Long-stay visa for Spain (type D): complete guide 2026

If you're planning to live, work, study, or reunite with family in Spain for more than three months, you'll likely need a long-stay visa for Spain, also known as a national visa for Spain or a Type D visa for Spain.

Unlike the Schengen visa, which allows stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period, this visa authorizes you to stay more than 3 months and is the first step toward obtaining a residence permit. In this guide, you'll find out what a long-stay visa for Spain is, who can apply, what types exist, what the requirements are, and how to complete the application process successfully.

TABLE OF CONTENTS: requirements and application for a long-stay visa for Spain

• What is a long-stay visa?
• Who needs to apply?
• The different visa types
• Required documentation
• Requirements for a long-stay visa for Spain
• How to apply for a long-stay visa for Spain
• Application timelines
• Costs of Type D visas
• Insurance for a long-stay visa for Spain
• Practical FAQs for your long-stay visa application for Spain

What is a long-stay visa for Spain?

A long-stay visa for Spain, also known as a Spanish national visa or Type D visa for Spain, is an authorization that allows non-EU citizens to remain in Spain for more than 90 days for a specific purpose, such as studying, working, starting a business, conducting research, or simply residing there.

💡 Did you know that, according to the Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration, 220,024 long-stay visas were issued in Spain in 2025? That accounts for 13% of all visas approved that year.

Differences between a Type D visa and a Schengen visa

Unlike the short-stay Schengen visa (or Type C visa), designed for tourism, business, or temporary visits throughout Spain and the entire Schengen Area, the Type D visa is a national visa intended for those who wish to settle in Spain for a period of more than 90 days.

⚠️ Important: In many cases, the visa only serves as an entry authorization. Once in Spain, the holder must apply for the Foreigner Identity Card (TIE), which certifies their right to reside and, where applicable, to work.

Did you know that the average age of foreigners applying for a long-stay visa for Spain is 28? Citizens from Pakistan (22 years old) and Bangladesh (23 years old) are the youngest nationalities on average.
At the other end of the spectrum, UK citizens have an average age of 43.

Source: Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration (Spain).

Who needs a long-stay visa for Spain?

Not everyone who wants to live in Spain for more than 90 days needs to apply for a national visa.
You need a long-stay visa for Spain if you are a non-EU citizen and you want to:

• Study in Spain for more than 90 days
• Start a business in Spain.
• Reunite with your family
• Retire in Spain
• Be a digital nomad and settle or spend an extended period in Spain.

EU and EEA citizens: exempt from the long-stay visa requirement

Citizens of European Union (EU) member states, as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland, do not need to apply for a national visa to enter or reside in Spain, even if their stay exceeds 90 days.

AXA keeps you informed! That said, if these citizens plan to stay in Spain for an extended period, they will need to complete the relevant administrative steps, such as registering with the Central Register of Foreigners and, where applicable, obtaining the EU citizen registration certificate.

Nationalities exempt from short-stay visas: national visa required for stays over 90 days

Nationals of countries such as Colombia, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, the United States, and Canada can travel to Spain without a visa for stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period.

However, this exemption only applies to short-term travel for tourism, business, family visits, or other authorized purposes.
If you wish to study, work, conduct research, or reside in Spain for more than 90 days, you will need to apply for the appropriate national visa before traveling.

Third-country nationals: national visa application required

Citizens of countries that are not part of the European Union, the European Economic Area, or Switzerland, and who require a visa for short stays in Spain (e.g., Bolivia, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Morocco…), must also apply for a national visa if they plan to stay in Spain for more than 90 days.

What types of long-stay visas for Spain are available?

Spain offers several types of national visas depending on the purpose of your stay. It's very important to choose the right category, as each one has its own requirements, documentation, and associated rights. Here are the main long-stay visas for Spain:

The student visa

• Who it's for: Non-EU citizens pursuing in-person studies lasting more than 90 days (university, master's, doctoral programs, vocational training, exchange programs, or language courses).
  
