🇪🇸Spain Visa for Eritrean Citizens2026 Requirements, Fees & Documents

Short-Stay Visa for Family Members of EU/EEA/Swiss Citizens (Type C)

Allows non-EU family members of EU/EEA/Swiss citizens to accompany or join them in Spain for stays up to 90 days in any 180-day period.

• Free of charge.
• Eligible family members include spouse, registered partner, dependent children under 21, parents, and other qualifying relatives.
• For stays exceeding 90 days, a Residence Card as Union Citizen Family Member is required instead.

Residence Visa for Family Members of Spanish Citizens

Long-stay national visa enabling non-EU family members of Spanish nationals to relocate to Spain for residence exceeding 90 days.

• Free of charge.
• Visa valid 1 year; upon arrival in Spain applicant must apply for Foreigner Identity Card (TIE) within one month.
• Processing may take up to 2 months due to inter-authority consultations.
• Eligible relatives include spouses, partners, children under 26, parents, legal guardians, and caregivers.

Family Reunification Visa (General Scheme)

Long-stay national visa allowing close family members of a non-EU foreign national who holds legal residence in Spain to join them (general immigration regime, not the EU/Spanish-citizen regime).

• For family members of non-EU legal residents in Spain only (NOT family of EU/EEA/Swiss or Spanish citizens, who use the community regime visas).
• Sponsor must first obtain an 'Authorization of Initial Residence for family reunification' from the Government Delegation in Spain, then the relative applies for the D visa abroad.
• Eligible: spouse or registered/unregistered partner (only one), children under 18 or disabled adult children unable to support themselves, and parents over 65 in the applicant's care.
• Visa valid 1 year; Foreigner Identity Card (TIE) must be applied for within 1 month of arrival.
• Legal decision period 2 months.
• Fee (from 1 January 2026): US citizens $140; most others $106; Australia/Canada/UK/Ethiopia/Mauritania consult consulate.
• Financial requirement: 150% of IPREM for first relative plus 50% per additional member; adequate housing report required.
• Under Royal Decree 1155/2024 (effective 20 May 2025), reunified family members aged 16+ receive automatic work authorization.

Study Visa (National Long-Stay Visa for Studies)

National long-stay visa for higher education, post-secondary studies, student mobility programs, volunteering, and training activities in Spain for stays exceeding 90 days.

• Fee for US citizens $160; most other nationalities $106; UK citizens $106 (under 180 days) or $462 (over 180 days); Australian citizens $472.
• BLS service fee $20 additional.
• Visa valid 1 month before program start and 15 days after program end.
• For stays exceeding 180 days, TIE must be obtained within 30 days of arrival.
• Financial requirement: €600/month solo student.
• Apply 2-6 months before program start.
• Medical certificate required.
• New RD 1155/2024 effective May 20, 2025.

NALCAP Visa (North American Language and Culture Assistants Program)

Study visa for participants in Spain's Ministry of Education Language and Culture Assistant program, enabling language teaching assistants to reside in Spain for the program duration.

• Fee for US citizens $160; most nationalities $106; UK citizens $106 (under 180 days) or $462 (over 180 days); Australian citizens $472.
• Apply at least 2 months before program start.
• Processing takes minimum 5 weeks.
• For stays over 180 days, TIE required within 30 days of arrival.

Au Pair Visa

Allows young adults aged 17-30 to live with a Spanish host family for cultural and language exchange, providing household assistance in return for accommodation and stipend.

• Age requirement: 17-30 years.
• Must be enrolled in accredited Spanish language program.
• Services capped at 5 hours daily; one full day off per week.
• Financial proof: €600/month minimum.
• Fee: US citizens $160; Australian citizens $472; UK citizens $462; most others $106.
• Processing approximately 1 month.

Working Holiday Visa (Youth Mobility)

Allows young people aged 18-30 from countries with a bilateral Working Holiday / Youth Mobility agreement with Spain to spend up to 12 months in Spain for a holiday, with the right to take incidental work to help fund the stay.

• Available only to nationals of countries with which Spain has a bilateral Working Holiday / Youth Mobility agreement: Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Japan, and South Korea.
• Age 18-30 at time of application; must not have previously held this visa.
• Purpose is primarily tourism, with work secondary: cannot work for the same employer for more than 6 months during the 12-month stay; study limited to about 4 months.
• Return ticket or sufficient funds to buy one required.
• Australia has an annual quota of 3,400 places.
• Applications are made in person at the competent Spanish consulate (not online) and no earlier than 3 months before intended entry; fee varies by consulate/nationality (confirm with the consulate).
• Some consulates require proof of DELE A1 Spanish language level.

Residence and Work Authorization - Employee (Cuenta Ajena)

Authorizes non-EU nationals to reside and work in Spain as an employee for a Spanish employer, subject to the national employment situation assessment.

• Employer must apply for the authorization; applicant then applies for the national work and residence visa at a Spanish consulate.
• Initial authorization valid 1 year.
• Seasonal work and cross-border worker variants also exist.
• Governed by Organic Law 4/2000 (Foreigners Law) and implementing Royal Decree 557/2011.

Highly Qualified Worker Visa (TAC) / EU Blue Card

Enables highly qualified non-EU professionals or senior managers to work in Spain, including the EU Blue Card for high-salary positions requiring tertiary education.

