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Latin Americans can move to Spain by applying for an employee, study, research, or family reunification visa. Some documents you will need include a passport, recent photo, and proof of a health insurance policy. Expats can secure medical coverage through a private international provider.
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Are you moving to Spain soon? Need help figuring out where to live, what job to apply for, what to expect the culture to be like, and how to navigate the healthcare system?
This Pacific Prime article will walk you through each of those topics and more! By the end, you’ll be feeling much more informed about how to approach your upcoming move.
How to Apply for a Visa in Spain as a Latin American
Latin American citizens moving to Spain should apply for a visa through the following steps:
- Determine the correct type of visa (e.g. tourist, student, work, non-lucrative, etc.).
- Gather the required documents based on the visa type (e.g. passport, proof of funds, health insurance, invitation letter, etc.).
- Schedule an appointment at the nearest Spanish consulate or embassy in your country.
- Fill out the official visa application form and prepare a recent passport-sized photo.
- Attend the appointment and submit your documents in person, along with the visa fee.
- Wait for processing while the consulate reviews your application (usually takes 1 to 4 weeks).
- Receive a decision and collect your visa if approved.
- Travel to Spain and, if applicable, register your residence or apply for a foreigner ID (TIE) within 30 days of arrival.
Individuals applying for a Spanish visa will need to present the following required documents with their application:
- Valid passport
- Completed national visa application form
- Recent passport-sized photographs
- Proof of sufficient financial means
- Health insurance policy
- Medical certificate
- Criminal background check certificate
- Visa fee payment
Some additional documents may be required for work, study, and non-lucrative visas. Always consult with Spain’s government website of their requirements.
Types of Visas for Latin American Citizens in Spain
Latin American citizens moving to Spain may qualify for the employee visa, self-employed work visa, study visa, family reunification visa, or the working holiday visa, to name a few. It is essential that visa applicants apply for the correct visa that matches their purpose for entering the country.
Here’s a list of the types of visas in Spain:
- Schengen Visa (Tourist): Allows the holder to stay in the Schengen area for up to 90 days (in any 180-day period) for the purposes of tourism, business, visiting family, medical treatment, studies, training placements or volunteer activities that last under three months.
- Employee Visa: For people aged 16 and over who wish to work as employees in Spain (with a work contract). This visa covers seasonal work activities.
- Self-Employed Work Visa: For people aged 16 or over who seek to engage in self-employed activity in Spain.
- Study Visa: For stays exceeding 90 days for studies, training, internships, or voluntary work. This visa may also be issued for stays for au pairs and for conversation class assistants.
- Family Reunification Visa: For family members of foreigners who already have legal resident status in Spain and who wish to exercise the right to family reunification.
- Entrepreneur Visa: For foreigners moving to Spain to carry out the procedures necessary to undertake an innovative, entrepreneurial activity of particular economic interest for Spain.
- Researcher Visa: To carry out a research activity in a Spanish university, in business entities or R&D&I centres, or in a research organisation established in Spain. Applicants who have an offer may be eligible to apply for an R&D&I and training residence permit.
- Internship Visa: For foreigners who have obtained a university degree in the past two years or who are pursuing studies that will lead to their obtaining a university degree in Spain or abroad, and who are participating in an internship program in Spain.
- Highly Qualified Worker and Intra-Company Transfer Visa: To carry out a work activity as an employee in Spain as a highly qualified professional, member of senior management personnel, or as a graduate or postgraduate of a prestigious university and/or business school.
- Investor Visa: A short-stay or residence visa for foreigners making a significant capital investment in Spain per the requirements.
- Non-Working Residence Visa: To reside in Spain without carrying out any gainful (work or professional) activity, provided that the applicant has sufficient and guaranteed means to live on. This visa does not constitute a work permit.
- Working Holiday Visa: To work in Spain for a holiday season after receiving the NIE certificate.
- Telework Visa (Digital Nomad): To carry out a remote work or professional activity for companies located outside the national territory, through the exclusive use of computer, telematics, and telecommunication media and systems.
- Artist/Reporter Visa: A Schengen visa that allows its holder to carry out an activity with the exception of work authorization.
How to Become a Spanish Citizen
Latin Americans, unlike most other foreigners, can apply for Spanish citizenship after just two years of legal residence in Spain (usually it’s 10 years). Other fast-tracks to citizenship include becoming a citizen due to Spanish ancestry, marriage to a Spanish citizen, or the historical memory law.
Here are the requirements to become a citizen for Latin Americans, for those who are interested in this path:
- Legal residence in Spain for two consecutive years: You must hold a valid residency permit (not a tourist visa), and you must reside in Spain most of the time (more than 183 days per year).
