Spain is the third most popular destination for Brazilian emigrants, after Portugal and the United States. The language barrier is smaller than it might seem — Spanish and Portuguese are closely related, and most Brazilians adapt quickly. Spain's warm climate, vibrant cities, EU access, and growing tech economy make it an attractive long-term base. However, immigration bureaucracy is notoriously complex — this guide gives you the exact steps.
1. Which visa do you need?
Brazilians need a national visa (visado nacional) to live and work in Spain. You must apply at a Spanish consulate in Brazil before arriving — you cannot convert a tourist stay into a residence permit. Spain processes immigration through the Oficina de Extranjería and the Consulado de España in your region.
Visado de Trabajo por Cuenta Ajena
Job offerStandard work visa for employees. Your Spanish employer applies for authorisation first (can take 1–3 months), then you apply at the consulate. Once approved, you must travel to Spain and apply for the TIE (resident card) within 30 days.
Visado Nómada Digital
Remote workersSpain's Digital Nomad Visa (launched 2023) is one of Europe's best. Valid for 1 year (renewable to 5), with optional EU Blue Card path. Income requirement: ~€2,650/month (200% minimum wage). Eligible for Spain's Beckham Law flat 24% tax rate for 5 years.
Visado de Estudios
StudentsFor enrolment in Spanish universities, language schools, or vocational programs (FP). Students can work up to 30 hours/week. Spanish public universities are excellent (ranked globally) with fees for non-EU of €750–3,000/year — far cheaper than in Brazil's private sector.
Visado de No Lucrativa
Passive incomeFor those with passive income (pensions, rental income, investments, dividends) who will not work in Spain. Requires proof of €28,000+/year in stable income (2024 benchmark). Popular among retirees and investors with Brazilian property portfolios.
Visado Emprendedor (Startup)
EntrepreneursPart of Spain's 2023 Startup Law (Ley de Startups). For founders creating innovative companies in Spain. Requires a business plan approved by ENISA (national innovation agency). Spain is rapidly becoming a European startup hub, especially in Barcelona and Madrid.
Reagrupacion Familiar
FamilyJoin a spouse, parent, or child who is a legal Spanish resident with at least 1 year of residence and permit renewal prospects. The anchor person must show sufficient income (approximately €665/month for themselves + €166 per dependent) and adequate housing.
2. Documents to prepare in Brazil
Spain requires apostilled documents for all visa applications. Unlike Portugal, many Spanish consulates also require sworn translations into Spanish (traduccion jurada), even for Portuguese documents. Budget time and money accordingly.
Core documents needed
- Passaporte — valid for at least 1 year beyond your planned stay
- Certidao de Nascimento — apostilled; if not in Spanish, requires traduccion jurada
- Antecedentes criminais — from Policia Federal (federal) and state SSP, issued within 3 months, apostilled. Must be translated to Spanish by a sworn translator.
- Certidao de casamento — if applicable, apostilled and translated
- Seguro de salud — private health insurance valid in Spain (Sanitas, AXA, Cigna all offer expat plans from ~€50/month). Required for most visa types.
- Comprovante de meios economicos — 3–6 months' bank statements, employment contracts, or pension certificates
- Comprovante de alojamento — rental contract, hotel reservation, or host letter for the first months
- Fotos de passaporte — biometric photos (typically 2–4) on white background
Getting sworn translations (traducciones juradas)
Spain maintains an official list of sworn translators certified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Only translations by registered traductores jurados are accepted. In Brazil, contact Spanish consulates directly for their recommended translators list, or search the MAEC directory.
3. Your first 30 days in Spain
After arriving on your national visa, you have just 30 days to complete your registration and apply for your TIE card. This timeline is strict — don't delay.
Go to your local Ayuntamiento (town hall) and register your address on the Padron Municipal. Bring your passport and rental contract (or host's authorisation). This gives you a certificado de empadronamiento, which is required for almost everything else. Takes 15–30 minutes and is free.
Apply at your Oficina de Extranjeria or a National Police station (Comisaria de Policia). Book an appointment at sede.administracionespublicas.gob.es — slots fill up fast. Pay the tasa 790 codigo 012 (~€11) at any bank. Bring: passport, visa, empadronamiento, and the completed modelo EX-15 form.
