Published: 04.10.2026

• 2026-10-04Spain’s updated immigration regulation and arraigo system are in force

  Since 20 May 2025, Spain has applied the new Immigration Regulation RD 1155/2024, replacing RD 557/2011. It restructured the arraigo system, which provides regularisation routes for people already in Spain without valid status.

• 2026-10-01Spain’s 2026 guide sets out financial requirements for non-lucrative and digital-nomad residence

  For an initial non-lucrative residence permit, the source states that applicants must prove funds equal to at least 400% of IPREM. Digital Nomad applicants must show income of 200% of Spain’s SMI; with the 2026 SMI set at EUR 1,221 per month over 14 payments, an in-country residence authorisation may be issued for up to three years.

• 2026-09-23Spain’s application window for extraordinary migrant regularisation has closed

  Spain’s extraordinary regularisation programme ran from 16 April to 30 June 2026 and targeted people who had been in Spain before 1 January 2026 and had lived there continuously for at least five months. Successful applicants received a one-year residence and work authorisation; those who missed the deadline are directed toward the ordinary arraigo routes.

• 2026-09-20A Spanish Bank Account Is Not a Mandatory Condition for the Non-Lucrative Visa

  Opening a Spanish bank account is not itself listed in legislation as a mandatory condition for obtaining the Non-Lucrative Visa. However, a local account may be convenient for everyday life in Spain.

• 2026-09-14Moving to Spain for permanent residence requires a prior legal basis for residence

  The sources describe the need to enter Spain with a residence permit or long-stay visa rather than relying on a tourist or visa-free stay to regularize status after arrival. General requirements include proof of sufficient funds, health insurance, no entry ban and payment of the relevant fee.

• 2026-09-14Spain Generally Requires Ten Years of Residence for Naturalisation

  The source states that Spanish citizenship by naturalisation is generally available after ten years of residence in the country. The described requirements include an A2-level Spanish-language examination and a test on Spanish law and culture; exceptions to the dual-citizenship rule apply to citizens of certain countries.

• 2026-09-10Spain launched an extraordinary regularisation scheme for migrants already in the country

  From 16 April to 30 June 2026, people who had been in Spain before 1 January 2026 and had lived there continuously for at least five months could apply for an initial one-year residence and work permit. Applicants had to have no criminal record and provide dated documents proving their presence; minors could receive a five-year residence authorisation.

• 2026-09-07Spain: Updated Information on Digital Nomad Visa and Residence Card Timelines

  According to the sources, processing the digital nomad visa and residence permit can take from several weeks to approximately four months, depending on the stage of the procedure. The initial residence card is described as valid for three years and renewable for a further two years.

• 2026-09-03Spain publishes new criteria for applying immigration rules

  Spain’s Directorate-General for Migration Management published criteria on switching from study, research and training authorisations to residence and work permits. The guidance also addresses the validity of the first permit for reunited family members and positive administrative silence in applications for permanent residence cards for family members of EU/EEA citizens.

• 2026-09-02Financial-Support Requirement Stated for Ukrainians with Temporary Protection in Spain

  According to the source, a migrant must have at least €600 per month for self-support. This can be demonstrated through a financial undertaking from parents or a bank statement.

• 2026-08-27CaixaBank’s remote account onboarding excludes Russian and Belarusian nationals

  According to the sources, CaixaBank’s HolaBank remote onboarding is available to citizens and residents of a limited group of countries, mainly in the EU and EEA; Russia and Belarus are not included. The restriction concerns this specific remote account-opening channel and is not presented as a general ban on all banking services in Spain.

• 2026-08-25Spain’s government begins preparing reforms to asylum and immigration law

  Spain’s government discussed preparing a new asylum law and reforming the legislation on foreigners’ rights and integration. The draft distinguishes between an ordinary procedure and an accelerated international-protection procedure intended to be resolved within three months.

