FAQ’s from non-EU citizens moving to Spain
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How to obtain a visa? Is the process difficult and long? How long they decide on my application?
In order to prepare a correct application, firstly you need to identify your purpose of travel to Spain and make clear which kind of visa exactly you need to apply for. You might find the process of preparation the required documents complicated, as any other bureaucratic process. Therefore, it is better to prepare the list of documents according to official list from embassy. While collecting the needed documents, you should pay attention to every details and specific requirements, as one small mistake can be a reason of denial of your application. Fortunately, except of the embassies, there are some Visa Application Centers that can accept your application. But you should remember that to deliver your application to the related centers/embassies you should book an appointment beforehand, sooner’s better than late. Please remember, we can assist you with the whole via application.
You should remember that each application is different, and it will be considered individually, therefore the duration of decision-making process might vary.
Do I need to know the language?
As you know, the first step of successful immigration is knowing the language on any level. Therefore, knowing the basis of Spanish language will be an advantage for you and will make your living in Spain easier. Even though, you shouldn’t be worried about it, as there a lot of foreigners in Spain who don’t know the Spanish language. You will have plenty of time and opportunity to start or improve your learning, once you will arrive to Spain.
Is it expensive to live in EU member country?
Well, in a comparison with western countries, Spain is much cheaper. But, you need to consider that the prices are varying from one cite to another. Generally, the average monthly salary is 2000 euros from which 30% are going for taxes. Yes, there are high rates of taxes in Spain. On the other hand, food, cloth, services, bills are lower for almost 30% in comparison with majority of western countries. Anyhow, despite the crisis, Spain is the favorite country for foreigners as the standards of life and medicine are still high. For the further detailed information, there are a lot if information in several web-pages with statistics.
Is it necessary to open a bank account in Spain or I can use one from my home country?
It is not necessary to open a bank account in Spain if you do not have a reason for it. In any case, if you decided to open a bank account, there are 2 types of opening it for the residents and for non-residents. If you are a resident in Spain, it will be enough to go to the closest bank with your residency card, but if you are not, it will be necessary to provide some additional documents. While opening a bank account, it will be necessary to present during the process and provide the originals of all the documents.
Unfortunately, it will not be possible to charge the bank card from your home country in Spain, but you can use it in the most cases.
Do I have to pay taxes in Spain?
Becoming a tax residence doesn’t have any connection with being a resident or citizen. It means, any citizen doesn’t matter if he has residency or citizenship, is obtaining a tax residence status only if he is permanently residing in specific territory for not less than 183 days during 12 month successive. You should take into consideration that the period of stay is not interrupted during his travelling abroad for educational or medical purposes (until 6 month). In conclusion, having a residence permit and staying in Spain more than for 183 days in a year is making you a tax resident of Spain. This is obliging you to declare the incomes in Spain and abroad and respectively, to pay tax for them IRPF.
How much is the insurance and where is better to do it?
The cost of the insurance depends on the package of the services included in the selected insurance. Anyhow, the insurance in Spain costs 30-100 euros per month.
Can my driving license be used in Spain?
Expats, who are residing in Spain based on visa type C (touristic, via invitation, for business, for study, etc), can drive a vehicle in Spain with their driving license from their home country for not more than 90 days in a half year.
If you have a residency in Spain than you will be obliged to have Spanish driving license. With the driving license from your home country you can drive a vehicle for not more than 6 months.
Is it possible to have dual citizenship? Will have a citizenship if I buy property in Spain?
Spain has an agreement on dual citizenship just with the following countries: Latin America, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea and Portugal. Therefore, if you are not citizens of the above mentioned countries and you would like to apply for citizenship in Spain, you will have to renounce your nationality.
The existence of property in Spain or purchase of it is not a good reason to apply for a Spainish citizenship. A property with an amount of more than 500.00 euros can be a reason of obtaining temporary residence permit. After 10 years if living in Spain on a legal and residency basis you can apply for a citizenship.