Book an appointment at the Extranjeria office using the same appointment system. Pay tasa 790 codigo 012 again (~€16–18). The TIE is printed and ready in 30–45 days. Until it arrives, your visa entry stamp + appointment confirmation works as proof of legal status. Carry them always.
With your NIE and passport, you can open accounts at Sabadell, BBVA, CaixaBank, Santander (traditional) or the free digital options Revolut, Wise, or N26. Most landlords require a Spanish bank account for rent payments via SEPA direct debit. Sabadell has dedicated international client services.
Once employed or registered as resident, go to your Centro de Salud with your NIE, TIE (or appointment), and empadronamiento. You'll be assigned a family doctor (medico de cabecera) and receive a tarjeta sanitaria (health card). If not yet working, get private insurance to bridge the gap.
Main operators: Movistar, Vodafone, Orange, Yoigo. Budget MVNOs: DIGI, Lebara, Pepephone — DIGI offers 50GB for ~€7/month. You need a Spanish number for Bizum (Spain's mobile payment system), and for many government online services. Contract SIMs require your NIE.
4. Cost of living
Spain is more affordable than France or Germany, but Madrid and Barcelona are significantly more expensive than smaller cities. Wages are lower than Northern Europe, but the quality of life — climate, food, culture, safety — compensates substantially for many Brazilians.
| City | 1-bed rent (centre) | Monthly budget (1 person) | Avg net salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Madrid | €1,200–1,900/mo | €1,800–2,700/mo | €1,500–2,500/mo |
| Barcelona | €1,100–1,800/mo | €1,700–2,600/mo | €1,400–2,300/mo |
| Valencia | €700–1,100/mo | €1,100–1,700/mo | €1,100–1,700/mo |
| Seville (Sevilla) | €600–1,000/mo | €1,000–1,600/mo | €1,000–1,500/mo |
| Malaga | €750–1,200/mo | €1,100–1,700/mo | €1,100–1,600/mo |
| Bilbao | €800–1,200/mo | €1,200–1,800/mo | €1,300–2,000/mo |
Key expenses breakdown (Madrid, 1 person)
- Rent (T1/studio outside centre): €900–1,400
- Utilities (electricity, water, internet): €100–160
- Groceries: €200–350
- Metro monthly pass (Madrid): €54.60 (Abono Transporte, zones A-B)
- Eating out (1 menú del día): €10–14 — includes starter, main, dessert, drink
- Health insurance (private): €50–100
- Mobile phone: €7–25
5. Finding housing
Spain's housing market is competitive, especially in Madrid and Barcelona. Remote work migration and a tourism boom have pushed rents to record highs. Start your search 2–3 months before your move date for the best options.
Where to search
- Idealista.com — Spain's largest property portal; use the Spanish version for full listings
- Fotocasa.es — strong in Catalonia and Valencia
- Habitaclia.com — Barcelona and Catalonia focused
- Pisos.com — good for smaller cities
- HousingAnywhere.com — furnished rooms and short-term leases
- Facebook groups: "Brasileiros em Madrid", "Brasileiros em Barcelona" — community sublets and room shares
What landlords require
- NIE number (mandatory)
- Employment contract or proof of income (usually 3x monthly rent)
- 2 months' deposit (fianza) — legally capped at 2 months for residential leases
- Many landlords ask for an aval bancario (bank guarantee) from foreigners with no Spanish credit history
- Private guarantee services like Avalun or Fianzalia can act as guarantors for a fee (~1 month's rent)
Best neighbourhoods by city
- Madrid: Lavapies (diverse, affordable, central), Carabanchel (up-and-coming, budget), Tetuan/Cuatro Caminos (good transport, mid-range)
- Barcelona: Gracia (bohemian, popular with expats), Poble Sec (affordable, central), Sant Marti (Rambla del Poblenou tech district)
- Valencia: Ruzafa (hip and affordable), Benimaclet (student area near university)
6. Healthcare
Spain has one of the world's best public healthcare systems (consistently ranked top 10 globally). Access for legal residents is universal and nearly free — but access depends on your employment or registration status.