• 2026-08-17Spain’s Long-Term Residence Requires Five Years of Continuous Legal Residence

  The sources describe the standard requirement for long-term or permanent residence in Spain as five years of continuous legal residence immediately before applying. They also mention the absence of criminal convictions, entry bans and security concerns, as well as absence limits for certain residence routes.

• 2026-07-25Overstaying in Spain may lead to a fine or an entry ban

  According to Spanish legal consultancy VAMOS, the Entry/Exit System automatically tracks compliance with the 90/180 rule for short stays. Overstays may result in administrative fines and, in some cases, removal and an entry ban lasting from six months to five years.

• 2026-07-23Renewal conditions for Spain’s non-lucrative residence permit

  The initial residence permit under the non-lucrative route is issued for one year, while subsequent renewals last two years. Applicants must spend more than 183 days per year in Spain, maintain sufficient passive income and valid private health insurance; an on-time application extends the permit until a decision is made.

• 2026-07-10Spain updates the list of residence documents; temporary protection for Ukrainians remains valid until 2027

  The European Commission published an updated list of Spanish documents recognised as equivalent to residence permits for border-movement purposes. Documents issued under the EU Temporary Protection Directive remain valid in Spain until 4 March 2027 without the need to obtain a new residence card.

• 2026-07-10The EU updated the list of Spanish documents recognised as residence permits

  The EU’s updated list identifies Spanish residence permits and documents with equivalent status, including cards for family members of EU citizens. Residence documents issued under the EU Temporary Protection Directive for people affected by the war in Ukraine remain valid until 4 March 2027 without requiring a new residence card.

• 2026-07-08Russian Nationals Need a Visa and Supporting Documents to Enter Spain

  The source states that Russian nationals need a Schengen visa to enter Spain and may have to provide proof of accommodation and return tickets. Overstaying may result in a fine or a future refusal of entry.

• 2026-06-30Spanish tax residents are generally taxed on worldwide income

  According to the tax materials, Spanish tax residents generally declare and pay Spanish personal income tax on worldwide income at progressive rates. Non-residents are taxed in Spain on Spain-connected income; for employment income, the source states a general rate of 24%.

• 2026-06-01Spain and Russia ended automatic exchange of tax information

  The source reports that the exchange of information between the Spanish and Russian tax authorities ended on 1 January 2025. As a result, the Spanish tax authority cannot automatically verify Russian tax returns, and crediting tax paid in Russia may be restricted.

• 2026-05-22Spain maintains income and document requirements for non-lucrative residence

  Applicants for Spain’s non-lucrative residence permit must demonstrate income from outside Spain of EUR 27,200 per year, plus EUR 6,800 annually for each family member. The listed documents include a passport, an apostilled and translated criminal-record certificate, a medical certificate and proof of regular income.

• 2026-05-21Spain’s residence route for financially independent applicants: income and savings requirements stated

  According to the source, financially independent applicants seeking Spanish residence need income of at least EUR 2,400 per month and savings of at least EUR 28,800. The material addresses the requirements for obtaining residence on this basis.

• 2026-05-20Spain’s 2026 extraordinary regularisation programme is described

  The programme targets foreigners who have continuously lived in Spain without regular status, including people with expired visas, undocumented entrants and applicants whose previous residence applications were refused. It also covers certain asylum applicants with pending cases who can demonstrate established community ties; residence, documentation and criminal-record requirements apply.

• 2026-04-21Spain launches extraordinary regularisation for migrants already in the country

  Spain has opened an extraordinary regularisation procedure for undocumented foreigners and international-protection applicants who were in the country before 1 January 2026 and have remained there continuously for at least five months. Applications are accepted from 16 April to 30 June 2026; admission of an application allows residence and work in Spain for an initial one-year period, subject to the stated requirements.

