Moving to Spain from Saudi Arabia: Complete Visa and Residency Guide
This guide covers everything about the saudi arabia spain visa process, tax optimization including the Beckham and Mbappé Laws, and the realistic path to Spanish citizenship.
Key Facts for Saudi Citizens
- Visa Required: Yes (Schengen visa for short stays, national visa for residency)
- Most Common Visas: Non-Lucrative, Entrepreneur, EU Blue Card, Digital Nomad
- Processing Time: 15-45 days (Schengen), 1-3 months (residence)
- Spanish Consulates: Riyadh (Embassy), Jeddah (Honorary), Al-Khobar (Honorary)
- Citizenship Timeline: 10 years legal residence
- Tax Treaty: Yes (2007, modified by MLI)
- Dual Citizenship: Saudi Arabia does NOT allow. Must renounce to naturalize Spanish.
- Hague Apostille: Yes, member since December 2022
Why Saudi Citizens Choose Spain
Climate draws many Saudi families. Spanish coastal cities offer Mediterranean warmth year-round. Marbella, Malaga, and Barcelona have become popular destinations for Saudi families seeking a Mediterranean lifestyle.
But it goes beyond climate. Spain offers a lifestyle that combines European sophistication with a relaxed pace. People appreciate the cafe culture, late dinners, the emphasis on family time. Schools finish early. Shops close for siesta. Life moves differently here.
Real estate investment draws significant interest. Spanish property prices remain reasonable compared to London, Paris, or Dubai. A luxury apartment in Barcelona costs a fraction of what equivalent space commands in central London. Many clients start with property purchases, then consider residency afterward.
Beyond real estate, Spain offers access to the European Union market. A Spanish residence permit lets you travel freely throughout the 27 EU member states. For business owners, this opens significant commercial possibilities.
Education for children ranks high on the priority list. Many Saudi families have children between 8 and 18. They want European education without sending their children abroad alone. Spain offers excellent international schools teaching British, American, and International Baccalaureate curricula. Barcelona alone has more than 30 international schools. Madrid has even more.
Saudi Arabia Spain Visa Options
Saudi passport holders need a visa to enter Spain. We advise Saudi clients to plan their visa strategy carefully before traveling.
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 Saudi Arabia
Saudi residents apply for Spanish visas at the Embassy in Riyadh or through honorary consulates.
Riyadh – Embassy of Spain
Diplomatic Quarter, P.O. Box 94347, Riyadh 11693
Tel: +966 11 488 06 06
Email: [email protected] (consular)
Covers: Riyadh and surrounding regions
Jeddah – Honorary Consulate
P.O. Box 50417, Jeddah 21523
Tel: +966 12 6525222 (Ext. 2507)
Email: [email protected]
Covers: Western Province
Al-Khobar – Honorary Consulate
Pan Gulf Tower Building, 3rd Floor, Southern Corniche Road, Al Khobar 31952
Tel: +966 13 867 04 44 (Ext. 254)
Email: [email protected]
Covers: Eastern Province
Appointment scheduling typically requires booking 4-6 weeks in advance. During peak summer months, wait times extend further. Saudi national applications are often processed in 3-4 days, though the standard window is 15-30 days.
Tax Considerations for Saudis in Spain
This section deserves careful attention. Saudi Arabia charges no personal income tax. Zero. Spanish residents can face marginal rates up to 47% on income and 28% on capital gains. The transition from a zero-tax environment to Spanish tax residency requires strategic planning.
Tax Treaty: Saudi Arabia-Spain
Saudi Arabia and Spain have a double taxation treaty signed in 2007, modified by the Multilateral Instrument (MLI) for BEPS measures. Since Saudi Arabia has no personal income tax, this treaty primarily establishes rules for Saudis becoming Spanish tax residents.
Key Points:
- Beckham Law: Flat 24% tax on Spanish income for 6 years. Foreign income largely exempt. Critical for Saudis maintaining business interests in the Kingdom.
- Mbappé Law (Madrid): 20% regional deduction on qualifying investments for Madrid residents. Designed for high-net-worth investors. NOT compatible with Beckham Law. Choose one.
