Moving to Spain from New Zealand: Complete 2026 Guide
From the Southern Hemisphere to the Mediterranean: New Zealanders are discovering Spains lifestyle appeal, affordable living, and gateway to Europe. Visa-free entry for 90 days makes exploring your options easy.
Key Facts for New Zealanders
- Visa: Not required for 90 days (Schengen)
- Citizenship: 10 years residency
- Dual Nationality: Spain requires formal renunciation declaration (NZ keeps your citizenship)
- Tax Treaty: Active since 2006
Why New Zealanders Choose Spain
New Zealand and Spain share surprisingly warm bilateral relations. The Working Holiday scheme allows 2,000 Kiwis annually to experience Spain, and many fall in love with the lifestyle. From flamenco guitar classes in Madrid to beach life in Andalusia, New Zealanders find Spain offers something Auckland and Wellington cannot: proximity to all of Europe.
The cost of living draws many Kiwis. Housing in Spain is significantly more affordable than in New Zealands major cities. A one-bedroom apartment in a Spanish city center averages around 600-750 EUR per month, compared to substantially higher rents in Auckland or Wellington. The quality of life, from healthcare to fresh food, remains high.
Spain serves as a gateway to Europe. Once resident, you can travel freely throughout the Schengen area. Weekend trips to Paris, Rome, or Lisbon become normal. For Kiwis tired of New Zealands geographic isolation, Spain offers connection to an entire continent.
Visa Options
New Zealanders can enter Spain visa-free for up to 90 days within any 180-day period under the Schengen Agreement. Starting in late 2026, ETIAS authorization will be required for visa-free travel. For stays longer than 90 days or to work, you must obtain the appropriate long-term visa before arriving.
New Zealanders aged 18-30 can also apply for the Working Holiday Visa, which allows 12 months in Spain with work rights. About 2,000 visas are available annually under the bilateral agreement.
Path to Citizenship (10 Years)
The standard path to Spanish citizenship for New Zealand nationals requires 10 years of continuous legal residence.
Requirements for naturalization:
- 10 years continuous legal residence (absences limited)
- DELE A2 exam (Spanish language proficiency)
- CCSE exam (Spanish constitutional and cultural knowledge)
- Clean criminal record in New Zealand and Spain
- Proof of economic means and social integration
- Formal declaration of renunciation of previous nationality
Note on dual citizenship: New Zealand fully permits dual citizenship. Spain requires you to formally declare renunciation of your previous nationality during naturalization. However, New Zealand does not recognize this Spanish declaration, so your NZ citizenship remains valid unless you actively renounce it through New Zealand authorities. In practice, many naturalized Kiwis retain both passports.
Spanish Consulates for New Zealanders
Wellington. Embassy of Spain
Level 11, i Center, 50 Manners Street
P.O. Box 24150, Wellington 6142
Phone: +64 4 802 5665
Emergency: 021 836 725 (Spanish citizens only)
Covers: NZ, Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, Kiribati, Cook Islands
Auckland. Honorary Consulate
106C Gladstone Road, Parnell
Auckland
Phone: 21 446 959
By appointment only
Limited services; visa applications through Wellington
Christchurch. Honorary Consulate
7 Rolleston Avenue
Christchurch Central City 8013
Limited services only
Required Documents
Prepare before your consulate appointment:
- Passport valid for at least 1 year
- Criminal record certificate from NZ Ministry of Justice, apostilled
- Medical certificate from authorized physician
- Proof of income (bank statements, contracts, investments)
- Health insurance from Spanish-authorized provider
- Application form completed and signed
- Photos passport size, white background
- Visa fee varies by visa type
All NZ documents must be apostilled through the NZ Ministry of Internal Affairs (NZ is party to the Hague Apostille Convention).
Tax Considerations
New Zealand-Spain Double Tax Treaty (2006)
The bilateral agreement prevents paying taxes twice on the same income. The treaty came into force on 31 July 2006 and follows OECD guidelines.
Key Points:
- NZ Superannuation: May be taxable in Spain if you become tax resident
- KiwiSaver: Consider tax implications of withdrawals while Spanish resident
- Beckham Law: Digital nomads can opt for flat 24% rate (vs up to 47%)
- Investment income: Treaty provides reduced withholding rates
- Employment income: Taxed where work is performed
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I lose my NZ citizenship?
No. New Zealand fully permits dual citizenship. Spain requires a formal renunciation declaration during naturalization, but NZ does not recognize this. Your NZ citizenship remains unless you actively renounce it through NZ authorities.
What about the ETIAS requirement?
Starting in late 2026, New Zealanders will need ETIAS authorization for visa-free entry to Spain. This is a simple online process similar to the US ESTA. It does not change the 90-day limit or visa requirements for longer stays.
Can I use the Working Holiday Visa?
If you are aged 18-30, yes. Spain offers 2,000 Working Holiday visas annually to New Zealanders under a bilateral agreement. The visa allows 12 months of residence with work rights.
How different is the cost of living?
Significantly lower. Housing, dining out, and daily expenses in Spain typically cost less than in Auckland or Wellington. Healthcare is excellent and affordable. Only imported NZ goods will be more expensive.
We Handle Everything
Moving 19,000 kilometers from New Zealand to Spain involves more than booking a flight. Document authentication, embassy appointments, and Spanish bureaucracy require careful navigation. The time zone difference alone makes coordination challenging.
At Legal Fournier, we manage everything. Visa applications prepared correctly the first time. Tax planning coordinated between NZ and Spanish systems. NIE registration, empadronamiento, social security enrollment, and citizenship application support when you reach the 10-year mark. You focus on building your new life in Spain. We handle the paperwork from the other side of the world.
This guide provides general information. Immigration and tax regulations change regularly. For planning tailored to your situation, contact our team.