Guide: Country Move Paths
Moving to Spain from Non-EU Countries: Legalization Workflow and Consular Checklist
A document-first move plan for non-EU applicants, focused on legalization routes, translations, and consular filing order.
If you are moving to Spain from a non-EU country that is not the US, UK, or Australia (which have their own dedicated guides on this site), this is your reference. The visa types are the same, but the document legalization process varies significantly depending on whether your country is part of the Hague Apostille Convention.
This guide focuses on the paperwork workflow — the part where most non-EU applications stall or fail.
iWho this guide is for
Citizens of countries like Canada, India, South Africa, Brazil, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, the Philippines, and any other non-EU nation. If your country is a Hague Convention member, your process is simpler. If not, you will need consular legalization.
Step 1: Determine your legalization route
Before you do anything else, check whether your country is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention.
Hague Convention countries (apostille route)
If your country is a member (Canada, Japan, South Korea, Brazil, India, South Africa, Mexico, and most of Latin America, among many others), your documents follow this path:
- Obtain the original document (criminal record, birth certificate, etc.)
- Get an apostille from your country's designated authority
- Get a sworn translation into Spanish by a traductor jurado accredited by Spain's Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The apostille is a standardised certificate attached to your document that certifies its authenticity for use in any other Hague Convention country. It replaces the need for consular legalization.
Non-Hague countries (consular legalization route)
If your country is not a member of the Hague Convention, the process is longer:
- Obtain the original document
- Get it authenticated by the relevant government ministry in your country (e.g., Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
- Get it legalized at the Spanish consulate or embassy in your country
- Get a sworn translation into Spanish
This dual-authentication process (government + consulate) can add 2-6 weeks compared to the apostille route.
| Hague Convention (Apostille) | Non-Hague (Consular Legalization) | |
|---|---|---|
| Steps | Original → Apostille → Sworn translation | Original → Gov authentication → Consulate legalization → Sworn translation |
| Typical time | 2-4 weeks total | 4-10 weeks total |
| Cost | Apostille fee + translation fee | Authentication fee + consulate fee + translation fee |
| Complexity | Moderate | High — requires multiple offices |
| Countries | Canada, Japan, India, Brazil, South Korea, Mexico, South Africa, etc. | Some Middle Eastern, African, and Asian countries |
+Check the Hague list
The full list of Hague Convention member countries is available at hcch.net. It is updated regularly as new countries join. Some countries joined recently and their apostille systems may still be maturing.
Step 2: Choose your visa type
Non-EU citizens have the same visa options regardless of nationality. The most common are:
Digital Nomad Visa (DNV)
- Work remotely for non-Spanish clients or employers
- Income: ~€2,520/month (200% of Spanish minimum wage)
- Duration: up to 3 years, renewable
- Beckham Law eligible (flat 24% tax rate)
Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV)
- No work permitted — live on savings, pensions, or passive income
- Income: ~€2,520/month (400% of IPREM)
- Duration: 1 year, renewable for 2-year periods
Work Visa (Cuenta Ajena)
- Requires a Spanish employer to sponsor you
- Employer handles the labour market test
- Duration: 1 year, renewable
Highly Qualified Professional Visa
- For senior professionals, researchers, or intra-company transfers
- Processed through the UGE (faster track)
- Higher salary thresholds apply
Step 3: Prepare your document file
Regardless of visa type, non-EU applicants share a common core document set.
Checklist
- Valid passport (at least 12-18 months remaining recommended)
- Completed national visa application form (available from your Spanish consulate)
- Two recent passport-size photos (white background, 3.5x4.5cm)
- Criminal record check from your country of citizenship AND from any country where you have lived in the past 5 years, apostilled or legalized
- Private health insurance with full coverage in Spain (no co-pays, no monetary limits)
- Proof of financial means (bank statements, tax returns, employment contracts — requirements vary by visa type)
- Medical certificate confirming no serious communicable diseases (some consulates have specific wording requirements)
- Proof of accommodation in Spain (rental contract, property deed, or booking confirmation)
- Family documents if applying with dependants (marriage certificate, birth certificates), apostilled or legalized and sworn-translated
- Visa fee payment (varies by consulate, typically €60-€200)
Step 4: Handle translations correctly
All non-Spanish documents must be translated by a sworn translator (traductor jurado) officially accredited by Spain's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. A regular translation — even a certified one — is not accepted.
Finding a sworn translator
- The official list is maintained by the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs at exteriores.gob.es.