• Visa duration: 1 year.
  
• Specific requirements:
  - Acceptance letter from the educational institution
  - Proof of sufficient financial resources
  - Valid health insurance in Spain

Good news! In certain cases, this visa may allow you to work part-time in specific types of employment.

Employee work visa

• Applicant profile: Individuals over 16 years of age who have received a job offer in Spain from a Spanish company or employer.
  
• Visa duration: 1 year (renewable)
  
• Requirements:

1. A contract with the company hiring you in Spain.
2. This visa cannot be applied for from within Spain — you must apply from your home country.

AXA keeps you informed! The "shortage list" is a quarterly catalog of occupations in which the Spanish government identifies a lack of available workers. It lists professions with hard-to-fill vacancies and serves as the basis for facilitating the hiring of foreign nationals in those roles. This is the list you should check first when you start looking for work in Spain.

Self-employed work visa

• Applicant profile: Foreign nationals who wish to start a business or carry out a self-employed professional activity in Spain.
  
• Visa duration: 1 year (renewable)
  
• Requirements:
  - A document proving your academic qualifications
  
  - Project funding (proof that you have sufficient funds to finance it).
  
  - Business plan (what it consists of, how it will operate, what you offer the market, projected revenue and costs).
  
  - This visa must also be applied for from outside Spain.
  
  - Once you have entered Spain, you will need to register as self-employed.

Non-lucrative residence visa

• Applicant profile: Retired individuals, annuitants, or citizens who have passive income.
  
• Visa duration: 1 year.
  
• Requirements:
  - A minimum of €27,000 in your bank account
  - A private health insurance policy.

Family reunification visa

• Applicant profile: A person who has legally resided in Spain for at least 1 year and wishes to bring their family to join them in Spain. The individuals who may benefit from this are:
  
  - Spouses or registered domestic partners
  - Minor or dependent children
  - Direct family members aged 65 or older.
  
• Visa duration: Between 1 and 2 years (extendable).
  
• Requirements:
  - The applicant must have legally resided in Spain for at least 1 year
  - Must have sufficient financial means: 150% of the IPREM (approximately €900) for the applicant and the first family member. For each additional family member, 50% of the IPREM must be added.
  - Must submit an "adequate housing report" issued by the local city hall (this document confirms that the dwelling meets the necessary conditions to accommodate the family members).

💡 Did you know that the financial requirements set by Spanish authorities for visa applicants vary depending on the type of visa requested? They are calculated based on the IPREM (the Public Indicator of Multiple Effects Income).

Research visa

• Applicant profile: Foreign researchers who will take part in scientific, technological, or academic projects carried out by universities, research centers, or authorized institutions in Spain. Good news! This visa also allows you to bring your close family members to Spain.
  
• Visa duration: 1 year
  
• Requirements:
  - Host agreement or employment contract
  
  - Research project
  
  - Academic credentials
  
  - Sufficient financial means: 100% of the monthly IPREM.

AXA gives you the facts! Until April 2025, Spain offered the well-known Golden Visa program, which allowed individuals to obtain a visa and residence permit through significant investments. Due to the housing crisis, this visa was discontinued. Portugal also eliminated it in July 2023, and Ireland did the same in February 2023.

Digital Nomad Visa

• Applicant profile: Employees of a non-Spanish company who can work remotely, as well as freelancers (self-employed workers).
  
• Visa duration: Up to 3 years, with the option to renew for an additional 2 years.
  
• Requirements:
  - To apply for this permit, no more than 20% of your income may come from a Spanish company.
  
  - Proof of sufficient funds: approximately €33,191 (roughly 200% of the annual minimum wage)
  
  - Payment of the administrative fee: €74
  
  - A university degree or 3 years of verifiable professional experience in your field.

Did you know that, according to the global digital nomad report published by Global Citizen Solutions, Spain is the top European destination for digital nomads? Its pleasant climate, lifestyle, and straightforward legislation make it an ideal country for this type of stay.

