The ordinary residency routes for people already in Spain or planning to move through the standard process.
Before you start: you need an NIE
If you don't have one yet, fill in the EX-15 form online for free and read how to get an NIE, including from abroad.
Pick your situation
Employed work — form EX-03
Residence and work authorisation with a Spanish employer (arts. 72–73 RD 1155/2024). After renewal: 4 years with no restrictions (art. 81).
Self-employment — autónomo, form EX-07
Initial authorisation: 1 year, limited to one region and one business sector (arts. 83–84). After renewal: 4 years (art. 87).
Non-lucrative — living on your own means, form EX-01
Residence on your own means without the right to work. Consulate visa, arts. 61–64 of RD 1155/2024. Means and deadline calculators.
Family reunification — form EX-02
Residence for the relatives of a foreign resident of Spain (arts. 65–71 RD 1155/2024). What the sponsor must show, independent residence, renewal and the form generator.
Family member of an EU citizen — form EX-19
Residence card for the relative of a citizen of another EU/EEA state living in Spain (RD 240/2007). A separate EU-citizen regime, distinct from family reunification.
Long-term residence — form EX-11
Permanent residence (national or EU) after 5 years of continuous lawful stay (EU long-term: arts. 175–181; national: arts. 182–185).
Each route's requirements — contract, income, absences, labour-market test — are set out inside the form itself rather than as a single figure here: they depend on your specific situation and are checked against the literal text of the law.