Moving to Spain from Saint Kitts and Nevis

Saint Kitts and Nevis is Schengen visa-exempt, but living in Spain requires a permit matching your purpose, whatever the origin of your passport. The country is covered by the Embassy of Spain in Kingston (Jamaica), and Spain has an honorary consulate in Charlestown, on Nevis. Here is what to know.

Key facts

• Entry: nationals of Saint Kitts and Nevis can stay in the Schengen area visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period; the Entry/Exit System (EES) records each crossing. This does not allow work and does not, on its own, let you settle.
• Citizenship by investment: since late 2025, the EU’s revised visa suspension mechanism allows visa-free access to be suspended for countries running citizenship-by-investment programmes, and the Commission has asked Saint Kitts and Nevis to phase its programme out by June 2028. Visa-free entry still applies today; check before you travel.
• Citizenship: the general requirement is 10 years of legal, continuous residence. When swearing allegiance you must declare that you renounce your previous nationality (its effect in Saint Kitts and Nevis depends on local law) and pass the CCSE and the DELE A2, because Spanish is not an official language there.
• Documents: public documents from Saint Kitts and Nevis only need an apostille (Hague Convention), but anything in English requires a sworn translation into Spanish.
• Driving and contributions: there is no licence exchange agreement and no bilateral social security agreement. Once resident you can drive for six months on your licence; after that you need a Spanish licence with theory and practical tests.

How people usually move

• Studies. A degree, master’s or vocational course with a study authorisation, which allows work up to 30 hours a week. It is a stay, not residence: that time does not count towards citizenship. Study permit
• Family. Marriage or a registered partnership with a Spanish or EU citizen gives access to residence as a family member, with the right to work. Family member of a Spanish or EU citizen
• Remote work. The digital nomad visa fits if you work remotely for companies or clients outside Spain, with a relationship of at least three months. You can apply at the consulate or from Spain while legally present. Digital nomad
• Non-lucrative residence. For people living on income or savings without working in Spain: a consular visa, private health insurance with no co-payments or waiting periods, a medical certificate and a criminal record certificate. Non-lucrative residence
• Skilled work. With a highly qualified job in Spain you can apply for the highly qualified professional permit or the EU Blue Card, both processed by the Large Companies Unit (UGE). Highly qualified professional

Documents and apostille

• Police certificate from the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force, issued by the Criminal Records Office at Police Headquarters in Basseterre. From abroad you apply by mail or through another person, with fingerprints and a certified photograph.
• Apostille: on St Kitts it is issued by the Attorney General and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; on Nevis, by the Permanent Secretary of the Nevis Ministry of Finance or the Legal Adviser of its Legal Department.
• Records from other countries: if you have lived abroad in the last five years, also prepare those certificates, apostilled or legalised.
• Sworn translation: every document in English must be translated into Spanish by a sworn translator appointed by Spain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs; it can be done in Spain, on the already apostilled document.

What to keep in mind

• National visas are handled by the Embassy of Spain in Kingston, by appointment and in person, for residents of its district with proof of residence. The honorary consulate in Charlestown (Nevis) can guide you and help in emergencies. If you live in another country, go to the Spanish consulate covering your legal residence.
• The police certificate usually has to be recent: request it once you have a date for your visa application, because it still needs an apostille and a sworn translation afterwards.
• If you hold several nationalities, enter Spain and file every application with the same passport so your details match on the visa and the TIE.
• In Spain: register at the town hall (padrón) and, if you came with a residence visa, apply for your TIE within the first month. If you plan to apply for citizenship, the 10 years run from when you obtain legal residence, not from arrival.

Frequently asked questions

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