Are you a Mexican citizen dreaming of living in Spain? At gaymexico.net, we understand the allure of Spanish culture and the desire to explore new horizons, especially for the LGBTQ+ community. This guide provides a detailed overview of how Mexican citizens can legally reside in Spain, ensuring a smooth transition to your new life. We will explore visa options, residency requirements, and valuable insights for a successful relocation.
1. What Are The Main Ways For A Mexican Citizen To Immigrate To Spain?
Yes, Mexican citizens can immigrate to Spain through various visa options tailored to their specific circumstances. Like other non-EU residents, Mexicans can immigrate to Spain based on different types of visas, depending on their reasons, including travel, business, and employment. A tourist visa is easy to obtain for travel. However, business or employment visas have more stringent requirements. Mexicans have the advantage of speaking Spanish, which simplifies understanding local authority requirements.
One notable avenue for Mexican citizens is the Residence by Investment scheme, designed for high-net-worth individuals from non-EU countries, offering an attractive path to Spanish residency.
2. What Types Of Long-Term Visas And Residence Permits Are Available To Mexicans In Spain?
Mexican citizens can access various long-term visas and residence permits in Spain, each tailored to specific purposes such as employment, education, investment, or retirement. Living, working, carrying out research, or opening a company in Spain is subject to visa requirements for foreign nationals. Different residence permits can be awarded, depending on the purpose of the stay and can be combined when issued for both residence and work.
Applying for the right residence permit happens before leaving Mexico, and the submission is made at the Spanish embassy or consulate where the applicant lives. When they intend to work in Spain, the employer must submit the application on behalf of the future employee. For student or research visas, the applicant must first be admitted to a Spanish learning or educational program before applying.
Here are some major types of residence permits that can be awarded to Mexican nationals interested in Spain immigration:
- Employment Visa: For those seeking to work in Spain.
- Student Visa: For individuals pursuing education at a Spanish university or institution.
- Non-Lucrative Visa: Designed for those who can financially support themselves without working in Spain.
- Golden Visa: Issued to applicants who invest in Spanish property with a minimum value.
- Investor Visa: For Mexican entrepreneurs investing in a Spanish business.
The application file will contain general and specific documents as per the residence permit type. Below are the items required for foreign nationals applying for a residence visa for working as Spanish employees:
| Document | Description |
|---|---|
| Visa application form | Filled in and signed, original. |
| Passport | Original and copy, valid for at least six months from the application date. |
| Passport-size photograph | Recent, with a white background. |
| Medical certificate | Original, certifying the applicant is not suffering from contagious diseases. |
| Proof of payment of visa fee | Non-refundable fee payment receipt. |
| Police records | Issued by relevant authorities/police in the applicant’s country of origin. |
| Work permit approval | The residency visa is applied for by the employer before the future employee submits their visa application. |
The employment visa includes a document obtained by the Spanish employer willing to hire a foreign national. Our immigration lawyers in Spain can provide detailed information about this approval and the letter issued by the Immigration Office testifying that the work permit has been approved.
Specific documents are required for other permits. For example, the student visa includes the acceptance letter to the University or School. This visa, like others, includes proof of financial means during the applicant’s stay (for student visas, this can be school tuition).
The list of required documents above is not exhaustive, and Spanish authorities may ask for additional documents or clarifications as needed. Each application is unique and depends on the applicant’s situation. We recommend reaching out to our specialists early in the application process, as soon as you decide to immigrate to Spain.
Family members of an EU citizen may obtain Residency in Spain if they have lived legally in Spain for five consecutive years and the family relationship that was the basis for the issuance of their residence card is still present or if they continue to be entitled to residence as a family member.
Long-term visa applications are generally processed one month after submission. Non-lucrative residence visas have a longer processing period of approximately three months. The applicant collects the visa from the Consular Post or Diplomatic Mission. An authorized representative may collect the visa on their behalf. Our immigration lawyers in Spain can help you with legal representation issues.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issues the rules and regulations applicable to immigrants and foreign nationals. Our agents can provide complete details about specific laws and conditions. You can rely on us for guidance in applying for Spanish citizenship.
To obtain citizenship in Spain, you must pass two different tests. The first is the language test, which confirms your Spanish proficiency, though it does apply to countries from Latin America. The second is a cultural aptitude test, unnecessary if you attended high school or college in Spain.
3. How Can A Mexican Citizen Move To Spain Based On A Golden Visa?
Mexican citizens can leverage the Golden Visa program to immigrate to Spain, requiring a significant investment in real estate or other qualifying assets. Immigration to Spain from Mexico based on a golden visa or permanent residence by investment scheme has many advantages. However, the applicant must comply with specific requisites and submit proof of the funds’ legitimacy.
To emigrate to Spain based on a golden visa, a Mexican citizen needs to invest at least 650,000 euros in real estate. Also, before being granted citizenship, applicants will be issued their residence permit in Spain.
