Immigration
EU free movement alongside a national regime with strong regularisation routes
EU, EEA and Swiss citizens enter under free movement. Other nationals fall under the Immigration Act and its regulation, which combine work and residence authorisations with distinctive routes for long residence and for digital nomads and entrepreneurs.
Key rules
- Most non-EU workers need a combined work and residence authorisation tied to an employer or activity.
- Arraigo (social or labour rootedness) allows regularisation after a qualifying period of residence in Spain.
- The Startups Act created a specific visa and residence permit for international teleworkers.
Governing law
- Organic Act 4/2000 on rights and freedoms of foreigners
- Act 28/2022 on the promotion of the startup ecosystem
In practice
Applications are handled by provincial foreigners' offices with divergent local practice, so confirm the requirements of the specific province.