ways it gets refused
Spain's long-stay student visa: the 20-hour rule for language schools, IPREM funding levels, why travel insurance is refused, and how to work while studying.
Read