Legal
In this section:
Getting Married in Spain - Non-EU Foreigners Marrying a Spaniard
- Spain Expat's Legal in Spain section brings you... A quick guide for what you will need to get married to a Spaniard as a non-EU citizen. This is based on a Madrid-based experience with a US citizen.
You have decided to tie the knot with your Spanish honey. The first thing you need to do is get all your US paperwork in order.
Visa for Spain
- Spain Expat's Legal in Spain section brings you... Spain Expat's comprehensive information for obtaining the various visas -other than a working visa- and residency information: retirement visas, self- employment or investment visas and more.
...the legalisation procedure is difficult, lengthy, and expensive for everyone, making Spain an illogical choice for those who do not intend to be here for at least 2 to 3 years."
Student Visas for Spain
- Spain Expat's Legal in Spain section brings you... Information about student visas in Spain: the different types, the requirements, and how to obtain one. Also, the rules about working on a student visa.
Please note that this type of student visa, unlike the student visa for more than 180 days, cannot be renewed (renovado) or extended (prorrogado) and you are required to leave the country before your visa expires.
Voting in Spain
- Spain Expat's Legal in Spain section brings you... Voting as a foreigner: Who can vote in Spain's elections and how to register to vote. Voting abroad: Who can and how to vote in your home country's elections.
Keep in mind that if you can vote in Spain, then you can run for office too!"
EU Residency in Spain for EU Citizens and Their Family Members
- Spain Expat's Legal in Spain section brings you... How to obtain Spanish residency for EU citizens and their non-EU family members: the registration certificate (certificado de registro) and the EU-family member residence card (tarjeta de residencia de familiar de ciudadano de la Unión) revealed
The Schengen Visa: Staying in Spain and the Schengen Area
- Spain Expat's Legal in Spain section brings you... The most up-to-date guide on the Schengen visa, category C on the web, and for those traveling to Spain in particular
The Gestor / Gestoria
- Spain Expat's Legal in Spain section brings you... Gestores are often mentioned on the forum and articles around the site when discussing issues of bureaucracy. We realized many of you don't know what a gestor is or how to find one. This article is to inform you about what a gestor is and what he/she can do for you.
The gestor knows his way around the intricacies of Spanish administrative bureaucracy ....
NIE, DNI, NIF, CIF, Social Security
- Spain Expat's Legal in Spain section brings you... Information on getting your NIE, social security number and other forms of identification. Explanations of the NIE, DNI, NIF, CIF, social security number and their relevancy for residency for expatriates living in Spain.
This, of course, does not mean you get automatic residency in Spain, nor will it make it any easier to get residency."
Embassies and Consulates for English Speaking Countries
- Spain Expat's Legal in Spain section brings you... Spain Expat's helpful list of embassies and consulates for your home country and Spain. Includes American, Canadian, British, Irish, Australian, and Dutch embassies in Spain.
...should give you an idea of what to expect or not expect from yours."
Driving in Spain: Licenses and Regulations
- Spain Expat's Legal in Spain section brings you... Information on driver’s licenses and regulations in Spain.
Getting a Spanish driver's license can be expensive because you have to take classes. The good news is you can study for and take the test in English."
Getting Married, Weddings & Giving Birth in Spain
- Spain Expat's Legal in Spain section brings you... Information about getting married, registering a wedding, eloping and giving birth for expatriates in Spain.
A child born in Spain is not automatically a Spanish citizen..."
Wills: The Legal Will & Inheritance in Spain
- Spain Expat's Legal in Spain section brings you... Information about Spanish wills.
...the process is much simpler if there's a Spanish will."
Citizenship for Expats in Spain
- Spain Expat's Legal in Spain section brings you... Information about residency and citizenship for expatriates living in Spain.
In practice, countries do not generally exchange this information, so as long as you don't show both passports at the airport..."
