Spain long-stay visa: requirements, fee and processing time
This page covers the Spain long-stay (national d) visa — used for stays longer than 90 days, followed by a national residence permit. Every field below is taken from our editor-verified country record and reflects what the Spain consular network publishes for applicants of any nationality. You apply in the country where you legally reside, so exact centres and service fees can differ locally.
Where to apply for a Spain long-stay visa
Spanish Consulate in London or Edinburgh, or BLS International centres. Long-stay (Type D) applications must be lodged in person by the applicant, including for non-lucrative, digital nomad and family reunification routes.
Required documents
- Valid passport (min. 1 year validity, 2 blank pages)
- National visa application form (Solicitud de visado nacional), signed
- Recent passport photo on white background
- Route-specific evidence: proof of income/savings (non-lucrative), remote work contract (digital nomad), or family reunification authorisation
- Private health insurance with full cover in Spain and no co-payments
- Criminal record certificate (ACRO) with Apostille and sworn Spanish translation
- Medical certificate under the International Health Regulations 2005
- Proof of UK residence status
- Proof of fee payment
Turn this list into a tick-off checklist on the checklist page, which also flags which items are mandatory and which are only advisable.
Fees, reductions and exemptions
- National visa (standard)€80
- UK nationals (reciprocity fee)€516— Spain applies a reciprocity fee to British citizens for most long-stay visas.
- Family member of EU/EEA/CH citizenFree— Directive 2004/38/EC — fee waived with proof of relationship.
- BLS service fee€17— £14.85 incl. VAT per applicant, mandatory for every category.
- Next-day courier passport return€34— £29.99 optional return by courier.
- SMS / email tracking€2— £1.95 optional.
- Premium in-centre service€115— £100 per applicant. Does not speed up the appointment or the decision.
- Premium lounge€200— From £175 per applicant (£160 each for groups of 5+).
Fees are paid in GBP at the consular rate and are non-refundable. Budget separately for the TIE card and, for non-lucrative visas, proof of income at 400% of IPREM.
Booking an appointment
Appointments are booked online with BLS International (London, Manchester, Edinburgh). Standard slots can be several weeks out in peak season. Paid extras (premium in-centre service £100, premium lounge from £175, next-day courier £29.99) add comfort but do not speed up the appointment or the decision.
Practical tips
Start the ACRO certificate, Apostille and sworn translation at least two months ahead — legalisation is the usual bottleneck. Health insurance must be a Spanish-compliant policy with no excess.
What is unusual about the Spain process
Within 30 days of arrival you must apply for the TIE foreigner card at the local police station or immigration office.
Official sources
If you are applying from the United Kingdom
- London — Spain Visa Application Centre – London20 St Andrew Street, London EC4A 3AGAll Schengen visa applications for Spain from UK residents are submitted at BLS, not at the consulate.
- Manchester — Spain Visa Application Centre – ManchesterUnit 1, 205 Chapel Street, Salford, Manchester M3 5PFServes the consular district of Manchester; submission usually 08:30–13:30.
- Edinburgh — Spain Visa Application Centre – EdinburghCentre serving Scotland; check the BLS site for the current address and opening hours.
Applying from somewhere else? Use the consulate that covers your country of legal residence — the requirements above still apply.
Updated today against official Spain consular sources. Requirements can change without notice — always confirm before you travel.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Spain long-stay visa cost?
- For a Spain long-stay visa, the consular fee is €80. Reduced or waived amounts apply to: National visa (standard) — €80; UK nationals (reciprocity fee) — €516; Family member of EU/EEA/CH citizen — free; BLS service fee — €17; Next-day courier passport return — €34; SMS / email tracking — €2; Premium in-centre service — €115; Premium lounge — €200. Fees are paid in GBP at the consular rate and are non-refundable. Budget separately for the TIE card and, for non-lucrative visas, proof of income at 400% of IPREM. Visa application centres such as VFS Global, BLS, TLScontact or Capago charge their own service fee on top.
- How long does a Spain long-stay visa take to process?
- A decision on a Spain long-stay visa typically takes around 30 days from the appointment date, though peak season, additional document requests and consulate workload can extend this. Apply as early as the rules allow.
- Where do I apply for a Spain long-stay visa?
- Spanish Consulate in London or Edinburgh, or BLS International centres. Long-stay (Type D) applications must be lodged in person by the applicant, including for non-lucrative, digital nomad and family reunification routes. You always apply through the mission or application centre that covers your country of legal residence.
- What documents are required for a Spain long-stay visa?
- The Spain consular network lists: Valid passport (min. 1 year validity, 2 blank pages); National visa application form (Solicitud de visado nacional), signed; Recent passport photo on white background; Route-specific evidence: proof of income/savings (non-lucrative), remote work contract (digital nomad), or family reunification authorisation; Private health insurance with full cover in Spain and no co-payments; Criminal record certificate (ACRO) with Apostille and sworn Spanish translation; Medical certificate under the International Health Regulations 2005; Proof of UK residence status; Proof of fee payment. Some items are mandatory and others only advisable — the EU Visa Compass checklist tool flags which is which.
- How do appointments work for a Spain long-stay visa?
- Appointment model: Online booking. Appointments are booked online with BLS International (London, Manchester, Edinburgh). Standard slots can be several weeks out in peak season. Paid extras (premium in-centre service £100, premium lounge from £175, next-day courier £29.99) add comfort but do not speed up the appointment or the decision.
- Can I apply for a Spain long-stay visa from the United Kingdom?
- Yes. We list 3 submission points in the UK for Spain, with addresses and notes, on this page. If you live elsewhere, use the consulate covering your country of residence — the requirements themselves stay the same.
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