Moving to Spain from Egypt: Your Complete Visa and Residency Guide
Egyptian citizens looking to relocate to Spain face a well-defined but complex immigration process. Spain offers several visa pathways for Egyptians, from digital nomad permits to work visas, each with specific requirements. This guide covers everything you need: egypt spain visa options, tax planning with the bilateral treaty, and the 10-year path to citizenship.
Key Facts for Egyptian Citizens
- Visa Required: Yes (Schengen visa for short stays, national visa for residency)
- Most Common Visas: Digital Nomad, Work Visa, Non-Lucrative, Student, EU Blue Card
- Processing Time: 15-45 days (Schengen), 1-3 months (residence)
- Spanish Consulates: Cairo (Embassy), Alexandria (Consulate General)
- Citizenship Timeline: 10 years legal residence
- Tax Treaty: Yes (2005)
- Dual Citizenship: Egypt allows with government approval; Spain requires renunciation declaration
Why Egyptian Citizens Choose Spain
Growing numbers of Egyptian professionals and families looking toward Spain. The reasons are clear: economic stability, universal healthcare, excellent education, and a Mediterranean culture that feels surprisingly familiar.
The historical connection runs deeper than most realize. Both countries share Mediterranean heritage and Arab influence. Spain’s Andalusian region preserves architecture and cultural elements that resonate with Egyptian visitors. This isn’t a cold northern European destination. It’s warm, family-oriented, and socially connected.
Geographic proximity matters too. Cairo to Madrid takes just under 5 hours by direct flight. You’re close enough to maintain Egyptian business relationships and family connections. Time zone difference is minimal, just 1-2 hours depending on season.
The Egyptian community in Spain has grown steadily. You’ll find Egyptian communities in Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, and Malaga. Mosques, halal food options, and cultural associations exist in all major cities.
Egypt Spain Visa Options
Egyptian nationals need a visa for any stay exceeding 90 days. Tourist visas don’t convert to residency. You’ll need to apply for the correct visa type from Egypt before relocating.
Not sure which visa fits your situation? Each path has different requirements, timelines, and tax implications. Book a consultation and we’ll map out the optimal visa and tax strategy for your move.
Spanish Consulates in Egypt
All visa applications must be submitted in person at Spanish consular offices in Egypt. You’ll attend an appointment to submit documents and provide biometric data. Applications are processed
Cairo – Embassy of Spain
41 Ismail Mohamed St., Zamalek, Cairo
Tel: +20 2 2735 6437
Email: [email protected]
Hours: Monday–Thursday, 08:00–15:30
Covers: Upper and Lower Egypt, most regions
Alexandria – Consulate General
101 Avenue El Horreya (Fouad Street), 21514 Alexandria
Tel: +20 3 393 9185
Email: [email protected]
Covers: Alexandria governorate and northern regions
Appointment availability fluctuates. During busy periods, waits of 4-6 weeks occur. Book early and have all documents ready before your appointment date.
Tax Considerations for Egyptians in Spain
Tax Treaty: Egypt-Spain
Egypt and Spain signed a double taxation agreement in 2005. This matters for anyone maintaining income sources in Egypt after relocating.
Key Points:
- Beckham Law: Flat 24% tax on Spanish income for 6 years. Foreign income largely exempt. Major benefit for new residents.
- Egyptian Rental Income: Taxable in Egypt first, Spain provides credit to avoid double taxation
- Pensions: Specific rules depending on government vs. private pension
- Dividends/Interest: Reduced withholding rates under treaty
Egyptian property owners should plan carefully. Rental income from Egypt remains taxable there, but Spanish tax residents must declare it in Spain too. The treaty credit mechanism prevents paying full tax twice, but proper filing in both countries is essential.
Required Documents
Egypt is not a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. This creates extra steps for document authentication. Egyptian documents need full consular legalization, a multi-step process.
Required Documents:
- Passport valid for at least 1 year with 2 blank pages
- Criminal Record from Egyptian authorities, legalized (not apostilled)
- Medical Certificate from authorized doctor
- Proof of Income (bank statements, contracts, investment statements)
- Health Insurance from Spanish-authorized provider, full coverage
- Application Form completed and signed
- Photos passport size, white background
- Visa Fee
- Proof of Accommodation in Spain (rental contract or property deed)
The legalization process for Egyptian documents: (1) Authentication by Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, (2) Legalization by Spanish Embassy/Consulate in Egypt. We handle the entire document legalization process for you.
Healthcare and Insurance
Spain’s public healthcare system ranks among Europe’s best. Once you obtain residency and register with Social Security, you’ll have access to this system. For visa applications, you’ll need private health insurance with no copays or coverage limits.
Private healthcare in Spain is relatively affordable. Annual premiums for comprehensive coverage run €1,000-3,000 per person depending on age and coverage level. Many Egyptian families maintain both public access and private insurance for faster specialist appointments.
Path to Spanish Citizenship
Egyptian citizens qualify for Spanish citizenship after 10 years of continuous legal residence. Spain doesn’t offer preferential treatment based on historical ties for Egypt. The 2-year pathway applies only to Latin American countries, former Spanish territories, and specific nations.
The 10-year requirement means:
- 10 years of legal residence (not tourist stays)
- Continuous presence in Spain. Absences under 6 months per year generally acceptable
- Pass the CCSE exam (constitutional and sociocultural knowledge, 25 questions, 60% passing)
- Pass the DELE A2 exam (basic Spanish proficiency)
- Clean criminal record in Spain and Egypt
- Demonstrate economic means and social integration
Egypt allows dual citizenship with prior government approval from the Minister of Interior. The process takes about 6 weeks and is generally granted. Spain requires a formal renunciation declaration during naturalization. In practice, with Egyptian approval secured beforehand, many individuals maintain both passports. Use your Spanish passport for travel after naturalizing. Exclusively using your Egyptian passport for 3+ years can result in losing Spanish citizenship.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Egyptian citizens need a visa for Spain?
Yes. Egyptian citizens need a Schengen visa for short stays (up to 90 days) and a national visa for any residency or stay exceeding 90 days. Tourist visas don’t convert to residency permits.
How long does it take to get Spanish citizenship from Egypt?
Egyptian citizens must complete 10 years of continuous legal residence in Spain before applying for citizenship. This is the standard requirement for most non-Ibero-American nationalities.
Can I keep my Egyptian passport if I become Spanish?
Egypt allows dual citizenship with prior government approval. Spain requires you to make a renunciation declaration during naturalization. With Egyptian approval secured beforehand, many maintain both in practice. Use your Spanish passport for travel after naturalizing.
Is there a tax treaty between Egypt and Spain?
Yes. Egypt and Spain have a double taxation agreement signed in 2005. It covers employment income, pensions, rental income, dividends, and interest. The treaty uses exemption and credit methods to prevent being taxed twice on the same income.
Do Egyptian documents need an apostille for Spain?
No. Egypt is not a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. Egyptian documents require full consular legalization instead, which involves authentication by the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs followed by legalization at the Spanish consulate.
We Handle Everything
The path from Egypt to Spanish residency involves coordination across two legal systems, document authentication chains, and Spanish bureaucratic procedures that don’t always follow clear timelines. You don’t want to spend months figuring this out alone.
We manage your case completely. We guide you through document preparation in Egypt, ensuring every paper meets legalization requirements before your consular appointment. We handle the Spanish side: NIE applications, empadronamiento registration, Social Security enrollment, and bank account setup.
This guide provides general information about moving from Egypt to Spain. Requirements can change. Contact us for personalized advice on your situation. Information accurate as of January 2026.