The Chinese community is one of the most established in Spain, with a strong presence in retail and hospitality, and more Chinese students arrive at Spanish universities every year. Since November 2023 China applies the apostille, which greatly simplifies paperwork. What has not changed: a visa is required and Chinese law does not allow dual nationality.
Key facts
- Visa: citizens of mainland China need a visa even for short stays. To live in Spain you need a national visa or a permit applied for from Spain during a legal stay.
- Citizenship: 10 years of legal, continuous residence, the CCSE and DELE A2 exams and a declaration renouncing Chinese nationality at the oath. Chinese nationality law does not recognise dual nationality.
- Documents: China has applied the Apostille Convention since 7 November 2023, so consular legalisation is no longer needed. Documents in Chinese need a sworn translation.
- Driving: there is no exchange agreement; to drive as a resident you will need a Spanish licence, with theory and practical tests.
- Golden visa: residence through buying property was abolished in 2025 and is no longer a route to residence.
How people usually move
- Your own business. Opening a shop, restaurant or other self-employed activity, with a justified business plan and investment. Self-employment
- Family reunification. If your spouse or parent lives legally in Spain, they can sponsor you after their first year of residence, once renewal has been granted or applied for. Family reunification
- Studies. Bachelor’s, master’s, PhD or vocational training with a study authorisation, which allows work up to 30 hours a week. This time does not count towards citizenship. Study stay
- Skilled work. Highly qualified professional, EU Blue Card or an intra-company transfer within a Chinese company with a Spanish subsidiary, processed by the Large Companies Unit (UGE). Highly qualified professional
- Non-lucrative residence. For living on savings or passive income without working, with private health insurance without co-payments or waiting periods. Non-lucrative residence
- Arraigo. For people who have already spent 2 years in Spain and have no criminal record. Arraigo
Documents and apostille
- Certificate of no criminal record (wu fanzui jilu zhengming) from the public security bureau (police) where you live. For use outside China it is usually formalised as a notarial certificate (gongzhengshu) at a notary office and then apostilled. It usually needs to be recent.
- Apostille: issued by China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the authorised foreign affairs office of your province. Hong Kong and Macao have their own apostille authorities.
- Birth, marriage and kinship certificates: in practice submitted as apostilled notarial certificates. For family reunification they prove the family link.
- Sworn translation into Spanish of all documents in Chinese, including the apostille.
- Academic degrees with an apostille, if you plan to study, have them recognised or apply for a skilled visa.
What to keep in mind
- Spain has consulates general in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Hong Kong. In the Beijing district, visa applications are filed at the BLS centres in Beijing, Jinan, Shenyang, Xi’an and Wuhan; elsewhere, check the centre on your consulate’s website.
- You apply at the centre for your place of residence. If you live outside China, normally at the Spanish consulate of the country where you legally reside.
- Notarial certificates and apostilles take time: arrange them before booking so that your documents have not expired.
- Once in Spain: register on the padrón and apply for your TIE within the first month.
Frequently asked questions
Can I hold Spanish and Chinese nationality at the same time?
No. Chinese nationality law does not allow dual nationality: a person living abroad who voluntarily acquires another nationality loses Chinese nationality. Spain also requires you to declare renunciation of Chinese nationality at the oath, after 10 years of legal residence.
Does the golden visa for buying property still exist?
No, it was abolished in 2025. If you want to live in Spain on your own means, the usual alternatives are non-lucrative residence, self-employment or, if you qualify, the Law 14/2013 permits for entrepreneurs and qualified professionals.
Do I have to legalise my Chinese documents at the consulate?
Not any more. Since 7 November 2023 a Chinese apostille is enough. A sworn translation into Spanish is still required.