The Bolivian community in Spain is one of the largest from Latin America, and many families reunite here through a relative who already lives in the country. Bolivians need a visa even for a short visit, so the route has to be settled before buying a ticket. Here is how people usually make the move and which documents to prepare.
Key facts
- Entry: Bolivian passport holders need a Schengen visa even for tourism. That visa does not allow work and is not a way to settle: to live in Spain you need a national residence or study visa.
- Citizenship: as a national of an Ibero-American country you can apply for Spanish citizenship after 2 years of legal, continuous residence. The 1961 dual nationality treaty lets you keep Bolivian nationality.
- Documents: Bolivia has applied the Hague Convention since 2018, so an apostille is enough and no translation is needed.
- Driving: there is an exchange agreement. Once resident you can drive for six months on your Bolivian licence and exchange it without a test for cars and motorcycles.
- Social security: the Ibero-American Multilateral Social Security Convention allows periods contributed in Bolivia to be taken into account for your pension.
How people usually move
- Family already living in Spain. If your spouse or partner (or your parent, if you are under 18) holds residence in Spain, they can sponsor you once they have lived there for a year and their permit has been renewed (or renewal applied for). Family reunification
- Studies. A degree, master’s or vocational course with a student visa from the consulate; it allows work up to 30 hours a week. Time as a student does not count towards the 2 years for citizenship. Study permit
- Work in Spain. A Spanish employer applies for the work permit; with it you request the visa at your consular office. Employment permit
- Family of a Spanish or EU citizen. Marriage or registered partnership with a Spanish or EU citizen, or children and dependent parents. Family member of a Spanish or EU citizen
- If you are already in Spain. After 2 years of continuous stay and with no criminal record, social, socio-labour or socio-training arraigo may become available. Family arraigo (for example, if you are the parent of a Spanish child or a relative of a Spaniard) does not require those 2 years. Arraigo
Documents and apostille
- Criminal record certificate from REJAP (Registro Judicial de Antecedentes Penales, Consejo de la Magistratura). It is requested in person at a REJAP office; if you are outside Bolivia, a representative with power of attorney can apply. It usually has to be recent.
- Birth and marriage certificates from SERECI (Servicio de Registro Cívico), apostilled. If your father or mother is Spanish, get their certificates too.
- Apostille: issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs through its online platform, as a digital apostille with a QR code, from its offices in La Paz, Cochabamba and Santa Cruz.
- Degrees and transcripts (university or secondary school), apostilled, if you will study or have your qualification recognised in Spain.
- Driving licence, valid and in good condition: you will need it for the exchange at the DGT once you are resident.
What to keep in mind
- The Spanish Embassy in La Paz (Consular Section) covers La Paz, Oruro, Potosí, Chuquisaca and Cochabamba; the Consulate General in Santa Cruz de la Sierra covers Santa Cruz, Beni, Pando and Tarija. The honorary consulates in Cochabamba, Sucre, Tarija and Trinidad do not accept visa applications.
- Short-stay visas are filed by appointment at BLS International in La Paz or Santa Cruz. For national visas, check your office’s website for where to file: the Consular Section in La Paz asks for personal submission with an appointment requested by email.
- Common mistake: travelling on a tourist visa planning to switch later. Most residence permits are applied for from Bolivia with the right visa.
- In Spain: register at the town hall (padrón) and, if you came with a residence or student visa, apply for your TIE within the first month.
Frequently asked questions
Will I lose Bolivian nationality if I become Spanish?
No. The Spain–Bolivia dual nationality treaty lets you keep both. You apply after 2 years of legal, continuous residence and pass the CCSE test of the Instituto Cervantes; the DELE language test is not required because Spanish is an official language of Bolivia.
I live in Cochabamba. Can I apply at the honorary consulate?
No. Residents of La Paz, Oruro, Potosí, Chuquisaca and Cochabamba file visa applications in La Paz. If you live in Santa Cruz, Beni, Pando or Tarija, your office is the Consulate General in Santa Cruz de la Sierra.
My mother lives in Spain. Can she bring me over?
It depends on your age and her status. A resident can sponsor children under 18 (or disabled children unable to support themselves) and, in some cases, other relatives once their first permit has been renewed. If your mother is already Spanish, the route is residence as a family member of a Spanish citizen, with different requirements.