Kingdom of Spain
Spain visa processing times
How long does each Spain visa take? Below are the typical decision windows for all 7 routes we track, each sourced directly from Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migrations (Spain). Click any route to see the full breakdown, including what drives the timeline and whether a priority service is available.
Quick facts: The fastest route is the Digital Nomad Visa (Spain) at 3 weeks – 6 weeks. The slowest is the Family reunification (Spain) at 3 months – 6 months.
| Route | Typical wait | Sponsor needed? | Last checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Digital Nomad Visa (Spain) Residence permit for remote workers and international freelancers under the Startup Law (Ley de Startups). | 3 weeks – 6 weeks | No | 2026-06-01 |
| Highly Qualified Professional (HQP) permit Residence permit for highly qualified workers with a Spanish employment contract, processed under the Law 14/2013 regime. | 3 weeks – 6 weeks | Yes | 2026-06-01 |
| Entrepreneur Visa (Ley 14/2013) Residence permit for founders establishing an innovative business in Spain under the Entrepreneurs' Law. | 3 weeks – 2 months | No | 2026-06-01 |
| Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV) Residence visa for financially self-sufficient non-EEA nationals not planning to work in Spain. | 4 weeks – 3 months | No | 2026-06-01 |
| Spanish Student Visa Study visa for courses longer than 90 days at recognised Spanish institutions. | 4 weeks – 2 months | Yes | 2026-06-01 |
| Family reunification (Spain) Residence permit for family members of Spanish residents; arreigo (settled-status) routes also available. | 3 months – 6 months | No | 2026-06-01 |
| Spain Golden Visa (ending April 2025) Residence-by-investment route announced to end on 3 April 2025; residual queries reference historical rules. | Not published | No | 2026-06-01 |
Source authority: Ministerio de Inclusión — Portal de Inmigración. Processing times are indicative and change without notice — always confirm before applying.
Frequently asked questions
What is the fastest Spain visa to get?+
Among the 7 routes we track, the Digital Nomad Visa (Spain) has the shortest published decision window at 3 weeks – 6 weeks. Processing times are indicative and depend on case complexity, so always confirm the current figure on Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migrations (Spain).
Which Spain visa takes the longest to process?+
Of the routes we track, the Family reunification (Spain) carries the longest published window at 3 months – 6 months. Permanent-residence and family routes typically sit at the slower end, while short-term and points-tested routes tend to be quicker.
Are these Spain processing times official?+
Yes. Every window on this page is the figure published by Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migrations (Spain), shown with the date it was last checked. The figures are indicative rather than guarantees, and the linked source is authoritative on the day you apply.