A Spain Immigration Agency is important in helping people navigate the country’s immigration process. It helps with handling visa applications, residence permits, work authorizations, and other legal matters. Dealing with the paperwork alone can be challenging and time-consuming, and this is where an immigration company comes in.
By working with a company specializing in Spain’s immigration policies, such as Global Citizen Solutions, you can ensure your application is handled correctly. This will save you time and help you avoid mistakes. These companies assist with choosing the right visa, preparing the necessary documents, and guiding you through legal steps. They also allow you to submit your application and liaise with the official Spanish immigration office, Oficina de Extranjería (the Foreigners Office), making the process easier.
In this article, we will explore the services offered by the Spanish Immigration Agency, give an overview of Spain’s immigration programs, and more.
Spain Immigration Agency: Key Insights
- A Spain immigration agency helps you navigate Spain’s immigration system by guiding you through visa and residency options, preparing and legalizing documents, submitting and tracking applications, and representing you with Spanish authorities.
- They support all major visas (work, digital nomad, investor, student, family reunification), assist with NIE/TIE and document legalization (translations, apostilles), help with family and corporate relocations, and provide post‑arrival support like housing, healthcare, and school enrollment.
- Working with an immigration agency provides expert guidance, reduces errors, saves time, and ensures applications meet legal requirements, making the process smoother and less stressful.
- Unlike government offices, agencies offer ongoing assistance, legal representation, and personalised communication to help avoid delays and mistakes.
Services You Get From a Spanish Immigration Agency
When you work with an immigration agency like Global Citizen Solutions, which has in-house legal experts, you receive comprehensive support from start to finish. From your initial visa application to relocation and settling in Spain, the agency is with you, making sure every step is handled professionally. This will help reduce risks, save time, and make the process smooth and secure.
1. Visa & permits
Working with a Spanish immigration agency will provide support for all types of visas and residence permits, including work permits, temporary and long-term residence permits, such as the Digital Nomad Visas, Highly Qualified Professional Visa, Self-Employed Visa, and the Non-Lucrative Visa for retirees. As well as EU citizen registration and student visas. An immigration agency will make sure applications meet legal requirements and are submitted correctly.
2. Documentation
Gathering documentation for a visa or a citizenship application can take a long time. Having an immigration agency like GCS guarantees you assistance in gathering the correct documents. They also assist with obtaining your NIE/TIE (Foreigner Identity Card), legalizing documents, securing apostilles, certified translations, police clearance certificates, and official documents like birth and marriage certificates. This is to ensure your paperwork is valid and accepted by Spanish authorities also known as the Oficina de Extranjería.
3. Relocation support
When you choose a Spanish immigration agency, you also get help beyond the residency or citizenship application. The agency will help with household moves, international shipping, and pet relocation. Agencies may provide personalized adaptation programs, including guidance on local services, healthcare registration, school enrollment, and integration into Spanish life.
4. Citizenship & naturalization
Anyone looking to explore the different Spanish citizenship routes, which can be complicated, will need an immigration agency to walk them through the specific routes. This includes passports and family reunification, including eligibility checks and preparation of all necessary supporting documents. Obtaining Spanish citizenship also means getting one of the most powerful European passports, ranking 20th on our Global Passport Index.
5. Corporate & business services
There are other cases where residency and immigration are not the only concerns. Fortunately, working with an agency also helps companies with immigration compliance, large-scale employee relocations, business restructuring, and advisory services for hiring non-EU staff or transferring executives to Spain.
6. Legal, tax & advisory services
Some of the most complicated parts of the relationship are navigating laws and taxes. With a full legal team that is knowledgeable in Spanish, the process will be much easier. You will get: legal counsel on immigration law, assistance with property rentals and power of attorney, strategic advice for long-term residency, and tax planning. Agencies can help clients understand Spanish tax benefits, including the Beckham Law, also known as the Spanish special expat tax regime, which offers favorable tax rates for foreign workers relocating to Spain.
Why Work with an Immigration Agency in Spain
- Saves Time: The company takes care of the paperwork, appointments, and other steps, so you can focus on other parts of your move.
- Expert Guidance : In-house legal experts ensure your visa and residence applications are correct and compliant with Spanish law
- Better Chance of Approval: Experts help you avoid mistakes, which means your application is more likely to be approved the first time.
- Faster Process: They make the process smoother and help you avoid delays. Sometimes they can even speed things up.
- Legal Help: They know the rules and laws, so your application is correct and follows Spanish immigration laws. This lowers the chance of rejection.
- Less Stress: Immigration can feel confusing and stressful, but having a company handle everything makes it much easier.
- Ongoing Help: They support you through the whole journey from your first visa to residency and even citizenship if that’s your goal.
- Language Support: Many companies speak several languages, so it’s easier to understand everything, even if you don’t speak Spanish well.
Spain Immigration Programs
Spain has many immigration programs that can lead to residency and citizenship. Therefore, a Spain immigration agency can help you choose the right visa and guide you through the application process.
