Long-term Visa Type D to Spain: everything to know about the Spanish D visa in 2026

A national D visa is a long-term visa for individuals planning to come to Spain for more than 90 days for reasons other than vacation. It is obtained for the purposes of work, study, business, family reunification, or relocation as a financially independent individual. Unlike a tourist visa, a Type D visa is specifically required for immigration. It allows you to enter Spain and obtain a residence permit upon arrival. Technically, the visa is valid for 90 days; however, this does not represent the length of stay, but rather the period allotted for entry and obtaining a residence permit.

In most cases, a national D visa is the first step toward obtaining a Spanish residence permit. There are exceptions that apply to specific categories, such as digital nomads or startup founders.

What is a national D visa in Spain?

A national D visa for Spain is not a universal immigration document. It is issued to individuals approved by the Spanish authorities to immigrate to Spain for specific purposes, provided they hold a valid passport and meet the relevant criteria. Spain offers over 10 immigration programs for various purposes, each with unique visa requirements.

In most cases, a national D visa serves as a bridge to a temporary residence permit. It is typically valid for 90 days and allows multiple entries into the country, covering the initial duration of your stay until formalities are completed. Upon arrival, foreigners must obtain a TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero), or foreigner identity document.

However, there are exceptions to this general rule. For instance, digital nomads and startup founders are issued a Type D visa, which serves as a separate residence permit in Spain. This visa can be single-, double-, or multiple-entry and is valid for one year. After this period, a residence permit can be obtained if desired.

The right to work depends on the reason for which the foreigner moved. For example:

• Students can work part-time for a maximum of 30 hours per week after receiving a residence permit, as long as it does not interfere with their studies.
• Work and entrepreneur visas initially provide the right to work.
• The no lucrativa category (for financially independent individuals) is suitable for those who do not plan to work in Spain.

In general, long-term visas grant limited rights. With one, you can legally reside in Spain, obtain a residence permit, and travel freely to other Schengen area countries. Sometimes, you can also work. As a resident, a foreigner can access social benefits, obtain long-term residency in Spain, and apply for a Spanish permanent residence and citizenship.

Types of long-term visas for Spain

As mentioned above, Spanish law provides several immigration programs, each with its own long-term visa and requirements. We will examine the most common ones.

The no lucrativa visa is ideal for individuals who do not intend to work in Spain and have the means to live off passive income. It is most often chosen by retirees, rentiers, and wealthy foreigners. The main requirement is proof of sufficient financial means to support oneself for the entire duration of the residence permit. Applicants can include their entire family.

The digital nomad visa is designed for remote workers and freelancers who work for companies or clients outside Spain. It allows for legal residence in the country without entering the local labor market. Family members can apply for the visa, and applications in this category are usually processed faster than those in traditional programs.

A long-term student visa is issued to individuals enrolled in a Spanish university for an internship, language course, or exchange program. If the program lasts up to 180 days, only a visa is issued. For longer programs, students receive a residence permit. In some cases, students can work a limited number of hours.

A work visa is suitable for foreigners who have secured employment in Spain. Before applying for a visa, however, permission from the Spanish authorities must be obtained, which makes this one of the most complex options. Work visas can be seasonal or long-term and initially grant the right to work. If the employer is an individual rather than a company, the individual must guarantee a salary of at least EUR 592 after taxes.

Highly qualified specialists are granted visas through an expedited process. To qualify, they must sign a contract with a local company for at least six months and have a higher education degree or five years of professional experience. The salary of such an employee must be at least the average salary for their field. While the exact amount is not specified by law, in practice it is usually at least EUR 40,000 per year.

An entrepreneur visa is intended for individuals planning to work in Spain as self-employed individuals. Foreigners must demonstrate the relevant education, experience, and funds to establish their business. In most cases, a business license is required.

Foreign nationals planning to establish an innovative business project in Spain that will benefit the country’s economy can obtain a Startup Visa. In this case, it is not necessary to demonstrate financial resources for business development from the outset; a detailed business plan is sufficient. Visas can be applied for by the entire family, including your spouse, children, and parents.

Research visas are available for scientific and technical staff invited to work for private or public organizations. They are also issued to faculty members who will work at universities, business schools, or research centers. Relatives can be included in the application.

A family reunification visa allows immediate family members of a Spanish resident to relocate with them. This program is available to spouses, common-law partners, dependent parents aged 65 and older, and children. The main requirements are that the sponsor must have legally resided in Spain for at least one year and have housing and the funds to support the family.

Previously, Spain offered an investor visa available through investments in local companies, real estate, funds, and other assets. However, the program was canceled in April 2025.

A comparison of the main types of long-term Spanish D visas

Which D visas permit work in Spain?

