Question
What is the cheapest Spanish visa to obtain while in Spain to live in Spain more than 180 days and what is the rough cost?
I keep looking at autónomo which apparently anyone can obtain and understand you must pay £300 a month to do so. I would like to not spend that much without at least having a job first if possible. Any info would be GREATLY appreciated!
Answers
These are the answers of Spainguru’s Facebook group members:
“There are few visas that you can obtain while in Spain. They aren’t really visas. They are residency permission. And you can’t stay more than 90 days without it. And none of this is cheap.
You need to prove that you have funds to support yourself and not be a burden on Spain. You also need a bunch of docs, apostilled and translated, which you surely didn’t bring with you if you are already in Spain asking this question.”
“Investor visa: buy property over €500k less mortgage. Not cheap. Going away in a few weeks (April 3rd 2025).
Digital Nomad Visa: you need to have the work lined up already.
Student visa: you have to go to an accredited school for at least 20 hours per week. That’s 4 hours per weekday. Some language schools qualify. But then you’re paying probably €600-800/month to learn a language.
You can work part-time but likely you’re earning the same amount or less than you are paying for school.”
“The status of autónomo is just saying that you are a freelancer; it’s not a visa. You have to apply for cuenta propia first, then register as autónomo.”
“The price for autónomo depends on how much you earn. The easiest visa is an NLV or a digital nomad visa.”
“Digital Nomad visa is absolutely the hardest and most confusing with the most specific rules, definitely Spain Non Lucrative visa is much easier.”
“You would have to prove financial means (~30,000 in a bank account per year of visa) for non-lucrative or digital nomad and even more to show you can run and operate a business for that autonomo visa as well as have a business plan that gets approved.”
“The autonomo or ‘self-employment’ visa is for foreigners who want to move to Spain to open a business. An applicant must submit a detailed, 5-year business plan and proof of financial means (amongst other things). The £300 monthly is a mandatory contribution to social security. This visa is much harder to get than DNV or NLV.”
“It seems like you are describing autónomo registration. That is not applying for residency, that is applying to register as self-employed in Spain to start paying your taxes here. I would recommend looking into the NLV or DNV. You can work while on the DNV and can’t work while on the NLV.”
“Just getting documents apostilled and translated by sworn translators will be many 100s of $. They must be official copies recently issued. If you’re in Spain, much more.”
“If your father can ‘hire you’ under the table, just arrive on your American passport, overstay, become irregular, commit no crime and then after 24 months apply for Arraigo Social. Ensure your Spanish is very good by then and have proof of community involvement.”
“The NLV could be an option if you don’t ‘work’ in Spain. Or, consider going NALCAP Spain where your father lives or simply a student visa to eventually transition. A student visa allows you to work up to 30 hours a week.”
“With NLV, your active income is not part of the application and really none of their business. You tell them nothing about your father or working for him.”
“With overstay, they won’t ‘catch’ you unless you’re committing a crime. If they do stop you, show your US passport. If questioned further, a Spanish attorney can help you with Arraigo.”
“You could definitely work, and I’d highly recommend you self-collect 25% of your income and place it in a NON-resident account with a Spanish bank. If you need to pay Hacienda later, you’re covered.”
“The DNV requires showing three months of payment and a year of working as a consultant and a degree with three years of experience. You’d need a formal contract if your father is paying you.”
“You can rent an apartment if someone is willing to rent to you. Technically, you are not permitted to earn money in Spain unless on the right visa. Quietly working for a US company is common under NLV, but it’s a legal grey area.”
“There is a new Arraigo law coming into effect this May 20th 2025—it’s now 2 years with un informe de integración and no work contract needed.”
“Visit the doctor monthly, get a non-resident bank account, internet, and keep good records of your deposits. All of this helps with Arraigo.”
“Strongly recommend you consult with a Spain visa expert to determine which visa is best for your circumstances and what the requirements are.”
“Student visa is an option. You can enroll in a school, it’s easier to get, and allows some work.”
“Residency in Spain brings an obligation to pay taxes. It’s not a decision to be made lightly just to vacation longer.”
Conclusion
For those looking to stay in Spain beyond 90 days, the community outlined that there is no truly “cheap” Spanish visa. The Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV) and the Digital Nomad Visa (DNV) are the most commonly pursued options, though both come with strict financial requirements and cannot typically be obtained while already in Spain.
While the autónomo path allows for self-employment, it is not a visa by itself and involves social security payments, taxes, and a detailed business plan. It is considered harder to obtain than the NLV or DNV.
Some users suggested informal paths like Arraigo Social, which requires staying in Spain for two years irregularly and integrating into the community—though this carries risks and uncertainty.
The NLV remains the most accessible for financially self-sufficient applicants who don’t intend to work in Spain.
The most consistent advice? Know the legal paths, don’t try to game the system, and consult a Spanish immigration expert for proper guidance.
