Moving to Spain in 2026

Moving to Spain: entry, first 30 days, 3-month budget

Russian citizens need a Schengen visa to visit and, to move, a long-stay national visa from a Spanish consulate or an application for the digital nomad permit filed inside the country. The ground is chosen in advance: non-lucrative, nomad, start-up, study, work or family.

1. First week. A home with a lease, a Spanish SIM card and registration at the town hall.
2. First month. Fingerprints at the police and the foreigner identity card, fee about €16, about $18; the personal foreigner number is needed for banks, taxes and contracts.
3. After that. A Spanish bank account, health insurance or access to public healthcare, and school for children.

Rents are noticeably lower in Valencia, Alicante and Málaga. A family budget is worked out in the chat.

Spain at a glance

Spain is a European Union country on the Iberian Peninsula with about 49 million people, the Mediterranean, the Atlantic, the Balearic and Canary Islands. The capital is Madrid, and the largest cities are Barcelona, Valencia, Seville and Málaga. Spain attracts with its climate, the sea, high-quality free healthcare, good schools and developed infrastructure, and for remote workers with one of Europe's most accessible visas.

Since 3 April 2025 the golden visa for buying property has been closed, so moving to Spain is now possible only on grounds that require actually living in the country. Taxes for residents are high, but incoming specialists can use a special regime with a flat rate.

History and government

The union of Castile and Aragon in the late 15th century laid the foundation of a unified Spain, and the age of discovery made it a world empire. In the 20th century the country went through civil war and the Franco dictatorship; after his death in 1975 it moved to democracy, and the 1978 Constitution established a parliamentary monarchy. Spain joined the European Union in 1986. Today it consists of 17 autonomous communities with their own parliaments, and some taxes and rules depend on the region.

How to move in 2026

Russian citizens need a visa: a Schengen visa for trips and a national long-stay visa for moving, or an in-country residence application under the nomad route. Renewing a non-working residence permit requires living in Spain more than 183 days a year. Citizenship is generally granted after 10 years of residence. More on the pages Spain residence permit, Spain digital nomad visa and Spain startup visa.

Taxes

Residents pay income tax on worldwide income: salaries, self-employment income, rent and pensions on a 19-47% scale, with a higher top rate in some regions. Capital income is taxed at 19-30%. Incoming specialists can choose a special regime with a flat 24% rate on Spanish income up to 600,000 euros a year. Corporate tax is 25% and VAT 21%. Tax residence arises after 183 days a year, or if your centre of economic interests is in Spain or your spouse and minor children live there. More on the page Taxes in Spain.

Property

Foreigners buy property in Spain without restrictions, but since April 2025 a purchase no longer grants residence. A Spanish foreigner identification number is needed, the deed is signed before a notary and registered. On resales a property transfer tax is paid, usually 6-10% depending on the region, and on new builds 10% VAT plus stamp duty. Banks usually lend non-residents up to 60-70% of the value.

Business and companies

A limited company is registered before a notary with minimum capital from €1, but a foreigner from outside the European Union needs a residence permit with the right to work to manage it. There is a startup visa for innovative projects, and the self-employed pay a monthly social security contribution with a first-year discount. Strong sectors are tourism, real estate, IT and renewable energy.

Cost of living

The rate is about $1.12 per euro according to the European Central Bank on 5 October 2026. Madrid and Barcelona are the most expensive cities, and rent is noticeably cheaper in Valencia, Alicante, Málaga and smaller towns. Public healthcare is free for workers and their families, while non-working residence requires private insurance.

Where to live

• Madrid - the capital with jobs, international schools and community. More in the Madrid guide.
• Barcelona - sea, tech and culture, but high rents.
• Valencia and Alicante - mild climate, beaches and lower prices than Madrid.
• Málaga and the Costa del Sol - sun almost all year and a large foreign community.
• Canary Islands - warm winters and a special tax regime for companies.

Practicalities

• Documents. After moving you register your address at the town hall and obtain a foreigner identification number.
• Language. Spanish, plus regional languages in Catalonia, Valencia, the Basque Country and Galicia.
• Transport. High-speed trains link major cities, and urban public transport is convenient.
• Climate. Hot summers and mild winters in the south and east, cooler and wetter in the north.

Leisure

Spain has thousands of kilometres of beaches, the Sierra Nevada and the Pyrenees, the historic cities of Seville, Granada, Toledo and Salamanca, Madrid's museums and Barcelona's architecture. Mallorca, Ibiza, Tenerife and Gran Canaria are an hour or two away by plane, and Portugal, France and Morocco are easy weekend trips.

Pros and cons of moving

Pros: the European Union and Schengen, a warm climate and the sea, non-lucrative residence and a 3-year nomad permit, free public healthcare for workers and a large Russian-speaking community on the coast. Cons: a visa for Russian citizens, slow bureaucracy, high rents in Madrid and Barcelona, income tax for residents of up to 47% and 10 years to citizenship. Language courses became a weak ground on 20 May 2025: the visa is applied for only through a consulate, can be renewed once and only with a Spanish exam, and cannot be switched directly to a work permit.

Who Spain suits

Spain suits remote workers earning from $3,200 (2,849 euros) a month, retirees and rentiers with income from $2,700 (2,400 euros) a month, founders of innovative startups and families who value climate, healthcare and schools in the European Union. Those who wanted residence for buying property now need to look at other countries. Murblz specialists choose the basis, prepare consulate documents and help with the tax regime. A consultant in the chat will calculate the cost of support.