Why New Zealanders Are Choosing Spain
Spain offers New Zealand citizens a chance to enjoy a vibrant European lifestyle, world-class healthcare, and visa-free Schengen travel once residency is granted. Whether you’re moving for work, retirement, or remote living, Spain is one of Europe’s most welcoming destinations.
✨ Benefits of Moving to Spain from New Zealand:
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🏖 Milder climate & affordable cost of living
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💼 Legal pathways for remote workers, retirees, and professionals
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🛂 Residency rights include Schengen travel
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🧘♂️ Mediterranean lifestyle and cultural richness
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📆 Apply for Spanish citizenship after 10 years of legal residence
🛂 Do New Zealanders Need a Visa for Spain?
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✅ Short stays (up to 90 days): No visa needed for tourism or business
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📝 Long-term stays (90+ days): Require a national visa and residence permit depending on purpose (work, study, remote work, retirement, etc.)
🧭 Visa Options for New Zealand Citizens
💻 Digital Nomad Visa
For remote workers employed by companies outside Spain.
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💰 Minimum income: ~€2,650/month
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📑 Must show employment contract or freelance history
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👨👩👧 Family can be included
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🛂 Renewable and counts toward permanent residency
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✅ Qualifies for Spanish citizenship after 10 years
🏖 Non-Lucrative Visa
For financially independent individuals or retirees.
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💶 Must show ~€2,400/month in passive income
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❌ Not permitted to work in Spain
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👪 Family members included under same application
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🔁 Renewable annually, then biannually
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📆 Time counts toward permanent residency and citizenship
💼 Work Visa (with Job Offer)
For those sponsored by a Spanish employer.
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🧾 Employment contract and job authorization required
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📄 Application starts in Spain, completed at Spanish consulate
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🏛 Common sectors: tech, education, healthcare
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🪪 Grants work and residency rights
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🔁 Can lead to long-term residency and naturalization
🎓 Student Visa
For New Zealanders pursuing studies in Spain.
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🎓 Must be enrolled in an accredited institution
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💼 Part-time work allowed (20 hours/week)
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🔄 May switch to work visa upon graduation
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📅 Time doesn’t count toward citizenship unless converted to residency
👪 EU/Spanish Family Member Residency
For New Zealand citizens married to or dependent on an EU citizen or Spanish national.
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💍 Fast-track residency with full work rights
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🧾 Applies to spouses, registered partners, dependent children & parents
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📆 Leads to permanent residency after 5 years
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✅ Eligible for citizenship after 1–2 years (if married to a Spaniard)
📋 Required Documents for New Zealand Applicants
📑 Depending on the visa, you’ll typically need:
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🇳🇿 Valid New Zealand passport (min. 1 year validity)
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🧾 Police clearance from New Zealand (apostilled + translated)
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🏥 Medical certificate (apostilled + translated)
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💰 Proof of income or school enrollment
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📄 Private health insurance (for non-working visas)
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📝 Application forms & consular fees
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🈂️ Certified Spanish translations of all documents
✅ Borderless Lawyers prepares, legalizes, and files everything for you.
📍 Where to Apply in New Zealand
Visa applications must be submitted in person to:
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🇳🇿 Spanish Consulate in Wellington
🕒 Processing times typically range from 3 to 6 weeks
👣 Step-by-Step: Moving from New Zealand to Spain
1️⃣ Immigration Consultation
📞 We assess your goals and recommend the best legal route (digital nomad, retirement, family, etc.)
2️⃣ Document Preparation
Includes:
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Apostilles from NZ authorities
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Certified translations to Spanish
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Support gathering financial, legal, and health documents
3️⃣ Consulate Appointment & Application
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🗓 Book at the Spanish consulate in Wellington
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📦 Submit your documents for review and biometrics
4️⃣ Enter Spain & Apply for TIE
After visa approval:
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🏠 Register your address in Spain (empadronamiento)
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🪪 Apply for your TIE (residency card) within 30 days
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🛂 Your official residency begins
5️⃣ Renew, Settle & Apply for Citizenship
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🔁 Renew residency permits on schedule
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📆 After 10 years of legal stay (some cases less), apply for Spanish nationality
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📝 Includes DELE A2 + CCSE exams and a background check
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
🚫 Applying under the wrong visa category
🚫 Submitting documents without apostille or translation
🚫 Missing deadlines for visa renewal or TIE pickup
🚫 Not converting a student visa to residency when eligible
✅ We prevent costly errors and streamline the entire process.
👩⚖️ How Borderless Lawyers Helps New Zealanders Move to Spain
We offer full-service immigration legal support, tailored for professionals, families, students, and retirees from New Zealand.
✔️ What We Provide:
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🧭 Strategic visa planning
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📄 Full document preparation & translation
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🏛 Submission to Spanish consulate & authorities
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🪪 TIE, renewal & long-term residency guidance
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📝 Citizenship application support when eligible
🌐 Start Your Move to Spain Today
Spain welcomes New Zealanders with open arms. Whether you’re relocating for a new chapter, remote work, or retirement, we handle the legal side—so you can focus on the journey.