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Roadmap · stage 1 of 12

Preparing at home and choosing a basis

Identify your basis, where to apply and your consulate, check the rules in force on the filing date and plan your certificates before the first payment.

This stage was prepared by the ReloVictory team from primary sources; it has not yet been checked by a lawyer, and each item is marked with the date it was verified.

In brief

  • Choose the basis by what you will do in Spain: DNV, no lucrativa, study, work, family, arraigo
  • From abroad you apply through the consulate for your district; from Spain, only while legally present
  • Rules are checked against the consolidated BOE text: RD 1155/2024, RD 316/2026, TS ruling of 08.07.2026
  • The Moscow and Saint Petersburg consulates book appointments themselves; since 01.06.2026 BLS takes some visas for the Moscow district
Edit profile

Step 1

Where do you need to be on the day you file a residence permit application in Spain: abroad or in Spain?

Where you file is set by the rule for your basis. A residence visa is filed in person at the consulate for the district where the applicant lives (article 26 of RD 1155/2024) [1]. No lucrativa goes only through the consulate (article 63) [1]. A permit under Ley 14/2013, including the DNV, can be requested from Spain while legally present (article 74 quinquies) [2]; in its answers the UGE confirms that from the country of origin you apply for a visa, not a permit [3].

  • Online
  • Free
Where, how to book, documents, cost, timeframe
Where
Consulate for your district of residence, or the UGE and Oficina de Extranjería in Spain
Documents
  • passport
  • proof of legal stay in Spain, if you file from Spain
Cost
free
Period
decide this before gathering the file: the document list depends on it

In detail: full article · route card: DNV · route card: no lucrativa · route card: study · route card: work · route card: family · route card: arraigo · glossary term · glossary term

Checked against the source on 03.10.2026. This is guidance, not a legal opinion.

Step 2

How do you choose the basis for a residence permit in Spain?

The basis for a Spanish residence permit is chosen by what you will do, not by nationality: remote work for a foreign company is the DNV, living on your own means without working is no lucrativa, an in-person programme is a student estancia, a contract with a Spanish employer is cuenta ajena, a resident relative means the family route, two years in Spain without status is arraigo. The Ministry keeps a list of hojas informativas for each type of permit [1]; the site’s route cards describe each path [2].

  • Online
  • Free
  • Lawyer needed
Where, how to book, documents, cost, timeframe
Cost
free

In detail: full article · route card: DNV · route card: no lucrativa · route card: study · route card: work · route card: family · route card: arraigo

Checked against the source on 03.10.2026. This is guidance, not a legal opinion.

Step 3

Where do you download the hoja informativa for your procedure?

A hoja informativa is the Ministerio de Inclusión fact sheet for each permit: requirements, documents, form, fee, decision deadline. As of 03.10.2026 these are available: hoja 6 (no lucrativa, May 2025), hoja 1 (study, November 2025), hoja 8 (family reunification, May 2025), hoja 12 (employment, May 2025), hoja 28 (arraigo social, April 2026) [1]. Each sheet warns that it is for guidance only and that the rule in force on the filing date applies [2].

  • Online
  • Free
Where, how to book, documents, cost, timeframe
Where
inclusion.gob.es, Hojas informativas section
Cost
free
Period
the sheets are updated irregularly: check the “Última actualización” date on the page

In detail: full article · route card: no lucrativa · route card: study · route card: work · route card: family · route card: arraigo

Checked against the source on 03.10.2026. This is guidance, not a legal opinion.

Step 4

Which documents does the UGE publish for DNV applicants?

The Unidad de Grandes Empresas y Colectivos Estratégicos (UGE) publishes two documents for the DNV: a document list for main applicants and answers to frequently asked questions [1][2]. The list names a full copy of the passport, fee 790-038, proof of a relationship with the company of at least three months, company activity of at least one year, income, social security cover, a criminal record certificate and insurance [1]. The answers cover RETA, the 20% rule and applying from abroad [2].

