Moving to Spain from Nigeria: Complete Residency Guide

What Nigerian citizens need to know about establishing residence in Spain. From visa options to practical steps for Africa’s largest economy.

Why Nigerians Choose Spain

Nigerian migration to Europe has grown steadily over the past decade. We see this firsthand at our Barcelona office, where Nigerian entrepreneurs, professionals, and families now represent a significant portion of our client base. The reasons behind this shift are practical, not just aspirational.

Spain offers something unique among European destinations. The cost of living remains manageable compared to the UK or Germany. Barcelona and Madrid provide genuine business opportunities without London’s crushing expenses. For Nigerians who’ve built successful careers or businesses, Spain represents growth potential rather than starting over.

Business Opportunities

Nigeria’s economy. The largest in Africa. Has produced a generation of entrepreneurs comfortable operating across borders. Spain’s position as a gateway to both European and Latin American markets creates natural opportunities. Our Nigerian clients frequently maintain business interests in Lagos while building European operations from Barcelona or Madrid.

The tech sector deserves special mention. Nigerian fintech, e-commerce, and software companies have gained international recognition. Spain’s growing startup system and favorable entrepreneur visa programs make it attractive for founders looking to establish European headquarters.

Quality of Life

Climate plays a role that people sometimes underestimate. Mediterranean weather suits those accustomed to warm conditions. The outdoor lifestyle, food culture, and social atmosphere feel more familiar than northern European alternatives.

Healthcare in Spain ranks among the world’s best. The public system provides comprehensive coverage for residents. This matters significantly for families making long-term decisions about where to build their lives.

Safety concerns motivate some decisions. Spain consistently ranks as one of Europe’s safest countries. Cities feel walkable. Public spaces stay active late into evening. For families with children, this security changes daily life considerably.

Education

Spanish universities offer quality education at reasonable costs. Public universities charge EU residents between 700 and 2,500 euros annually. Even for non-EU students, fees remain far below UK or US equivalents. Barcelona alone hosts several internationally ranked institutions.

International schools serve families seeking English-language education. British, American, and international baccalaureate programs operate in major cities. Our clients with school-age children often prioritize this factor heavily in their relocation decisions.

Visa Options for Nigerian Citizens

Nigerian passport holders require a visa for Spain. No exceptions exist for short tourist visits. Even brief trips require Schengen visa applications. For longer residence, several pathways exist depending on your circumstances.

Work Visa

Traditional employment visas require a job offer from a Spanish company. The employer must demonstrate they couldn’t fill the position with EU candidates. A process called the labor market test. This creates genuine obstacles for most applicants.

Highly qualified professionals face fewer barriers. The EU Blue Card targets skilled workers in specific fields. IT professionals, engineers, healthcare workers, and others in demand can bypass some standard requirements.

• Job offer from Spanish employer
• Labor market test (employer obligation)
• Employment contract specifying salary and conditions
• Relevant qualifications or experience
• Clean criminal record
• Health insurance (until Social Security enrollment)

Digital Nomad Visa

Spain introduced its digital nomad visa in 2023. This program targets remote workers employed by non-Spanish companies or working as freelancers for international clients. For Nigerians working in tech, consulting, or other remote-capable fields, this visa offers an attractive pathway.

• Employment with non-Spanish company or international freelance work
• Minimum income of 2,760 euros monthly
• University degree or 3+ years relevant professional experience
• Health insurance valid in Spain
• Clean criminal record from Nigeria (past 5 years)
• Company must be established for at least one year

Entrepreneur Visa

Spain’s entrepreneur visa suits those planning to start or relocate businesses. The application requires a detailed business plan demonstrating innovation, economic benefit to Spain, and sufficient funding. Our firm has helped numerous Nigerian founders navigate this process successfully.

The bar isn’t impossibly high, but preparation matters. Business plans need to show genuine innovation or market need. Financial projections must be realistic. The favorable report from ENISA or a designated chamber of commerce is mandatory before consular submission.

Student Visa

Student visas provide entry for those pursuing formal education. Master’s programs last one or two years. The visa can convert to work authorization for graduates finding employment. Making it a legitimate immigration pathway, not just educational.

Requirements include university admission, proof of sufficient funds (approximately 600 euros monthly), accommodation arrangements, and health insurance. Students can work part-time. Up to 20 hours weekly during term.

Family Reunification

Legal residents in Spain can bring immediate family members after one year of residence. Spouses, minor children, and dependent parents qualify. The sponsoring resident must demonstrate stable income and adequate housing.

Income requirements vary by family size. A single sponsor needs roughly 600 euros monthly above the IPREM index. Each additional family member adds to this threshold. Housing must meet minimum space standards that authorities verify.

Path to Spanish Citizenship

Nigerian citizens face the standard 10-year residence requirement for Spanish citizenship. No shortcuts exist through colonial history or language. Spain reserves its accelerated 2-year path for citizens of former Spanish territories and specific other nationalities.

Ten years sounds long. It is long. But the time passes while you’re building a life. Working, raising children, establishing roots. Many of our clients who arrived a decade ago now hold Spanish passports and wonder where the years went.