A Spanish national D visa does not automatically grant you the right to work. Whether or not a person is allowed to work depends on the reason for moving. Some visas prohibit work entirely, while others allow it immediately or after obtaining a residence permit and registering with government agencies.

What are the document requirements for a Type D visa?

Regardless of the reason chosen, in order to apply for a Type D visa for Spain, you must prepare a basic package of documents:

• an application on an officially approved form;
• a copy and original of your passport;
• a color passport-sized photo;
• health insurance;
• certificates proving you have no criminal record from each country you have lived in for the past 5 years;
• a receipt showing payment of the state fee.

A medical certificate of absence from dangerous diseases (original and copy) is also usually required. However, digital nomads do not submit one. Documents confirming sufficient funds to support living expenses are also typically required, such as a bank statement.

All documents issued outside of Spain must be translated into Spanish. A certificate of good conduct, for example, must also be apostilled.

In addition to the general package, to obtain a Type D visa, you must provide documents that confirm the purpose of your move:

• Financially independent individuals must provide information about passive income.
• Digital nomads must provide a certificate from their employer confirming permission to work remotely, as well as information about the company’s registration, a copy of their diploma, and documents proving their work experience.
• Students must provide a certificate of enrollment in the course and permission from parents if they are minors.
• Researchers: a relocation permit issued by the Unit for Work with Large Companies and Strategic Groups (UGE-CE).
• Employees must provide a work permit issued by the employer.
• Highly qualified specialists: an immigration permit from the UGE-CE.
• Entrepreneurs must provide business licenses, diplomas or proof of experience, business plans, and financial documents.
• Startup entrepreneurs must have a positive opinion from the Unit for Work with Large Companies and Strategic Groups.
• Family members of Spanish residents need to obtain a family reunification permit from the host party, documents that verify their family relationships, and the sponsor’s residence permit.

How much does a Type D Visa application to Spain cost?

The cost of obtaining a national visa includes government fees and document legalization fees. You should expect to pay the following expenses:

• Visa fee: approximately EUR 91.
• Residence permit application fee (if applying for a visa and residence permit simultaneously): EUR 11-215.
• Apostille: EUR 20 (per document).
• Document translation: EUR 20 (per document).
• Medical insurance: EUR 600 per person per year.
• Postage costs: EUR 20 (if applying through a visa center).

For example, a digital nomad will need approximately EUR 900 to obtain a visa. The consular fee is EUR 91; approximately 10 document pages cost EUR 200; an apostille for a certificate of good conduct costs EUR 20; and annual insurance costs approximately EUR 600.

Visa Type D processing times

On average, the process for obtaining a national visa for Spain takes 3 to 6 months, but this varies significantly depending on the chosen program and the consulate’s workload. The table below provides approximate timeframes:

Not everyone requires pre-approval. For example, students and financially independent individuals apply directly for a Type D visa.

Any questions?

Ask them for free to an immigration lawyer

Get legal advice

How to obtain a Visa Type D to Spain?

The process for obtaining a national visa to Spain is the same for most foreigners and consists of the following steps:

1. Determine the visa type.
   First, choose the reason for your visa application. This could be employment, study, or financial independence. This will determine your next steps. For example, some people will need to find an employer, while others will need to enroll in a university.
2. Collect documents.
   At this stage, applicants prepare a basic package of documents, including a certificate of good conduct, proof of income or employment, health insurance, and documents confirming the purpose of the move, such as a contract, business plan, or university enrollment confirmation.
3. Notarize and translate the documents.
   The certificate of no criminal record must be apostilled by the Main Directorate of Internal Affairs or the issuing agency. Next, documents issued outside of Spain must be translated. This can be done by an authorized sworn translator or any other translator, but the translation must be certified by the consulate.
4. Make an appointment at the consulate or visa center.
   Depending on the country, the consulate or visa center may accept documents directly and then forward the file to the consular office. Typically, you can schedule an appointment at the visa center through its website. For the consulate, you can schedule an appointment by email. The applicant will then receive information for reserving the date and time of the visit.
5. Submit the application.
   On the scheduled day, the applicant appears in person to submit the application. The consular fee must be paid in person in the local currency, either in cash or by card.
6. Wait for a decision.
   The consulate will verify the applicant’s documents and may invite the applicant for an additional interview or request missing documents.
7. Receive the visa and enter Spain.
   Once your visa is approved, you will receive a passport with a D visa and must enter Spain within 90 days.
8. Obtain a TIE card.
   Within a month of arriving in Spain, schedule an appointment at the police station to have your fingerprints taken and obtain a temporary residence permit (TIE). In some cases, such as if you are self-employed, you will first need to register with the social security system.

The procedure may vary depending on the basis chosen. If the course duration is less than 180 days, a temporary residence permit is not required; the visa serves as the residence permit.