  • Online
  • Free
Where, how to book, documents, cost, timeframe
Where
inclusion.gob.es, UGE page “Solicitudes”
Cost
free

More: full article · route card: DNV · glossary term

Checked against the source on 03.10.2026. This is guidance, not a legal opinion.

Step 5

How do you check the current version of RD 1155/2024 before filing?

Read the foreigners regulation, RD 1155/2024, in its consolidated version on boe.es: it marks the amendments made by RD 316/2026 (in force since 16.04.2026) and notes on provisions annulled by the Tribunal Supremo [1][2]. The TS ruling of 08.07.2026 was published in the BOE on 22.09.2026 and lists the annulled rules in its operative part [3]. The ruling of 29.07.2026 repeats the annulment of article 197.2 and rejects the claimants’ other claims [4]. Keep the version date together with your file.

  • Online
  • Free
Where, how to book, documents, cost, timeframe
Where
boe.es, «Legislación consolidada»
Cost
free

More: full article · glossary term

Checked against the source on 03.10.2026. This is guidance, not a legal opinion.

Step 6

Is electronic filing mandatory after the annulment of article 197.2 of RD 1155/2024?

In its ruling of 08.07.2026, the Tribunal Supremo declared article 197.2 of RD 1155/2024 void in full: it required individuals to file estancia extensions, permit renewals and several other applications electronically [1]. The court noted that the government may introduce an obligation to communicate electronically for specific procedures under article 14.3 of Ley 39/2015 [1][2]. So check the filing channel on the page for your procedure and in the Oficina de Extranjería notice on the day you file.

  • Online
  • In person
  • Free
Where, how to book, documents, cost, timeframe
Where
Provincial Oficina de Extranjería or the consulate
Cost
free

More: full article · glossary term

Checked against the source on 03.10.2026. This is guidance, not a legal opinion.

Step 7

What conditions do you need to meet for the DNV in Spain?

The DNV (residencia por teletrabajo de carácter internacional) under article 74 bis of Ley 14/2013 is granted to people working remotely for companies outside Spain; a self-employed applicant may have Spanish clients for no more than 20% of their activity [1]. You need a grado or postgrado degree, FP, a business school qualification, or at least three years of experience [1]. The UGE requires a relationship with the company of at least three months and genuine company activity of at least one year, shown by a registry extract [2].

  • Online
  • Free
  • Lawyer needed
Where, how to book, documents, cost, timeframe
Documents
  • employment contract or contrato mercantil
  • the company’s commercial register extract
  • degree or proof of experience
Cost
free

More: full article · route card: DNV · glossary term

Checked against the source on 03.10.2026. This is guidance, not a legal opinion.

Step 8

How do you calculate DNV income in 2026?

The DNV income threshold for 2026 is €2,849 gross a month for the applicant, equal to 200% of the SMI according to the UGE document [1]. The first family member adds €1,068 (75% of the SMI), each additional one €356 (25% of the SMI) [1]. The amount is proved with nóminas or facturas for the three months before filing and a bank statement in the applicant’s name showing the same payments [1]. The Moscow consulate gives the same percentages [2].

  • Online
  • Free
Where, how to book, documents, cost, timeframe
Documents
  • payslips or invoices for three months
  • bank statement for the same three months
Cost
free
Period
income is shown for the three months before the filing date

More: full article · route card: DNV

Checked against the source on 03.10.2026. This is guidance, not a legal opinion.

Step 9

How much money do you need to show for no lucrativa?

For no lucrativa, article 62 of RD 1155/2024 requires 400% of IPREM a month for the applicant and 100% of IPREM for each family member; the total is calculated for the full term of the permit requested, and IPREM is taken as of the visa application [1]. Hoja 6 and the Moscow consulate repeat these percentages [2][3]. Any admissible evidence is accepted: statements, bank certificates, property, certified cheques [1].