Citizenship Requirements

• 10 years of continuous legal residence
• CCSE exam (constitutional and sociocultural knowledge)
• DELE A2 language exam (basic Spanish proficiency)
• Clean criminal record in Spain and Nigeria
• Proof of good civic conduct
• Financial stability demonstration

The CCSE exam covers Spanish government, geography, history, and daily life. The test includes 25 multiple-choice questions. You need 15 correct answers to pass. Preparation materials are freely available online through Instituto Cervantes.

An important consideration: while Nigeria permits dual citizenship, Spain does not have a dual nationality agreement with Nigeria. When you become a Spanish citizen, Spanish law requires you to formally renounce your Nigerian passport. This is a significant decision for those with business interests, property, or family connections in Nigeria.

Tax Considerations

Tax planning deserves serious attention before relocating. Spain taxes residents on worldwide income. Nigeria does the same. Without proper planning, you risk double taxation or worse. Penalties for non-compliance in either jurisdiction.

Double Taxation Treaty

Spain and Nigeria maintain a double taxation agreement. This treaty allocates taxing rights between countries and prevents the same income being taxed twice. However, the treaty doesn’t apply automatically. You must structure affairs correctly to benefit from its provisions.

Specific income types have specific rules. Employment income typically gets taxed where work occurs. Investment income may face withholding in the source country with credits available in the residence country. Business profits involve complex permanent establishment analysis.

Beckham Law

Spain’s special tax regime for inbound workers. Nicknamed the Beckham Law. Can reduce tax burden significantly. Qualifying individuals pay flat 24% tax on Spanish-source income instead of progressive rates reaching 47%. Foreign income remains largely untaxed.

Digital nomad visa holders can access this regime. So can employees transferred to Spain and certain other categories. The benefit lasts six years. For high earners, savings prove substantial.

Nigerian Tax Obligations

Leaving Nigeria doesn’t automatically end Nigerian tax obligations. Proper exit procedures matter. Rental income from Nigerian property, Nigerian business interests, and certain other income streams may remain taxable in Nigeria regardless of where you live.

Spanish Consulates in Nigeria

Spain maintains two consular locations in Nigeria. All visa applications must be submitted through these offices. No mail-in applications or third-country submissions are possible.

• Embassy in Abuja: 27 Lobito Crescent, Wuse II. Serves northern Nigeria
• Consulate General in Lagos: 11 Abeokuta Street, Victoria Island. Serves southern Nigeria

Appointment availability varies considerably. During busy seasons, slots book up weeks in advance. We recommend beginning appointment searches early in your preparation process. Document preparation should happen in parallel. Not sequentially.

Required Documents

Documentation requirements cause more application problems than any other factor. Nigeria’s absence from the Hague Apostille Convention creates particular complications that many applicants underestimate.

Criminal Background Check

Spain requires police clearance from every country where you’ve lived during the past five years. For Nigerian residents, this means obtaining a certificate from the Nigeria Police Force. Processing times vary. Allow 4 to 6 weeks minimum.

The certificate must cover specific periods and be recently issued. Typically within 3 to 6 months of application. Expired certificates require fresh applications, potentially delaying your entire timeline.

Document Legalization (No Apostille)

Nigeria has not joined the Hague Apostille Convention. This means Nigerian documents cannot receive apostilles. Instead, you must follow the longer legalization chain:

1. Document authentication by issuing Nigerian authority
2. Legalization by Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs
3. Further legalization by Spanish Embassy/Consulate in Nigeria
4. Sworn translation into Spanish by certified translator

This process takes longer than apostilles and costs more. Plan accordingly. Each step can take days or weeks. Missing any step invalidates documents for visa purposes.

Standard Document List

• Valid Nigerian passport (minimum 1 year validity)
• Completed visa application form
• Passport photographs meeting Schengen specifications
• Criminal record certificate (legalized and translated)
• Birth certificate (legalized and translated)
• Marriage certificate if applicable (legalized and translated)
• Proof of accommodation in Spain
• Travel insurance or health coverage
• Bank statements showing financial means
• Visa-specific documents (employment contract, business plan, etc.)

Frequently Asked Questions

How Legal Fournier Helps

Relocating from Nigeria to Spain involves navigation across two legal systems, complex document requirements, and bureaucratic processes that trip up even careful applicants. Our firm handles this daily.

We guide Nigerian clients through every step. Document preparation that meets exact consular requirements. Application completion without errors that cause delays. Communication with Spanish authorities throughout the process. Post-arrival registration including NIE, empadronamiento, and Social Security enrollment.

The legalization process for Nigerian documents requires particular attention. Since Nigeria isn’t part of the Apostille Convention, the multi-step authentication chain demands careful management. Timing matters. Certificates expire, appointments fill up, offices close unexpectedly. We coordinate these moving parts so you don’t have to.

Our Barcelona office has worked with Nigerian clients from Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, and beyond. We understand both the opportunities Spain offers and the practical challenges of making the move happen. Your consultation starts with honest assessment of your options. Not salesmanship.

This guide provides general information about moving from Nigeria to Spain. Immigration rules, tax regulations, and document requirements change regularly. Individual circumstances vary significantly. For advice specific to your situation, contact our team directly.