• Requires prior authorization from UGECE (Large Companies and Strategic Groups Unit).
• Fee: US citizens $190; most others $106; Canadian $992; UK $963; Australian $3,086.
• Visa valid 1 year or matching residence authorization.
• Must hold higher education degree or 3+ years equivalent professional experience.
• EU Blue Card minimum salary threshold approx. €38,844/year (shortage occupations lower).
• Residence authorization processed by UGECE.

Intra-Company Transfer Visa (TTI)

Permits employees of multinational companies to be transferred to their company's Spanish entity as senior management, specialists, or trainees.

• Requires prior residence authorization from UGECE.
• Fee: US citizens $190; most others $106; Canadian $992; UK $963; Australian $3,086.
• Visa valid 1 year or duration of residence authorization.
• Established under Law 14/2013.
• Family members may apply concurrently.

Researcher Visa

Allows non-EU nationals to conduct research, development, and innovation activities at authorized Spanish public or private entities.

• Requires Authorization of Initial Residence for Research from UGECE.
• Fee: US citizens $190; most others $106; BLS service fee $20.
• Visa valid 1 year or matching authorization.
• Covers research staff, scientific/technical personnel, teaching staff at R&D centers and universities.
• EU researcher mobility provisions apply (Sheet 69 for mobility between EU member states).

Internship Visa

For university graduates or current university students to participate in approved internship programs at Spanish entities to improve professional skills and experience.

• Must have obtained university degree within 2 years or be pursuing degree.
• Requires Authorization of Initial Residence for Internship from provincial government.
• Fee: US citizens $190; most others $106; Canadian $992; Australian $3,086; BLS $20.
• Maximum duration: 6 months (hosting agreement) or 1 year (trainee contract).

Residence Visa with Work Permit Exemption

Authorizes specific categories of professionals (academics, researchers, cultural staff, foreign correspondents, religious ministers, etc.) to work in Spain without a standard work permit.

• Covers: technical specialists at Spanish government/university/research organizations, educators at Spanish universities, cultural/educational staff from recognized foreign institutions, foreign officials under bilateral cooperation agreements, foreign media correspondents, scientific mission members, religious ministers, international trade union representatives, and foreign minors in protective services.
• Three durations: up to 90 days (Schengen code EET), 90-180 days (national code TEE), over 180 days (TRE).
• Fee: US citizens $190; most $106; Canadian $1,050; Australian $3,235; UK $414; residence fee $13 all.
• Processing 3 months.
• Authority: Article 117 of Royal Decree 557/2011.

Telework Visa (Digital Nomad Visa)

Allows non-EU nationals to reside in Spain while working remotely for companies or clients located exclusively outside Spain, using digital and telecommunications means.

• Established under Law 28/2022 (Startup Law), amending Law 14/2013, Article 74 bis.
• Income requirement: 200% of monthly SMI = €2,368/month (approx. $2,500) for solo applicant; add €888/month per first family member, €196/month per additional.
• Must hold university degree from recognized institution or 3+ years professional experience.
• Employees must work for non-Spanish companies only; self-employed may work up to 20% for Spanish entities.
• Work must be for companies (not individuals, NGOs, or government bodies).
• Fee: US citizens $190; Canadian $1,566; UK $963; Australian $3,020; most others $106.
• Can convert to 3-year residence permit via UGECE without leaving Spain.
• Processing 10 days.

Entrepreneur Visa

Visa for non-EU nationals relocating to Spain to undertake an innovative entrepreneurial activity of particular economic interest to Spain.

• Established under Law 14/2013 as amended by Law 28/2022 (Startup Law).
• Requires prior Authorization of Initial Residence from UGECE evaluating innovativeness and economic interest.
• Financial requirement: $8,000/year for solo applicant plus $4,000/year per dependent (2025 figures = 100% IPREM).
• Health insurance with 100% coverage required.
• FBI background check required.
• Fee: US citizens $270; Canadian $789; most others $106.
• Visa valid 1 year; convertible to entrepreneur residence authorization.
• Must apply within 1 year of capital investment (excluding real estate).

Non-Lucrative Residence Visa

Permits non-EU nationals with sufficient passive income or savings to reside in Spain without engaging in any gainful employment or professional activities.

• Income requirement: 400% of Spain's IPREM = €28,800/year (~$32,000) for solo applicant; add 100% IPREM (~$8,000) per dependent (2026 figures).
• Visa itself valid 90 days from issuance (must enter Spain within this window).
• Initial residence permit valid 1 year upon arrival.
• Renewable; after 5 years of continuous legal residence, may apply for long-term/permanent residence permit.
• Path to citizenship: 10 years (2 years for nationals of Latin American countries, Philippines, Andorra, Equatorial Guinea, Portugal).
• Visa fee varies by nationality: $106-$789; residence permit fee $13; BLS $20.
• Processing up to 3 months.
• No work authorization; any income must be passive.
• Governed by Article 37 of Royal Decree 557/2011.

Self-Employment / Entrepreneur Residence Authorization (Cuenta Propia)

Authorizes non-EU non-residents to establish themselves as self-employed workers in Spain or initiate a business project.

• Initial temporary residence and self-employment work authorization (Sheet 14).
• Also includes job search or business project initiation authorization (Sheet 20).
• Must not already be a legal resident in Spain.
• Requires viable business plan or self-employment documentation.
• Governed by Organic Law 4/2000 and Royal Decree 557/2011.