Anyone from the Schengen States (Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, and Sweden) can enter Spain with valid personal identification from their home country.

U.S. citizens can enter Spain visa-free for periods of up to three months. Spanish government regulations may require a return or on-going ticket or proof of funds. Should you wish to remain longer than ninety days, you will be required to obtain an extension of stay from Spanish immigration authorities. This extension, of no more than ninety days, must be requested at a police station at least three weeks before the initial entry period expires. Under current law, American citizens are allowed to stay in spain for up to 90 calendar days within any 6 month period (e.g. even if you leave and come back, you are not renewing a 90 day visa).

Any EU citizen who wishes to stay in Spain for longer than 90 days in theory should register with the Central Register of Foreigners and will be provided a NIE number (número de identificación de extranjeros / registration number for foreigners). This paperwork can be submitted at the police station on Pg. Joan de Borbó 32 in Barceloneta, 9am-2pm. You will need to fill out an Ex-16 form, present a valid passport, a photocopy of your ID, and two passport photographs. The letter with your NIE number, issued by the Ministry of the Interior, will take about four weeks to arrive after presentation of the completed paperwork. The Ministry of the Interior provides this FAQ document for EU citizens.

Non-EU Citizens can solicit a NIE number from the foreigner's office on Av. del Marqués de l'Argentera 2-4 or the Spanish consulate in their country of origin by submitting Ex-14 form. The NIE number is required for certain purposes – obtaining a mobile phone contract, registering a vehicle, purchasing an interest in a limited company – but it does not grant residency or work status. (EU citizens may also request a NIE number prior to registering with the Central Register of Foreigners, for example if doing business in Spain but not residing in Spain.)

How do I obtain a Spanish work permit and residency ("tarjeta de residencia“)?

Citizens from EU countries do not acquire a tarjeta de residencia; they simply register with the Central Register of Foreigners as indicated above by submitting Ex-16 paperwork.

For citizens from non-EU countries, there are two types of work and residence visas: (1) visa to work as an employee ("cuenta ajena"), in which case you will need to find a Spanish employer that will sponsor you and perform the necessary paperwork, (2) self-employment visa ("cuenta propia"), appropriate for individuals starting a business (requiring a detailed business plan and a meaningful capital investment) or certain professionals (e.g. physicians). In addition there are other types of visas, such as student visas and visas to reside but not work (for example by demonstrating you have enough money to support yourself indefinitely without a job). Citizens from some Latin American countries are eligible under special immigration treaties. Non EU-citizens are advised to consult with a local immigration attorney.

Additional information may be found at the Spanish Ministry of the Interior, the Spanish Ministry of Work and Social Affairs, and the Spanish Ministry of Public Administration.

EMBASSIES / CONSULATES IN BARCELONA

Australian Consulate: Plaza Gal.la Placídia 1-3, 1st floor (Sarrià-Sant Gervasi). Tel. +34 93 490 90 13 / Fax: +34 93 411 09 04. Mon-Fri 10am-12pm.

Canadian Consulate: C/ d'Elisenda de Pinós 10 (Sarrià-Sant Gervasi). Tel. +34 93 204 27 00, Fax: +34 93 204 27 01. Mon-Fri 10am-1pm.

Indian Consulate: C/ Teodor Roviralta 21 (Sarrià-Sant Gervasi). Tel. +34 93 212 09 16 / Fax +34 93 212 03 54.

Irish Consulate: Gran Via de Carles III 94 (Les Corts). Tel. +34 93 491 50 21 / Fax +34 93 411 29 21. Mon-Fri 10am-1pm.

New Zealand Consulate: Travessera de Gràcia 64, 2nd floor. (Sarrià-Sant Gervasi). Tel. +34 93 209 03 99, Fax: +34 93 202 08 90. Mon-Fri 9am-2pm and 4pm-7pm.

Pakistani Consulate: C/ Còrsega 366, atico (Eixample). Tel. +34 93 257 42 30 / Fax +34 93 416 05 41.

U.S. Consulate: Paseo Reina Elisenda Montcada 23 (Sarrià-Sant Gervasi). Tel. +34 93 280 22 27 / Fax: +34 93 280 61 75. Mon-Fri 9am-1pm.

UK Consulate: Av. Diagonal 477 (Eixample). Tel. +34 93 366 62 00 / Fax: +34 93 366 62 21. Mon-Fri 9.30am-1.30pm and 4-5pm.

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