Can I work remotely from Spain?
If you are a citizen of a Schengen zone country you may come and telework from Spain without time limit. For other citizens of the international community, the Government of Spain has approved the so-called ‘Startup Law’ which introduces unprecedented new features and advantages, such as the creation of a special visa for digital nomads and foreigners who telework from Spain. Read more details here.
How reliable are internet connections in Spain?
Spain has one of the highest quality telecommunication infrastructures in the world. A ranking list of internet connection speeds shows that Spain is ranked higher than most European countries, including Germany, France, and UK., for both wireless and fibre optic connections Consumer choice is very wide with many companies offering packages bundling TV, phone, and internet.
What is the EU Blue Card?
It is a special entry and residence permit created to attract highly qualified professionals from third countries interested in coming to work in Europe.
The validity period of the blue card depends on each European country. Spain issues them with a validity of 12 months. During this period of time, cardholders and their families can enter and stay in Spain and move freely to other member countries of the European Union.
The EU Blue Cards are issued by 25 of the 27 EU member states (Ireland and Denmark do not issue blue cards).
Those interested in requesting the European Blue Card must present the following documentation:
- A valid contract or firm offer of employment for a minimum of 6 months and offering a minimum salary of 1 to 1.5 times the average annual gross salary of the EU country in which you want to work. Employees who do not meet this requirement need a type D work visa from a member state of the European Union.
- Documents proving that you have the required professional qualification
- A valid travel document and, if necessary, a visa
- A medical insurance
We can advise you on this issue here.
Can a non-resident foreign citizen in Spain open a bank account without having the NIE?
Yes, there are banks that allow this option. For this, the interested person must go to the bank office with the passport and the non-resident certificate (this document can be requested in Spain, at any National Police station; or at the Spanish embassy or consulate of the country of origin of the applicant). You will also have to provide other complementary documentation that proves the physical address of residence (Ex: an invoice for a domiciled domestic service where the personal data and address appear, and that is not more than three months old) and the current employment situation ( Eg: a proof of monthly income, a payroll or a tax return). All documents must be submitted in Spanish. Some entities that with this option are Bankinter, Banco Santander, BBVA, Banco Sabadell, Nickel, etc.
Internet in rural areas
Can I have internet access if I live in a small town or remote village in Andalucía? Yes, via satellite internet. The so-called rural wifi is one of the most frequent alternative ways to enjoy internet connection in the countryside or in isolated towns that do not have coverage by traditional routes (ADSL or fiber optics) and allows you to navigate at a speed of up to 50 Mb.
In Andalucía there are many companies that offer this service to enjoy high-speed internet from remote locations in any of the eight provinces. Viasat, eutelsat or ipcomm are some of the companies that offer satellite internet solutions.
How to get a non-profit visa?
The requirements are simple: prove that you have more than €26,000 in a bank account and take out private health insurance. This visa authorizes you to live one year in Spain with the possibility of renewing for two more and two additional ones. After this full five-year period, you will be able to opt for permanent residence as long as you have remained in Spain without leaving the country for five years prior to applying.
What documentation do I need as a non-resident to rent a long-term home?
You must have the residence permit, the NIE. If what you have is a tourist visa, you can only rent for as long as said visa allows you.
If you are a EU community citizen, you have no problem with deadlines because you enjoy free movement of work and residence in any country in the Schengen area and the only thing you will need is your valid passport, in addition to the NIE.
In addition to legal permits, as a guarantee for possible damage to the home, the landlord usually asks - also from residents - a deposit generally equivalent to one month's rent, which is returned at the end of the contract. They can also request a payroll or guarantee that shows that the tenant has enough income to pay the rent.
The lease must identify the parties, the property being rented, the length of the rental, the amount to be paid, and the method of payment.
It is recommended for greater comfort and guarantee to have the services of a real estate agent.
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I am a non-resident and I have a home in Spain. What taxes do I have to pay?
Non-residents with urban real estate / homes for their own use in Spain are subject to the Non-Resident Income Tax (IRNR) and a local tax, the Real Estate Tax (IBI).
Each year they must pay the IRNR on an income equivalent to 1.1% of the property's cadastral value.
The proportional part of said amount will be declared if the property has not been owned throughout the year or if it has been leased for some period.
The application model is 210 (requested at the Tax Office). It must be submitted before December 31 of the following calendar year on paper - by printing a completed form on the Tax Agency's Internet portal - or electronically, online.
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I lost / had stolen my TIE (Tarjeta de Identificación de Extranjero). How can I request a duplicate?
If your TIE residence card is lost or stolen, you must file a declaration at the police station, and return to the foreigners section to have a duplicate made. Remember that if you plan to take a trip, it will be essential to have a duplicate of your NIE.
Translating official documents
Normally for any official procedure you will need a sworn translation. This is the case of documents that must be presented to the courts or others such as birth, marriage, divorce or death certificates. Translation can only be done by sworn translators, highly qualified professionals recognized as such by the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In cases where you need to translate a document for your convenience in a private matter, the translation of a third person who knows both languages will be sufficient, and it is always preferable to go to professionals. Example: if you buy a home you will want to know exactly what the documentation says; Or, if you create a branch of your foreign company in Spain, you must have the articles of incorporation and the statutes of the company in Spanish. It is not necessary for these documents to be translated by a sworn translator.
Do I need an accountant ("gestor")?
The concept of a "gestor" may be unfamiliar to you: it is the person who handles bureaucratic procedures on your behalf ('paperwork') that do not require specialized training or a license to do so. It need not be an accountant, although they often are. The "gestor" is, in short, an adviser who can act as your intermediary before the authorities. They can't do more than you could as a citizen but they save you time and headaches.
The advantage of using a "gestor" is that they know the existing bureaucratic system and the best way to use it. For example, they know exactly how to fill out all the forms correctly and what is the correct order of the steps that must be taken in a bureaucratic process to achieve the objective as quickly as possible.
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