Spanish visa resources
Documents for a Spain visa application
The core paperwork Spain requires for a national long-stay (type D) visa, plus route-specific items for residence, study and work.
Important
A Spanish national visa (visado nacional, type D) is required when a third-country national plans to stay in Spain for more than 90 days to work, study or establish residence. Because it is a national — not a Schengen short-stay — visa, the document set is set by Spanish immigration law and confirmed by the Spanish consulate handling your legal place of residence.
Every national route shares a common core of documents; on top of that, each route (non-lucrative residence, student, work, family) adds its own supporting evidence. Always check the exact list published by the specific Spanish consulate you will apply at, because supporting formats (apostille, sworn Spanish translation) are enforced strictly.
Core documents for every national route
- Completed and signed national visa application form
- The relevant residence form where required (e.g. form EX-01 for non-lucrative residence)
- A valid passport with at least one year's validity and two blank pages
- Recent passport-size photographs to specification
- Proof of legal residence in the consular district where you apply
- Criminal-record certificate from countries of residence over the last five years, apostilled and translated into Spanish (required for stays over six months)
- Medical certificate confirming no diseases with serious public-health implications (for stays over six months)
Route-specific additions
- Non-lucrative residence: proof of sufficient, guaranteed financial means (a percentage of Spain's IPREM index, plus an added percentage per family member) and full private health insurance covering all risks in Spain
- Student: acceptance/enrolment letter from an accredited Spanish institution, proof of means for the study period, and health insurance
- Work: the underlying work/residence authorisation obtained on the employer or self-employed route
- Family reunification: proof of the qualifying relationship and of the sponsor's status in Spain
Formatting rules to watch
- Foreign public documents generally need the Hague Apostille (or legalisation)
- Documents not in Spanish generally need an official/sworn translation
- Criminal-record and medical certificates must be recently issued (typically within the last few months)
Next steps
Official sources
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to the official government sources.
Verified against official sources · last reviewed 2026-08-21. Information only — not legal advice.