This immigration program has many advantages for Mexican citizens, among which:
- The residence visa needs to be renewed every two years (instead of one in other cases).
- Permanent residence can be obtained after five years of maintaining the investment.
- Spanish citizenship can be obtained after ten years of living in the country.
- The resident is not required to live in Spain if he or she seeks temporary residence.
- The golden visa grants access to EU residency and the possibility to freely travel in all other 26 member countries.
- The Mexican citizen also obtains the right to work in Spain based on this visa.
Our lawyers can supervise the procedure of relocating to Spain from Mexico based on a golden visa and guide the applicants through the document preparation and filing process.
Purchasing real estate is one way you could become a resident of Spain. Although it is unnecessary to travel to make the purchase, you will need to do so to apply for residency in Spain. After purchasing the property, you can do this. The residency permit then has a two-year validity period and is automatically renewed every five years.
4. What Are The Specific Requirements For Mexicans Emigrating To Spain?
Mexicans immigrating to Spain must adhere to specific procedures both before obtaining a visa or residence permit and after this step is accomplished. Individuals who immigrate to Spain need to follow a set of procedures, both prior to obtaining the visa or residence permit and after this step is accomplished.
The general procedure when applying for a long-term visa in Spain includes the following steps:
- Submitting the visa application: This is done in person at the Spanish Embassy or Consulate in Mexico.
- The visa is forwarded: The Embassy or Consulate then forwards the application in Spain.
- Approval: Once the visa is approved, the applicant can claim it within thirty days.
- Travel to Spain: The visa holder can now enter Spain within the time period inscribed on the visa.
- The residence permit: Once he is in Spain, the visa holder applies for the residence permit in the area where he will live.
The residence permit is renewed periodically to ensure a lawful stay in Spain and provide the holder the chance to apply for permanent residence after a certain period. Applying for the NIE number is also required after arriving in Spain, as this will be used in all relevant transactions (renting or purchasing property, entering into service agreements with various providers, etc.). Our Spain immigration agents can help foreign nationals apply for the NIE with the Consular Post of the district in which they reside. Our team can guide applicants, or they can submit the application on their behalf as this can also be done by an accredited representative. Those foreigners who wish to apply through an accredited individual use a special power of attorney, issued particularly for this purpose.
Foreign nationals who apply for a residence permit and will stay in the country for more than six months will need to apply for a foreigner identity card. This is applied at the Foreigners Office or the Police Station according to residence address, within one month after arriving in Spain. Individuals who only engage in seasonal work do not need to apply for the foreigner identity card.
Mexican nationals who have obtained Spanish residence, with a temporary residence permit renewed as needed, for five uninterrupted years can apply for long-term residence. Other periods of uninterrupted residence in other Member States can also be counted when calculating the years required for obtaining long-term residence.
Our experts in Spain immigration provide a complete set of services for Mexican nationals and other foreign nationals interested in applying for long-term residence in Spain. Some of our most requested services include those related to applying for and obtaining work and residence permits, obtaining the permits for other family members and commencing the family reunification procedure, obtaining needed certificates, legalizations, and other documents from the Spanish authorities. You can reach out to our agents for complete information about the services offered by our department.
Spain is an attractive country for many foreign nationals. According to the National Statistical Institute, the number of Mexican immigrants living in the country was as follows:
| Year | Mexican Immigrants Starting to Live in Spain |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 1,382 |
| 2017 | 1,958 |
According to the same report, the highest number of immigrants in Spain was from Venezuela.
The report’s main findings were that the resident population in the country continued to grow in 2017. According to provisional data from the National Statistical Institute, the country’s total population in 2019 was 46,934,632, out of which 4,848,516 are foreign nationals.
5. What Other Requirements Should Mexicans Consider When Immigrating To Spain?
Immigration to Spain involves more than just applying for a visa; it also includes obtaining an NIE number, understanding property laws, and accessing healthcare. Spain immigration does not imply applying for a visa and simply relocating to the country, as there are a few other aspects to consider. One of them is to obtain the NIE number. This identification number is a mandatory requirement for all foreign citizens immigrating to Spain, including EU citizens.
The NIE number eases the access to various authorities, and based on it, the Mexican citizen will obtain all the rights of Spanish citizens, among which setting up bank accounts with local banks, entering various contracts, buying properties, and enrolling with the national health insurance system. Also, the NIE number is mandatory when obtaining employment in Spain.
Apart from the NIE number that must be obtained before arriving in the country, a Mexican citizen must also get acquainted with the legislation on real estate property in order to rent or purchase one. Those who need assistance in any of these matters can rely on our immigration lawyers in Spain.
6. Why Is Spain An Attractive Destination For Mexican Immigrants?
Spain is one of the most appealing countries in Europe and one of the most prolific economies of the EU. Its EU membership is beneficial for all foreign citizens immigrating to Spain because it grants access to the EU market. Mexican citizens who want to move to Spain will find it easy to accommodate here because of the lack of language barriers and the employment and business opportunities this country offers.