- Clean criminal record: Your criminal record must be clean both in Spain and your country of origin.
- Pass two exams: You must pass the CCSE (Constitutional and Sociocultural Knowledge of Spain) and the DELE A2 Spanish exam (language), unless Spanish is your native language (most Latin Americans are exempt).
- Demonstrate integration into Spanish society: Have a stable job or income and create social ties (community involvement, language proficiency, etc.).
- Renounce your original nationality: Latin Americans are EXEMPT from this. You can hold dual nationality.
It is not required to become a Spanish citizen to be a long-term or permanent resident there.
Emigrants Adjusting to Spain Culture and Traditions
Emigrants adjusting to Spanish culture and traditions often experience both comfort and contrast. For Latin Americans, the shared language and Catholic heritage make the transition smoother. Family gatherings, community celebrations, and food-centered social life help newcomers feel at home.
Differences in daily routines, however—such as later meal times, the slower pace of life, and strong regional identities—can take some getting used to.
Many emigrants find that adapting to Spanish traditions involves embracing local customs like afternoon closures of shops, celebrating festivals like Semana Santa or Fallas, and navigating a society where people may be more direct in communication.
Over time, most find a balance between preserving their cultural identity and blending into Spain’s unique way of life. To learn more, read about what it’s like living in Spain as a Latin American.
Lifestyle and Cultural Differences in Spain
While Spain and Latin America share deep cultural roots, daily life in Spain often follows a more structured pace. Spaniards typically eat meals later, especially dinner, which may start after 9 p.m., and the tradition of the siesta—though fading—is still respected in some areas.
Social life in Spain often revolves around cafés, plazas, and long mealtimes with family or friends. Compared to many Latin American countries, Spain may feel more formal and slower-paced, with strong regional identities and customs.
Public spaces are well maintained, and there’s a strong emphasis on work-life balance, especially in southern regions.
Language Differences in Spain
Spanish is spoken in both Spain and Latin America, but there are clear differences in accent, vocabulary, and grammar. In Spain, the Castilian accent includes the distinct theta sound (pronouncing z and soft c like th), and the informal vosotros form is widely used, unlike in Latin America.
Some words and phrases differ significantly—for example, coger is neutral in Spain but vulgar in some Latin American countries. Despite these variations, mutual understanding is generally easy, and many Latin Americans adapt quickly while maintaining their own linguistic identity.
Climate and Geography Differences in Spain
Spain has a highly diverse climate and landscape for its size, from Mediterranean beaches to alpine mountains and dry central plains. Compared to Latin America’s vast range—from tropical jungles to Andean peaks—Spain is smaller and more predictable, with four distinct seasons.
Winters in northern or inland Spain can be cold, unlike in much of Latin America, while the south shares similarities with the warmer parts of Latin America. Urban planning is more compact, with walkable cities and historic centers that reflect centuries of European architecture.
Cost of Living Differences in Spain
Spain is generally more expensive than many Latin American countries, especially in terms of rent, transportation, and dining out in major cities like Madrid or Barcelona. However, compared to global standards in Europe, Spain is one of the more affordable Western countries.
Public healthcare and education are free or low-cost, which can be a financial relief compared to Latin America’s more privatized systems. While groceries and daily expenses are manageable, the higher cost of housing in urban areas may be surprising to Latin American newcomers.
Common Jobs for Latin Americans Moving to Spain
Latin Americans moving to Spain most commonly find jobs in tourism and hospitality, customer service, teaching English, IT and tech, caregiving, sales, marketing, and finances. The unemployment rate in Spain is 12.2%, so it is highly competitive for anyone to find a job.
The most high-demand jobs in Spain right now are:
- Tourism and hospitality
- IT and tech
- Food and beverage
- Automotive
- Pharmaceuticals
Latin Americans who want to get hired in Spain as an emigrant should follow these steps:
- Researching job openings
- Networking with your connections
- Writing and submitting a CV (résumé)
- Applying for a Spanish work visa
How Emigrants Can Access Spain’s Healthcare System
Latin Americans living in Spain can access healthcare through the country’s universal public health system, known as the Sistema Nacional de Salud (SNS). This system provides high-quality care to residents, often at little to no direct cost.
To access public healthcare, Latin Americans must first obtain legal residency and then register with the local municipal registry (empadronamiento) in the city or town where they live. This step proves they are residents and is required for many public services, including healthcare.
Once registered, they can apply for a social security number (número de la Seguridad Social) if they are working or self-employed, which then entitles them to free or subsidized healthcare coverage.
If they are not working—such as retirees or dependents—they may still qualify for public healthcare through a government program or by applying for the Convenio Especial, a low-cost monthly payment plan that grants access to the public system.