  • Online
  • Free
Where, how to book, documents, cost, timeframe
Documents
  • bank certificates and statements
  • documents on property or regular income
Cost
free
Period
the amount is tied to the visa application date; on renewal it is recalculated

More: full article · route card: no lucrativa

Checked against the source on 03.10.2026. This is guidance, not a legal opinion.

Step 10

Which study programme qualifies for a student visa to Spain?

A student estancia visa under article 34 of RD 1155/2024 is issued for a programme longer than 90 days at a centre recognised in Spain: higher education, post-compulsory secondary school, exchange, volunteering, courses [1]. The Moscow consulate accepts an in-person or hybrid format in which at least 50% of the programme is attended in person [2]. Funds: 100% of IPREM a month for the student, 75% for the first family member, 50% for each additional one [3].

  • Online
  • Free
Where, how to book, documents, cost, timeframe
Documents
  • enrolment letter with dates
  • proof of matrícula payment
Cost
free

More: full article · route card: studies

Checked against the source on 03.10.2026. This is guidance, not a legal opinion.

Step 11

What does an employer check before hiring a foreign national in Spain?

For cuenta ajena employment, the employer files the application, not the worker (hoja 12) [1]. The employer shows that the situación nacional de empleo allows the hire: the occupation is in the catálogo de ocupaciones de difícil cobertura that SEPE publishes every quarter, or the employment service has confirmed a shortage of candidates, or an exception applies [1][2]. At this step the worker pays and files nothing; their fee comes at the visa stage.

  • Online
  • Free
Where, how to book, documents, cost, timeframe
Where
Oficina de Extranjería for the place of work; in Catalonia, initial work permits are handled by the Generalitat
Documents
  • contract signed by both parties
  • confirmation from the catalogue or a certificate from the employment service
Cost
free
Period
decision on the employer’s application: three months, silence means refusal (hoja 12)

In detail: full article · route card: work

Checked against the source on 03.10.2026. This is guidance, not a legal opinion.

Step 12

Which rules apply to a residence permit for family members in Spain?

The family regime depends on the status of the person you are joining. The family of a resident foreign national falls under articles 65-71 of RD 1155/2024 (reagrupación familiar) [1]. The family of a Spanish citizen falls under articles 93-99, part of whose wording the TS annulled on 08.07.2026 [1][3]. The family of a DNV holder applies together with the holder or later under article 62.4 of Ley 14/2013 [2]. The family of a citizen of another EU state follows RD 240/2007.

  • Online
  • Free
  • Lawyer needed
Where, how to book, documents, cost, timeframe
Documents
  • document showing the sponsor’s status: TIE, DNI, UGE permit
Cost
free

More: full article · route card: family

Checked against the source on 03.10.2026. This is guidance, not a legal opinion.

Step 13

What conditions must the sponsor meet for reagrupación familiar?

Reagrupación familiar under the general regime is available once the sponsor has lived in Spain for at least a year and has applied for a permit for at least one more year (hoja 8) [1]. Income under article 67 of RD 1155/2024: 150% of IPREM a month for a family of two and 50% of IPREM for each additional member, regular and stable [2]. Suitable housing and insurance are required; when minors are being reunited, the amount may be reduced in the child’s interest [1][2].

  • Online
  • In person
  • Free
Where, how to book, documents, cost, timeframe
Where
Oficina de Extranjería for the sponsor’s province
Documents
  • contract and nóminas for six months, or other proof of income
  • housing documents
Cost
free
Period
decision on the sponsor’s application: two months, silence means refusal (hoja 8)

More: full article · route card: family

Checked against the source on 03.10.2026. This is guidance, not a legal opinion.

Step 14

What are the general requirements for arraigo in Spain from 2026?

Arraigo under article 126 of RD 1155/2024 requires you to be in Spain and to have lived in the country continuously for at least two years before filing (except arraigo familiar), not to be an applicant for international protection, to have no criminal record in Spain or in your countries of residence for the five years before entry, and to pay the fee [1]. RD 316/2026 added a point: you must not hold a valid stay or residence permit [2].

