How much does it cost to get Spanish residency?

So, how much does it cost to get Spanish residency? Here we break down the possible costs and things that you should be aware of: 

The application process

While the Foreigner’s Office don’t charge for the appointment itself, there is a Spanish Government tax to pay, depending on the type of residency you are applying for. You’ll need to pre-pay this tax at a bank and then present the receipt with your application.  If you don’t have this proof of payment, you risk being sent away and having to rebook for another day. 

Professional or specialist help

Although there is a lot of free advice on the internet, many people find it easier and less stressful to pay a professional to assist them with a residency application.
Finding the right company at the right price is key.

Some people may just want to pay someone to translate at the appointment – which is fine if all you need is someone to speak Spanish rather than provide expert assistance on the actual requirements for the appointment.

Paying for specialist help should start at around €95 + IVA (VAT) and include everything from filling out the forms, pre-paying those taxes, attending the appointment with you and advising on the documents you need to take.
Sometimes, clients turn to their lawyers who undoubtedly do a good job, but charge lawyer’s fees, and we’ve seen people charged up €400 or more for a single residency application. 

Extra costs

Depending on each individual’s circumstances, there could be extra costs involved. For example, if you need a bank certificate to prove income, some branches charge for these. Quite often, especially in the case of beneficiaries, documents like birth or marriage certificates need to be legally translated, starting from about 40€ per page. If you don’t have copies of relevant documents, then you will need to apply for a duplicate and if you need to buy a private health insurance policy, that also comes at a cost. 

Savings

There are savings to be made by becoming legally resident in Spain – if you are a non-resident property owner, by becoming a resident you no longer need to to pay your non-residents property tax. If you are planning to register a vehicle in Spain, you can waive the registration tax and you can register on the Padron for discounts on the IBI local property tax bills and more.