Spain’s healthcare system covers most medical services, including general doctor visits, hospital stays, emergency care, and basic prescriptions. However, there may be small copayments for medications or specialist visits.
It’s also common for some residents, including Latin Americans, to purchase private health insurance for faster access to specialists or services not covered by the public system.
Emergency Services
It’s important to know that while emergency care is available to everyone—regardless of immigration status—full access to the system requires legal residency and registration. Latin Americans benefit from cultural and linguistic similarities that can make navigating the system easier.
They should still be proactive in completing the necessary paperwork, especially after arriving.
Best Private Insurance Companies for Expats in Spain
The top 10 health insurance companies for expats living in Spain are:
Read more about each to find out who is right for you!
15 Best Places for Latin Americans to Live in Spain
Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia, and Granada are among the most popular cities for emigrants to Spain to live in. Each has their own unique charm, attractions, history, and culture to explore. Latin Americans moving to Spain will want to consider our list of the 15 best places to live in Spain.
- Barcelona: Renowned for its unique blend of modernist architecture, Mediterranean beaches, and vibrant Catalan culture.
- Madrid: Spain’s capital is famous for its royal palaces, world-class art museums, and energetic nightlife.
- Valencia: Known for its futuristic City of Arts and Sciences, historic old town, and as the birthplace of paella.
- Granada: Famed for the stunning Alhambra palace and its rich Moorish heritage nestled at the foot of the Sierra Nevada.
- Seville: Celebrated for its flamenco traditions, magnificent cathedral, and colorful Semana Santa festivals.
- Bilbao: Famous for the Guggenheim Museum and its transformation from an industrial city to a cultural hub in the Basque Country.
- Malaga: A sun-soaked port city known for its beaches, Picasso heritage, and revitalized historic center.
- Alicante: Loved for its palm-lined waterfront, castle-topped hills, and lively Mediterranean charm.
- Palma de Mallorca: The island capital is famous for its Gothic cathedral, luxury resorts, and scenic coastal views.
- San Sebastián: Renowned for its elegant beaches, world-class gastronomy, and Basque cultural pride.
- Toledo: Known as the “City of Three Cultures” for its Christian, Jewish, and Muslim heritage preserved in a hilltop medieval city.
- Córdoba: Famous for the Mezquita, a mosque-cathedral symbolizing its Islamic past, and its charming flower-filled patios.
- Zaragoza: Known for the grand Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar and a blend of Roman, Moorish, and Christian architecture.
- A Coruña: A coastal city famous for the ancient Roman lighthouse, Tower of Hercules, and Galician seafood.
- Santander: Celebrated for its elegant beaches, scenic bay, and as a gateway to northern Spain’s green coast.
You may also want to consider the best cities for remote workers to live if your employment is more flexible.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of visa do I need to live in Spain?
Latin Americans can apply for several types of visas, such as student, work, or non-lucrative residence visas. The best option depends on your purpose—studying, working, or retiring. Each visa has specific financial and documentation requirements.
Can I get Spanish citizenship more easily as a Latin American?
Latin Americans benefit from a reduced residency requirement of just two years (instead of 10) to apply for Spanish citizenship. You’ll need to live legally in Spain during that time, have a clean record, and pass basic language and cultural integration exams.
Is it easy to find a job in Spain as a Latin American?
Finding a job in Spain as a Latin American depends on your field, language skills, and residency status. While Latin Americans share language and cultural ties, getting a work visa can be difficult unless you’re already hired by a Spanish company. Some apply for a study or non-lucrative visa first.
Conclusion
We’ve reviewed a number of topics that will help Latin Americans in their move to Spain from visa applications and job searching to lifestyle differences and how to access healthcare.
If you’ve found value in the article, we highly recommend reading our Spain Digital Nomad Visa Guide and our Moving to Spain with a Family Guide.
Pacific Prime is an international health insurance broker with over 20 years of experience helping expats secure health and travel insurance. If you’d like our experienced support and advice finding your health insurance coverage, contact our team online or over the phone at 1-800-868-1451.
You can begin comparing health insurance plans and quotes right away with our database of over 50,000 health plans! You won’t want to miss out on this resource. Happy travels!
Jantra curates and reports on the results of Pacific Prime’s monthly newsletters, as well as manages Pacific Prime’s Deputy Global CEO’s LinkedIn posts. Complemented by her background in business writing, Jantra’s passion for health, insurance, and employee benefits helps her create engaging content – no matter how complex the subject is.
Growing up as a third-culture kid has given her a multicultural perspective that helps her relate to expats and their families while 8 years of working remotely have given her unique insight into hybrid work arrangements and enthusiasm for employee benefits.
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