Public system (Sistema Nacional de Salud)
- Once employed with a Spanish contract, you're automatically covered via Social Security (Seguridad Social) contributions
- If not employed, some communities (Madrid, Catalonia, Andalusia) allow registration via empadronamiento — verify with your local Centro de Salud
- Register at your Centro de Salud to get a tarjeta sanitaria individual (TSI) — your health card
- Emergency care (urgencias) is available to everyone regardless of status
Private health insurance
Required for the Non-Lucrative and Digital Nomad visas. Also useful for faster specialist access. Major providers: Sanitas (Bupa), Adeslas, Asisa, AXA. Monthly costs: €50–100 for a healthy adult. Many expats keep private insurance even after accessing the public system to avoid waiting lists for specialists and surgery.
Pharmacies (farmacias)
Spain has an excellent pharmacy network — green cross signs everywhere. Pharmacists can treat minor conditions without appointments. Prescription medications cost 10–60% of retail price with your health card. Many medications available OTC in Spain that require prescriptions in Brazil.
7. Language & community
Spanish and Portuguese are closely related but not mutually intelligible — Brazilians typically need 3–6 months to become comfortable in Spanish. The written forms are very similar; the biggest challenge is listening comprehension, especially with regional accents (Andalusian, Catalan-accented Spanish, Galician).
Key differences from Brazilian Portuguese
- Coche = carro · Ordenador = computador · Movil = celular · Bano = banheiro
- Tio/Tia = cara/gata (slang for "dude/girl") · Guay = legal/maneiro · Mola = e demais
- Vosotros — the plural "you" form used in Spain (not in Latin America). You won't need to produce it but you will hear it constantly.
- Spanish is spoken much faster than Brazilian Portuguese. Don't worry — you'll tune in within weeks.
Language learning resources
- Instituto Cervantes — official Spanish language authority; free online resources
- Duolingo — good for vocabulary, free
- Language exchange apps: Tandem and HelloTalk — find Spanish natives who want to learn Portuguese
Brazilian communities in Spain
- Brasileiros em Madrid — active Facebook group
- Brasileiros em Barcelona — Barcelona-based community
- Bairro brasileiro in Lavapies, Madrid — several Brazilian restaurants, hair salons, and shops
- Annual Festa Junina events in Madrid and Barcelona organised by the Brazilian community
Use the IC360 community to connect with IC360 members who've already made the Brazil-Spain move. Our Psychology pillar covers the cultural adjustment stages you'll go through.
8. Schools & education
Spain's public education is free for all children, including those of immigrants, from age 3 to 18. The school year runs September to June, with Christmas and Easter breaks. Teaching language is Spanish (and additionally Catalan in Catalonia, Galician in Galicia, Basque in the Basque Country).
Enrolment process
- Contact your local Ayuntamiento or Delegacion de Educacion — they assign schools based on your zone (barrio)
- Required documents: empadronamiento, child's passport, birth certificate (apostilled), vaccination record
- Children arriving mid-year can enrol at any time. Schools by law must accept immigrant children
- Reception programs (aulas de enlace) exist in Madrid for non-Spanish speakers — intensive Spanish + curriculum bridge
International and bilingual schools
- Several public schools in Madrid and Barcelona operate bilingual programs (Spanish/English or Spanish/French) — free
- Private international schools: British Council School (Madrid), Benjamin Franklin International (Barcelona), American School of Madrid. Fees: €8,000–20,000/year.
- Many Brazilians choose Spanish public school + private English lessons — best value combination
9. Culture & daily life
Spain and Brazil share the Latin temperament, warmth, and love of food — but there are real differences that Brazilians frequently encounter.
Meal times are very late
Lunch: 2–4pm. Dinner: 9–11pm. Restaurants often don't serve dinner before 8:30pm. Tapas in the early evening (7–9pm) bridge the gap. If you're hungry at 6pm, have a bocadillo at a bar.
Siesta is partially real
Many small shops still close between 2–5pm, especially in smaller cities and Southern Spain. In Madrid and Barcelona, large stores and chains are open continuously, but local businesses often aren't.
Bureaucracy by appointment only
Almost all government services require a pre-booked appointment (cita previa). The online booking system often has no availability for weeks. Book early, check at unusual hours (5–6am when slots reset), and try different offices in the same city.
Fiesta culture runs deep
Each neighbourhood, city, and region has its own patron saint festival (fiestas patronales). During these periods (Madrid's San Isidro, Barcelona's La Merce, Seville's Feria), the city becomes a party. Very similar spirit to Brazilian festas, but the music is flamenco and paso doble.
