Visa Pathway Guidance

Choose the right visa route before you make your move

Choosing the wrong visa route — or missing a single requirement — can set your entire move back by months. Spain’s residency and visa system is more complex than it first appears, and the right pathway depends entirely on your personal situation.

We assess your situation and guide you toward the most suitable pathway, whether you are an EU citizen or relocating from outside the EU. We explain requirements, timelines, and next steps in clear and accessible terms so you can move forward with confidence and without guesswork.

1. EU citizens EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens have the right to live and work in Spain without a visa, but registration is still required. After three months, EU citizens must register on the Registro Central de Extranjeros and obtain a certificate of residence (certificado de registro). This is often underestimated as a formality — but it is a legal requirement, and it unlocks access to other procedures including the NIE, banking, and healthcare. We explain what applies to your situation and walk you through the process.

2. Non-EU citizens For non-EU nationals, the right visa depends on your circumstances. The main routes relevant to people relocating to Valencia include:

• Non-Lucrative Visa — for those with sufficient passive income or savings who do not intend to work in Spain
• Digital Nomad Visa — for remote workers employed by or providing services to companies outside Spain
• Work permit — for those with a job offer from a Spanish employer
• Intra-company transfer — for employees relocated by a multinational
• Entrepreneur Visa — for those starting a business in Spain with a validated business plan

Each route has specific income requirements, documentation, and processing timelines. We assess your situation and identify which pathway is realistic for you — and flag any requirements you need to meet before applying.

3. Realistic timelines Visa processing times vary significantly depending on the route, the consulate handling your application, and the time of year. We give you an honest picture of how long each step is likely to take so you can plan your move without building it around best-case assumptions.

4. What we don’t do We provide guidance and coordination — we are not immigration lawyers. For complex cases involving visa refusals, appeals, or unusual personal circumstances, we refer you to a specialist immigration lawyer. We tell you early if your situation falls into that category.

See more about different visas here