- Saudi Investment Income: With Beckham Law, your income from Saudi investments remains untaxed in Spain for 6 years. Careful structuring before establishing residency can optimize your position.
- Wealth Tax: Madrid offers 100% exemption. Catalonia does not. This makes Madrid attractive for high-net-worth individuals.
The difference between good and poor tax planning can mean hundreds of thousands of euros annually. Book a consultation before relocating.
Required Documents
Good news for Saudi applicants: Saudi Arabia joined the Hague Apostille Convention on December 7, 2022. This simplifies document authentication significantly compared to the previous multi-ministry legalization process.
Required Documents:
- Passport valid for at least 12 months with blank pages
- Criminal Record from Saudi Arabia, apostilled by Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Medical Certificate from authorized physician
- Proof of Income (bank statements, investment portfolios, business distributions)
- Health Insurance from Spanish-authorized provider, full coverage no copays
- Application Form completed and signed
- Photos passport size, Schengen specifications
- Visa Fee
- Proof of Accommodation in Spain (rental contract or property deed)
Since joining the Hague Convention, Saudi documents receive apostille stamps from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or Ministry of Justice. Spanish authorities accept these directly. No further consular legalization needed. We handle document preparation and apostille coordination for you.
Healthcare and Insurance
Once you obtain residency, you’ll have access to Spain’s public healthcare system, which ranks among Europe’s best. Many Saudi clients maintain private health insurance for faster specialist access and Arabic-speaking physicians.
Private health insurance for a family of four typically costs €3,000-6,000 annually. Some private banks and healthcare providers offer Arabic-speaking relationship managers for high-net-worth individuals.
Path to Spanish Citizenship
Saudi nationals face the standard 10-year residency requirement for Spanish citizenship. This contrasts with citizens of Latin American countries, who qualify after just 2 years. The Spanish government bases these shorter timelines on historical colonial relationships that don’t apply to Saudi Arabia.
During these 10 years, you must:
- Maintain continuous legal residence (short trips abroad fine, up to 6 months per year)
- Pass the DELE A2 Spanish language test
- Pass the CCSE constitutional and sociocultural knowledge exam
- Demonstrate economic means and social integration
- Maintain clean criminal record
Saudi Arabia generally does not permit dual citizenship. When you naturalize as a Spanish citizen, you may need to renounce your Saudi nationality. This affects inheritance rights, property ownership in the Kingdom, and your ability to return freely.
Many Saudi residents choose to maintain permanent residency in Spain (available after 5 years) rather than pursue citizenship. The permanent residence card provides nearly all the same rights: live, work, travel throughout Europe, access healthcare and education. The main differences are voting rights and passport convenience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Saudi citizens need a visa for Spain?
Yes. Saudi citizens need a Schengen visa for short stays (up to 90 days) and a national visa for residency. Applications are processed at the Spanish Embassy in Riyadh.
Can I buy property in Spain as a Saudi national?
Yes, absolutely. Saudi nationals can purchase property in Spain without restrictions. Property ownership alone doesn’t grant residency since the Golden Visa ended in April 2026, but you can buy property while pursuing residency through other pathways like the Non-Lucrative Visa.
Will I lose my Saudi citizenship if I become Spanish?
Saudi Arabia generally doesn’t permit dual citizenship. You may need to renounce Saudi nationality to naturalize Spanish. Many people choose permanent residency instead to avoid this, as it provides nearly all the same rights without requiring renunciation.
What is the Mbappé Law and can Saudis use it?
The Mbappé Law is a Madrid-only regional tax benefit offering a 20% deduction on qualifying investments. It’s designed for high-net-worth investors and is NOT compatible with the Beckham Law. You must choose one based on your financial situation.
Do Saudi documents need an apostille now?
Yes. Since December 2022, Saudi Arabia is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. Saudi documents receive apostille stamps from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that Spanish authorities accept directly. This simplified the previous multi-ministry legalization process.
Can my family join me in Spain?
Yes. Most visa types allow you to include your spouse and dependent children in the initial application. You can also bring family members later through family reunification procedures once your residency is established.
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 Saudi Arabia to Spain. Requirements can change. Contact us for personalized advice on your situation. Information accurate as of January 2026.