How to obtain a Spanish residence permit with a D visa

A D visa is not a permanent residence permit; it is merely an official permit to enter the country for immigration purposes. A person acquires Spanish residency status with a residence card (a card for foreigners), also known as a Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero (TIE), which allows them to stay legally in Spain.

In most cases, when submitting visa applications along with a residence request, the foreigner must schedule a police station appointment within 1 month of arrival in Spain. There, they provide their fingerprints and receive their residence card. However, digital nomads and startup founders, as visa holders, have the right to stay in Spain for a full year with just a visa. If desired, they can apply for a residence permit after that period. If they need a residence permit immediately, they can obtain one without a long-term visa by entering Spain with a Schengen visa or visa-free.

The validity of the residence permit depends on the program through which the foreigner moved to Spain. Typically, the first residence permit is issued for 1 year; however, digital nomads and startup founders receive a permit valid for three years. After this period, you can renew your status. For example, financially independent individuals are issued a TIE for 2 years. You can also change your residency type—for instance, students are eligible for a residence permit after completing their studies to search for work.

Obtain a Spanish residence permit if you wish to:

• Live and work freely in Spain
• Travel without visas to EU and Schengen countries
• Open accounts in European banks
• Study at Spanish universities at affordable prices

 

Free

Leave an application and get a consultation specialist

Name* Your phone number* Your e-mail* Send

WhatsApp Telegram Instagram

Common errors and reasons for refusal

Even if a person meets all the requirements for the relocation program to Spain, a minor error in the documents can result in refusal. Therefore, it is important to consider the most common issues:

• Improper medical insurance.
  The policy will not be accepted if issued by a company not authorized to operate in Spain. Therefore, it is important to check whether the service provider is accredited. It is also important to ensure that the insurance policy covers medical care and treatment in Spain for the entire planned stay.
• Inadequate financial requirements.
  Depending on the program, the minimum income requirement for foreigners is based on either the SMI or the IPREM. Authorities periodically review these indicators, so it’s important to check the current information at the time of application. Furthermore, it’s better to have a salary higher than the minimum requirement. For example, the Digital Nomad program requires a minimum salary of EUR 2,368, but it’s better to have a salary of EUR 2,500. This reduces the risk of rejection if the exchange rate changes during the application review process.
• Lack of an apostille or incorrect translation.
  It’s important to double-check which documents require an apostille and which authorities issue them. Documents must be translated only into Spanish. English translations will not be accepted. Using an incompetent translator may result in discrepancies and errors. For a translation to be accepted by the consulate, it must be performed by a sworn translator. Alternatively, you can contact a translation agency familiar with the requirements; however, in this case, the consulate must certify the translation. Those who have successfully obtained a long-term visa for Spain recommend using a lawyer to prepare your application, as they can handle these tasks for you.
• Inappropriate or vague purpose of relocation.
  A refusal will be issued if a person applies for a financially independent person visa but also has a Spanish business. The same applies if a foreigner wants to relocate as a digital nomad, but all their clients are in Spain. Therefore, it is important to choose an immigration program based on one’s actual circumstances.
• Past visa violations.
  If a person has violated the Schengen area’s stay rules in the past (e.g., overstaying by a few days), this will most likely result in a refusal. The same applies to unpaid fines within the EU and visa refusals from other countries. In such situations, it is important to consult lawyers who can explain the options available in your specific case.
• Incomplete set of documents.
  This could include submitting a dossier with a missing medical certificate, an incorrect certificate, or an expired certificate (more than three months past the date of issue). A certificate of no criminal record that is more than three months past its issue date will also not be accepted. Therefore, it is important to carefully collect documents in accordance with the program-specific list.

If a foreigner is rejected, they have the right to appeal the decision. The competent authority’s response will state the reasons for the negative decision and the methods and deadlines for filing an appeal. Typically, one month is allotted to file a complaint with the consulate, and 2 months are allotted to appeal to the Supreme Court of Madrid.

To avoid mistakes and ensure compliance with all legal requirements, it is recommended that you apply for a visa and residence permit with the support of iWorld’s experienced legal team.

Which Spanish Visa Type D should you choose?

Spanish legislation offers solutions for virtually any situation. Consider factors such as stable income, a degree, a business idea, or family to ensure you make the right choice. The choice depends on your individual circumstances. If you:

• Work remotely for a foreign company and earn at least EUR 2,368 per month. A digital nomad visa is your solution. This visa allows you to bring your family.
• Receive dividends or passive income from renting real estate and don’t need to work in Spain, a non-lucrative visa (for financially independent persons) is suitable.
• Have an innovative idea and plan to launch a new project in Spain, a startup visa is a good option.
• Have received a job offer from a large company for a mid- or senior-level management position, a highly qualified specialist visa is your best option.
• Have been admitted to an accredited Spanish university, then a student visa is suitable.