Residency in Spain for Brazilians

It depends on the residency path. Brazilians do not need a visa to enter Spain as tourists: they can stay up to 90 days within a 180-day period in the Schengen area. However, some authorizations (such as non-lucrative residency, digital nomad visa, or study stay) must be applied for at the Spanish consulate in Brazil before traveling, while other paths, such as arraigo (rootedness), are processed while already in Spain. During the initial consultation, we analyze your case and tell you exactly from where and how you should start the process.

It depends on the type of authorization we process. Some residences include permission to work for others, as a self-employed individual, or both; others, like the non-lucrative residence, do not allow you to engage in work activity in Spain. The digital nomad visa allows you to work remotely for companies located outside of Spain. Before starting anything, we study what you need to do here — work, start a business, study, or join your family — and choose the path that gives you exactly those rights, so you don't end up with a card that doesn't allow you to do what you're looking for.

Yes. Rafaela Dias Pinheiro, our lawyer, is Brazilian and can assist you in Portuguese or Spanish, as you prefer. For many Brazilians, being able to explain their situation in their own language and understand every step without barriers provides great peace of mind, especially in immigration procedures where a misunderstanding can cost time or result in a denial. We are familiar with the Brazilian community in Spain and the specific problems they face, so we don't just translate; we understand the context. All communication and case tracking can be handled in Portuguese.

Yes. Arraigo is the pathway specifically designed for individuals who have been living in Spain for some time without a residency permit. There are different types of arraigo—social, socio-labor, family, and second chance—and each has its own requirements regarding length of stay, ties, and documentation. The key usually lies in being able to prove your continuous stay in Spain and gathering the appropriate evidence. We review how long you've been here, what you can demonstrate, and which type of arraigo fits your case, and we assist you throughout the entire process of preparing your application.

It depends on the route and your specific situation. Each authorization has its own processing times, and the actual time can vary depending on the workload of the immigration office or consulate, the documentation you provide, and whether any requests arise. A well-prepared application from the start—with complete, translated, and legalized or apostilled documentation when necessary—avoids delays and corrections that prolong the process. During the first consultation, we provide you with a realistic forecast for your case, without empty promises, and we track the deadlines throughout the entire process.

Yes. Spanish law allows nationals of Ibero-American countries, such as Brazil, to apply for Spanish nationality by residence after only 2 years of legal and continuous residence, instead of the 10 years generally required. This is a very significant advantage: in a relatively short time, you can transition from a residence permit to Spanish citizenship, with all that entails (Spanish passport and free movement within the European Union). Requirements such as demonstrating good civic conduct and integration must be met, and with few exceptions, passing the CCSE and DELE exams is also necessary. We will also assist you with this step.

In some cases, yes, but it has to be done correctly. Brazilians can enter Spain without a visa and stay for up to 90 days as tourists, and some pathways, like arraigo, are specifically requested while already in the country. Other authorizations, however, require a visa to be processed at the consulate in Brazil before traveling, and applying for them as a tourist is not the right way: it can end in refusal. That's why it's important to know, before you make a move, which pathway fits your situation and where to apply from. We will review this with you in the first consultation so you don't take a wrong step.