Moving from Vietnam to Spain: Your Complete 2026 Guide
Getting a Vietnam Spain visa requires planning, but the process is straightforward with the right preparation. The profile of Vietnamese applicants has shifted significantly. In 2016, most were students or family reunification cases. Today, roughly 65% are tech professionals, entrepreneurs, and remote workers seeking better quality of life without sacrificing their careers.
Key Facts for Vietnamese Citizens
- Visa Required: Yes (Schengen visa for short stays, national visa for residency)
- Most Common Visas: Digital Nomad, EU Blue Card, Work, Student, Entrepreneur
- Processing Time: 15-45 days (Schengen), 1-3 months (residence)
- Spanish Consulates: Embassy (Hanoi) + Visa Centers (Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City)
- Citizenship Timeline: 10 years
- Tax Treaty: Yes
- Dual Citizenship: Vietnam now allows dual (July 2026 law change)
Why Vietnamese Professionals Choose Spain
Spain’s position as a gateway to the EU market, combined with a growing startup ecosystem in Barcelona and Madrid, makes it attractive for Vietnamese tech talent and entrepreneurs.
Vietnam Spain Visa Options
Vietnamese citizens need a visa for any stay in Spain. There’s no visa-free access to the Schengen Area, so planning requires more preparation than for visa-exempt nationalities. Here are your main pathways:
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 Vietnam
Hanoi – Embassy of Spain
4 Le Hong Phong
Ba Dinh District, Hanoi
Tel: +84 24 3771 52 07 / 08 / 09
Email: [email protected]
Hours: Monday to Friday, 08:30–16:00
EU family member visas: Wednesdays 09:00–12:00 directly at Embassy
Visa application centers:
- Hanoi: 13th Floor, Hoa Binh Office Towers, 106 Hoang Quoc Viet, Cau Giay District
- Ho Chi Minh City: Room 64 RA7, 1st Floor, Viet Phone Building, 64 Vo Thi Sau, Tan Dinh Ward, District 1
Tax Considerations for Vietnamese in Spain
Tax Treaty: Vietnam-Spain
Vietnam and Spain have a Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement in force. This prevents individuals and businesses from being taxed twice on the same income and provides reduced withholding rates.
Key Points:
- Beckham Law: Flat 24% tax for 6 years on Spanish income. Available if you haven’t been Spanish tax resident in the previous 5 years.
- Vietnamese Income: Rental income, dividends, business profits from Vietnam must be declared. Treaty prevents double taxation.
- Residency: Established by 183+ days presence, permanent residence registration, or business entity in either country.
Required Documents for Vietnamese Applicants
Required Documents:
- Passport valid for at least 1 year with blank pages
- Criminal Record apostilled by Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Birth Certificate apostilled
- Medical Certificate from authorized doctor
- Proof of Income (12 months bank statements, contracts)
- Health Insurance from Spanish-authorized provider, no copays
- Application Form completed and signed
- Photos passport size, white background
All documents need apostilles from the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and sworn translations into Spanish. For translations, the Embassy recommends Hanoi University (HANU) Spanish Department or University of Social Sciences and Humanities (USSH) in HCMC. Need help with document legalization? We handle the entire process.
Path to Spanish Citizenship: Major Update on Dual Citizenship
Vietnamese citizens need 10 years of legal, continuous residence to apply for Spanish citizenship.
Big news as of July 2026: Vietnam now allows dual citizenship. The new Nationality Law amendments and Decree No. 191/2026/ND-CP removed the requirement to renounce foreign nationality when acquiring Vietnamese citizenship, and vice versa.
What this means: Spain requires a renunciation declaration during naturalization, but Vietnam no longer enforces citizenship loss. In practice, you can keep both passports.
The new Vietnamese law specifically targets overseas Vietnamese, foreign investors, and experts. Residency and language requirements are waived for those with family ties to Vietnam.
Requirements for Spanish citizenship:
- 10 years continuous legal residence
- DELE A2 Spanish language exam
- CCSE exam (Spanish constitutional and cultural knowledge)
- Clean criminal record
- Max 6 months absence in any single year
After naturalizing, use your Spanish passport for travel outside Vietnam. Exclusively using your Vietnamese passport for 3+ years can result in losing Spanish citizenship.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the visa process take from Vietnam?
Budget 3-6 months total: 2-3 months for document preparation and apostilles, then 1-3 months for consulate processing. The application centers in Hanoi and HCMC handle most applications.
Can I keep my Vietnamese citizenship if I become Spanish?
Yes, as of July 2026. Vietnam’s new Nationality Law removed the renunciation requirement. Spain requires a declaration, but Vietnam doesn’t enforce loss. In practice, you can keep both passports.
Do I need to speak Spanish to get a visa?
Not for most visa types. But you’ll need A2 level Spanish for citizenship after 10 years. We strongly recommend starting Spanish lessons before you move. It makes daily life and bureaucracy much easier.
What’s the minimum income for a Digital Nomad Visa?
Approximately €2,763/month (€33,156/year). You must work for companies outside Spain or have international clients. No more than 20% of income can come from Spanish sources.
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 Vietnam to Spain. Requirements can change. Contact us for personalized advice on your situation. Information accurate as of January 2026.