Spain National (Type D) Permanent Residency Visa: Who Can Apply

Key Takeaways

• Non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens need a Spain National (Type D) Visa for stays over 90 days.
• Permanent residency requires five years of legal, continuous stay under Type D status.
• Applicants must prove sufficient funds, health insurance, and no criminal record; fees vary by nationality.

Anyone looking to live in Spain 🇪🇸 for more than three months, without being a citizen of the European Union, European Economic Area, or Switzerland 🇨🇭, will need a Spain National (Type D) Permanent Residency Visa. This visa allows people from outside those regions to stay long-term for reasons like retirement, studying, or work. Once you have lived in Spain 🇪🇸 for five years on a Type D visa, you can apply to become a permanent resident. This guide will walk you through the eligibility criteria, application procedure, documents you need, the fees, how long things take, what to do afterward, and common mistakes people make. The aim is to help you understand the whole process in clear, simple language.

Why the Spain National (Type D) Permanent Residency Visa Matters

The Spain National (Type D) Permanent Residency Visa is the main way for people from outside the EU, EEA, or Switzerland 🇨🇭 to move legally to Spain 🇪🇸 for more than 90 days. This visa is used for different reasons, including:

• Joining a family member who is already in Spain 🇪🇸
• Studying at a Spanish school or university
• Retiring and living in Spain 🇪🇸 without needing to work
• Working for a Spanish company or running your own business

Holding this visa lets you live in Spain 🇪🇸 temporarily, and after five years, you can try to become a permanent resident. Permanent residents in Spain 🇪🇸 get rights that are close to those of Spanish citizens, like working without extra permits and traveling more easily within the country and the European Union.

Checklist: What You Need Before You Start

• Valid passport (not older than 10 years; at least 1 year left before expiration)
• Passport-sized biometric photo
• Completed application forms (the long-stay national visa form and the EX form for your visa category)
• Proof of enough money to support yourself and your family
• Health insurance accepted in Spain 🇪🇸 (must cover return to your home country if needed)
• Criminal record check certificate for the last five years from each country you lived in
• Medical certificate showing you do not have contagious diseases
• Proof of a place to live in Spain 🇪🇸 (rental contract, property deed, or official invitation)
• Proof you paid the visa fee

Step 1: Understand the Eligibility Criteria

Before you gather documents or fill out forms, make sure you match all the requirements for the Spain National (Type D) Permanent Residency Visa:

1. You are not a citizen of the EU, EEA, or Switzerland 🇨🇭.
2. You want to live in Spain 🇪🇸 for more than 90 days.
3. You can show your plans fit a category allowed for long-term residence (student, retiree with stable funds, employee, etc.).
4. You will not live in Spain 🇪🇸 illegally (meaning you must apply from outside Spain 🇪🇸, unless renewing an existing permit).
5. You have not broken any Spanish immigration laws.
6. For permanent residency: You must show you have legally and continuously lived in Spain 🇪🇸 for at least five years using the correct Type D status. Any long absences from Spain 🇪🇸 (over 6 months in a year) can break your continuous residence requirement.

Note: The financial threshold usually follows the Spanish government’s indicator called “IPREM”. In 2025, you must have €31,632 per year for yourself and 100% IPREM for each person you bring with you.

Step 2: Gather All Required Documents

This step takes the most time, so it’s smart to start early. Each document must be official and may need to be translated into Spanish and carry a stamp (apostille) from your home government.

Key documents for all applicants:

• Application form(s): Download and fill out the official long-stay Type D visa application. Depending on your reason, fill out the matching “EX” form as well. You can find the general form here.
• Passport: Your passport must be valid for a full year beyond your planned arrival. It cannot be older than 10 years or full of stamps.
• Photo: Provide a recent, color, passport-style photo with a light background.
• Proof of financial means: For this, prepare official bank statements or documents showing regular income, savings, or investments that reach the required amount.
• Criminal record certificate: Get this from police or the government for every country where you lived the last 5 years. Each certificate must be legalized and may need translation.
• Medical certificate: Visit your doctor for an exam. You will get a statement you do not have diseases that could cause health problems in Spain 🇪🇸.
• Health insurance: Buy a private policy that is accepted in Spain 🇪🇸 and covers all the time you want to live there. It must have no gaps and should often include return or repatriation.
• Proof of accommodation: Lease, deed, or official invitation. Hotels are rarely accepted for long-term visas.
• Payment receipt: After you pay your fee, keep the official receipt.

Tip: Some consulates may ask for more documents, such as proof of your relationship if you bring family or a letter from a university if you are a student. Always check the consulate’s official website before submitting your application.

Step 3: Book an Appointment at a Spanish Consulate or Embassy

You can only apply for the Spain National (Type D) Permanent Residency Visa from outside Spain 🇪🇸. Contact the Spanish consulate in your home country or the country where you legally live now.

• Go to the consulate’s website and use their online scheduler.
• Book as early as possible, especially in busy seasons.

Caution: Some consulates have long waiting times for appointments—sometimes several weeks. Plan ahead to avoid delays.

Step 4: Submit Your Application and Documents in Person

This is a critical step. Most Spanish consulates require you to apply in person; they won’t accept mail applications for the first visa.

