Spain

ESP

Spain formally terminated its Golden Visa (residency-by-real-estate-investment) program effective 3 April 2025, ending the route that had granted residence permits for real estate purchases of €500,000+; existing Golden Visa holders retain their permits and renewal rights, but no new applications based on property investment are accepted. In its place, the Digital Nomad Visa, introduced under the 2023 Startup Law, has matured into a well-established route for non-EU remote workers, with clearer processing procedures, a special reduced tax regime (Beckham Law extension to 24% flat rate on Spanish-source income up to €600,000), and family reunification provisions now well tested through 2025-2026 renewal cycles.

Naturalisation: 10 years
Tax system: Residence Based
Currency: Euro (EUR)
Dual citizenship: Not allowed
Capital: Madrid
Region: europe
Population: 47,420,000
Cost-of-living: 52 /100

→ If you hold a Spain passport, see the Spain nationality guide

Passport Rank

Visa-Free

190

destinations

Country Details

Capital: Madrid
Currency: Euro (EUR)
Languages: Spanish, Catalan, Galician, Basque
Population: 47,420,000
Tax System: Residence Based
Dual Citizenship: Not allowed
Naturalisation: 10 years
Schengen / EU: Schengen / EU
Climate: Mediterranean / Semi-arid
English Proficiency Rank: #35

The Beckham Law provides a flat 24% tax rate on Spanish-source employment income for up to 6 years, available to foreign workers and digital nomads who become Spanish tax residents.

Indices

Cost of Living

Safety

Healthcare

Quality of Life

182

Tax Summary

Tax System: Residence Based
Territorial Taxation: No — worldwide income taxed for residents
Naturalisation: 10 years of legal residency
Dual Citizenship: Not allowed
Special Tax Regime: The Beckham Law provides a flat 24% tax rate on Spanish-source employment income for up to 6 years, available to foreign workers and digital nomads who become Spanish tax residents.

Cost of Living by City

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Monthly cost of living per major city in USD: rent, groceries, utilities, transit pass
City	Rent 1BR centre	Rent outside	Groceries	Utilities	Transit pass
Madrid	$1,500	$1,050	$350	$120	$54
Barcelona	$1,600	$1,150	$360	$125	$54
Valencia	$1,000	$700	$310	$115	$40
Málaga	$1,100	$780	$300	$110	$38

Monthly USD figures. Typical central 1-bedroom rent, grocery basket for one, household utilities, monthly transit pass.

Climate

Madrid

9°J

11°F

14°M

17°A

21°M

27°J

31°J

30°A

25°S

19°O

13°N

9°D

Rainfall range: 10–50 mm/month · Daylight 9h (winter) to 15h (summer)

Barcelona

13°J

14°F

16°M

18°A

22°M

26°J

29°J

29°A

26°S

21°O

16°N

13°D

Rainfall range: 22–85 mm/month · Daylight 9h (winter) to 15h (summer)

Málaga

15°J

16°F

18°M

20°A

23°M

27°J

30°J

31°A

27°S

23°O

18°N

15°D

Rainfall range: 1–86 mm/month · Daylight 9h (winter) to 14h (summer)

Visa Categories & Immigration Authority

Major Visa Categories

Schengen short-stay visa (type C)
Non-lucrative residence visa
Digital Nomad visa (Nómada Digital)
Golden Visa (investor residence)
Student / Study visa
Work visa (cuenta ajena — employed)
Self-Employed / Entrepreneur visa (cuenta propia)
Highly Qualified Professional visa
Family Reunification visa
EU Blue Card (Tarjeta Azul UE)
Long-term EU residence permit

Authority: Secretaría de Estado de Migraciones / Extranjería — Ministerio del Interior
Official Portal: www.exteriores.gob.es
Phone: +34-900-150-000

Naturalisation Details

Residence Years: 10
Language Test: Yes (B1)
Civic Test: Yes
Oath Required: Yes
Dual Allowed: No
Fee: $100
Processing: ~18 months

Real Estate

Avg price/sqm (capital): $4,200
Transaction taxes: 10%

Foreign buyers: Non-EU buyers require NIE number; no blanket ownership ban. Some regional restrictions on Balearic Islands rental licensing.

International Schools

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International schools by city, curriculum, and annual tuition
School	City	Curriculum	Tuition (USD/yr)
American School of Madrid	Madrid	American	$14,000–$24,000
The British School of Barcelona	Barcelona	British	$12,000–$22,000
Laude Lady Elizabeth School	Benalmádena	British	$8,000–$16,000

Daily Life Logistics

Internet

200 Mbps median

93% fibre coverage

eSIM: Movistar, Vodafone ES, Orange ES, Digi

Driving

IDP not required

Exchange eligible: EU member states, UK, Switzerland +2 more

Pet Relocation

Quarantine: none

Rabies titre not required

EU pet passport: accepted

Safety

GPI Rank

#27

Global Peace Index ranking (lower is safer)

Common Risks

⚠La Rambla pickpockets
⚠fake police asking for passport in Barcelona
⚠pigeon drop con
⚠fake charity collectors

Examples of areas to avoid: El Raval late night (Barcelona), Lavapiés periphery late night (Madrid)

LGBTQ+ Legal Status

Same-Sex Marriage: Legal
Civil Partnerships: Recognised
Anti-Discrimination Law: Yes
ILGA Rank: #5

Religious Life

Halal Food: Widely available
Kosher Food: Widely available
Prayer Facilities: Common

Sample Citizenship Test Questions

Q1. How many autonomous communities does Spain have?

Answer: 17

Source: CCSE Official Test Bank (DELE/CCSE)

Q2. Who is the head of government in Spain?

Answer: The President of the Government (Prime Minister)

Source: CCSE Official Test Bank

Q3. In what year did Spain transition to democracy after the Franco dictatorship?

Answer: 1978

Source: CCSE Official Test Bank

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