Immigration Lawyer in Spain: Costs, Services & Process

Spain has become one of the most popular destinations for investors, retirees, and remote workers, but navigating the immigration process can be overwhelming. Therefore, hiring an immigration lawyer in Spain can simplify your visa application, reduce the risk of rejection, and ensure you are fully following Spanish laws.

Even if you are applying for a non-lucrative visa, a digital nomad visa, or starting a business in Spain, a qualified Spanish immigration lawyer can guide you through every step and help you settle into the country. This guide explains what immigration lawyers do, how much they cost, and the step-by-step process of working with a lawyer.

Immigration Lawyer in Spain: Key Takeaways

Spanish immigration laws can be difficult to understand, so having an immigration lawyer will ensure you choose the correct visa and that your residency or citizenship application is correct and on time. 

Lawyers advise on choosing the visa that best suits your needs, including digital nomad, self-employment, work permits, residency-by-investment, and citizenship applications. 

They handle all paperwork, translations, notarizations, and submissions, which will reduce errors, delays, or rejections in the long run.

 Lawyers also assist with post-arrival tasks such as obtaining a NIE, residence card, healthcare registration, and bank accounts. 

01/ Planning your application and checking eligibility

Before starting your application, a lawyer reviews your situation to make sure you qualify and choose the best option. Applying for the wrong visa or failing to meet the requirements can lead to rejection and wasted time.  They help you:

• Choose the right visa based on your income, work situation, and long-term goals. This can be choosing between a Digital Nomad Visa or a work visa. 
• Check your documents, such as bank statements and contracts, to make sure they meet the latest income requirements.
• Plan your application timeline, including whether you need to apply from your home country or inside Spain, and to have a clear idea of your travel. 

02/ Preparing and legalizing your documents

One of the biggest reasons for delays is incorrect or incomplete documents, and this is one of the aspects of the application process that clients do not take into consideration when planning their migration journey, because even the smallest delays can cause setbacks.  A Spanish immigration lawyer will:

• Guarantee your documents, like birth certificates or criminal records, are properly legalized with an Apostille.
• Arrange official sworn translations accepted by Spanish authorities.
• Submit your application digitally through official systems, which is faster than in-person appointments most of the time. 

03/ Visa and residency services

Immigration lawyers in Spain will handle different types of visas and residency permits based on your situation. It’s important to get legal guidance because each visa has different rules, and any mistakes can lead to delays or rejections. A legal professional will help with: 

• Spain Digital Nomad Visa and help you prepare proof of remote work, and that you meet the other legal requirements.
• Spain work visas, like the Highly Qualified Professional Visa require a lawyer to  review contracts and manage the employer requirements.
• Spain Intra-company transfers, and these also need a lawyer who will assist you with helping companies move employees to Spain and meet the requirements as the employer and for the employees. 
• Arraigo (social integration), which includes assisting people already in Spain to regularize their status after living there for a period of time.

04/ Help after your visa is approved

A lawyer’s job doesn’t stop once your visa is approved. They also help you settle in Spain, and this is important to legally live in Spain without missing any steps and getting yourself in trouble in the long run. Immigration layers in Spain will assist with:

• Booking appointments to get your TIE card (residency card).
• Registering your address (empadronamiento), which is needed for healthcare and schools
• Getting your Social Security number so you can work legally.
• Tax planning like applying for the Spain Beckham Law, which allows eligible foreign workers to pay a flat tax rate of around 24%, avoid tax on most foreign income, and benefit from this regime for up to 6 years.

05/ Citizenship and legal support

If you plan to stay in Spain long-term, a lawyer can help you apply for citizenship and take care of all the legal issues. The citizenship application process can be long and complicated, so having a legal professional will improve your chances of getting approved, even if you need to appeal after a rejection. A Spanish immigration lawyer will be there for: 

• Citizenship by residency, including exam preparation (language and culture tests).
• Spanish citizenship by descent, which requires you to determine eligibility through the correct descendant or even qualify through other special cases. 
• Appeals if your visa is rejected, which can go as far as administrative procedure and court appeals. 

06/ Family reunification permits

Bringing your family to Spain requires showing genuine proof of relationships and financial support. To relocate all your family members, an immigration lawyer successfully helps you:

• Compile documents such as marriage certificates, civil partnerships, or proof of dependency.
• Submit a complete and accurate application for each family member. 
• Act as your point of communication and follow up with authorities to prevent delays.

07/ Buying property in Spain 

Immigration lawyers don’t just stop at visas, but they can also assist with settling into Spain, particularly when purchasing property. Property transactions in Spain can involve hidden legal risks without proper checks, and these steps are particularly important for foreign buyers and expats planning long-term residence. An immigration attorney in Spain will work with real estate professionals and help you: 

• Verify that the seller is the legal owner.
• Check for debts, liens, or legal issues tied to the property.
• Review contracts to make sure your rights are protected.

• Step 1: Eligibility assessment: The process begins with a consultation with Global Citizen Solutions, where our legal team reviews your finances, work situation, and long-term goals. Based on this, we identify the most suitable visa option and the most straightforward path for your application with a clear service agreement. 
• Step 2: Onboarding and document checklist: Once you move forward, we provide a checklist based on your country of origin. This includes specific requirements for documents such as criminal records, bank statements, and health insurance.
• Step 3: Document review and preparation: You gather the required documents, and our lawyers carefully review them to identify any issues, such as insufficient financial proof or incorrect details, before submission. The Spanish immigration lawyers will also manage the legalization process, obtain the Hague Apostille, and coordinate the sworn translations accepted by Spanish authorities.
• Step 4: Application submission: We can assist you in getting a digital certificate. After that, your application is submitted through official digital platforms such as MERCURIO or the Unit for Large Companies (UGE), which can be faster than submitting through a consulate. In the meantime, we will help you track the application and respond to any communication from the authorities. 
• Step 5: Approval confirmation: Once your application is approved, we provide you with the official approval document, which serves as temporary proof of your legal residency.
• Step 6: TIE Appointment preparation: The next steps will be to make sure you integrate into Spanish society, help you with booking your fingerprint appointment for your TIE, and prepare all required forms and payments in advance.
• Step 7: Collecting your residency card: After your fingerprint appointment, your residency card will be ready within 30 to 45 days. We guide you through the final collection process to ensure everything is completed.