  • In person
  • Government fee
  • Lawyer needed
Where, how to book, documents, cost, timeframe
Where
Oficina de Extranjería for your place of residence
Documents
  • full copy of the passport
  • evidence of two years’ residence
  • criminal record certificate
Cost
state fee €38.28, form 790 code 790-052
Period
decision in three months, silence means refusal (hoja 28)

More: full article · route card: arraigo · glossary term

Checked against the source on 03.10.2026. This is guidance, not a legal opinion.

Step 15

How do you count 90 days in 180 before filing from Spain?

The 90/180 rule for Schengen: in any 180-day period you may stay no more than 90 days; the window is rolling, and for each day you count 180 days back [1]. The European Commission offers a short-stay calculator with “check” and “planning” modes [1]. Filing with the UGE under Ley 14/2013 extends your legal stay until the decision, but the application must reach the UGE before the 90 days and the visa expire [2].

  • Online
  • Free
Where, how to book, documents, cost, timeframe
Documents
  • entry and exit stamps or tickets for the count
Cost
free
Period
count as of the planned filing date, not the date of entry

More: full article · route card: DNV

Checked against the source on 03.10.2026. This is guidance, not a legal opinion.

Step 16

Which Spanish consulate do you file with from Russia and Belarus?

The Consulate General of Spain in Moscow covers Russia, except Saint Petersburg, the Leningrad, Murmansk, Novgorod, Pskov and Kaliningrad regions and Karelia, and also Armenia, Belarus, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan [1]. North-west Russia is assigned to the Consulate General in Saint Petersburg [2]. The visa application is filed at the consulate for the district where you live (article 26.1 of RD 1155/2024) or with the consulate’s external provider [3].

  • Online
  • Free
Where, how to book, documents, cost, timeframe
Where
Consulate General in Moscow (Stremyanniy pereulok 31/1) or in Saint Petersburg (Furshtatskaya 9)
Documents
  • document showing residence in the district: Russian internal passport or residence permit
Cost
free

In detail: full article

Checked against the source on 03.10.2026. This is guidance, not a legal opinion.

Step 17

How do you book a national visa appointment at the Spanish consulate in Moscow or Saint Petersburg?

Booking in Moscow (page of 20.11.2025): email cog.moscu.citas@maec.es with a photo of your face next to your open passport, your details and the visa type, one email per person; appointments are not given to agencies [1]. Since 01.06.2026, study, family reunification, employment, highly qualified and no lucrativa applications from the Moscow district are filed at BLS centres [2]. Saint Petersburg takes study, teletrabajo and no lucrativa itself, booking via cog.sanpeter.vis@maec.es [3].

  • By post
  • Online
  • Free
Where, how to book, documents, cost, timeframe
Where
Consulate General in Moscow, BLS centres in the district, or Consulate General in Saint Petersburg
How to book
an email to the consulate’s address; for no lucrativa and cuenta propia in Moscow, the “Elegir fecha y hora” link
Documents
  • passport
  • for employment, research, family reunification: a favourable decision from the Spanish authorities
  • for study: an admission letter with dates
Cost
free
Period
booking no earlier than 4 days ahead; for study, the Moscow consulate asks you to book 3 months before the course starts

In detail: full article

Checked against the source on 03.10.2026. This is guidance, not a legal opinion.

Step 18

Do you need an NIE before applying for a DNV visa?

There is no official answer. How to check: ask the Moscow consulate by email at cog.moscu@maec.es whether an NIE is needed before the DNV visa, and show a lawyer article 205.3 of RD 1155/2024: it grants the NIE ex officio with visas longer than 90 days [3]. On its teletrabajo visa page, the Moscow consulate asks you to request the NIE together with the visa: form EX-15 and fee 790-012 [1][2]; Istanbul requires the NIE at filing [4]. Whether to pay in advance is for a lawyer to decide.

