RESIDENCE

European Union countries:
Germany, Austria, Belgium, Cypress, Denmark, Spain, Finland, France, Greece, Holland, Ireland, Italy, Luxemburg, Malta, Portugal, United Kingdom, Sweden.

Countries of The European Economic Area (EEA) – Espacio Económico Europeo (EEE): all the above plus: Island, Liechtenstein, Norway.

Any foreigner who is not the holder of a residence permit is authorized to stay in Spain for no longer than 3 months within a six-month period.

No residence card is required for the following:

• Citizens of European Union or members of  Espacio Económico Europeo who are legally working, either as an employee or in a self employed capacity, no longer have to apply for residence, but can apply if they wish to.
• Students
• Families of the above mentioned citizens.
• Citizens of EU that are working in Spain, maintaining residence in one of the EU countries and going back there every day or minimum once a week.

Most of the non-EU foreigners need a visa to enter Spain, except if there is an agreement between Spain and the foreigner home country.
You may apply for a visa to the Spanish Consulates located in your home country before you leave.

Work permit for European Union nations:
EU citizens do not need a work permit to be able to work in Spain. After you arrive you register at INEM - national employment office and after you find a job you can apply for your residence card.

Work permit for non EU nationals:
The non EU foreigner who wishes to work in Spain must obtain a work permit; they should also obtain a visa before moving to work in Spain.
The Provincial labour offices (Direcciones Provincionales de Trabajo, Seguridad Social y Asuntos Sociales) will decide whether the work permit will be issued or not.

Ttemporary residence permit:
The temporary residence cards are issued for staying periods between 3 months and 1 year.
There are several cases in which, to apply for this permit, it is necessary to immediately express your intention of making Spain your place of residence.
This permit can also be applied for by foreigners who having previously lived in Spain, do not need to meet the requirements needed to obtain a permanent permit.
After 1 year of residence in Spain it can be extend to 5 years.

Permanent residence permit:
Permanent residence card is issued for 5 years, which is automatically renewable, provided that there were no irregular exits from the country.
Continuity will not be interrupted by:

• period of absence on holidays outside Spain
• Absences for up to 6 months, provided that such absences do not exceed the sum of 1 year
• Justified absences for family or health reasons.

Applications for residency (when is obligatory) have to be present within one month of the date of arrival on Spanish territory.
Processing of the applications is done at the foreigners’ department (oficinas de extranjeros) in the provinces where the interested person wants to stay, most of the time located in Police station.

To apply for N.I.E (Número Identificación de Extranjeros) – identification number you need to present:

• 3 recent colour photos, with white background, size “carné” (passport-size photograph)
•  Identification document or passport valid for at least 6 months and photocopies.
• Sometimes it is necessary to present medical certificate.
• NIE application form completed and signed (ask at the police station)

Residence permit for non-eu foreigners:

The non-EU foreigners need the residence permit to inhabit in Spanish territory. To enter into Spain, it is required to show a valid passport and the corresponding visa.
After a period of time exceeding 90 days, in order to remain in Spain it is necessary to obtain residence permit.
There are two types of residence permits:

• Temporary residence permit: allows remaining in Spain for a period of time between 90 days and 5 years with further renewal.
• Permanent residency permit: it is for all the foreigners who have a normal residence permit for a continuous period of 5 years, it should be renewed every 5 years.

The residency permit applications shall be made in person to the Foreigners’ Department (Oficina de Extranjeros) or to the National Police Station nearest the city or town where you are going to live.

New members of EU: CZECH REPULIC, ESTONIA, LATVIA, LITHUANIA, HUNGARY, POLAND, SLOVAKIA and SLOVENIA

From 1st of May 2004 until 1st of May 2006 above mentioned countries can receive:
- Régimen General – only if citizens of those countries come to Spain to work as employees or to study.
- If they arrive in Spain and they would like to receive residency, stay permanently or work as a self-employee they will receive Régimen Comunitario. 
Those citizens are not allowed to work for an employer.