Self-Employed Visa
The Spain Self Employed Visa is for people who want to start their own business in Spain, especially in technology or innovative fields. You need a strong business plan and financial backing. It’s processed quickly through a special unit and is valid for up to 2 years with renewals. It includes family residency and can lead to long-term residence and, later, citizenship by naturalization after a legal stay.
Spain Digital Nomad Visa
The Spain Digital Nomad Visa allows remote workers and freelancers to live in Spain while working for clients or companies abroad. You need a stable income around €2,763 /month, a degree or experience, and proof of remote work. It’s valid for 3 years and can be renewed for up to 5 years. Spain is a destination for digital nomads and ranks first on the Digital Nomad Index by Global Citizen Solutions. The country scored 99.67 in the overall index and earned the most points in tech and innovation.
Spain Non-Lucrative Visa
The Spain Non-Lucrative visa is ideal for retirees or those with passive income. This visa doesn’t allow you to work, so you must prove a monthly income of €2,400 and have health insurance. It’s valid for 1 year, then renewable.
Highly Qualified Professional Visa
Spain’s Highly Qualified Professional Visa is for skilled workers in fields like tech, engineering, or finance. You need a job offer with a competitive salary and a degree or relevant experience. The visa is valid for 1–2 years and can be renewed. It allows family members to join and leads to permanent residency and later citizenship.
Spain CRUE
The Spain CRUE (Certificate of Registration for EU citizens) is an official document that confirms an EU citizen is legally registered while living in Spain. EU nationals don’t need a residence permit, but anyone staying longer than three months must register with the local authorities. The certificate is issued by the local Foreigners’ Office (Oficina de Extranjería) or the local police station, depending on your area of residence. It serves as proof of your right to live and work in Spain.
Citizenship Routes in Spain
| Type of Citizenship | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Citizenship by Birth | A child is Spanish if at least one parent is Spanish. In limited cases, children born in Spain to foreign parents may qualify, such as when the child would otherwise be stateless. Spain does not generally grant citizenship just for being born in Spain. |
| Spanish Citizenship by Descent (Family Origin) | Spain does not grant automatic citizenship based solely on ancestry. However, being the child or grandchild of a Spanish citizen can provide access to special routes. Applicants under 20 may apply through citizenship by option, while those over 20 may qualify for a reduced one-year residence requirement before applying through citizenship by residence. |
| Citizenship by Option | This route applies mainly to children of Spanish citizens by origin or were Spanish citizens. Applications must usually be submitted before the applicant turns 20. Dual nationality is allowed under this route. |
| Citizenship by Residence (Naturalization) | Foreign nationals may apply after legally residing in Spain. The standard requirement is 10 years, reduced to 5 years for refugees, 2 years for nationals of Ibero-American countries, Portugal, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, or Sephardic origin, and 1 year for special cases such as marriage to a Spanish citizen or being the child or grandchild of a Spanish citizen. |
| Citizenship by Marriage | A foreigner married to a Spanish citizen can apply after one year of legal residence in Spain and one year of marriage. The marriage must be valid and recognised in Spain. Applicants must show integration and basic Spanish language knowledge unless exempt. |
Process of Working with A Spanish Immigration Agency
- Step 1: Initial Consultation and onboarding: Your Spanish immigration journey starts with choosing a Spanish immigration agency like Global Citizen Solutions and meeting to discuss your goals, visa options, and eligibility. The agency explains which visas or permits suit your situation and outlines the required documents and timeline.
- Step 2: Document preparation: The agency helps you gather all necessary documents, including passports, birth/marriage certificates, diplomas, bank statements, and police records. They also assist with translations, apostilles, and legalization to ensure everything meets Spanish legal standards.
- Step 3: Visa or permit application submission: For non-EU citizens, the immigration company submits your application to the appropriate Spanish consulate or visa center in your home country. EU citizens receive guidance on registering with local authorities and obtaining the Certificate of Registration for EU Citizens (CRUE).
- Step 4: Follow-up & communication: The agency monitors your application, communicates with authorities on your behalf, and informs you of any additional requirements or updates, making sure the process moves smoothly.
- Arrival & relocation support: Once you arrive in Spain, the agency guides you through registering your residence at the local town hall, applying for your NIE/TIE, opening a bank account, and enrolling in healthcare. They also provide support with moving, shipping, pets, and adapting to your new environment.
- Residence permit & renewal: For non-EU citizens, the Spanish immigration comapny assists with obtaining your residence permit after arrival. They also provide guidance for permit renewals, extensions, or changes in visa status to maintain compliance.
- Additional services: Spanish agencies offer support with tax planning, including the Beckham Law benefits, family reunification, long-term residency, citizenship applications, and corporate relocation services for businesses.
Hear from Happy Global Citizen Solution Clients
How Can Global Citizen Solutions Help You?
Global Citizen Solutions is a boutique migration consultancy firm with years of experience delivering bespoke residence and citizenship by investment solutions for international families. With offices worldwide and an experienced, hands-on team, we have helped hundreds of clients worldwide acquire citizenship, residence visas, or homes while diversifying their portfolios with robust investments.
We guide you from start to finish, taking you beyond your citizenship or residency by investment application.
