EU Long-Term Residence in Spain

Permanent residence in Spain with added EU mobility

Spain's EU Long-Term Residence Permit grants non-EU nationals the right to live and work indefinitely in Spain, while also making it easier to obtain residence and work permits in other EU Member States. It is an enhanced version of long-term residence, ideal for those who plan to remain in Spain but wish to keep future options open elsewhere in the EU.

At NomadTaxSpain, we help residents transition from temporary permits to EU Long-Term status and advise on whether the EU or national long-term route better fits their personal and professional plans.

What is EU Long-Term Residence?

The EU Long-Term Residence Permit is a permanent status available to non-EU nationals who have lived legally and continuously in Spain for at least five years and who meet specific economic and health insurance requirements.

It offers the same rights as the national long-term residence in Spain — the right to reside and work indefinitely — plus the added benefit of easier relocation within the European Union.

Holders of the EU Long-Term Residence Permit can apply for equivalent permits in other EU countries under preferential conditions, making it particularly attractive for people who may want to move for work, business or family reasons in the future.

Who can apply?

You may qualify for EU Long-Term Residence if:

• You have lived in Spain legally and continuously for at least five years.
• Your absences from Spain have not exceeded:
  • Six consecutive months at any one time, and
  • Ten months in total over the five years; or up to 18 months for justified employment-related reasons.

  Additional exceptions may apply for force majeure situations or international cooperation programmes.

• You can prove stable and regular economic means, in line with thresholds used for family reunification.
• You have public or private health insurance valid in Spain.
• You hold a valid residence permit at the time of application.
• You have no serious criminal record and do not pose a threat to public order or security.

Time spent in Spain under study, volunteering or training stays can be taken into account, but typically only at 50 percent of their duration. A specific analysis of your residence history is essential before applying.

Key requirements

• Proof of five years of legal and continuous residence

  Typically demonstrated through a combination of:

  • Historic empadronamiento (census registration).
  • Social Security contribution records (if applicable).
  • Previous residence cards and resolutions.
  • Other official administrative certificates.
• Sufficient economic resources

  Your income must be stable, regular and at least equivalent to the thresholds used for family reunification. Evidence may include:

  • Employment contracts and recent payslips.
  • Social Security reports.
  • Bank statements showing regular income.
  • Spanish tax returns (IRPF) where applicable.
• Health insurance

  You must hold public or private health insurance authorised to operate in Spain, covering you and your dependent family members.

• Clean criminal records

  Criminal record certificates from your country of origin and from any country where you have lived during the previous five years, usually issued within the last three months.

• Valid passport and residence card
  • Full, valid passport.
  • Current residence card (TIE) in force.
• Application form & fees
  • Form EX-11, clearly marking the "EU Long-Term Residence" option.
  • Payment of fee 790/052 for the residence application.
  • After approval, payment of fee 790/012 for the EU Long-Term TIE card.
• Legalised and translated documents

  Foreign documents must be apostilled or legalised and accompanied by a sworn translation into Spanish whenever required by law.

Application procedure

1. Submit the application in Spain or abroad

   You may apply in one of two ways:

   • In Spain: at the Immigration Office in the province where you reside; or
   • Abroad: at the Spanish Consulate in your country of residence, which forwards the application to the competent Immigration Office in Spain.
2. Administrative review

   The Immigration Office verifies that you meet the five-year residence requirement, that your absences are within the legal limits, and that you comply with the economic means, health insurance and criminal record conditions.

   When there are minor children, proof of school enrolment may also be requested.

3. Resolution

   The administration must issue a decision within three months. If no resolution is notified within that period, the application is considered approved by positive administrative silence.

4. TIE issuance

   Once approved, you must request your EU Long-Term Residence Card (TIE), valid for five years, at the corresponding police station. This involves paying the TIE fee, having your fingerprints taken and later collecting the physical card.

Rights and benefits of EU Long-Term Residence

Holders of the EU Long-Term Residence Permit enjoy a wide range of rights, including:

• Permanent right to live and work in Spain, with a five-year renewable TIE card.
• Free access to the labour market, as employees or self-employed professionals.
• Access to healthcare, education and social services under the same conditions as other long-term residents.
• Favourable rules for family reunification, with more flexible conditions than many temporary permits.
• Preferential access to residence and work permits in other EU countries, which can be particularly useful if you plan to move, work or study elsewhere in the EU.
• Potential eligibility for Spanish nationality depending on your country of origin and personal circumstances.

In general, the EU Long-Term version is ideal for people who want solid, permanent residence in Spain while preserving future mobility options across the EU. For those planning to remain exclusively in Spain, the national long-term residence may be simpler and sufficient.

Why choose NomadTaxSpain?

We assist residents throughout the entire EU Long-Term Residence process, combining immigration expertise with practical guidance on tax and residency planning.

Our support typically includes:

• Analysing your eligibility, residence history and periods of absence.
• Preparing and reviewing all required documentation, including economic and insurance evidence.
• Coordinating sworn translations, apostilles and legalisations.
• Filing the application and monitoring its progress with the Immigration Office.
• Post-approval steps such as TIE, padrón and Social Security updates.
• Guidance on your mobility rights within the EU and how to use them in practice.
• Tax and residency planning tailored to long-term and mobile residents.

We regularly support clients across Mallorca and the rest of Spain who wish to secure a stable, permanent immigration status while keeping open the possibility of moving around the EU in the future.

Start your EU Long-Term Residence application

If you have lived legally in Spain for at least five years and want to secure permanent residence with added EU mobility benefits, our team can prepare a personalised roadmap and manage the entire process for you.

We will review your residence history, confirm that you meet the legal requirements and help you assemble a strong, well-structured application so that your transition to EU Long-Term Residence is as smooth as possible.