In order to immigrate to Spain from China, individuals can find a job in Spain, live and work in the country for a number of years, before they can become permanent residents. The naturalization process is the one usually applicable to immigrants from China, or in some cases, the alternative method of acquiring citizenship through marriage, although this process is also under a set of regulations.
Our team of Spain immigration agents can help Chinese nationals who wish to move to the country and make their stay in Madrid or another city a permanent one.
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How can you move from China to Spain?
Chinese immigrants in Spain need to go through a set of procedures even before they enter the country. Their arrival in Spain is conditioned by obtaining a visa from the Embassy of Spain in Beijing or from the Consulate General in other cities. The visa application starts by submitting the needed form, together with the required identification documents. The applicant will need to fill in the current occupation, which may also be linked to the travel purpose to Spain. For example, he can travel as a businessman, a company employee, a student or in other cases. When the applicant intends to move to Spain to live and work, he will be asked to provide the employment contract secured with the Spanish employer before commencing the visa application procedure. In this case, the name of the employer will be included in the visa application form.
A Chinese national interested in Spain immigration can either come to the country as an employee or use one of the following other methods of moving to the country and becoming a resident:
- apply for the business visa: an alternative is to invest in a significant business project in Spain; the project will be analyzed accordingly, however, Chinese entrepreneurs can find various opportunities.
- apply for a skilled worker visa: Chinese specialists and professionals can move to Spain if they are employed as a skilled worker.
- apply for a student visa: this is possible for Chinese nationals who wish to study in Spain; for immigration purposes, they will need to extend their stay by becoming employed in the country once they finish their studies.
If you want to relocate to Spain from China, you can rely on our lawyers. Since this country is a non-EU member, all foreign nationals who move here can qualify for residency in Spain but can also acquire EU residence and are permitted to travel unrestricted within the Union. Additionally, Spain is a Schengen nation, allowing foreign citizens to visit their home nations without needing to obtain additional visas. For more information on becoming a Spanish resident, you can get in touch with our lawyers.
When you choose to relocate to Europe, we offer individualized support and take into account your specific circumstances. For detailed information on how we may help you apply for a nomad visa in Spain, get in touch with one of our immigration agents. This is a rather new program, however, it is one of the most advantageous for foreign citizens seeking to get acquainted with the country before making a definitive decision.
If you want to apply for Spanish citizenship, our immigration attorneys are also at your disposal. You can accomplish this in a number of ways, and the primary application method will differ depending on the circumstances. Feel free to contact with us to learn if you qualify and how to get a passport for Spain.
What are the conditions for Chinese immigrants in Spain?
Chinese citizens who wish to immigrate to Spain will not only need to apply for the appropriate visa, but they will also need to submit proof that they qualify for the other conditions. The immigrant is required not to have a criminal record and must prove that they will have sufficient economic means to sustain themselves and the dependent individuals (when applicable) during their entire stay in Spain. It is also mandatory to have adequate healthcare insurance when living in Spain.
Another important step for all Chinese immigrants is to apply for the NIE number. This is essentially a tax identification number for a foreign individual who intends to stay in the country for more than several months, and it is inscribed on the residence card and also appears in the social security information. One of our Spain immigration agents can help you apply for this number with the General State Administration. It is important to note that the application for this number is a separate one from registering with the municipality in which the applicant will live, a separate step that can be described in detail by our immigration lawyers who are at the service of those who want to relocate to Spain. The Civil Code, which was released in 1889, is one of the country’s fundamental laws and regulates citizenship in Spain. However, the government has made a number of changes that have an impact on how you can become a citizen. For instance, those are the ones listed in the Royal Decree 1004/2005.
Moving to Spain can present various business opportunities for a Chinese investor or perhaps opportunities for employment for those who wish to work in a European country. It is important to understand the requirements and steps needed to legally reside in Spain in order to make the transition as smooth as possible.
Our Spanish immigration specialists have experience working with foreigners. Depending on the cause for the move, applicants for Spanish residency must go through a different process. We can give you further information about the conditions that must be met. Speaking with one of our immigration specialists can be helpful in understanding how to go about doing this.
The non-lucrative visa for Chinese citizens
One of the simplest ways to immigrate to Spain from China is through the non-lucrative visa. This is, in fact, a Spanish residence permit for temporary stay which can be useful to people who:
- do not speak Spanish well and cannot take employment;
- want to retire to this beautiful country;
- want to live here for a limited duration of time and then decide if Spain is a good fit for them.
The visa can also be used for family reunion purposes in certain cases. Moreover, if you are interested in emigrating to Spain, this residence permit can replace the Golden Visa scheme to some extent, as one of its requirements is to have sufficient funds to sustain your stay here.
Why should you choose the non-lucrative visa if you want to relocate to Spain from China? Here are some of the main benefits:
- the amount you need for self-sufficiency is around EUR 26,000 per year;
- you can move with the family on a single application under the form of a main candidate and other dependents;
- for each dependent, an additional EUR 6,000 must be added to the initial sum;
- the visa has a 3-months validity period, following which you can file for a 2-year residence permit.
If you want to apply for this visa, you can rely on our immigration lawyers in Spain.
Employment visa options for Chinese citizens
If you obtain a job with a Spanish company, you can move to Spain from China based on a work visa. Moreover, alongside it, you will also be issued a residence card. Another alternative is intra-company transfer visa. For this one, you can:
- hold a managerial position in the company sending you to Spain;
- be a skilled worker.
Our Spanish immigration lawyers can offer detailed information on the skilled worker visa to make sure you fit its criteria.
Another attractive option, if you are a freelancer, is to apply for a Spanish nomad visa. This country has a dedicated program for digital nomads, which means you benefit from clear rules when applying for it.
Securing citizenship in Spain
If you relocate to Spain from China and want to obtain a passport, the same rules applicable to other nationalities apply: you must live here at least 10 years. This is also the case of those who immigrate to Spain from the USA, as exceptions apply only to citizens in South American states.
How many Chinese people live in Spain?
The Chinese population in Spain is significant in Madrid, Barcelona, or Andalusia. Immigrants from China have been coming to Spain in larger numbers starting in the 1930s, and since then, the demography of the population has been a dynamic one, with second-generation migrants being thoroughly integrated and even moving away from the existing traditional family business, such as restaurants, for example.
According to the latest data gathered by Statista.com, at the level of 2024, there were around 249,000 Chinese citizens living in Spain. Other information shows that:
- the Chinese community is the 7th largest non-EU community in Spain;
- the number of Chinese people living in Spain has risen slightly but constantly in the past 30 years.
Please feel free to contact our immigration lawyers in Spain for detailed information about the mandatory steps. If you want to move to Spain from another country, you can rely on us.