The issue of immigration to Spain from Russia has always been acute. The current year 2021 is no exception: many Russians are actively looking for ways not only to move for permanent residence to warmer climes, but also to gain the opportunity to move freely throughout Europe. We offer several immigration methods that are time-tested and suitable for different family and financial circumstances.

Immigration to Spain from Russia on a study visa

This method of immigration to Spain from Russia is suitable not only for university applicants, but also for people of more mature age. The educational institution can be a university (bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral program), vocational school, business school, language school accredited by the Cervantes Institute, and many other educational institutions.

It is important that the educational center has state accreditation in Spain, and the chosen program belongs to the “intensive” category with employment of at least 20 hours per week.

Of the pitfalls, we note only one: study visa in Spain is issued for a period of one year with the possibility of annual renewal, and renewal is possible only upon successful completion of the course and transfer to the next one (i.e. you cannot remain on the same course for the second year).

This method of immigration to Spain from Russia has several advantages:

• Complete freedom in choosing the direction of study, curriculum and educational institution;
• A relatively simple package of documents to submit to the Spanish Consulate;
• Possibility to request a study visa directly in Spain;
• Possibility to request the right to work (for part-time work while studying, working up to 20 hours a week);
• Possibility, after a certain period of time and subject to successful completion of studies, to modify the visa into a residence permit to look for work, or a residence permit to undertake an internship in Spain, or a full-fledged residence permit with the right to work in Spain.

Immigration to Spain from Russia through the purchase of real estate

Here we are talking about purchasing real estate up to 500.000 € for immigration to Spain from Russia. The purchase of housing or commercial real estate in Spain in itself does not automatically imply obtaining a residence permit in Spain. Title documents must be supplemented by financial documents that clearly demonstrate that the applicant has a legal and stable source of income. Those. the applicant must confirm that he has a place to live in Spain and what to live on. In addition, a medical insurance policy must be issued that provides full coverage of all medical services, including hospitalization, in Spain.

Let’s name four pitfalls:

1. the need to resolve the issue of fiscal residence,
2. no right to work in Spain,
3. the need to confirm the availability of sufficient economic means at each renewal of a residence permit,
4. obligation to stay in Spain most of the time (183 days or more per year).

The advantages of this method of immigration are as follows:

• The right to open a business in Spain at any time (with the possibility of modifying a non-working residence permit into a working one (as a founder-entrepreneur);
• Years of legal presence in Spain as a resident (even with a non-working residence permit) count towards the length of service required to obtain Spanish citizenship;
• While maintaining the status of a fiscal non-resident, tax on income received in Spain (for example, income from dividends, from renting out real estate, from interest on deposits, etc.), will be taxed at a fixed rate (as opposed to the progressive scale of income tax for resident individuals).

Immigration to Spain from Russia for financial independence

This method of immigration to Spain from Russia is almost identical to the previous one. The only difference is that instead of documents on ownership, the consulate is provided with a long-term rental agreement. Let us immediately note that the consulate is reluctant to accept such applications, although the current legislation provides for both ways.

Immigration to Spain from Russia with a Golden Visa or Investor Residence Permit

It is generally accepted that the “Golden Visa” is a bonus for the purchase of expensive Spanish real estate (from 500,000 € and above). In fact, everything is much more interesting: the Golden Visa provides a simplified path of immigration to Spain from Russia, not only when buying real estate, but also when opening an innovative business, when investing in Spanish bonds, securities of Spanish companies and bank deposits, when moving to Spain as a highly qualified worker or a research worker. In total, the Golden Visa provides six travel options.

There is only one pitfall in this case: the need to maintain investor status in order to renew your residence permit. What does it mean? This means that the required level of investment, or employment in science, research or senior management must be maintained. At the same time, the direction of activity itself can be changed: sell real estate and invest in shares of Spanish companies, close deposits and buy real estate, leave the scientific field and open your own innovative business – there are many options.

The advantages of immigrating to Spain from Russia with a Golden Visa are as follows:

• No need to stay in Spain for at least 183 days a year;
• Simplified and expedited procedure for obtaining a visa or residence permit;
• Possibility of obtaining a Golden visa by the investor’s immediate relatives;
• Simultaneous receipt of a residence permit with the right to work without any regional or activity restrictions.

Alegria company provides assistance in moving to Spain with a Golden Visa. More information about the service can be found here:

ВНЖ инвестора в Испании. Золотая виза в Испании – получение в Alegria Service

Immigration to Spain from Russia for business

Perhaps this is the most difficult route to immigrate to Spain from Russia. If an innovative business, a business of social significance or aimed at improving the environment, is subject to legislation regulating the issuance of a Golden visa and an investor’s residence permit, then the rest of the business and its founders can only act within the framework of the general provisions of the Law on Foreigners. In order to immediately obtain a residence permit with the right to work for oneself (as a founder-entrepreneur), a foreign citizen will need to convince the Spanish migration service of the viability of the project: draw up a real business plan, calculate the realistically achievable level of profitability, identify the source of funding for the project, indicate the jobs being created, etc.

In many cases, it is easier to obtain a residence permit without the right to work, move to Spain for permanent residence, and start setting up and developing a business on the spot, while simultaneously submitting an application to modify a non-working residence permit into a working one.

Immigration to Spain from Russia at the invitation of an employer

Another difficult way to immigrate to Spain from Russia, because… The difficulty lies not so much in finding an employer willing to hire a foreign worker and go through all the necessary bureaucratic procedures, but in the situation on the local labor market. A foreign specialist can only be hired when the published vacancy is not filled, i.e. It is impossible within Spain itself to find a worker with the required level of education, qualifications and skills, either from among citizens or from among residents entitled to work. Thus, this method immigration to Spain suitable only for rare specialties