Au Pair Visa

• Applicant profile: Young foreign nationals between the ages of 17 and 30 who wish to live temporarily with a Spanish host family to improve their language skills and cultural knowledge while helping with childcare and light household tasks.

⚠️ This visa category cannot be used for family reunification purposes.

• Visa duration: Up to 1 year, with the possibility of extending the stay for a maximum of 2 years.
  
• Requirements:
  - Submit a signed Au Pair agreement with the host family, specifying the length of stay, duties to be performed (maximum 5 hours per day), accommodation, meals, pocket money, and termination conditions.
  
  - Purchase a valid health insurance policy covering Spain that includes medical assistance and repatriation for the entire stay (minimum coverage of €30,000). The host family must cover at least 50% of the insurance cost.
  
  - Demonstrate sufficient financial means to cover living expenses and return travel.
  
  - Provide a medical certificate and, if the stay exceeds 6 months and the applicant is of criminal age of responsibility, a criminal background check.

Visa for Highly Skilled Professionals

• Applicant profile: Individuals seeking a specialized technical or managerial position in Spain. Self-employed workers are not eligible for this visa. It can be applied for directly from within Spain and allows you to bring close family members.
  
• Visa duration: Up to 3 years, with the option to renew for an additional 2 years.
  
• Requirements:
  - Academic qualifications (from a prestigious business school)
  
  - Minimum required income and salary: €60,780 gross per year for managerial or executive positions, and €40,333 gross per year for scientific or technical positions.

📌The process is typically faster than other work authorizations and is handled through the Large Companies and Strategic Groups Unit (UGE-CE).

SUMMARY TABLE of the different types of long-stay visas for Spain

Check here which long-stay visa for Spain is the right fit for you, based on your profile and whether it allows you to work in Spain.

Required Documents for a Long-Stay Visa in Spain

As with any visa application, you'll want to put together a solid file with all the required documents to maximize your chances of obtaining the long-stay visa for Spain you're applying for. Here are the documents common to all the visa types listed above:

• Application form
  
• Passport-style photo. Recent, in color, with a plain light background, taken straight on, without tinted lenses or reflections.
  
• Valid, current passport. It must be valid for at least 1 year. Passports issued more than 10 years ago are not accepted.
  
• Proof of financial means (as noted above, this will vary depending on the visa type you are applying for)
  
• Health insurance that meets all requirements set by the country in question.
  
• Criminal background check (adults, stays of more than 180 days) Original and copy from all countries of residence over the past 5 years. Must be recent (issued within the last 180 days), translated into Spanish, and either apostilled (Hague Convention) or legalized (by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Spanish Consulate). Submit to the Consulate following the instructions provided at the time of application.

Practical tip! Madrid is one of the regions that grants the most residence permits. In 2025, the Community of Madrid issued 275,607 residence documents, placing it among the regions with the highest volume in the country.

In fact, 4 autonomous communities account for 70% of all permits: Catalonia, the Valencian Community, the Community of Madrid, and Andalusia.

👉 If you'd like to view all the official figures for long-stay visas in Spain, you can find them on the La Moncloa portal.

✨ Personal tip from AXA! Start gathering your documents well in advance: Some documents, such as criminal background checks, certified translations, or the Hague Apostille, can take several weeks to obtain. Planning ahead reduces the risk of delays in your visa processing.

General requirements for applying for a long-stay visa to Spain

💡 Fun fact: 53% of all long-stay visas are issued to women. The group with the highest share of female applicants is Moroccan nationals, among whom women account for 60% of the total. The group with the lowest share is Peruvian nationals, with women representing 29% of all long-stay visas issued.

How to apply for a long-stay visa step by step

Here is the timeline with the step-by-step process you will need to follow to apply for a long-stay visa to Spain.