• Bring all original documents AND photocopies.
• Hand in your forms, photos, passport, and other papers directly to the visa officer.
• Some consulates take your fingerprints and a photo at this stage.

Tip: Keep copies of everything you submit, including signed receipts from the consulate.

Step 5: Pay the Application Fees

Fees depend on your nationality. In 2025, sample fees are:

• For US citizens: about $160
• For other countries: about $94
• Some consulates add a service fee (about $18 for processing by a visa center)

Be ready to pay in the way the consulate requests. This can mean a cash payment, bank draft, or credit card.

Note: Most visa fees are non-refundable, even if your application is denied.

Step 6: Attend the Interview (if required)

Some consulates ask for a short interview. They may ask:

• Why do you want to live in Spain 🇪🇸?
• Where will you stay?
• How will you support yourself?

Be honest and straightforward. The interview aims to confirm your plans and check for any problems. Some people do not get called for an interview.

Step 7: Wait for a Decision and Collect Your Passport

The decision usually takes about 1–2 months. Sometimes, busy offices or missing documentation can mean up to three months of waiting.

• The consulate will let you know by email, letter, or text message when your passport is ready.
• If approved, your visa gets stamped into your passport.

If denied, ask for the official paperwork explaining why. Sometimes, you can appeal or correct simple problems and try again.

Step 8: Move to Spain 🇪🇸 and Register with Local Authorities

When you arrive in Spain 🇪🇸, there are a few things to do right away:

1. Register your home address at the local city hall—called “empadronamiento.”
2. Within 30 days: Go to the nearest Spanish police station or immigration office to apply for your Foreigner’s ID Card, “Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero” (TIE).
3. Bring your passport, visa, “empadronamiento” certificate, and a copy of your rental contract or proof of address.

Your new residence card is usually valid for one year. You will need to renew on time—don’t let it expire.

Step 9: Renew Your Temporary Residency and Meet the Five-Year Rule

To get permanent residency, you must stay in Spain 🇪🇸 for five years under the Type D status. During this time:

• Don’t spend more than six continuous months outside Spain 🇪🇸 per year, or you risk breaking your continuous residency.
• Renew your temporary residency card as required (usually every year or every two years, depending on the type).

Keep all evidence of your stays, renewals, and address registrations.

Step 10: Apply for Permanent Residency After Five Years

Once you have five years of legal, continuous stay under a Type D visa, you may apply for Spain’s long-term residence permit.

Here’s how:

• Collect documents showing five years of uninterrupted legal residence (old visas, residence cards, address certificates).
• Gather proof you still have enough money and valid health insurance.
• Fill out the EX–11 form, the official permanent residency form.
• Submit these at your local police station or immigration office.

Processing usually takes about three months. When approved, you get a new resident card valid for five years. Renewal after this is often straightforward if you still meet the requirements.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

• Missing documents: Double-check all paperwork before submitting, as mistakes or missing items can lead to denial or delays.
• Incomplete translations or certifications: Some documents need a special legalization stamp or must be translated by a sworn translator. Ask your consulate for rules.
• Gaps in insurance or funds: Insurance must cover your entire stay, and you must always meet financial rules, even when you renew.
• Long absences: If you are out of Spain 🇪🇸 for too long, you may lose your chance for permanent residency.

Summary Table

Important Tips and Where to Get Help

• Always check your local Spanish consulate’s website for the most up-to-date instructions. Requirements, fees, or document details may change. Official Spanish government pages, like the Ministry of Foreign Affairs visa information site, are a reliable resource.
• Save copies of all communications with the consulate and all documents you submit.
• Ask for help early from recognized immigration lawyers or visa agencies if your situation is complicated or you have had any problems before.
• If you get stuck, remember you can appeal a denial. Always follow deadlines for appeals.

VisaVerge.com’s investigation reveals that good organization, checking for the latest local changes, and not leaving anything out are the main ways to avoid trouble with your Spain National (Type D) Permanent Residency Visa application.

What Happens After Getting Permanent Residency?

Once you become a permanent resident, you enjoy many of the same rights as Spanish citizens, except voting in national elections. You can work without needing extra permits, travel freely across Spain 🇪🇸, and renew your permit every five years if you keep meeting the requirements.

Permanent residency offers peace of mind and a stable future in Spain 🇪🇸. By following every step here and remembering the eligibility criteria and application procedure, your move to Spain 🇪🇸 can be smooth and successful. For anyone serious about living long-term in Spain 🇪🇸, the Spain National (Type D) Permanent Residency Visa is the key.

Learn Today

Type D Visa → A long-term visa for non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens wishing to live in Spain for over 90 days.
IPREM → The Spanish government’s income index used to set financial eligibility thresholds for residency visas.
TIE (Foreigner’s ID Card) → Spanish identification card for foreigners required after arrival with a residency visa.
Empadronamiento → Registration of address at the local Spanish city hall, necessary for residency processes.
Apostille → Special certification that authenticates official documents for use abroad, often required for visa applications.

This Article in a Nutshell

The Spain National (Type D) Permanent Residency Visa is the main gateway for non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens seeking a long-term stay. Applicants must meet strict eligibility, financial, and documentation standards. After five years of legal residence, they may apply for permanent residency, unlocking near-citizen rights and long-term security in Spain.
— By VisaVerge.com

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