Pickpocketing is a real concern
Barcelona's La Rambla, Madrid's Sol/Gran Via, and tourist areas are pickpocketing hotspots. Use inside pockets, bags across the chest, and keep phones off tables at street cafes. Crime otherwise is low — Spain is very safe by international standards.
Direct communication style
Spanish people are direct and opinionated, especially about football, politics, and food. Debates at dinner tables are spirited and not personal. Brazilians generally adapt well — the warmth and expressiveness of Spanish culture feels familiar.
Climate varies enormously
Madrid has extreme temperatures (sub-zero winters, 40°C summers). Barcelona is milder and humid. Seville and Andalusia are scorching in summer. Galicia (northwest) is rainy and green — almost like Ireland. Research your specific city's climate before committing.
Bizum is everywhere
Bizum is Spain's mobile-to-mobile payment system (linked to Spanish bank accounts). Used to split restaurant bills, pay for markets, and send money. Equivalent to Brazil's Pix. Get it set up in your first week — you'll need it daily.
Holidays are abundant
Spain has 14 public holidays nationally, plus regional and local holidays. Madrid has several that Barcelona does not (and vice versa). August is essentially a month-long holiday — many shops and restaurants close, and cities half-empty as locals head to the coast.
10. Supermarket guide
Spain has an excellent supermarket culture — fresh produce is abundant, high quality, and cheap. The Mediterranean diet means supermarkets are packed with olive oil, legumes, fish, and seasonal vegetables.
Main chains
- Mercadona — Spain's dominant chain, own-brand (Hacendado) is excellent quality. National coverage, very efficient layout.
- Lidl / Aldi — cheapest option for staples and quality weekly offers. Lidl's bakery section is exceptional.
- El Corte Ingles (Supercor) — premium, comprehensive, open late. Great for international products including Brazilian imports.
- Carrefour — large hypermarkets, good for bulk shopping
- Dia — discount chain, frequent promotions, budget-friendly
- Consum — strong in Valencia region; excellent local produce
Brazilian products in Spain
Madrid's Lavapies neighbourhood has several Brazilian grocery shops. Online options include Sabores do Brasil and similar import stores. Products typically available: guarana, acai, pao de queijo mix, coxinha kit, condensed milk, farofa.
Food vocabulary (Spanish vs Brazilian Portuguese)
- Pollo = frango · Carne de res / ternera = carne bovina · Cerdo = porco · Jamon = presunto
- Nata = creme de leite · Yogur = iogurte · Queso = queijo · Mantequilla = manteiga
- Patata = batata · Zanahoria = cenoura · Tomate = tomate · Lechuga = alface
- Cerveza = cerveja · Vino = vinho · Zumo = suco · Agua con gas = agua com gas
- Se puede pagar con tarjeta? = Aceita cartao?
11. Essential apps for life in Spain
Spain's Pix equivalent — instant mobile payments between Spanish bank accounts. Essential for splitting bills, paying rent to individuals, and many market transactions. Set up through your Spanish bank app.
↗ bizum.esSpain's government appointment booking system. Required for immigration appointments (NIE, TIE), social security registration, and other public services. Book at sede.administracionespublicas.gob.es — check at 5–6am for new slots.
↗ sede.gob.esSpain's national rail app. Book AVE high-speed trains (Madrid-Barcelona in 2.5h, Madrid-Seville in 2.5h) and regional trains. Book early for prices from €10–15; last-minute can be €60–90+. Spain's rail network is excellent.
↗ renfe.comBook private specialist appointments online. Doctolib is growing in Spain; Top Doctors (topDoctors.es) is more established. Useful for bypassing public waiting lists for dermatology, ophthalmology, and other specialties. Initial consultations €60–120.
↗ topdoctors.esSpain's main food delivery apps. Glovo is the dominant player nationally; Just Eat is also popular. Delivery fees are typically €1.50–4. Many Spanish restaurants only offer delivery via these apps — no direct ordering.
↗ glovoapp.comBest for BRL/EUR transfers between Brazil and Spain. Much cheaper than bank wire transfers. Also useful as a multi-currency account while you're setting up your Spanish bank account. Exchange rates are mid-market with transparent fees.
↗ wise.comSend money between Brazil and Spain?
Track live BRL/EUR rates, set target alerts, and see double taxation implications for the Brazil-Spain corridor — all in IC360's Finance pillar.
Open Finance tools →Ready to plan your move to Spain?
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