Step 1. Make sure you need a long-stay visa

• You need it if you are a non-EU citizen and plan to stay in Spain for more than 90 days.
• Purpose: work, studies, non-lucrative residence, family reunification, research, entrepreneurship…

Step 2. Choose the right visa type for your situation

• Work.
• Studies.
• Non-lucrative.
• Family reunification.
• Research / entrepreneurship / digital nomad, etc.

Step 3. Gather the basic documentation

• Valid passport.
• Official national visa application form (type D).
• Passport-size photos.
• Medical insurance.
• Proof of financial means.
• Criminal background check:

Step 4. Add visa-specific documents

• Work: employment contract, work authorization, credentials.
• Studies: acceptance letter, enrollment confirmation, proof of accommodation.
• Non-lucrative: savings/income proof, housing documentation.
• Family reunification: authorization, family certificates, housing report.

Step 5. Legalize and translate your documents

• Apostille or consular legalization (depending on your country).
• Certified translation into Spanish of all foreign-language documents.

Step 6. Schedule an appointment at the consulate

• Select the competent Spanish consulate.
• Scheduling an appointment for a long-stay visa / Type D visa.

⚠️ Heads up! Consulates are not the only entities that issue visas for Spain. There are also visa application centers that handle these processes. At AXA Schengen, we've put together a guide to help you how to book an appointment at a BLS center for a Spain visa.

Step 7. Submit Your Application

• Submit the application form, passport, and supporting documents in both original and copy form.
• Pay the visa fees.
• Provide biometric data if required.

Step 8. Wait for a Decision

• Estimated timeframe: several weeks, which may extend to several months.

Step 9. Pick Up Your Visa

• Collect your passport with the Type D visa.
• Check the validity dates and number of entries.

Step 10. Travel and Apply for Your TIE

• Enter Spain within the initial validity period.
• Apply for the Foreigner Identity Card (TIE).
• Register your address and keep all documentation for renewals.

How Long Does the Long-Stay Visa Process Take?

The time required to obtain a long-stay visa for Spain can vary depending on:

• The type of visa requested
• The country from which the application is submitted
• The workload of the relevant consulate or embassy.

For this reason, it is advisable to start the process several months in advance of your planned travel date.

Below are some estimated processing timeframes:

*Timelines are approximate.

Common mistakes when applying for a long-stay visa for Spain (type D)

Several factors can cause the process to take longer than expected. Avoid these typical mistakes:

1. Submitting incomplete or incorrect documentation.
   
2. Having your official documents translated by someone other than a certified sworn translator
   
3. Failing to prove sufficient financial means to cover your stay.
   
4. Having a health insurance policy that does not meet the required standards
   
5. Applying for the wrong visa
   
6. Submitting your application during peak season: shortly before the start of the academic year or during certain busy times of year.

To avoid unnecessary delays, it's a good idea to carefully review all your documentation before submitting your application and to check the specific requirements of the Spanish consulate where you'll be processing your visa.

✨A practical tip from AXA! Don't book non-refundable flights or accommodation until you receive a favorable decision on your visa. While most applications are resolved within the standard timeframes, administrative delays can always occur — and your visa could ultimately be denied.

How much does a long-stay visa for Spain cost?

The cost of a national visa goes beyond the consular fee alone. You'll also need to budget for additional expenses, such as sworn translations, apostilles, passport photos, and health insurance.

The table below outlines the most common costs to keep in mind when planning your budget.

In addition to these costs, some applicants may also need to submit medical certificates, criminal background checks, or additional documentation whose cost can vary considerably.

⚠️ Heads up! Consular fees and other amounts may change periodically and vary from one consulate to another. Before submitting your application, always check the latest information published by the Spanish embassy or consulate that will process your file.

What should you do once you arrive in Spain?

Congratulations! You've made it through every hurdle and you're now in Spain, starting your stay in the country. You'll need to take care of a few administrative steps with the Spanish authorities to fully establish your legal status:

• Apply for your TIE
  
• Register on the municipal census (empadronamiento)
  
• Apply for your NIE (Número de Identidad de Extranjero — Foreigner Identity Number)
  
• Register with the Spanish Social Security system if your situation requires it
  
• Open a bank account with a Spanish bank.

