In order to immigrate to Spain from Brazil, individuals will need to apply for a visa that is suited for their purpose of stay. This can be for employment, study, or investment purposes, as detailed below by our team of Spain immigration agents.
Talking to one of our specialists before submitting the visa application can be helpful to better understand the needed documents as well as the conditions for the visa approval. It is recommended to reach out for a case evaluation before making the necessary submissions to the Spanish embassy or consulate in your Brazilian city in order to make sure that the submission is an adequate one.
Table of Contents
Conditions for relocating to Spain
An increasing number of Brazilian citizens are choosing to move to Spain. The relocation is easier because the two countries share similarities and have a certain level of cultural and language ties. The migration process is facilitated because Brazilians are in no need of a special provisional visa to enter Europe for tourist or short-term purposes. However, the usual requirements for obtaining a work permit and a residence permit still apply in their case.
What are the main types of visas that can be issued to Brazilian immigrants? We list them below:
- the employment visa: for those who wish to become employed or work as self-employed individuals.
- the highly skilled professional visa: for individuals who is a qualified professional in a certain business field and whose expertise will benefit the Spanish employer.
- the investor visa: applicable to those individuals who are looking to open a company in Spain or invest in existing companies or stock.
- the study visa: for those Brazilians who were admitted to a university in Spain and need a long-term visa to go through with the studies.
The application process includes submitting a relevant application for together with the additional documentation to the Spanish embassy or consulate. This is made in person, and the applicant also needs to submit other documents, as needed. For example, the types of documents that are submitted, irrespective of the type of visa, are copies of the applicant’s identification documents (a valid passport), insurance, proof that the individual can sustain himself (and the family, when applicable), and others.
You can get in touch with our local specialists who can provide you with all the information you require regarding obtaining a residence permit in Spain through real estate purchases. If you want additional information beforehand, you may also read our articles on this subject and then get in touch with our immigration lawyers for practical details. Our lawyers can explain how to immigrate to Spain.
You can obtain Spanish residence through a procedure known as naturalization if you have maintained continuous legal residency in Spain for a predetermined number of years. This status is given to all foreigners who have been present in the nation for a sufficient amount of time. You can enter Spain with your residence permit, renew it as necessary, and after the time period necessary for your condition has passed, you will be given citizenship in Spain.
You can also get assistance for temporary relocation. Our lawyers can help you obtain a Spanish nomad visa if you choose to temporarily relocate here utilizing one. We are here to assist anyone who wants to move to one of Europe’s most beautiful countries. Do not hesitate to contact us if you require help acquiring this visa.
Steps for Spain immigration
Once the visa has been approved, the applicant will need to follow a number of additional steps:
- travel to Spain: this is to be scheduled within the timeframe stipulated on the visa, in most cases approximately 90 days.
- apply for the residence permit: this is a step that needs to be handled within 30 days of arrival in Spain.
- apply for the identification number: the NIE is the identification number assigned to all foreign nationals.
- apply for the identity card: foreigners who stay in Spain for longer than six months are required to have a foreign identity card.
- handle other matters: renting a property and making other arrangements as needed, such as finding a school or kindergarten for children.
The application for the NIE can also be submitted through a representative who has been duly accredited. One of our immigration lawyers can help you during this stage if you want to relocate to Spain.
Brazilian citizens who have been living in Spain for five uninterrupted years can become permanent residents. Once this status is obtained, a foreign national will have the right to reside and work in Spain under the same conditions as Spanish nationals. However, this is subject to further conditions, and our team of Spain immigration agents can give you more information on the requirements.
Foreign nationals who wish to come to the country and not base their long-term stay on employment can do so when they can prove that they have sufficient means to sustain themselves and their families, when applicable. This is also known as the non-lucrative visa, and it can be a suitable option for Brazilians who wish to retire in Spain or those who have a steady income in the country upon which they can depend and still wish to move to Spain.
Understanding the conditions under which a visa application must be submitted is important before traveling to Spain. Our team can help applicants comply with the ongoing regulations and requirements for Brazilians who wish to work, study, or invest in Spain.
Immigrate to Spain from Brazil through the non-lucrative visa
One of the popular ways to relocate to Spain from Brazil is the non-lucrative visa, which can now also be used as a replacement for the former Golden Visa program. However, there are specific conditions to meet to be granted this visa, among which the most important the income requirement. An applicant needs an income of at least EUR 25,560 per year as proof that he/she can sustain life in Spain. If moving with family members, an additional EUR 6,400 annually is required per relative. The income can come from various sources, such as savings, investments, and pensions. From the latter point of view, this is a great option for those seeking to retire to Spain.
Another important aspect to know about this visa is that it has a validity of 3 months, it enables stays of up to 90 days in Spain with multiple entries and does not enable the holder to take up work in Spain. In the case of those who want to relocate here on the long term, they can apply for residence cards. Provided they spend at least 183 days in a calendar year, they can obtain Spanish residence permits with a validity of 2 years, provided they meet the income requirements. After 5 years, they will also become eligible for permanent residency.
If you find this visa type suitable for your plans related to immigration to Spain, you can rely on our specialized lawyers for support in filing for it.
Work visas to move to Spain from Brazil
Employment as an immigration pathway has several benefits for Brazilian citizens. First of all, there are several types of visas available. Secondly, one can work and make a living here stress-free. Here are the main options to immigrate to Spain from Brazil with a work visa:
- temporary or fixed-term employment visas;
- self-employment work permit.
For the first type of visa, the Brazilian national needs a job offer. For the second type, the applicant needs a business plan, which must be filed with the Self-Employed Workers Association for approval. After having the plan acknowledged, the candidate can file for the visa and start the relocation procedures.
There is also the Spanish digital nomad visa for those who do not want to take up employment in Spain but want to live here and continue work arrangements with Brazilian employers.
How many South Americans live in Spain?
According to the most recent information on the immigrants, a Spanish research institute shows that at the level of 2024:
- there were more than 4.2 million Latin Americans living in Spain;
- they represented 9% of the country’s resident population, as well as 48% of the immigrant inhabitants;
- they also accounted for 66% of the immigrants coming from non-European countries.
You may choose to apply for a nomad visa in Spain, which was established in accordance with the Startup Law, if you intend to travel temporarily. The visa intends to give remote employees the opportunity to settle down here without having to apply for a regular residence permit. In return, they are obligated.
Contact our immigration lawyers for more information about how to move to Spain, how we can evaluate your case and the services we provide to expats living in Spanish cities. Do not hesitate to inquire about how to obtain Spanish citizenship.