• 2026-04-21Spain Opens Extraordinary Regularisation for Migrants Already in the Country

  Applications for Spain’s extraordinary regularisation can be submitted from 16 April to 30 June 2026, online or in person by appointment. Applicants must prove that they were in Spain before 1 January 2026, remained there continuously for at least five months and have no criminal record; the residence and work authorisation is initially valid for one year.

• 2026-04-14Spain launches extraordinary regularisation for migrants already in the country

  Spain has opened an extraordinary regularisation procedure for people already in the country without valid status and certain applicants for international protection. Applicants must prove presence in Spain before 1 January 2026, at least five months of continuous residence, no criminal record and no threat to public order; applications are open from 16 April to 30 June 2026.

• 2026-04-14Spain opens extraordinary regularisation for migrants already residing in the country

  From 16 April to 30 June 2026, people who were in Spain before 1 January 2026 and have remained there continuously for at least five months can apply for extraordinary regularisation. Applicants who meet the requirements, including having no criminal record and posing no threat to public order, receive an initial one-year residence and work authorisation.

• 2026-03-09Employment is incompatible with Spain’s non-lucrative residence permit

  Working in Spain while holding a non-lucrative residence permit is described as a serious breach of the residence conditions. The source lists possible consequences including permit revocation, deportation and a ban on re-entry or future Spanish visas, and directs remote workers toward the digital nomad visa instead.

• 2026-03-06Spain has ended investor residence permits through the Golden Visa route

  Spain no longer grants residence permits through investment, including the purchase of property valued at €500,000. Sources identify the Digital Nomad Visa, non-lucrative residence and business routes as alternatives.

• 2026-02-22Spain offers a residence route for founders of innovative startups

  The sources describe a residence route for foreigners launching an innovative business of economic interest to Spain. The permit is issued for three years and can be renewed; after five years of residence, applicants may seek permanent residence, and founders can relocate with their families.

• 2026-02-22Spain is issuing various visa categories to Russian citizens in 2026

  The source reports that in 2026 Spain is issuing Russian citizens the main visa categories, including tourist visas. Tourist visas are generally issued for a single entry, while relocation requires obtaining a residence permit.

• 2026-02-20Spanish tax rates and obligations in 2026

  Spanish tax residents pay personal income tax on a progressive scale of 19% to 47%, while non-residents pay personal income tax at a flat rate of 24%. Spain also levies taxes on wealth, property and capital gains.

• 2026-02-09A national Type D visa is described as required for immigration to Spain

  The source distinguishes Spain’s national Type D visa from a tourist visa and states that it is used for immigration. After entering Spain with this visa, the applicant can obtain a residence permit.

• 2026-02-08Spain Updates Immigration Rules for Foreign Nationals

  The source reports updated Spanish immigration legislation taking effect in 2026. The changes affect employment and residence rules for foreign nationals, including Ukrainians.

• 2026-02-06Spain announces temporary regularisation for some migrants already in the country

  The measure applies to people who arrived in Spain before 31 December 2025 and can prove at least five months of residence; applications are due to be accepted between April and June. Successful applicants may receive temporary residence permits with the right to work, but the amnesty does not cover new arrivals and does not grant citizenship or automatic permanent residence.

• 2026-01-20Updated immigration rules take effect in Spain

  Updated immigration legislation took effect in Spain in January 2026, aiming to simplify relocation for workers and family reunification. Sources report that applications, document copies and case-status tracking can be handled through dedicated online services.

• 2026-01-01Temporary protection for Ukrainians in Spain is valid until March 2028

  According to the source, temporary protection for Ukrainian citizens in Spain is valid until March 2028. The status allows lawful residence in Spain but does not itself lead to naturalisation, permanent residence or citizenship.

• 2025-11-24Spain’s family-reunification route includes residence and sponsor-income requirements

  To begin family reunification, a foreign resident generally must have lived in Spain for at least one year and hold or request a residence card valid for at least another 12 months. The source also cites an income requirement of at least EUR 900 per month for the sponsor and one relative, plus EUR 300 for each additional family member; processing is described as taking two to three months.