Spain

Tourism, visits to family and friends, business meetings, conferences and cultural or sports events, on a passport that needs no Schengen visa; it covers the whole Schengen Area and does not allow work, or study as the main purpose.

For Irish citizens, who live, work and travel in Spain freely as citizens of the EU, on a passport or national ID card.

A short-stay visa for passports that need one: tourism in Madrid, Barcelona, Andalusia or the islands, business trips, conferences, cultural events or medical treatment, applied for at the Spanish consulate through its external visa centre, with travel insurance at the Schengen minimum.

Study at Spanish universities, the Complutense in Madrid and the University of Barcelona among them, Erasmus+ exchanges, doctoral research, Spanish language courses and athletic training programmes; needed even for programmes under 90 days when study or sport is the main purpose. Applied for at the Spanish consulate with the acceptance letter, proof of funds and health insurance.

Employment with a Spanish employer, intra-company transfers and positions in high-demand sectors, on a signed employment contract with employer sponsorship; it leads to the residence card (TIE), applied for within 30 days of arrival.

For remote workers employed by, or contracting for, companies outside Spain, living in Spain while working remotely, with proof of regular foreign income.

For financially independent people, retirees and those living on passive income, who wish to live in Spain without working, with proof of sufficient means for the stay.

Joining a spouse, registered partner, minor children or other family members living legally in Spain, whether Spanish citizens or residence permit holders.

For foreign nationals founding a business in Spain, startups, innovative companies and investors, on a detailed business plan assessed by the Spanish authorities.

For young Australians, New Zealanders and Canadians, under bilateral agreements, to travel in Spain and work to fund the stay.