- Many sworn translators work remotely and can handle documents by email.
- Costs vary by language pair and document length. Budget €30-€80 per standard document (1-2 pages).
- Turnaround is typically 3-7 business days per document.
Translation order
Always translate after apostilling or legalizing. The translation must include the apostille text. If you translate first and then apostille, the apostille will be in a different language and the translation will be incomplete.
!Medical certificate wording
Some Spanish consulates have very specific wording requirements for the medical certificate — for example, it must state that the applicant "does not suffer from any of the diseases that may have serious public health repercussions in accordance with the International Health Regulations of 2005." Ask your consulate for their exact required wording before visiting your doctor.
Step 5: Apply at your Spanish consulate
Find your consulate
Spain maintains consulates in most major countries. The Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs website lists all consulates and their jurisdictions. You must apply at the consulate that covers your place of residence.
Application process
- Book an appointment — Most consulates require an appointment. Methods vary: some use email, some have online booking, some accept walk-ins. Check your specific consulate.
- Submit your complete file — All documents, originals and copies, apostilled/legalized and translated.
- Pay the visa fee — Cash or bank transfer, depending on the consulate.
- Wait for the decision — Typically 4-12 weeks. Some visa types (like the DNV processed through UGE) may be faster.
If your application is incomplete
Many consulates will reject an incomplete file and ask you to rebook. Others will accept it and request additional documents later, which extends the timeline. Submit a complete file the first time.
iConsulate experiences vary
Consulate experiences vary enormously by country. The Spanish consulate in Tokyo operates very differently from the one in Mumbai or Sao Paulo. Processing times, document preferences, and communication styles all differ. Connect with expats in your country who have recently gone through the process — their consulate-specific tips are invaluable.
Step 6: After visa approval — first 30 days in Spain
Once your visa is approved and you enter Spain, you must complete these steps within your first month:
Step-by-step main guidance
- Empadronamiento — Register on the padron municipal at your local town hall. This is your proof of address and gates all subsequent steps.
- TIE card application — Apply for your Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero within 30 days of arrival. This is your physical residency card with your NIE number.
- Bank account — Open a Spanish bank account. You will need your passport, TIE receipt (resguardo), and empadronamiento.
- Social Security number — If you are working, get your NUSS (Numero de la Seguridad Social) at a Tesoreria General office.
- Healthcare registration — Register at your local centro de salud with your Social Security number or private insurance.
Country-specific notes
Canada
- Criminal record check: Apply through the RCMP. Processing takes 2-4 weeks.
- Apostille: Available through Global Affairs Canada.
- Consulates in Ottawa (embassy), Toronto, and Montreal.
India
- India joined the Hague Convention in 2023. Apostilles are now available through designated authorities.
- Criminal record check: Apply through the regional passport office or online.
- Consulates in New Delhi (embassy), Mumbai.
South Africa
- Criminal record check: Apply through SAPS (South African Police Service). Can take 4-8 weeks.
- Apostille: Available through the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO).
- Consulate in Pretoria (embassy).
Japan
- Criminal record check: Apply through the prefectural police. Processing takes 2-4 weeks.
- Apostille: Available through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- Consulates in Tokyo (embassy) and other major cities.
Brazil
- Criminal record check: Certidao de Antecedentes Criminais from the Policia Federal.
- Apostille: Available through notary offices (Cartorios).
- Consulates in Brasilia (embassy), Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro.
Common mistakes
- Wrong legalization route — Using an apostille when your country requires consular legalization (or vice versa) will get your documents rejected.
- Translating before apostilling — The sworn translation must include the apostille. Translate last, always.
- Criminal record expiring — Most consulates require it to be less than 3 months old. Time your sequence carefully.
- Not checking consulate-specific requirements — The standard list from Madrid may not match what your local consulate actually asks for. Always check directly.
- Incomplete applications — A single missing document can mean rebooking an appointment weeks later. Double-check everything.
- Not accounting for mail times — If documents need to be sent between cities or countries for apostilling, add extra days for postal delays.
What to do this week
- Check the Hague Convention list — Confirm whether your country uses apostilles or consular legalization.
- Start your criminal record check — This is almost always the longest-lead item.
- Email your Spanish consulate — Ask for their current document checklist and appointment availability.
- Research sworn translators — Find an accredited traductor jurado for your language pair. Bookmark the official list on exteriores.gob.es.
- Read the related guides below — Especially the document expiration guide, which helps you sequence everything so nothing expires before submission.