How can AXA help me with my Type D visa for Spain?

International medical insurance is a mandatory requirement of Spain's consular network. At AXA Schengen, we offer coverage of up to 180 days (6 months) tailored to Spanish regulations and accepted for national visa applications:

• BASIC Insurance: Essential medical coverage for short and medium stays in Spain and the Schengen Area.
  
• ESSENTIAL Insurance: Intermediate protection for travel throughout Spain, the Schengen Area, EU countries, and the United Kingdom.
  
• PREMIUM Insurance: The ideal option for a long-stay visa (Type D). Comprehensive "all-inclusive" coverage of up to €2,000,000 in medical expenses throughout Spain, the Schengen Area, the European Union, and the United Kingdom, with no deductibles.

👉 If you still have questions, feel free to check out our guide on how to choose the best travel insurance for your long-stay visa to Spain.

• 100% Consular Guarantee: Policies tailored to Spanish regulations and accepted by Spanish embassies and consulates.
  
• Instant Certificate: Immediate issuance of the official document required to process your long-stay visa.
  
• Money-Back Guarantee: 100% refundable if your visa application is denied or rejected.
  
• Comprehensive Coverage: Emergency medical expenses, 24/7 assistance, repatriation, and protection against incidents or lost baggage.
  
• Maximum Flexibility: Coverage in Spain, the Schengen Area, the European Union, and the United Kingdom.

Other articles you might find helpful

• A Practical Guide to Traveling in Spain Like a Local
• Road Trips Through Spain: Itineraries Based on Your Travel Duration
• Dangers and Risks of Traveling in Spain
• The Schengen Business Visa

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions About the Long-Stay Visa for Spain

Does a Type D visa allow travel within the Schengen Area? For how long?

A Type D visa allows you to reside in the country that issued it and travel within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, as long as the visa remains valid. During those trips to other Schengen countries, you may only make short stays for purposes such as tourism, business, or family visits. It does not authorize you to work or reside permanently in those other countries. To do so, you would need a visa or residence permit from the country in question.

Do I need to apply for a Foreigner Identity Card (TIE) with a Type D visa for Spain?

Yes, for stays longer than 6 months on a Type D visa, applying for the Foreigner Identity Card (TIE) in Spain is mandatory. The application is processed at the relevant Police Station and must be submitted within one month of entering the country, presenting your passport, your visa, and the required documentation. This document certifies your residency status (and, where applicable, your work authorization) in Spain and will be necessary for renewals, administrative procedures, and many day-to-day tasks.

What should you do if your Type D visa for Spain is denied?

First, you should carefully review the denial letter, which outlines the reasons for the rejection. Read it thoroughly and identify the problematic points. You then have two options: appeal the decision if you believe an error was made, or reapply for the visa if the issues identified can be resolved.

How can I check the status of my visa application for Spain?

You can check the status of your application through the consulate, embassy, or visa center where you submitted it. In many cases, you will be able to track it online using your application reference number. If you want to learn about all available options and what each status means, check out our guide on how to check the status of a visa application for Spain.

Can I change my visa status while in Spain?

Yes, it is possible to change your immigration status while in Spain, though with certain limitations. You can switch from a student visa to a work visa if you secure a job offer that meets specific requirements. You can also transition from employed to self-employed status, or vice versa. However, you cannot change from a tourist visa or short-stay permit to a residency visa. The visa change process requires meeting all the requirements of the new authorization type.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Work Visa Approved?

The maximum timeframe set by law to resolve a work authorization is three months from the date a complete application is submitted to the Immigration Office. In practice, the entire process — from requesting the authorization to obtaining the visa at the consulate — tends to run longer and can take between four and six months. For highly skilled professionals, there is a priority track, with decisions issued in approximately 20 business days. It's worth planning your timeline with enough buffer to avoid conflicts with travel dates or your start date at work.