  • By post
  • In person
  • Government fee
Where, how to book, documents, cost, timeframe
Where
Consulate for your district of residence (from abroad the NIE is requested through the consulate under article 205.4 of RD 1155/2024)
How to book
in Moscow, according to the NIE page: an email with form EX-15 to cog.moscu@maec.es, then the consulate sets a date to sign the form and pay; the NIE is sent by email
Documents
  • form EX-15 stating the reasons
  • passport and a copy of the data page
  • proof of residence in the district
  • form 790-012, paid
Cost
state fee €9.84, form 790 code 790-012
Period
the Moscow consulate states two weeks “por término medio” (NIE page with no date, opened 03.10.2026); the deadline under article 205.4 is five days, silence means refusal

More: full article · route card: DNV · glossary term

Checked against the source on 03.10.2026. This is guidance, not a legal opinion.

Step 19

How do you build a filing calendar for a residence permit: certificate age and filing windows?

The calendar is built backwards from the filing date. Windows under RD 1155/2024: a student visa is filed no later than two months before studies start (article 36.1); an employment visa within a month of the employer being notified (article 40.1 b); a family reunification visa within two months of the decision on the sponsor (article 40.1 a) [1]. The law does not set how long certificates remain valid: the receiving authority decides, so order the certificates last [2].

  • Online
  • Free
Where, how to book, documents, cost, timeframe
Cost
free
Period
DNV income is shown for the three months before filing; the housing report for family reunification must be no older than six months

In detail: full article

Checked against the source on 03.10.2026. This is guidance, not a legal opinion.

Step 20

When do you need a lawyer before filing for a residence permit?

Previous refusals, documents from several countries, mixed income, criminal records, minors without the other parent, no legal stay: under article 28.5 of RD 1155/2024 a visa is refused when requirements are not proved or the information is inaccurate [1].

  • In person
  • Costs
  • Lawyer needed

Checked 03.10.2026 more in the article

What you can do yourself and what we take on

You can complete every item of this stage on your own: each one says where to go, how to book and what to bring. Where going ahead without a lawyer is risky, there is a separate panel with options for help, including free ones. ReloVictory prepares the document set, accompanies the filing and handles the case: 15 minutes free, a full consultation €121 for 45 minutes, case handling priced by quote, fees and translations extra. Book a consultation

Frequently asked questions

Can you apply for a residence permit while in Spain on a tourist visa?
It depends on the basis. A permit under Ley 14/2013 (DNV and other UGE applications) can be filed from Spain while legally present (article 74 quinquies); no lucrativa is filed only through the consulate (article 63 of RD 1155/2024); arraigo only from Spain. Your stay is counted under the rule of 90 days in any 180: the window is rolling.
Which Spanish consulate covers Russia and Belarus?
Consulate General in Moscow: Russia, except Saint Petersburg, the Leningrad, Murmansk, Novgorod, Pskov and Kaliningrad regions and Karelia, and also Armenia, Belarus, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan. North-west Russia belongs to the Consulate General in Saint Petersburg. The district pages were opened on 03.10.2026.
How much do you need to earn for the DNV in 2026?
The applicant needs an income of €2,849 gross a month (200% of the SMI); the first family member adds €1,068 and each additional one €356. Income is proved with payslips or invoices and a bank statement for the three months before filing. Amounts according to the UGE document and RD 126/2026 on the SMI.
How much money do I need for no lucrativa?
Article 62 of RD 1155/2024 requires 400% of IPREM a month for the applicant and 100% of IPREM for each family member, multiplied by the term of the permit. The amount is calculated as of the visa application. Proof: statements, bank certificates, property; for foreign accounts the regulation lists the details the bank certificate must include.
What did the Tribunal Supremo ruling of 8 July 2026 change?
The ruling (BOE 22.09.2026) annulled article 197.2 of RD 1155/2024 on mandatory electronic filing for a number of procedures and several other provisions, including the word “solteras” in article 159.1. The filing channel is now confirmed for each procedure; the Oficina de Extranjería may introduce electronic filing by a separate act.

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