Those who want to obtain a visa for Spain will find the procedure easy, as it takes between 30 and 60 days for the permit to be issued. However, Mexican immigrants must note that once they entered the country, they must register with the local police department in the city they live in. Registration must be made no later than 30 days after their arrival.
If you need any information on the main advantages of immigrating to Spain from Mexico, our lawyers are at your disposal with tips and advice on how to make the transition easier. You can also rely on us for various services related to your relocation here.
The Spain immigration process is a straightforward one, and Mexican nationals can find various opportunities in the country and benefit from connectivity with other European countries.
7. How Does The Spanish Nomad Visa Benefit Mexican Citizens?
The Spanish Nomad Visa offers Mexican citizens the opportunity to work remotely for companies outside of Spain while enjoying the benefits of living in the country. The nomad visa for Spain can be the ideal option for you if you’re a non-EU or non-EEA person who wants to work for oneself while living in Spain but wants to sell your services to clients outside of the country.
8. How Can I Obtain Spanish Citizenship After Moving From Mexico?
After residing in Spain for a qualifying period, typically ten years, Mexican citizens can apply for Spanish citizenship, provided they meet specific criteria such as demonstrating good conduct and integrating into Spanish society. To obtain citizenship in Spain, you must pass two different tests. The first one is the language test which confirms that your level of Spanish is sufficient, however, it does apply to countries from Latin America. The second one is the test of cultural aptitude. This test is not necessary if you attended high school or college in Spain.
9. What Support Services Are Available To Help Mexican Citizens Settle In Spain?
Several support services are available to assist Mexican citizens in settling in Spain, including legal assistance, housing services, and cultural integration programs, ensuring a smoother transition to their new life. Our experts in Spain immigration provide a complete set of services for Mexican nationals and other foreign nationals interested in applying for long-term residence in Spain. Some of our most requested services include those related to applying for and obtaining work and residence permits, obtaining the permits for other family members and commencing the family reunification procedure, obtaining needed certificates, legalizations, and other documents from the Spanish authorities.
10. How Can Gaymexico.net Help LGBTQ+ Mexican Citizens Move To Spain?
Gaymexico.net provides valuable resources and information for LGBTQ+ Mexican citizens considering a move to Spain, including guidance on LGBTQ+-friendly areas and support networks, ensuring a welcoming and inclusive experience. Gaymexico.net understands the unique challenges and opportunities faced by LGBTQ+ individuals. We offer resources to help you find welcoming communities, access relevant support networks, and stay informed about LGBTQ+ rights in Spain.
Our immigration lawyers in Spain can give you more detailed information about how to relocate from Mexico. Contact us for detailed answers.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions About Mexican Citizens Living in Spain
1. Is it easy for a Mexican to move to Spain?
It can be relatively easy for Mexicans to move to Spain due to the shared language and cultural similarities. However, it’s essential to meet all visa and residency requirements.
2. How long can a Mexican stay in Spain without a visa?
Mexican citizens can stay in Spain for up to 90 days without a visa for tourism or business purposes.
3. Can a Mexican citizen work in Spain?
Yes, Mexican citizens can work in Spain if they obtain the appropriate work visa or residence permit that allows employment.
4. What is the cost of living in Spain compared to Mexico?
The cost of living in Spain is generally higher than in Mexico, especially in major cities like Madrid and Barcelona. However, it can vary depending on the specific location and lifestyle.
5. What are the most LGBTQ+-friendly cities in Spain?
Major cities like Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia are known for their vibrant LGBTQ+ communities and welcoming environments.
6. How can I find LGBTQ+ resources and support in Spain?
Numerous LGBTQ+ organizations and community centers throughout Spain offer support, resources, and social activities.
7. What are the main cultural differences between Mexico and Spain?
While there are shared cultural elements, differences exist in areas such as cuisine, social customs, and work culture.
8. Is healthcare accessible for Mexican immigrants in Spain?
Yes, once legal residency is established, Mexican immigrants can access Spain’s public healthcare system.
9. What are the requirements for a Mexican citizen to obtain Spanish citizenship?
The requirements include legal residency in Spain for a specific period (usually ten years), demonstrating good conduct, and passing cultural and language tests.
10. How can gaymexico.net assist with my move to Spain?
Gaymexico.net provides resources, information, and connections to LGBTQ+-friendly communities and services in Spain, helping ensure a smooth and welcoming transition.
Moving to a new country is a significant decision, and we at gaymexico.net are here to support you every step of the way. Our goal is to provide you with the information and resources you need to make your dream of living in Spain a reality.
Ready to start your adventure in Spain? Visit gaymexico.net for more information, resources, and connections to the LGBTQ+ community in Mexico and beyond. Let us help you make your move to Spain a success!
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