Moving to Spain from Australia: Visa Routes, Apostilles, and 12-Month Timeline

Australia is a Hague Convention country, which means your documents can be apostilled rather than going through the slower consular legalization route. That is the good news. The challenging part is distance: the Spanish consulates in Australia are limited, turnaround times are longer, and you are working across a significant time zone gap with Spanish offices.

This guide walks through visa options for Australians, the document legalization process, and a realistic 12-month timeline for getting from decision to arrival.

Visa options for Australians

As a non-EU citizen, you need a visa. The most common routes are the same as for other third-country nationals.

Digital Nomad Visa (DNV)

Best if you work remotely for an Australian (or any non-Spanish) employer or have freelance clients outside Spain.

• Income: At least ~€2,520/month (200% of Spanish minimum wage).
• Work relationship: Must have existed for at least 3 months before applying.
• Duration: Up to 3 years, renewable for 2 years.
• Tax perk: Eligible for Beckham Law (flat 24% rate).

Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV)

Best for retirees, early retirees, or anyone with passive income who does not need to work.

• Income: ~€2,520/month (400% of IPREM) from passive sources — pensions, investments, savings drawdowns.
• Work allowed: No work of any kind, including remote work.
• Duration: 1 year initial, renewable for 2-year periods.

Work Visa

Best if you have a job offer from a Spanish employer. The employer sponsors the application and handles the labour market test.

The Australian apostille process

Spain requires your official documents (criminal record, birth certificate, etc.) to be legalized for international use. Because Australia is part of the Hague Apostille Convention, you use the apostille route rather than consular legalization.

How it works

1. Obtain the original document — For example, your Australian Federal Police (AFP) criminal record check.
2. Get an apostille — Apply through DFAT (Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade). You can do this online or by mail. Processing time is typically 5-10 business days.
3. Get a sworn translation — After apostilling, have the document translated into Spanish by a sworn translator (traductor jurado) accredited by the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Documents that need apostilles

Checklist

• Australian Federal Police (AFP) criminal record check
• Birth certificate (if applying with dependants or for certain visa types)
• Marriage certificate (if applying with spouse)
• Academic qualifications (if required for your visa type)
• Medical certificate (some consulates accept this without apostille — check yours)

Spanish consulates in Australia

Spain has consulates in:

• Canberra (Embassy) — covers ACT, NSW, QLD, NT
• Melbourne — covers VIC, SA, TAS, WA

Check your consulate's website for the latest appointment availability and specific document requirements. Each consulate may have slightly different formatting preferences.

Appointments are typically booked by email or through an online system. Response times can be slow — follow up if you do not hear back within 2 weeks.

12-month planning timeline

Step-by-step main guidance

1. 1Months 12-10 — Decide on visa type. Start researching health insurance. If you need to build up financial evidence (bank statements), start now — consulates want to see 6-12 months of consistent income.
2. 2Months 10-8 — Request your AFP criminal record check. Apply for DFAT apostille. Start gathering other documents (birth/marriage certificates). Research accommodation in your target Spanish city.
3. 3Months 8-6 — Commission sworn translations of apostilled documents. Get your medical certificate. Secure proof of accommodation in Spain.
4. 4Months 6-4 — Book your consulate appointment (some have 4-8 week wait times). Finalise health insurance policy. Prepare your complete application file.
5. 5Months 4-2 — Attend consulate appointment and submit application. Wait for decision (typically 4-10 weeks).
6. 6Months 2-0 — Visa approved. Collect it from the consulate. Book flights. You typically have 90 days from the visa start date to enter Spain.
7. 7First 30 days in Spain — Register on the padron, apply for TIE card, open a bank account, register at a centro de salud.

Financial requirements: Australian dollars to euros

Consulates assess your income in euros. Because the AUD/EUR exchange rate fluctuates, build in a buffer above the minimum threshold.

• If the threshold is €2,520/month, aim to show at least AUD $4,200-$4,500/month in your bank statements to account for exchange rate movements.
• Use consistent income sources. Large one-off transfers look less convincing than regular monthly deposits.
• If your income is in AUD, some consulates accept statements in AUD with an explanatory note on the current exchange rate. Others want converted figures. Check with your specific consulate.

Healthcare and insurance

You must have private health insurance to satisfy the visa application. Australian Medicare does not cover you in Spain.

• Get a Spain-specific policy with no co-pays and no monetary limits on coverage.
• Providers commonly used: Sanitas, Adeslas, Cigna Global, Asisa, or international providers like Allianz Care.
• After arrival and residency establishment, you may switch to the Spanish public system through employment registration or the convenio especial.

Tax considerations

Australian taxes

Australia taxes residents on worldwide income. Once you leave, your Australian tax obligations change:

• Non-resident status: If you genuinely cease to be an Australian tax resident, you are only taxed on Australian-source income (rental properties, Australian investments, etc.).
• Superannuation: Your super stays in Australia. You cannot access it early just because you move overseas (unless you meet a condition of release). It continues to grow and is taxed in Australia.
• Departing Australia Superannuation Payment (DASP): Only available to temporary visa holders, not Australian citizens.

Spanish taxes

If you spend more than 183 days in Spain, you become a Spanish tax resident and must declare worldwide income. The Australia-Spain Double Taxation Treaty prevents you from being taxed twice on the same income.

Common mistakes

• Starting the AFP check too early — If it expires before your consulate appointment, you will need to redo it. Time it carefully.
• Underestimating consulate wait times — Australian consulates have limited capacity. Book your appointment as early as possible.
• Not having a sworn translation — A regular translator is not enough. It must be a traductor jurado accredited by Spain's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
• Ignoring the time zone gap — Spanish offices close when Australia's working day starts. Email is usually more effective than phone calls for consulate communication.
• Assuming Medicare covers you — It does not. You need private coverage from day one.

What to do this week

1. Request your AFP check — Go to afp.gov.au and apply for a National Police Check (Code 33 for immigration purposes).
2. Decide your visa type — Use the comparison table above. If you work remotely, the DNV is likely your best option.
3. Email your consulate — Confirm their current document requirements and appointment availability.
4. Get health insurance quotes — Compare Sanitas, Adeslas, and Cigna Global for Spain-compliant policies.
5. Start building financial evidence — Make sure your bank statements show consistent income at or above the threshold for the next 6+ months.

Related guides

• Spanish Consular Jurisdiction Rules: Where You Can Apply for a Visa
• Spain Visa Document Expiration Windows: How Recent Is Recent Enough?
• Sworn Translations for Spain Visas
• Criminal Background Checks and Apostille for Spain Visas