Key Facts for Indian Citizens
- Visa Required: Yes (Schengen for tourism, National for residence)
- Most Common Visas: Digital Nomad, Work, EU Blue Card, Student
- Processing Time: 15-45 days at consulate
- Spanish Consulates: New Delhi, Mumbai
- Citizenship Timeline: 10 years
- Tax Treaty: Yes (1995, updated 2012)
- Dual Citizenship: Not allowed. India requires renunciation. OCI card available after.
Why Indian Citizens Choose Spain
Barcelona alone hosts over 1,900 tech startups, and many actively recruit from India. Software engineers, data scientists, and IT project managers arriving regularly to work for multinationals like Amazon, Microsoft, and Glovo, plus Spanish startups.
Work-life balance is noticeably different. Spanish labor law mandates 30 calendar days paid vacation annually. Business schools like IESE, ESADE, and IE consistently rank among the world’s best and serve as common entry points. Student visas can transition to work permits after completing MBA programs.
Quality of life drives decisions. Mediterranean climate, excellent public healthcare, and costs significantly lower than London or Singapore. A family of four can live comfortably in Barcelona on 4,000-5,500 euros monthly including rent.
Visa Options for Indian Citizens
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 India
New Delhi – Embassy of Spain
12 Prithviraj Road, New Delhi
Covers: Northern and Eastern India
Mumbai – Consulate General
Maker Chambers, Nariman Point, Mumbai
Covers: Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh
Processing times at New Delhi average 15-30 business days. Mumbai sometimes processes faster during busy periods. Book appointments early. Slots fill weeks in advance during peak seasons (April-July).
Tax Considerations
Tax Treaty: India-Spain
The Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) has been in force since 1995, updated by the 2012 Protocol. It prevents paying taxes twice on the same income.
Key Points:
- Beckham Law: Flat 24% tax for 6 years on Spanish income only. Foreign income exempt.
- Royalties/FTS: 10% withholding rate (2024 MFN update)
- Indian Reporting: Until you renounce, India requires certain foreign account disclosures
Required Documents
Required Documents:
- Passport valid for at least 12 months with blank pages
- Criminal Record from CBI + state police for each state lived 6+ months, apostilled
- Medical Certificate from authorized doctor
- Proof of Income (bank statements. Online statements often not accepted)
- Health Insurance minimum 30,000 euros coverage
- Application Form completed online (handwritten no longer accepted since Nov 2024)
- Photos passport size, Schengen specifications
India joined the Hague Apostille Convention in 2005. The Ministry of External Affairs issues apostilles in 5-7 business days. Documents must be apostilled after official Spanish translations.
Path to Spanish Citizenship
Indian nationals need 10 years of continuous legal residence for Spanish citizenship. No shortcuts exist. Only Ibero-American countries, Philippines, and a few others qualify for the 2-year path.
The difficult reality: India does not allow dual citizenship. When you naturalize Spanish, you automatically lose Indian citizenship under the Indian Citizenship Act 1955. You must surrender your Indian passport immediately after acquiring Spanish nationality.
After renunciation, you can apply for an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card, a lifelong multiple-entry visa for India. OCI holders can’t vote or hold political office, but get parity with NRIs in most economic and educational matters. Many people choose to maintain permanent residency indefinitely rather than pursue citizenship to keep their Indian passport.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my spouse work in Spain on a dependent visa?
If you hold a Highly Qualified Professional visa or EU Blue Card, your spouse receives work authorization automatically. For other visa categories, family permits include work rights from the start – no separate application needed.
Do I really have to give up my Indian passport?
Yes, if you pursue Spanish citizenship. India strictly enforces the no-dual-citizenship rule. Continuing to use an Indian passport after naturalizing elsewhere is a punishable offense. However, the OCI card provides most practical benefits for India travel and stay.
How long can I stay outside Spain without losing residency?
For temporary residency, absences over 6 consecutive months can result in permit cancellation. With permanent residency, the threshold extends to 12 months. For citizenship purposes, keep annual absences under 2-3 months total.
Do I need to speak Spanish for the visa?
No Spanish required for initial visa applications. However, you’ll need A2-level Spanish (basic conversational) plus pass the CCSE cultural exam for citizenship after 10 years. Start learning early – it makes daily life much easier.
We Handle Everything
Spanish bureaucracy is relentless. Visa applications, tax residency, NIE appointments, ongoing compliance. Getting any of it wrong costs time and money. We handle the paperwork and planning so you can focus on actually building your life here.
This guide provides general information about moving from India to Spain. Requirements can change. Contact us for personalized advice on your situation. Information accurate as of January 2026.