How become a permament resident in Spain

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To start of, as usual, we need to distinguish between EU and non-EU citizens. As a brief overview:

  • Non-EU citizens: Once you have legally lived in Spain for five uninterrupted years, non-EU nationals can apply for an ‘EU long-term residence permit’. A long-term residence permit allows you to stay in Spain indefinitely, working or otherwise, under the same conditions as Spanish citizens.
  • EU citizens: From the 28th of March 2007, Royal Decree 240/07 requires that all EU citizens planning to reside in Spain for more than 3 months should register in person at the Oficina de Extranjeros in their province of residence or at designated Police stations.

IMPORTANT information for British expats: It is unsure on how the UK’s vote to leave the EU will influence British expats living in Spain or wishing to move to Spain. English expats who permanently live in Spain should think about applying for Spanish citizenship, should they meet the fundamental criteria needed to do so. In any case, this additionally implies surrending their British citizenship. English expats may likewise be approached in the future to apply for a Blue Card, an affirmed expansive citizenship, that allows highly-gifted, non-EU citizens to work and live in Spain and other EU nations.

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List of requirements to become a permanent resident in Spain
How to apply for the permanent resident status?

List of requirements to become a permanent resident in Spain

On 10th of July 2012 the Spanish government presented subtle elements of the new residency prerequisites for all EU citizens. Under the new guidelines, EU residents applying for residency in Spain could be required to show a proof of adequate monetary funding to keep themselves (and dependants). Candidates may likewise be requested to show a confirmation of private or open human services protection.

The Ministerial Order sets out the new residency prerequisites and a portion of the documentation that candidates might be requested to present. We have made an informal interpretation of the Ministerial Order beneath.

Every citizen of a Member State of the European Union or another State party to the Agreement on the European Economic Area have the right of residence in the territory of the Spanish State for more than three months if:

  1. They are employed in Spain, or
  2. They are a self-employed person in Spain, or
  3. Has for himself and the members of his family, sufficient resources to avoid becoming a burden to the Spanish welfare system during their period of residence. You must also provide a secure public or private health insurance contracted in Spain or in another country, which must provide coverage in Spain during the period equivalent to that provided by the National Health System residence.
    The assessment of the adequacy of financial resources will be made on an individual basis and, in any case, taking into account the personal and family situation of the applicant. Enough accreditation for compliance with this requirement shall be considered resource tenure that are higher than the amount that each year is set by the Law on State Budget for generating the right to receive a non-contributory benefit, taking into account the personal and family circumstances of the interested parties.
  4. Or, being a student and being enrolled in a recognized or funded by the educational administration for study or vocational training public or private school and have public or private health insurance contracted in Spain or another country that provides full coverage in Spain and they must be responsible for having sufficient resources for themselves and family members, so as not to become a burden on the Spanish welfare during their period of residence.
  5. Being a national of a Member State, accompanying or meeting family, they must also be  a citizen of the Union or the European Economic Area, which meets one of the above conditions. The family may be:
  • If you are a students family, your spouse or partner or children must actually be an enrolled student and your spouse or partner in charge.
  • In other cases, the spouse or partner registered, their direct descendants and those of your spouse or partner under age 21, disabled or over that age who live in their care, and their direct ancestors or your spouse or registered partner living in charge.

It will be understood by those who are family whose breadwinner is an EU citizen and need to materially support the proof that they will meet their basic needs. This dependence should be in the country of origin.

How to apply for the permanent resident status?

You must visit the nearest police station or Town Hall office with the following documents:

  • A valid passport;
  • Proof of legal residence in Spain eg. a long-term rental contract or receipts for the rent;
  • Criminal record certificate issued by the authorities in your home country;
  • Medical certificate (certificado medico), in cases where the applicant didn’t present it when applying for a temporary residence.
  • Proof that health assistance is guaranteed during your residence in Spain
  • Marriage or divorce certificate or other papers relating to your marital status (translated into Spanish if required).