Whether you’re moving for higher education, remote work, retirement, or business, Spain offers multiple legal pathways for Indian nationals. But choosing the wrong visa — or preparing an incomplete file — can result in delays or outright rejection.
In this guide, we explain every available Spain visa option for Indian citizens, who each is for, and how Borderless Lawyers ensures your application is accurate, complete, and successful.
🇪🇸 Do Indian Passport Holders Need a Visa for Spain?
✅ Yes — Indian citizens need a visa to enter Spain for any reason, including short stays.
| Duration | Visa Type | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 90 days | Schengen Visa | Tourism, short business trips |
| Over 90 days | Long-Stay National Visa (Type D) | Study, work, family reunification, digital nomads, retirement |
For legal relocation, you’ll need to apply for a Type D visa from within India.
🗂️ Long-Stay Spain Visas for Indian Citizens
Below are the most relevant Type D visa options available to Indian citizens:
1️⃣ Student Visa
🎓 Ideal for: Bachelor’s, master’s, PhD, or language programs
Requirements:
-
Acceptance letter from a Spanish university or school
-
Proof of sufficient funds (~€600/month)
-
Private health insurance
-
Police clearance and medical certificate
✅ Renewable annually. Can lead to residency or work permit after graduation.
2️⃣ Digital Nomad Visa
💻 Ideal for: Indian remote workers or freelancers with non-Spanish clients
Requirements:
-
Work remotely for a foreign (non-Spanish) company
-
Proof of degree or 3+ years experience
-
Minimum income: ~€2,650/month
-
Valid private health insurance
-
Clean police record from India
✅ Renewable for up to 5 years. Spouses and children can join.
3️⃣ Work Visa
💼 Ideal for: Indian nationals with a job offer from a Spanish employer
Requirements:
-
Employment contract (must meet salary standards)
-
Employer obtains pre-authorization from Spanish Ministry
-
Proof of qualifications
-
Medical + police clearance
-
Spanish company must show no EU citizen can fill the role
📌 Competitive and limited — typically only available for high-demand professions.
4️⃣ Non-Lucrative Visa
🛋️ Ideal for: Retirees or remote earners with passive income
Requirements:
-
No work allowed for Spanish clients or employers
-
Show steady passive income or savings (min. ~€2,400/month)
-
Full private health insurance
-
Must live in Spain at least 183 days per year
✅ Can be renewed and lead to long-term residency.
5️⃣ Entrepreneur Visa (Startup Visa)
🚀 Ideal for: Indian tech entrepreneurs or business founders
Requirements:
-
Innovative business plan with scalable potential
-
Evaluation by ENISA (Spanish innovation body)
-
Proof of funding and income
-
Private health insurance
✅ Fast-track visa for high-potential ventures.
6️⃣ Family Reunification Visa
👪 Ideal for: Joining a spouse, parent, or child already living in Spain
Requirements:
-
The sponsor must hold a legal Spanish residence permit
-
Proof of family relationship (apostilled from India + translation)
-
Adequate housing and income by sponsor
-
Health insurance and police clearance for applicant
✅ Grants full residence and work rights once approved.
📍 Where to Apply in India
Visa applications must be submitted via BLS Spain Visa Centres, depending on your location:
| Region | Spanish Authority |
|---|---|
| North/Central/East India | Spanish Embassy – New Delhi |
| West India (Mumbai, Pune, Gujarat) | Spanish Consulate – Mumbai |
| South India (Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad) | Spanish Consulate – Bengaluru |
✅ Borderless Lawyers helps book appointments, prepare documents, and manage follow-up.
🧾 General Visa Requirements
| Requirement | Notes |
|---|---|
| Passport | Valid + 2 copies, minimum 1 year validity |
| Visa application form | Type D format for long stays |
| Passport-size photos | Recent, biometric format |
| Proof of income or employment | Varies by visa type |
| Police clearance certificate | Apostilled and translated |
| Medical certificate | From certified doctor |
| Health insurance | Must cover all of Spain, no co-pays |
| Proof of accommodation | Rental contract or letter of invitation |
💡 All Indian documents must be apostilled and translated into Spanish.
⛔ What About the Golden Visa?
Spain abolished the Golden Visa program (based on €500,000 property investment) in 2024.
While Indian citizens can still buy property in Spain, it does not give you residency or immigration rights.
✅ See Article 3 for legal advice on buying Spanish property as an Indian national.
⚠️ Common Visa Application Mistakes
| ❌ Mistake | 💥 Consequence |
|---|---|
| Submitting unauthenticated documents | Visa will be rejected |
| Confusing visa types (e.g., applying for wrong purpose) | Leads to delays or rejections |
| Not translating Indian documents | Required for all non-Spanish paperwork |
| Using unreliable agents | Risk of fraud or non-compliant applications |
✅ We provide professional, lawyer-led visa application support with no middlemen.
👩⚖️ How Borderless Lawyers Supports Indian Applicants
✔️ Identify the right visa path for your goals
✔️ Prepare and legalize Indian documents
✔️ Translate all files with official sworn translators
✔️ Book consular appointments
✔️ Help you open a Spanish bank account, obtain NIE
✔️ Provide full post-arrival support in Spain
✅ 100% remote service available to clients across India.
📞 Call to Action
Choosing the right visa is critical. Let our Spain-based lawyers help you avoid delays and get approved the first time.