Sri Lanka to Spain: Complete Visa and Immigration Guide
If you’re from Sri Lanka and considering Spain, you’ll need to plan carefully. Unlike some nationalities, Sri Lankan citizens require a visa to enter Spain. But with proper preparation, the path to Spanish residency is well-established, and the Sri Lankan community in Spain continues to grow each year.
Key Facts for Sri Lankan Citizens
- Visa Required: Yes
- Most Common Visas: Work, Student, Family Reunification
- Processing Time: 4-8 weeks at consulate
- Spanish Consulates: Honorary Consulate in Colombo (jurisdiction under New Delhi)
- Citizenship Timeline: 10 years
- Tax Treaty: No
- Dual Citizenship: Yes (Sri Lanka allows via resumption/retention)
Why Sri Lankans Choose Spain
Spain offers something unique for Sri Lankans seeking a new life in Europe. Sri Lanka and Spain share more cultural connections than most people realize. Both countries have strong family values and vibrant social cultures. The Sri Lankan diaspora in Spain numbers around 12,000 according to recent INE statistics. Most have settled in Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia.
Visa Options for Sri Lankan Citizens
Not sure which visa fits your situation? Book a consultation and we’ll map out the optimal strategy for your move.
Spanish Representation in Sri Lanka
Colombo – Honorary Consulate of Spain
4, Haudin Road (Near Ulsor Lake), Colombo – 1
Email: [email protected]
Services: Limited (document legalization, emergency assistance)
Note: Visa processing handled by Spanish Embassy in New Delhi
New Delhi – Embassy of Spain (Primary Jurisdiction)
Visa Section Email: [email protected]
Tel: +91 11 7160 0350
Covers: Sri Lanka, India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives
Tax Considerations
Tax Situation: No Treaty with Spain
Spain and Sri Lanka don’t have a double taxation agreement. This creates complexity if you maintain income sources in both countries.
Key Points:
- No automatic relief: Potential double taxation on income
- Unilateral credits: Spain may allow foreign tax credits for taxes paid in Sri Lanka
- Beckham Law: 24% flat tax for 6 years on Spanish income for qualifying new residents
Required Documents
Required Documents:
- Passport valid for at least 1 year
- Criminal Record from Sri Lanka, consular legalization required (NOT apostille)
- Birth Certificate recent issue (6 months), consular legalization
- Medical Certificate from authorized doctor
- Proof of Income (bank statements, employment letters, tax returns)
- Health Insurance from Spanish-authorized provider
Important: Sri Lanka is NOT in the Hague Apostille Convention. All documents require full consular legalization through Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, then legalization by the Spanish Embassy. We handle this document legalization process for you.
Dual Citizenship: Good News
Sri Lanka allows dual citizenship through resumption (for those who lost citizenship) and retention (for those planning to naturalize elsewhere). This is good news for Sri Lankans becoming Spanish.
Spain requires a formal renunciation declaration, but Sri Lanka doesn’t recognize it. Result: you can maintain both citizenships in practice.
Note: Use your Spanish passport for travel after naturalizing to avoid issues.
Path to Spanish Citizenship
Sri Lankan nationals need 10 consecutive years of legal residence before applying for citizenship. Those 10 years must be continuous, with short trips abroad fine but extended absences potentially resetting your clock.
We Handle Everything
Spanish bureaucracy is relentless, visa applications, tax residency, NIE appointments, ongoing compliance. Getting 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 Sri Lanka to Spain. Requirements can change. Contact us for personalized advice on your situation. Information accurate as of January 2026.