It is necessary when deciding to buy a home in Spain, that you check whether a visa or residence permit (permiso de residencia) is needed. You need to ensure that you will be permitted to use the property whenever you wish and for whatever purpose you want.

Foreigners are freely permitted to buy property in Spain however they aren't allowed to remain in Spain for longer than 3 months without obtaining either a 90-day extension or a residence permit. If you, or a member of your family, may wish to live permanently in Spain then it is advisable that you enquire about residency before making any plans to purchase a home there.

Always carry your foreign identity card, passport or residence permit (or a copy certified by a Spanish police station) when in Spain. You can be asked to produce your identification details at any time by police or other officials. If you don't have them with you, you may be fined. A residence permit constitutes an identity card for foreigners, which Spanish people must carry by law.

Permit infringements, particularly by non-EU nationals, are taken very seriously. If you are discovered living in Spain illegally, there are severe penalties, including fines and even deportation from Spain for many years.

Holiday makers

Visitors with a permanent address in Spain are permitted to stay for a maximum of 90 days in succession and a total of six months per calendar year. Touring visitors, who stay in different places for short periods, can remain in Spain for six months in succession.

Most visitors require a full passport to visit Spain, although nationals of the countries in the European Economic Area (EEA), Andorra, Monaco and Switzerland can enter Spain with a national identity card alone.

A non-EEA visitor wishing to remain in Spain for longer than 90 must obtain an entry visa (visado especial de entrada) at a Spanish consulate.

Ninety day extension

Visiting EEA citizens can apply for a 90-day extension (prórroga de estancia/permanencia). This permits them to remain in Spain for an extra 90 days. This should be applied for at a local police station (comisaría de policía) with a foreigners department at least 2 weeks before the first 90 days expire.

It is legal however to cross the border to a neighbouring country and return to Spain for another 90 days provided that your passport is stamped as proof that you have left the country. Your total stay in Spain must not exceed 6 months per calendar year without a residents permit.

Residents

To apply for a residents permit you should either be financially secure or be legally employed in Spain or you are likely to be refused.

Non-EEA citizens must obtain a residence visa from a Spanish consulate in their home country before moving to Spain to work, study or live. The various categories of Visa include:
Employees, investors, retired pensioners, students, extended holidays and sporting activities.

Your passport must be valid for a minimum of 6 months after the proposed date of arrival. The visa is stamped inside your passport.

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