Are you a non-EU national planning to come to Spain for a new adventure? Maybe to study? Or simply to enjoy the culture for an extended period? Or perhaps you’ve already fallen in love with Spain and now want to make it your new home?
If you’re planning to stay for more than 90 days, you’ll need a long-term visa or a residence permit—but which one is right for you? In this article, we’ll guide you through your options and help you find the best fit for your situation!
If you’re a non-EU citizen planning to come to Spain for a long period, this article will be useful for you.
First things first: all non-EU citizens need a visa or a residence permit to stay in Spain for more than 90 days (long stay – larga estancia).
If you are planning to move to Spain, have already done so, or intend to engage in economic activities such as buying a property or starting a business in the country, you may have come across the legal requirements needed to do so. You have probably found a lot of information regarding the NIE, TIE, and NIE card, but are they the same? What is the difference between them? What exactly do you need in your specific case? We hope this article and guide made in 2025 helps clarify any confusion you might have. Read more